Visiting the Acropolis

The Acropolis Museum

To get the most out of your trip to the Acropolis, consider making the Acropolis Museum your first stop. That way, you’ll get all the historical information you could ever want about the site, and that extra knowledge will make your visit to the Acropolis more meaningful. The permanent exhibits—such as the “Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis” and “The Archaic Galery”—are sure to interest visitors of all ages. Highlights of the museum include an archaeologist who will talk to visitors, weekend “gallery talks” that are presented in English as well as Greek, and a scavenger-hunt-like activity geared towards children and their parents. 

The Parthenon

The most famous part of the Acropolis is the Parthenon, and once you get up close you’ll see why. Similar to the Temple of Athena Nike, the Parthenon was created to honor the goddess of war and wisdom. The Parthenon is a majestic building that will inspire you with its history—it dates back to the fifth century BC—and its beautiful artistic features.

The Temple of Athena Nike

Another important site of the Acropolis is the Temple of Athena Nike. Athena was the goddess of war and wisdom, and the Greeks built the Temple of Athena Nike to pay homage to this important goddess. Construction of the beautiful temple began in the 400s (400s BC, that is). The frieze of the Temple of Athena Nike includes battle scenes as well as figures of Greek gods and goddesses.

The Erechtheion and the Propylaea

Two other important temples on the Acropolis are the Erechtheion and the Propylaea. The namesake of the Erechtehion is Erechtheus, who, according to Greek mythology, was an Athenian king. A striking aspect of the Erechtheion is the female figures that form the columns of the temple on its south side. Although the Propylaea was severely damaged in the 17^th century, it has since undergone repairs and is nonetheless a fantastic sight.

Additional Information

There are several days throughout the year that there is no entrance fee to the Acropolis (such as International Monuments Day, International Museums Day, and International Tourism Day), so make sure to check ahead to see if your visit overlaps with one of these days. If you’re vacationing with anyone under the age of 19, he/she will be able to enter for no cost. There are several hotels located within close proximity to the Acropolis, including the Adrian Hotel, the Herodion Hotel, and the Divani Palace Acropolis.

After a day of sightseeing, discover the best restaurants in Athens for a delicious Greek meal.