Location and Access

Where is the Acropolis located?

The Acropolis is located in the center of Athens, a 15-minute walk from Syntagma Square and the Greek Parliament. It is approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the Athens International Airport and 11 kilometers (7 miles) from the port of Piraeus.‍There are several other archeological sites and museums around the Acropolis, including the Acropolis Museum (opposite the south slope of the Acropolis hill), the Roman Agora and Ancient Agora (located approximately north of the Acropolis) and the Temple of Olympian Zeus (about 500 meters east of the Acropolis).‍The neighborhoods of Plaka, Monastiraki, Thissio and Psyri around the Acropolis are also popular tourist destinations for shopping, dining and relaxing. These areas offer a unique blend of history, culture, and entertainment, making them ideal for experiencing traditional and modern facets of Athens.

How to get to the Acropolis on foot

From Omonia Square you can head to the Acropolis via Athinas or Aiolou to Monastiraki and from there continue towards Theorias Street, passing by the Roman Agora and Areopagus Hill. Alternatively, you can take a longer, more scenic route through via Apostolou Pavlou Street, which goes by Thissio and Filopappou Hill.

From Syntagma Square, you can reach the Acropolis via Vasilissis Amalias Avenue, going past the National Gardens, Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Turning on Dionysiou Areopagitou will lead you to the south slopes of the Acropolis.

How to get to the Acropolis on foot

How to get to the Acropolis by public transportation

Bus

The 230 service stops at the Acropolis Museum and near the main entrance of the Acropolis, on Rovertou Galli Street. Multiple bus and trolley services go by the Makrygianni (1, 5, 15, 040, 230, A2 and B2) and Chatzichristou (10, 550) stops, which are a 5-minute walk from the Acropolis. A bit further away, the 1, 2, 4, 5, 11 and 15 trolleys and 227, 230, 790, 856, A2 and A3 buses stop at Syntagma Square.

Metro

The closest subway station to the Acropolis is the Akropolis station on the M2 (red) line. Visitors can also reach the Acropolis via the M1 (green) and M3 (blue) lines from Monastiraki station, which is a 10-minute walk away. The Thissio station on the M1 (green) line is also nearby, at 15 minutes walking distance.

All tickets for bus, trolley, subway and tram services are priced at €1.20 and valid for 90 minutes. There are also 24-hour and 5-day tickets priced at €4.10 and €8.20 respectively. ATH.ENA tickets and cards can be bought from and recharged at central bus and metro stations, as well as kiosks and corner shops.

How to get to the Acropolis by car

The drive from the Athens International Airport to the Acropolis via Attiki Odos is about 45 minutes. The toll on the Attiki Odos highway is €2.80 for cars.

From the Port of Piraeus it takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic, with Pireos Avenue offering the most direct route.

Parking

Although there are parking spaces in the areas around the Acropolis, it is not free everywhere. Streets with metered parking will have signs with a P and colored lines on the road. Blue and yellow lines are reserved exclusively for local residents and special vehicles respectively, while white lines are for visitors.

The cost for parking in the areas with white lines is €0.50 for 30 minutes, €1 for 1 hour, €1.5 for 1.5 hours, €2 for 2 hours, €4 for 2.5 hours and €6 for 3 hours. You can pay by purchasing a scratch card from nearby kiosks or corner shops, as well as with the official mobile app of the Municipality of Athens.

Note that parking is metered from 9 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and between 9 AM and 4 PM on Saturdays, while the maximum amount of time you can park in these areas is 3 hours.

There are also many parking garages in the Plaka and Psyri neighborhoods, where you can park your car for longer. The prices between garages can vary greatly, with the first hour ranging from €6 to €12 and additional hours usually charged at €1 each.

There are many hotels conveniently located within walking distance of the Acropolis. On the higher end are luxury hotels such as Electra Metropolis Athens and Grande Bretagne, which can cost €200 to €300 per night.‍More affordable options, costing €70 to €100 per night, include the Plaka Hotel and the Central Hotel. Please note that prices vary based on season, demand and availability.

To see the whole list you can check our page about the best hotels with a view on the Acropolis, to put the cherry on top of your visit to the city.

FAQs and tips

What is the most convenient public transport to reach the Acropolis?

The metro is arguably the best and most convenient way to travel to the Athens Acropolis, with the ‘Akropoli’ Station being next to the Acropolis Museum and the South Slopes of the Acropolis Hill.

How accessible is the Acropolis for visitors with disabilities?

The Acropolis is accessible to visitors with disabilities, near the main entrance. To use the elevator, you must contact the ticket office in advance via telephone (+302103214172, +302109238470).

How much time should I allocate to reach the Acropolis from central Athens?

It takes about 20 minutes from Syntagma Square to the Acropolis on foot, while the metro generally takes about 15 minutes when traveling from near the city center and up to an hour from the Athens International Airport.

Are there parking facilities near the Acropolis for those traveling by car?

Yes, there are many parking facilities in the area around the Acropolis, however availability can be limited if visiting during the tourist season. Generally, a more expensive rate applies for the first few hours, so depending on how much time you will stay in in the area, it might be worth parking your vehicle further away.

What is the cost of public transportation in Athens?

Single tickets on the OASA network are priced at €1.20 and includes buses, metros, trolleys and trams for 90 minutes. 

24-hour tickets that also includes use of the Suburban Rail cost €4.10, while 5-day tickets cost €8.20. There is also a 3-day tourist ticket costing €20.00, which includes unlimited use of buses, metros, trolleys, trams, suburban rail and one trip to or from the Athens International Airport.

Is it possible to cycle to the Acropolis, and are there bike racks available?

Yes, it is possible to cycle to the Acropolis, however dedicated bike lanes are limited in the city. Bike racks are available outside of the Akropoli metro station and by the main entrance of the Acropolis Museum.

Hotels near the Acropolis

What is the most convenient public transport to reach the Acropolis?

The metro is arguably the best and most convenient way to travel to the Athens Acropolis, with the ‘Akropoli’ Station being next to the Acropolis Museum and the South Slopes of the Acropolis Hill.

How accessible is the Acropolis for visitors with disabilities?

The Acropolis is accessible to visitors with disabilities, near the main entrance. To use the elevator, you must contact the ticket office in advance via telephone (+302103214172, +302109238470).

How much time should I allocate to reach the Acropolis from central Athens?

It takes about 20 minutes from Syntagma Square to the Acropolis on foot, while the metro generally takes about 15 minutes when traveling from near the city center and up to an hour from the Athens International Airport.

Are there parking facilities near the Acropolis for those traveling by car?

Yes, there are many parking facilities in the area around the Acropolis, however availability can be limited if visiting during the tourist season. Generally, a more expensive rate applies for the first few hours, so depending on how much time you will stay in in the area, it might be worth parking your vehicle further away.

What is the cost of public transportation in Athens?

Single tickets on the OASA network are priced at €1.20 and includes buses, metros, trolleys and trams for 90 minutes. 

24-hour tickets that also includes use of the Suburban Rail cost €4.10, while 5-day tickets cost €8.20. There is also a 3-day tourist ticket costing €20.00, which includes unlimited use of buses, metros, trolleys, trams, suburban rail and one trip to or from the Athens International Airport.

Is it possible to cycle to the Acropolis, and are there bike racks available?

Yes, it is possible to cycle to the Acropolis, however dedicated bike lanes are limited in the city. Bike racks are available outside of the Akropoli metro station and by the main entrance of the Acropolis Museum.