Athens Travel Guide 2026: Acropolis Tickets, Prices & Tips

The rocky hill above the city holds the Parthenon, the temple to Athena built under Pericles; the Erechtheion with its porch of six maidens (Caryatids); the Propylaea gateway; and the small Temple of Athena Nike. Restoration work has been going on since 1975, so expect some cranes and scaffolding.

Price: €30, all year (no winter discount since April 2025); free for non-EU children under 5 · Hours: from 8:00 · Time needed: 2 hours · Tip: book a timed slot on the official Hellenic Heritage site, go at 8:00 or in the last two hours, and wear shoes with grip; the marble is very slippery.

A modern museum opened in 2009 at the foot of the Acropolis, built over excavated ancient streets you can see through the glass floor. The top floor displays the Parthenon sculptures in their original layout, with copies in place of the pieces still in the British Museum in London.

Price: about €15–20 · Time needed: 2 hours · Tip: visit after the Acropolis; the air-conditioning is a relief.

The main public square of ancient Athens, where Socrates taught and citizens voted. Above it stands the Temple of Hephaestus (about 450 BC), one of the best-preserved Greek temples anywhere.

Price: about €20 · Time needed: 1.5 hours.

Plaka is the oldest neighbourhood, with neoclassical houses, tavernas and souvenir shops right below the Acropolis. Hidden on the slope above it is Anafiotika, a tiny village of whitewashed houses built in the 19th century by builders from the island of Anafi, who made it look like home.

Price: free · Tip: get lost in Anafiotika early in the morning.

The Evzones, the presidential guards in kilts and shoes with pompoms, change at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of Parliament every hour. On Sundays at 11:00 there is a larger ceremony with a band.

Price: free · Time needed: 15 minutes.

The only stadium in the world built entirely of marble. It stands on the site of an ancient stadium from 330 BC and was rebuilt for the first modern Olympics in 1896.

Price: about €10–12, with audio guide · Time needed: 45 minutes.

Started in the 6th century BC and only finished by the Roman emperor Hadrian in 131 AD, it was once the largest temple in Greece. Fifteen of its 104 giant columns still stand.

Price: about €20 · Time needed: 30 minutes.

The most important collection of ancient Greek art in the world, including the gold Mask of Agamemnon and the Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient "computer" for predicting eclipses.

Price: about €12–20 · Time needed: 2 to 3 hours.

Monastiraki Square has the flea market, souvlaki shops and views of the Acropolis. Psyri next door is full of street art, bars and small restaurants.

Price: free · Tip: have a drink on a rooftop bar here at sunset.

Two hills with the best views of the city. Lycabettus (277 m) has a chapel and a funicular; Philopappou, opposite the Acropolis, is a free, easy walk with a perfect sunset view of the Parthenon.

Price: Philopappou free; Lycabettus funicular about €10 return.

The Temple of Poseidon (444 BC) on a cliff above the Aegean, 70 km south. Lord Byron carved his name into one of the columns.

Price: about €20 · Getting there: KTEL bus about 2 hours, or a tour · Tip: go for sunset.