Acropolis Museum Guide – Visiting Tips & Highlights

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In this Acropolis Museum Guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to plan the perfect visit to what must be the most important museum in Athens and one of the best museums in Greece and the world.

Visiting the Acropolis Museum is a unique opportunity to gain insight into the rich history of the Acropolis of Athens. That’s because this new and impressive building houses findings from the Sacred Hill of the Acropolis alone, as you’ll see in this Acropolis Museum guide.

The monuments that are still standing on the Acropolis Rock aren’t the only ones that have overlooked the Greek capital throughout the centuries.

Before these, older ones served similar purposes and have their own stories to tell. These stories unfold within the walls of the Acropolis Museum.

Where Is The Acropolis Museum?

The Acropolis Museum is located in the heart of Athens, in the neighborhood known as Koukaki. The museum entrance is near the entrance to the South Slope of the Acropolis on Areopagitou Street.

Is The Acropolis Museum Worth It?

Visiting the Acropolis Museum, this modern, well-thought-out collection of ancient artifacts found on the Acropolis Hill, gives you a better understanding of the Acropolis and its value throughout the centuries.

The Acropolis of Athens is the ultimate symbol of the Greek capital and the entire country, and the Acropolis Museum narrates its vast history and offers glimpses into what the Acropolis is all about beyond the grand monuments you see today.

The modern building of the Acropolis Museum itself is a study of how architecture can strengthen the bonds between the past, present, and future, helping locals and visitors alike relate to the city’s rich history.

The Acropolis vs The Acropolis Museum

If you’re wondering whether you should choose between visiting the Acropolis Museum and the Acropolis, we recommend visiting both.

In fact, we suggest visiting the Acropolis first and then the Acropolis Museum. This way, you’ll achieve a deep understanding of the history of the Acropolis and Athens as a whole upon your visit to the Acropolis Museum.

For a hassle-free experience of the iconic Acropolis, book this guided tour in advance to visit both the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. This will save you time and allow you to make the most of the Acropolis.

Alternatively, if you prefer to visit the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum at your own pace, read our detailed guide to the Acropolis of Athens alongside the Acropolis Museum guide you’re currently reading.

FAQs About Visiting The Acropolis Museum

How long does it take to visit the Acropolis Museum?

It takes around three hours to visit all floors of the Acropolis Museum, including a short break at the museum’s café.

Is the Acropolis Museum accessible?

The Acropolis Museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users and people with mobility issues. It has ramps, elevators, and toilets for people with disabilities.

Where is the entrance to the Acropolis Museum?

The entrance to the Acropolis Museum is located on Areopagitou Street.

Is there a metro station near the Acropolis Museum?

Yes, the Acropolis Metro Station (Red Line 2) is located on Makrigianni Street, right outside the Acropolis Museum.

Are there any toilets or other facilities at the Acropolis Museum?

Yes, there are toilets on every floor. There’s also a cloakroom on the ground floor of the museum where you can leave your backpack.

On the second floor, there’s a restaurant-café with stunning views of the Acropolis. You can also find a reading lounge, a multimedia center, a kids’ corner, a gift shop, and a bookshop.

What is the best time to visit the Acropolis Museum?

The Acropolis Museum is a year-round attraction in Athens. However, it gets crowded, especially in the high season. We recommend visiting early in the morning before groups swarm into its corridors and halls.

Alternatively, Friday evenings are a great idea, as the Acropolis Museum stays open until late, and the night views of the Acropolis from the museum are mesmerizing. In this case, keep in mind that the Excavation Area might be closed as it has different opening hours.

Acropolis Museum Highlights

The Acropolis Museum is massive and home to countless treasures. It’s next to impossible to see each and every artifact displayed there.

In this section of our Acropolis Museum guide, we’re taking you on a virtual tour of the Acropolis Museum highlights to help you make the most of your time at the Acropolis Museum without feeling too overwhelmed.

Excavation Area

We recommend starting your exploration of the Acropolis Museum from the Archaeological Excavation Area, which is located below the main building. Part of it can be seen through the main entrance’s glass floors.

West Bath

The first thing you’ll see at the Excavation Area is the bath of a 2nd-century-AD mansion. The bath was private, which was very rare at that time. It featured the typical heating system with hot air flowing beneath the floor.

Building E

Right next to the West Bath, the ruins of a massive building date back to the 6th century AD. The so-called Building E was a residential building that belonged to a very wealthy and important Athenian citizen. Its basement featured several auxiliary rooms.

Public Toilets

Alongside the private baths, the ancient neighborhood also had public toilets. The toilets featured a drainage channel with running water to remove the waste.

Above them, there would be marble seats with round holes, which haven’t survived. However, if you plan to visit the Roman Agora of Athens, you can see what we are talking about.

Houses H & Γ

The massive Building E was built on the ancient ruins of the 4th to 5th century AD Houses H and Γ. These houses were medium-sized, with a communal courtyard and a well in the middle.

