The official e-ticket, the timed slots and every Acropolis ticket and tour on GetYourGuide,
compared honestly, so you know which one to book and when a guide is worth it.
New official ticket site in 2026: the state e-ticket shop moved from hhticket.gr to tickets.hh.gr (Hellenic Heritage). The old address redirects; lookalike sites with similar names are resellers. Acropolis page on hh.grChecked 29 September 2026
Official option firstWe show the state e-ticket next to every reseller
Real guest ratingsLive GetYourGuide figures, low ones included
Refund terms statedWhich tickets refund up to 24 hours ahead, which do not
Secure checkoutBook on GetYourGuide, instant confirmation
Tickets & tours
Choose your Acropolis ticket
In the centre, the guided tour most visitors pick: a licensed guide, with the ticket and the
Acropolis Museum as options. On the left, just a timed ticket with a phone audio guide. On the right, the tour
that goes in with the first group of the day.
A timed Acropolis ticket by email plus a phone audio tour of the old town. Handy when the official slots are gone; it costs more than the official ticket.
What's included
Acropolis entry ticket for your date and time slot
Self-guided audio tour of the old town on your phone
Acropolis audio tour or a live guide if you choose that option
Full-price tickets only: reduced tickets are not sold here
A licensed guide walks you up the south slope to the Parthenon, with the entry ticket and the Acropolis Museum as options. The best rated tour with this many reviews.
What's included
Licensed guide, shared or private group
Acropolis entry ticket if you choose that option
Acropolis Museum ticket and tour if you choose that option
The first row is the official e-ticket: entry only, and the base price everything else is built on.
Every other option costs more and adds something: a guide, an audio tour, a spare time slot, or more sites.
Official tickets and three GetYourGuide tickets are non-refundable; the guided tours refund in
full if you cancel up to 24 hours ahead. Every ticket is for a time slot, valid 15 minutes either side.
What you actually buy
The official ticket is the baseline. Everything else is a bundle.
Every visitor to the Acropolis needs the same thing: a timed entry ticket. The state sells it on
tickets.hh.gr, a QR code on your phone for a one-hour slot. It is the cheapest way in, and for many people
it is all they need.
Tickets on GetYourGuide are that same entry plus something: an audio guide, a licensed guide, the museum, or
simply a slot the official shop has already sold. They cost more. "Skip-the-line" only means you skip the
ticket-office queue: everyone still passes security at the booked time. Buy a GetYourGuide ticket for the
guide, the audio or the convenience, not to jump a queue.
20,000
visitors a day at most, spread over hourly slots since
2023. The 08:00 slot has the most places and still sells out first in summer.
tickets.hh.grQR on your phone±15 min windowNo refunds
The Caryatids on the Erechtheion are copies; five originals stand in the Acropolis Museum.
01
Where to buy?
Officially on tickets.hh.gr, or at the ticket offices of both entrances. Other sites are resellers.
02
Book ahead?
From April to October, yes. The gate sells only the slots that are left.
03
Who pays less?
EU citizens 65+ pay half from October to May. EU under-25s and non-EU under-18s don't pay.
04
When a tour?
When you want the story told, the first slot of the day, or the official slots are gone.
On the day
How entry works
Four steps from booking to the Parthenon. The whole visit takes 1.5 to 2 hours; once you are in,
there is no time limit.
01
Book a slot
Pick a date and an hourly slot on tickets.hh.gr or with a tour. The QR code arrives by email.
Weeks ahead in summer
02
Arrive on time
Your ticket is valid 15 minutes either side of the slot. Staff turn early arrivals away.
±15 minutes
03
Pick your entrance
The main west entrance is closest to the top; the south-slope entrance is quieter and passes the theatres.
West or south
04
Walk the hill
Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Erechtheion, Parthenon, then the views over the Odeon and the city.
The 2026 opening hours, who pays what, how to get there and what to bring.
1 April to 31 August: 08:00 to 20:00.
September: 08:00 to 19:30 until the 15th, then 08:00 to 19:00.
