Acropolis Museum Guided Tour with Optional Entry Ticket
Duration
Open today
Book now, pay later
Guided tour
4.6/5(3,415)
Dino V
Dudas A
Christina W
Hester Z
Dan T
Anne-maree K
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Explore ancient Athens your way; choose between a 90-minute Acropolis Museum tour or a full guided walk through the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Museum.
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Inside the museum, see the Caryatids up close, explore the glass-walled Parthenon Gallery, and look down into an excavated neighborhood frozen beneath the floors.
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On the Acropolis walk, climb through the Propylaea, pause at the Temple of Athena Nike, and stand in awe before the Parthenon’s marble columns.
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Learn about Athena’s contest with Poseidon, explore the Panathenaic procession in marble, and hear stories of daily Athenian life as your guide brings Athens to life.
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Entry to Acropolis Museum (as per option selected)
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Entry to the Acropolis and Parthenon on the selected date and time (as per option selected)
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90-minute guided tour of the Acropolis Museum with an expert, Spanish/English-speaking guide (as per option selected)
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Guided walking tour of the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum with an expert, English-speaking guide (as per option selected)
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Access to all permanent exhibitions in the Acropolis Museum, including the Parthenon Gallery, Archaic Gallery, and the Gallery of the Slopes
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Access to the underground excavation site of an ancient neighborhood beneath the Acropolis Museum
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Access to major Acropolis landmarks: Temple of Athena Nike, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Theater of Dionysus Eleuthereus, Erechtheion, and Propylaea (with combo tickets)
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Whisper audio set with earphones (with combo tickets)
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Hotel transfers
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Food & drinks
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Personal expenses
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These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
- 3,415 reviews4.6
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Canada and over 49 countries have loved this experienceWhat our guests say
IIlka S
CoupleVerified booking3 weeks ago5/5Very good - organization, content, tour. Without this informative tour led by our competent guide, we wouldn't have learned about or even noticed many things.MMark C
CoupleVerified booking3 weeks ago5/5Guide provided real context to the site and museum. Not just facts, but real human and social relevance. A very worthwhile and rewarding experience.DDino V
CoupleVerified bookingYesterday5/5Booked my tickets with Headoout. App was very easy to use and provided all the information I needed to implement my tour. It provided clear instructions regarding the meeting place, tickets, and what to expect. Went to the Acropolis and Parthenon and Acropolis museum with a guide. Guide was very informative, very personable, with a good sense of humour. Pace of the tour was excellent with continuous clear instructions and frequent breaks. Tour guide made sure we were in shaded areas as much as possible. Overall a great experience.DDudas A
SoloVerified booking2 weeks ago5/5Our guide Tina was fantastic. She not only introduced us to the history of the Acropolis, but also shared interesting facts about the history of Greece and its influence on other cultures. Despite the wealth of information received, time flew by. I highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Athens 👍♥️CChristina W
SoloVerified booking4 days ago5/5Apart from actual reason I went to the Parthenon and Acropolis, to see such an ancient site, our guide Stevi was amazing. Being an archaeologist as well as tour guide was a double bonus. She spoke with the knowledge of both and it just flowed. She also had a good sense of humour. We couldn't have done better, so thank you.
Walk through Greece’s legendary hilltop ruins and the galleries of its museum at your own pace, with flexible entry access and expert-led tours.
Getting started
Join your guide at 3 Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, just outside the Lukumades and Pilino shops, where the pedestrian path begins from Hadrian’s Arch (off Siggrou Avenue) toward the Acropolis. Look for the check-in team holding an orange ‘Athens Walking Tours' sign.
Journey through the Acropolis
Begin at the Propylaea, the monumental marble gateway that has framed the entrance to the sacred rock for millennia. From there, pause at the Temple of Athena Nike, built to honor the goddess of victory, where Athenians once celebrated triumphs with carvings of winged figures. At the Erechtheion, your guide recounts the legendary contest between Athena and Poseidon, while the graceful Caryatids silently uphold the temple’s porch. At the summit, the Parthenon rises as Athens’ timeless symbol of power and devotion. Guides explain how this temple, once painted in vivid colors, reflected both the city’s wealth and its democratic ideals. Descend the slopes to visit the Theater of Dionysus, birthplace of tragedy and comedy, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, still alive with summer performances under the night sky.
Inside the Acropolis Museum
Continue into the Acropolis Museum, where treasures from the monuments are preserved and displayed. Begin in the Gallery of the Slopes, with pottery, toys, and offerings that reveal the everyday lives of Athenians living in the shadow of the Acropolis. Move into the Archaic Gallery, where kouroi and korai statues greet you with their enigmatic ‘archaic smiles’, marking the dawn of classical art. The highlight is the Parthenon Gallery, a glass-walled space aligned with the temple itself. Here, see the frieze of the Panathenaic Procession, carved in stone and displayed at eye level, while the Acropolis rises just beyond the glass. Before leaving, descend into the underground excavation site, where walkways reveal the remains of homes, workshops, and courtyards from an ancient neighborhood buried beneath the museum.
A complete Athens experience
Whether you choose a focused 90-minute museum visit or the full 4-hour Acropolis and Museum tour, expert guides ensure you understand the meaning behind what you see, from marble temples and mythical legends to artifacts of everyday life. Flexible ticket options make it easy to tailor the experience to your time and interests, leaving you with a vivid understanding of Athens’ myths, monuments, and masterpieces.
What to bring
Acropolis
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Entry documents: Keep your entry ticket or mobile confirmation ready for a smooth check-in.
