Acropolis
- Address:Attiki, Athens
- Hours:Open daily 8am - 7pm (to 5 pm in winter)
- Admission:Adults: € 12
Must-Do Experience, Tip - Packing, Tip - Weather, UNESCO Heritage Site, Monument - Historical, Ruin - Ancient
8:08 PM Wednesday, May 23
Passing clouds. Cool.
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The Acropolis (Akropolis) means 'city on a hill' and dates from the 5th century BC. Dominated by its main temple, the Parthenon, the Acropolis can be seen from all around the city of Athens. In 510 BC, the Delphic Oracle told Pericles that this hill should be a place to worship the gods so he set about an ambitious building project which took half a century and employed both Athenians and foreigners. It reflects the wealth and power of Greece at the height of its cultural and influence.
Even now, the Classical architecture of the temples influences the building styles of our modern cities. But the thick pollution of Athens has taken its toll on the gleaming white marble of which the temples are made, as have souvenir-hunters, including the British Government who still have the famous Elgin Marbles (a frieze from the Parthenon) in the British Museum. These days the area is heavily protected, undergoing restoration, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Latest Reviews All Acropolis Reviews »
This was a very useful tour for the first time visitor, as it provided orientation of the main city sights aboard the coach, as well as extensive visits to the Acropolis and the new Acropolis Museum. Our guide was very well-informed about all aspects of the tour, and provided fascinating detail during the visits to the Acropolis and the Museum.
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This tour was a perfect introduction to the city, and a great way to understand the history of this city! The guide pointed out things we would not have noticed if we had been walking around the city, and really brought it to life. Even though it was really warm outside, the guide made sure we were walking or standing in shaded areas and it was a really relaxed stroll around the city, gardens, and Acropolis. The guide also had photos to really help us understand the history of Greece. Continue Reading »
I really enjoyed this tour, the sites visited were increadible. Specially the Acropolis, you really can't miss it! The guide was very knowledgable and showed us the main highlights of Athens. The weather was very nice, and we did the whole tour on walk, which was very nice. Really worth it, was a great experience! Continue Reading »
Practical Info
The nearest underground train station is Akropoli. Entry to the Acropolis is via Dionysiou Areopagitou or Theorias, Anafiotika. Wear sensible shoes because the ground can be uneven. In summer, it gets very hot up on the Acropolis so take a bottle of water.
