Acropolis & Parthenon

Where it is & how to get there

• Metro: Akropoli station (Line 2), 5 minutes' walk to the main entrance.
• Tickets: Timed entry tickets must be booked online in advance.
• Heat: The site may close at midday during summer heatwaves.

The story of the Acropolis

The Acropolis has been a sacred site for thousands of years. In the 5th century BC, under the statesman Pericles, the Athenians built the Parthenon, a temple to the goddess Athena, between 447 and 432 BC.

Other monuments include the Erechtheion with its caryatid columns, the monumental Propylaea gateway and the small Temple of Athena Nike. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the modern Acropolis Museum below displays many of its original sculptures.

Best time to visit

Tips before you go

• Go at opening time or late afternoon to avoid heat and crowds. Book a timed ticket.
• Visit the Acropolis Museum after the site to see the original sculptures.
• Wear shoes with grip; the marble is slippery.

What's around the Acropolis

• Acropolis MuseumModern museum below the rock.
• Areopagus HillRocky viewpoint near the entrance.
• Theatre of DionysusAncient theatre on the slope.
• PlakaOld neighbourhood below.

Questions travellers ask