Low-angle view of the Doric marble columns of the Parthenon on the Acropolis, Athens, against a clear sky

Heritage · Central Athens, Attica

Acropolis of Athens

The rocky citadel above Athens crowned by the Parthenon, Erechtheion and Propylaea

Ambient sound · similar settingA tree full of cicadas on a Greek summer day

Photo: Magnus Engø (@magnusengo) / Unsplash

Discover Acropolis of Athens

Rising straight out of the Athens basin, the Acropolis is the image most travellers carry of Greece before they ever arrive. The limestone outcrop stands roughly 156 metres above the surrounding plain, and on its summit sit the marble ruins of the Parthenon, the Erechtheion with its famous maiden columns, the small Temple of Athena Nike and the monumental Propylaea gateway.

A visit is equal parts archaeology and panorama. From the rock you look across a sea of white apartment blocks to Lycabettus Hill, the Saronic Gulf and the mountains of Attica, while the slopes below hold the Theatre of Dionysus and the Roman-era Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Combine it with the Acropolis Museum at the foot of the hill and you have the essential first day of any Athens stay.

Don’t miss

01The Parthenon, the Doric temple of Athena that dominates the summit
02The Erechtheion and its porch of Caryatids, female figures used in place of columns
03The Propylaea, the monumental marble gateway at the western entrance
04The small Ionic Temple of Athena Nike beside the entrance bastion
05Views over the Theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on the south slope
06Panoramas across Athens to Lycabettus Hill and the sea

History & culture

The story of Acropolis of Athens

People have fortified this hill for more than 3,300 years; the first wall was raised in the 13th century BC, when the Acropolis was a Mycenaean stronghold. Over the following centuries it became the city's main sanctuary, dedicated above all to Athena, the patron goddess of Athens.

The monuments visible today belong mainly to the ambitious programme launched under Pericles in the 5th century BC, the age of Athenian democracy, philosophy and drama. The Parthenon, the Propylaea (begun in 437 BC), the Erechtheion (built between 421 and 406 BC) and the Temple of Athena Nike were all completed within a few decades and went on to shape classical, Roman and later Neo-Classical architecture around the world.

The hill's later history was turbulent. Under Ottoman rule the Parthenon served as a mosque with a minaret, and in 1687, during a Venetian siege, a shell ignited gunpowder stored inside it, causing the damage still visible today. The site has been run as an archaeological site since 1833, and a long, careful restoration programme has been under way since 1975.

Local life & traditions

For Athenians the Acropolis is not just a monument but a constant presence: it is visible from rooftops, balconies and street corners across the city, and it is lit every evening. The pedestrian promenade of Dionysiou Areopagitou that curls around its southern foot is a favourite place for an evening stroll, and the restoration of the marbles, together with the long campaign for the return of the Parthenon sculptures held abroad, remains a matter of national pride and public debate.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Most visitors climb from the south slope or the main western entrance, pass through the Propylaea and spend an hour or two circling the Parthenon and Erechtheion. Hiring a licensed guide or using an official audio guide adds a great deal, as the ruins carry layers of myth, politics and engineering that are easy to miss.

For the classic view of the Acropolis itself, walk up neighbouring Filopappou (Philopappos) Hill or the Areopagus rock, especially in the late afternoon. In summer the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on the south slope hosts performances as part of the Athens festival season, giving the rare chance to sit in a Roman theatre beneath the illuminated Parthenon.

When to go

Spring (April to early June) and autumn (September to October) bring comfortable temperatures and softer light. July and August are very hot, and the exposed marble summit offers little shade, so arrive at opening time or late in the day. Winter is quieter and often clear, though hours are shorter; check the season's official hours before you go.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Status: Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as 'Acropolis, Athens'; restoration works have been under way since 1975 Source: whc.unesco.org ↗
Tickets: Admission to the Acropolis is sold separately from the Acropolis Museum ticket; official online tickets are sold via etickets.tap.gr (as stated by the Acropolis Museum) Source: theacropolismuseum.gr ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Book a timed ticket online in advance in peak season and arrive at opening time to avoid the worst heat and queues.
Wear flat shoes with good grip; the marble paths on the summit are uneven and can be slippery.
Carry water, a hat and sun cream from April to October, as there is very little shade on the rock.
Large bags and food are generally not welcome on the site; travel light.
Pair the visit with the Acropolis Museum, a short walk away, to see the original sculptures up close.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Acropolis of Athens: food, markets & places to stay

The Acropolis Museum lies about 300 metres south-east of the Parthenon, beside Akropoli metro station. The pedestrian streets of Dionysiou Areopagitou and Apostolou Pavlou link the hill with Plaka, the Ancient Agora, Thiseio and Monastiraki, where cafés, bakeries and souvenir shops are plentiful. Travellers looking for halal restaurants will find most of them around Omonia and Monastiraki in central Athens.