October: 08:00 to 18:30 until the 15th, then 08:00 to 18:00.
1 November to 31 March: 08:00 to 17:00.
Last entry 20 minutes before closing. Closed on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Orthodox Easter Sunday, 25 and 26 December. In heatwaves the site has closed at midday; check hh.gr in July.
Full ticket: one price all year since April 2025, for everyone not listed below.
Reduced ticket: half the full price, for EU citizens 65 and over from October to May, with ID.
You don't pay: EU citizens under 25, visitors from outside the EU under 18 (since the 2025 reform; check the category when you book), and visitors with a disability. Bring a passport or ID card.
Days nobody pays: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October, and the first and third Sundays from November to March.
Not included: the Acropolis Museum and the Temple of Olympian Zeus; the old combined ticket was abolished in 2025.
Metro: Akropoli (line 2) is a short walk to the south-slope entrance; Monastiraki and Thissio suit the main entrance.
On foot: the pedestrian Dionysiou Areopagitou and Apostolou Pavlou streets circle the hill from Plaka, Monastiraki and Thissio.
Main (west) entrance: ticket office, toilets and left luggage; the shortest walk to the top and the busiest gate.
South-slope entrance: by the Acropolis Museum; usually quieter, a longer walk up past the Theatre of Dionysus.
Lift: on the north face for visitors with reduced mobility; it stops in rain, strong wind and prolonged heat.
Flat shoes with grip: the marble is polished smooth and slippery, especially on the Propylaea steps.
Water: bottles are allowed, and there is almost no shade on the top.
A hat and sun cream from May to October.
Only a small bag: backpacks and large bags go to left luggage at the main entrance.
Your passport or ID card if you are in a category that pays less or nothing.
438 BCParthenon completedThe temple of Athena was finished in 438 BC; its sculpture a few years later.
1987UNESCO World HeritageThe Acropolis was one of the first sites in Greece on the list.
2023Timed entryA daily cap and hourly slots since September 2023, for every visitor.
2025One price all yearSince April 2025 the full ticket costs the same in every season.
2026West front clearThe scaffolding came off the Parthenon's west front on 15 June 2026.
±15Minute windowYour ticket is valid from 15 minutes before to 15 minutes after the slot.
Where it is
The Acropolis of Athens
Acropolis, Athens 105 58
Main entrance at the west end, off Dionysiou Areopagitou by the Areopagus; south-slope entrance by the Acropolis Museum
The rock rises in the middle of central Athens, ringed by a pedestrian promenade. Plaka and Anafiotika sit under
the north slope, the Acropolis Museum and Akropoli metro under the south slope, and the Areopagus and
Filopappou Hill, the two classic viewpoints, face the main entrance.
Timing, the small things visitors wish they had known, what is nearby and the rules.
08:00: the coolest, softest light and the slot with the most places; it sells out first.
Late afternoon: from about 17:00 in summer, groups thin out and the marble glows.
10:00 to 14:00: the peak for cruise groups and heat; avoid it from June to September.
Winter: fewer visitors and closing at 17:00, close to sunset.
Screenshot your QR code: mobile data on the hill can be slow at busy times.
Go straight up to the Parthenon, then see the rest on the way down: that is what the first-access tours do.
Enter by the south slope if the west gate queue is long; it passes the Theatre of Dionysus on the way.
See the Caryatids twice: the copies on the Erechtheion and the originals in the Acropolis Museum.
Want sunset? The hill closes before it in summer; watch it from the Areopagus or Filopappou Hill instead.
Acropolis Museum: at the foot of the south slope, separate ticket, open until 20:00 most days and 22:00 on Fridays.
Areopagus and Filopappou Hill: the classic viewpoints, open to everyone at any hour, no ticket needed.
Ancient Agora and Temple of Hephaestus: below the north-west side, a separate ticket.
Plaka and Anafiotika: the old lanes under the north slope, for lunch after your visit.
Official tickets cannot be refunded or changed. Three GetYourGuide tickets here are also non-refundable; the guided tours refund in full if you cancel up to 24 hours ahead.