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Payment: Carry some cash or a credit card in case you want to pick up a drink or souvenir from nearby kiosks after your visit.
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Footwear: Wear comfortable walking shoes with a good grip since the marble paths and rocky ground can be uneven.
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Sun protection: Protect yourself from the Mediterranean sun by bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat.
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Water: Take a bottle of water, as shaded spots are limited, and Athens can get very hot.
Acropolis Museum
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Identification: Bring a valid ID or student card if you want to take advantage of reduced admission fees.
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Payment: Have a little cash or a card with you for souvenirs or a coffee break at the museum café.
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Footwear: Choose closed-toe shoes for comfort as you walk through the galleries and surrounding archaeological areas.
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Light layers: Bring a light jacket or scarf, as the museum’s air-conditioned rooms can feel cooler than the outside temperatures.
What’s not allowed
Acropolis
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Photography equipment: Flash photography, tripods, drones, and professional camera equipment require special permission and are otherwise prohibited.
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Large bags: Large backpacks, suitcases, and bulky bags are not allowed inside the site and must be left elsewhere before entry.
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Pets: Pets are not allowed on the site, except for certified guide dogs.
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Smoking and gum: Chewing gum and smoking are not allowed anywhere inside the site.
Acropolis Museum
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Photography equipment: Flash photography, tripods, and commercial filming equipment are not permitted; photography without flash is generally allowed, except in the Archaic Gallery.
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Large bags: Large bags and luggage must be stored at the ground-floor cloakroom.
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Food and drinks: Only plain water is allowed; food and other drinks are prohibited inside.
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Pets: Pets are not permitted, with the exception of certified service animals.
Accessibility
Acropolis
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Elevator access: The Acropolis offers limited accessibility for visitors with mobility challenges. An elevator operates near the South Slope entrance, but the site manages it, and availability may vary. Call the site on +30 210 3214172 or +30 210 9238470 the day before your visit to confirm it is in service.
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Terrain: Plan to have support, since the terrain is mostly uneven with limited paved paths. Both you and your escort are eligible for free admission upon showing valid documentation.
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Accessible restrooms: Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are available near the Acropolis Museum and the main site entrances.
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Rest areas: You can find rest spots and benches throughout the site, but shaded areas remain limited.
Acropolis Museum
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Wheelchair access: The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, offering special ramps at all entrances and elevator access to every floor.
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Accessible restrooms: Accessible restrooms are available throughout the building.
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Wheelchair rental: You can borrow wheelchairs free of charge from the Visitor Services or Information Desk.
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Guide dogs: Guide dogs are welcome within the museum, and Braille guides in both Greek and English are available at the Information Desk to assist visitors with visual impairments.
Additional information
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Meeting point: Refer to your voucher for details of the meeting point for the guided tours.
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Tour duration: The Acropolis and Museum combo walking tour lasts about 3 to 4 hours and is paced to match the group and weather conditions.
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Tour sequence: To ensure a comfortable experience, guides may adjust the order of the sites visited.
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Timed entry: The Acropolis and Parthenon operate on a timed entry system, requiring visitors to book a date and time slot in advance. Arrive 30 minutes early for a hassle-free experience. You can enter up to 15 minutes before or after your chosen time slot.
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Security screening: Security check is mandatory at the Acropolis. Expect an average wait of 20 to 30 minutes, with entry times stretching to 1 to 2 hours during the peak summer months from June to August.
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South entrance: Use the south entrance near the Dionysus Theater for quicker access. It tends to be less crowded than the main one and is only a short walk from the metro and museum.
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Suggested route: Proceed straight to the Parthenon at the start of your visit, then make your way to the Temple of Athena Nike, Erechtheion, and other areas. This approach helps you avoid bottlenecks and enjoy quieter spaces later on.
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Free admission days: You can visit the Acropolis archaeological site for free on March 6 (Melina Mercouri Day), April 18 (International Monuments Day), May 18 (International Museums Day), the last weekend of September (European Heritage Days), October 28 (National Holiday), and on the first and third Sundays from November through March.
Acropolis Museum
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Best time to visit: To avoid peak crowds, arrive when the museum opens at 9am, or go in the late afternoon, around 2pm to 3pm, particularly during the summer months from June to August.
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Security screening: All visitors must pass through a quick security screening at the entrance. Expect to wait around 5 to 10 minutes at the entrance, although during the peak summer months from June to August, the wait may extend up to 15 minutes.
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Recommended duration: Plan to spend at least 2 to 3 hours inside the museum to explore the permanent exhibits, admire the architecture, and enjoy the café and views.
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Free admission days: The Acropolis Museum offers free admission on March 6 (Melina Mercouri Day), March 25 (National Holiday), May 18 (International Museums Day), and October 28 (National Holiday).
Concession eligibility
Acropolis
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Children and young people: EU citizens aged up to 25 and non-EU citizens aged up to 18 may be eligible for free or discounted admission.
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Senior citizens: EU citizens aged above 65 may be eligible for free or discounted admission from October 1 to May 31.
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Persons with disabilities: Eligible visitors may qualify for free or discounted admission.
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Ticket purchase: Eligible visitors cannot purchase concession tickets online. Please obtain them at the ticket counter with a valid ID or passport and the necessary documentation.
Acropolis Museum
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Children and young people: EU and non-EU citizens aged up to 25 may be eligible for free or discounted admission.
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Senior citizens: EU citizens aged above 65 may be eligible for free or discounted admission.
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Ticket purchase: Eligible visitors cannot purchase concession tickets online. Please obtain them at the ticket counter with a valid ID or passport and the necessary documentation.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.
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Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.
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