Acropolis of Athens

Located in a strategic position overlooking every corner of the city, the Acropolis of Athens is the most important and well-known landmark in all of Greece. It sits atop a hill (156 m) above sea level and is visible from most parts of the city.

Although the Acropolis has been destroyed and looted on several occasions throughout the centuries, the remaining ruins have been restored since Greece's independence. During a visit to the Acropolis, you can see its remains and, with a little imagination, be transported back to the golden age of ancient Greece.

Parts of the Acropolis

The Acropolis is home to some of the most famous classic Greek monuments, including the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike, and the Propylaea, all built of white marble.

Parthenon

The Parthenon is an enormous temple that dominates the Athenian Acropolis. It is also the most important example of ancient Greek architecture.

Constructed between 447 and 432 BC, the beautiful white marble temple was designed in a Doric style. It was built in honor of Athena, the Greek goddess, and it was home to the colossal sculpture of Athena Parthenos, a 12-meter ivory and gold statue. The only remains of the statue are its replicas.

Propylaea

Erected between 437 and 432 BC, the Propylaea is a mammoth gateway to the Acropolis and its landmarks. This rectangular building has a Doric-column façade and is located at the top of numerous steep steps. The portal with five entrances was once used to control access to the Acropolis.

Erechtheum

The Erechtheum (Erechtheion), built in 421 and finished in 405 BC, is an Ionic-style temple erected on the most sacred area of the Acropolis, where Athena’s sacred olive tree grew.

The highlight of the Erechtheum is on the south side of the temple. The “Porch of the Maidens” is made up of six columns carved in the shape of caryatids (a typical Greek female figure used to decorate the ancient Greek temples). The original sculptures are conserved in the Acropolis Museum.

Temple of Athena Nike

On the southwest of the Acropolis is located the Temple of Athena Nike, the smallest temple of them all. The designation “Nike” means victory. It was built in 420 BC to commemorate the victory of the Greeks in the Battle of Salamis against the Persian Empire.

The Ionic style monument housed an image of the Goddess of war without wings. According to the legend, the statue was wingless so that it could not fly away from Athens.

An Absolute Must-See

Although the Greek peninsula offers countless treasures, the Acropolis of Athens is one of the most important landmarks. This is why a visit to the Acropolis alone makes the trip to the capital worthwhile.

Although many of the temples have suffered the ravages of time and conflict, the place’s immense charm means that visitors overlook the signs of the passing years, and the monuments that still stand remain awe-inspiring.

Buy Tickets for the Acropolis

To get tickets to the Acropolis of Athens at the best price and skip the lines, you can purchase them online via this link:

• Buy tickets to the Acropolis of Athens

If you’d prefer to book tickets with an audio guide for a much more comprehensive visit, here’s the direct link:

• Buy tickets to the Acropolis with an audio guide

For an even more complete experience, you can choose to book a guided tour of the Acropolis with an English-speaking guide:

• Book a guided tour of the Acropolis of Athens

Recommendations for Visiting the Acropolis of Athens

The Acropolis is not only the symbol of Athens: it's the heart of Western civilisation. However, planning is essential if you want to enjoy it today. It's important to bear in mind that access is regulated by strict time slots. We recommend booking weeks in advance, especially if you're traveling during the high season.

If you're traveling in summer, we recommend going up first thing in the morning (8 am) or at sunset to avoid the extreme heat, as in recent years they have been forced to temporarily close the site during the middle of the day.