High heels are not allowed on the monuments; don't touch or climb on the marble.
No food on the site; water bottles are fine.
Tripods and drones need a permit.
Athens · above the city
Stand where Athens began, on your own time slot.
Timed tickets, guided tours and first-access entry, with refund terms stated on every option.
4.8★★★★★ 13,898 reviews · Acropolis, Parthenon & Museum Guided Tour GetYourGuide figure
★★★★★
You get to see the Parthenon first before all the tourist rush in taking over every space for a good photo. The guide gives you time at the start to take your photos and then the tour starts.
★★★★★
We considered trying to go without a guide and we are so happy we went with this tour. The site is massive and there are so many things to see. We went at 0800. While it was busy, the guide knew where to take the group.
★★★★★
There was a separate line for online purchasers that moved fast. We opted for the self-guided tour at 8AM because I was with people who wanted to take their time with photography. It was really easy to figure it out once you download the app.
★★★★★
We really liked the small group of 8 and first entry of the day as the Acropolis is so busy. Our guide was very knowledgeable. Wear good shoes as the path is rocky and slippery.
★★★★★
Sofia made our visit to the Acropolis top notch. She kept us cool in the shade when possible and knew exactly where to get the best views. The tour was a highlight of our Athens sightseeing.
★★★★★
John the archaeologist brought history to life. I was surprised how much I got out of it. David made sure he looked after us with water and shade. I highly recommend.
★★★★★
Stevi was fantastic and directed us up to the Parthenon as soon as we had access. We were able to take amazing photos before the thousands of people followed. Then she found us the perfect spots in the shade to stop and listen.
★★★★★
Being able to walk, at your own pace, with the audio providing an engaging level of history relating to both Athens and these magnificent ancient ruins.
★★★★★
Annie was incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful and engaging. The meeting location was easy to find, and I really appreciated the option to return the headset at the top, which allowed us to stay longer at our own pace.
For the sunset
Another temple, above the sea
The Acropolis closes before sunset in summer. The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, an hour and a
half down the coast, is where Athens goes to watch it.
Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon at Sunset
★ 4.7 · 10,157 reviews · GetYourGuide
The Acropolis closes before sunset in summer. For the sunset, the classic half day goes down the coast to the Temple of Poseidon on its cliff above the Aegean, with an archaeologist on the coach. Entry to the Sounion site is paid separately.
Sunset over the AegeanCoach from AthensArchaeologist on board
Buying an Acropolis ticket used to mean queueing at a window. Now it means choosing a time slot,
often weeks ahead, and choosing between the state shop and a crowd of resellers. Here is how the system works,
what each option really adds, and how to pick.
The official ticket
The state sells Acropolis tickets on tickets.hh.gr, the Hellenic Heritage shop that replaced
hhticket.gr in spring 2026. You choose a date and an hourly slot, pay, and get a QR code for your phone. The
ticket is valid 15 minutes either side of the slot and covers the whole hill, the Parthenon included, with no time
limit once you are in. It is the cheapest way in. The catch: it cannot be refunded or changed, and in summer the
early slots go weeks ahead.
One ticket covers the Parthenon and the whole hill.
What the GetYourGuide tickets add
Every ticket and tour on GetYourGuide includes the same timed entry, plus something else, and costs more for it.
The timed tickets add a phone audio guide and, often, a slot the official shop has already sold: several reviewers
bought one because the 08:00 slot was gone. The guided tours add a licensed guide for about two hours, which is
what turns a field of marble into a story. The first-access tours add the best timing of all: the group waits at
the gate before opening and reaches the Parthenon before the crowds.
The honest small print: "skip-the-line" never means walking straight in. Every visitor,
guided or not, passes security at the booked time. It only means you skip the ticket-office queue, which the
official e-ticket skips too. Three of the tickets here, like the official ticket, are non-refundable; the guided
tours refund in full if you cancel up to 24 hours ahead.
