Acropolis Museum: Tickets and Tours

One of the world's best modern museums, the Acropolis Museum allows you to experience, learn about and see artifacts from the Ancient Greek civilizations.

It is a 14,000 square meter space that houses approximately 4,250 ancient Greek pieces from the archaeological excavation of the Acropolis. Book your Acropolis Museum tickets and learn more about the city's rich culture.

How much do Acropolis Museum tickets cost?

Standing proudly at the bottom of the Acropolis, just 280 meters from the Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum is an extremely popular museum in Athens.

The entry tickets are divided into two different price categories based on when you visit the museum.

• Summer Acropolis Museum tickets (April 1 to Oct. 31): €10
• Winter Acropolis Museum tickets (Nov. 1 to March 31): €5
• EU citizens under age 18, non-EU children under age 5, students from EU institutions: Free

You can skip the line and purchase a self-guided audio tour with an interactive museum map that costs about €20.

Who is eligible for discounts?

The Acropolis Museum also offers discounted tickets for a select group of people. Students from non-EU higher education institutions, non-EU citizens under age 18 and EU senior citizens over age 65 can enter the museum for €3 in the winter and €5 in the summer.

You must provide proof of identification to receive the discounted rate.

What are the best Acropolis Museum tours?

Acropolis Museum tours offer excellent ways to enjoy an exhaustive adventure around the most popular tourist attractions in Athens. Combined tickets allow you to see multiple places while saving money and time. The following list explores the most popular combination tours in the city that also include a visit to the Acropolis Museum:

• Acropolis and Acropolis Museum private guided tour: Make the most of your time in Athens by booking a private tour that includes skip-the-line access to the archaeological site and museum, and expert tour guide to explain the historical sites.
• Zeus Roman Temple and Acropolis Museum private tour: Enjoy a private tour of Athens that includes visits to the Acropolis Museum and the Zeus Roman Temple.
• Parthenon, Acropolis and Acropolis Museum walking tour: Providing interesting facts and insights, an archaeologist will guide you through the ruins of the Acropolis, Parthenon and other relics, and then the Acropolis Museum.

Is it possible to visit the Acropolis Museum for free?

You have a handful of opportunities to visit the Acropolis Museum for free. The museum provides free admission to all visitors on special days such as Melina Mercouri Day on March 6, International Day of Museums on May 18 and National Holidays on March 25 and Oct. 28.

Regardless of the date, some groups of people can enter the museum for free if they show official identification. These include members of the Greek parliament, current Hellenic Ministry of Culture employees, Greek citizens on military duty, and ICOMOS and ICOM cardholders.

Licensed tour guides and journalists, as well as members of the Friends of the Acropolis, are entitled to free entry to the Acropolis Museum.

Should you book Acropolis Museum tickets in advance?

The Acropolis Museum is a world heritage site and one of the world's most popular archaeological sites, so it is usually packed with visitors. It is best to book your entry ticket ahead of time to avoid the stress of waiting in line. However, tickets are non-refundable once you purchase them.

What will you see inside the Acropolis Museum?

The museum is divided into four levels. The exhibits are organized in a way that feels like each floor is a journey through different eras of ancient Greek culture.

Before entering the museum, you can take a look at the basement to see what an ancient Athens neighborhood looked like. You can look through the glass floor and view the remains of a settlement that was discovered during construction of the museum and incorporated into the building plans.

The ground floor, called the "Gallery of the Slopes of the Hills," is built at an angle to depict the ascent up Acropolis hill. It displays items from the daily lives of Greeks who lived around the Acropolis, such as vases, cooking pots and jewelry.

The first floor is known as the "Archaic Acropolis Gallery." You'll find statues and sculptures dating from 700 B.C. to 480 B.C. on this floor. It's naturally lit and adorned with statues, including five of the six female statues called "Caryatids" — one is in the British Museum.

The top floor called the "Parthenon Gallery" is the cherry on top. The floor was designed to reflect the architectural brilliance of the original building while also providing a spectacular view of the Parthenon itself.

The Parthenon gallery includes a 160-meter frieze (the 80-meter original is also in the British Museum), pediments and metopes. Many visitors consider this to be the most interesting floor, so you don’t want to miss it!

How to get to the Acropolis Museum?

You can easily access the Acropolis Museum since it is an extremely popular attraction. You can reach the museum by public transportation, rideshare or taxi.

By metro, take Line 2 to Akropoli Station and then walk down to the museum. You can also take buses 24, 103, 134, 230, A3, BE or E22 to Makrigianni station, and walk the rest of the way to the museum.

When is the best time to visit the Acropolis Museum?

As one of the top tourist attractions in the city, the Acropolis Museum is usually full of visitors. It's best to visit the museum before 10 AM or later in the afternoon. The busiest time of the day is late morning to early afternoon, typically from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Friday evenings are one of the best times to visit the museum because you won’t frequently find large crowds. You can even enjoy your entire evening at the museum by dining at the on-site restaurant.

Which other museums can be visited in Athens?

• Agora Museum
• Cycladic Art Museum
• Benaki Museum of Greek Culture
• Hellenic Motor Museum
• War Museum
• Frissiras Museum

Travel tips

• Bring snacks and a bottle of water.
• Wear comfortable shoes because the museum spans four different levels.
• Ensure that you have proper identification if you want to purchase a discounted ticket!