Who pays less, or nothing
Since April 2025 the full ticket costs the same all year. The reduced ticket is half the full price, for EU
citizens aged 65 and over from October to May. EU citizens under 25 don't pay to enter, and since the 2025 reform
neither do visitors from outside the EU under 18. A few dates each year nobody pays, from 6 March to the first and
third Sundays of winter; on those days there is no online booking and the queues are long. GetYourGuide sells
full-price tickets only, so if you are in a reduced or no-ticket category, use the official shop or the gate.
The Acropolis Museum is a separate ticket, at the foot of the south slope.
When to go
Go at 08:00 or late in the afternoon. Most visitors, and most cruise groups, arrive between 10:00 and 14:00,
which is also the hottest part of a summer day on a rock with almost no shade. The hill closes at 20:00 in summer
and 17:00 in winter, with last entry 20 minutes earlier. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours, then add the Acropolis Museum:
its air-conditioned galleries are the right place for the middle of the day.
The south-slope path: longer, quieter, and past the Theatre of Dionysus.
Straight answers to what visitors ask most about Acropolis tickets.
What is the official ticket site for the Acropolis?
Since spring 2026 it is tickets.hh.gr, the Hellenic Heritage shop of the Greek Ministry of Culture. The old hhticket.gr now redirects there. Sites with "Acropolis" in their name are resellers. More in official Acropolis tickets.
How much is a ticket for the Acropolis?
There is one full price all year (the cheaper winter rate ended in April 2025) and a reduced ticket at half the full price. EU citizens under 25 and, since the 2025 reform, visitors from outside the EU under 18 do not pay to enter. Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide cost more because they add an audio guide, a guide or a spare slot. Every category in Acropolis ticket types.
Is it worth buying Acropolis tickets in advance?
Yes, from April to October. Entry is by timed slot with a daily cap, the 08:00 slot goes first, and at the ticket office you only get what is left. Official tickets cannot be refunded or changed, so book once your plans are fixed.
Are the Acropolis and the Parthenon the same ticket?
Yes. The Parthenon stands on the Acropolis, and one ticket covers the whole hill: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, the Parthenon and the slopes with the Theatre of Dionysus.
How many hours do you need to see the Acropolis?
Allow 1.5 to 2 hours on the hill, a little more if you walk up from the south slope. Guided tours take about 2 hours. Add 1.5 to 2 hours for the Acropolis Museum.
Do Acropolis tickets sell out?
The early slots do, on summer days and when cruise ships are in. The daily cap is 20,000 visitors in hourly slots. When the official shop shows no slot you want, GetYourGuide resellers often still have one, at a higher price.
Which days can you visit the Acropolis without paying?
Nobody pays to enter on 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October, and the first and third Sundays from November to March. There is no online booking on those days and the queues are long.
Can you buy Acropolis tickets at the door?
Yes, at the ticket offices of the main (west) entrance and of the south-slope entrance. You get the next slot that is still available, which in summer can be hours later. Booking online is the safer choice.
Is it better to visit the Acropolis in the morning or evening?
Either end of the day. The 08:00 opening is cooler and the light is soft; late afternoon, from about 17:00 in summer, is calmer as groups leave. Avoid 10:00 to 14:00 in summer. Details in the best time to visit.
Can I bring a water bottle into the Acropolis?
Yes, and you should: there is very little shade. Food is not allowed, large bags and backpacks go to the left-luggage room at the main entrance, and there are toilets at the entrances.
Is the Temple of Olympian Zeus included in the Acropolis ticket?
No. Since the combined ticket was abolished in 2025, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Agora and the other sites each need their own ticket. Some GetYourGuide bundles add them to your Acropolis ticket.
Should I visit the Acropolis Museum before or after the Acropolis?
Either works. Many visitors do the hill at 08:00 and the air-conditioned museum in the midday heat. Going to the museum first helps if you want to know what you are looking at. See the Acropolis Museum guide.
Ready to book
Pick your slot, then enjoy the hill.
Instant confirmation on GetYourGuide, with the refund terms shown on every option.
Just the ticket
★ 4.2Your time slot13,433 reviews