Water ran through a pipeline that started from the courtyard to remove the waste from the Houses’ toilets and ended up in the street’s sewer.

House Θ

Built in the 5th century BC, House Θ is the oldest house in the Excavation Area. It featured an internal courtyard with cisterns. The pipelines provided fresh water and led waste to the street’s sewer.

House ΣΤ

Like Houses H and Γ, House ΣΤ was built before Building E and featured a central courtyard with a well. You can see the pipeline that was used to direct water to the toilet and then to the street’s sewer.

Excavation Museum

There is also a small exhibition with findings from the excavations, such as jewelry boxes, jugs, lamps, rings, and other objects that provide valuable information about life at that time.

Ground Floor

Once you validate your ticket, the Ground Floor displays exhibits from the Acropolis Slopes. Below, we have highlighted some of them.

Funerary Table From The House of Proclus

Found in the domestic shrine of Proclus House, the marble funerary table has beautiful relief decorations on its three sides.

When it was found, it was positioned in such a way that the side with the relief of a deceased young man surrounded by four philosophers was only visible. It makes sense as Proclus House functioned as a philosophy school as well.

The House of Proclus was located on Areopagitou Street, a short walk from the Acropolis Museum. The building’s foundations can be seen there, and an informative sign provides more details.

Pillar With an Offering To Asclepius

One of the most impressive exhibits on the Ground Floor – albeit a bit sketchy – is a marble face placed in a pillar. It was found in the sanctuary of Asclepius on the South Slope of the Acropolis.

Asclepius was the God of Healing, and Athenians dedicated offerings like this to the god in the hopes of being healed. Praxias offered this one to ask the god to heal his wife, who apparently had some eye problems.

Treasure Box From The Sanctuary of Aphrodite Ourania

Before visiting the First Floor, look at the stone box that was placed at the Sanctuary of Aphrodite Ourania on the North Slope of the Acropolis. The 4th-century-BC box was used to collect money from the Ancient Athenians who visited the sanctuary and prayed for a happy marriage.

The box consists of two blocks, and its upper surface has a slot for coins. According to the inscription, the offering was one drachma.

First Floor

Hekatompedos Pediment

The first sculptures along the visitor’s route on the First Floor are the ruins of the Hekatompedos Temple, which dates back to the Archaic Period of the Acropolis.

Built in the 6th century BC, when the Acropolis was already the religious center of Athens, the Hekatompedos Temple occupied the area where the Parthenon was later built.

When the Athenians defeated the Persians in the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, the temple was replaced by a larger temple, the Older Parthenon.

However, the Older Parthenon, along with other temples at the top of the Acropolis, was destroyed ten years later, in 480 BC, when the Persians invaded the city.

The ruins of the Ekatompedos Temple are exhibited in the Acropolis Museum. The most impressive of them is the West Pediment, which consists of three groups of sculptures that preserve colorful details.

On the left is Heracles wrestling with Triton; in the middle are two lions devouring a bull; and on the right is a daemon with three bodies.

Apart from the sculptures on the Pediment, admire how lavishly decorated the roof gutter is.

Korai – The Maidens of The Acropolis

The next hall is dedicated to statues of young women with elegant robes, elaborate hairstyles, and beautiful jewelry. Some of them have a small disc on their heads to protect them from bird droppings.

Dating back to the Archaic Period of the Acropolis, these female sculptures are called Korai and were offered by wealthy Athenians to the Acropolis’ sanctuaries.

After the Persian invasion in 480 BC, the Acropolis was destroyed, and the Korai statues were buried in great pits. Seventy-five of them were found buried on the Acropolis Hill, retaining beautiful, colorful details.

Keep in mind that you’re not allowed to take photos in this hall.

The Gigantomachy Pediment of The Old Athena Temple

In the same hall, you can see four sculptures that used to adorn the Pediment of the Old Athena Temple.

The Pediment depicts the battle between the Giants and the Olympian Gods. For Ancient Greeks, the victory of the Olympian Gods symbolizes the win against the invaders.

This is what remained of the 6th-century-BC Old Temple of Athena, which was destroyed during the Persian invasion in 480 BC.

The Old Athena Temple was located next to the Erechtheion, and it was a very important temple as it was the end point of the procession of the Panathenaea, the most important festival in Ancient Athens.

Financial Account For The Construction of The Erechtheion

The Erechtheion was one of the most important temples on the Acropolis. It was built next to the Old Temple of Athena in the 5th century BC after the Persian Wars. It housed the city’s sacred symbols and was the ending point of the Panathenaic Procession in the Classical Period.

The building inscription exhibited in the museum includes the names of all sculptors who worked on the Erechtheion frieze. It also mentions their wages, which were 60 drachmai for one figure, 120 drachmai for a double figure, and 240 drachmai for a group.

The Caryatids

The next exhibit is one of the reasons to visit the Acropolis Museum. The famous Caryatids were Korai (statues of females) and were used instead of columns on the south porch of the Erechtheion.

It’s said that beneath the Caryatids of the Erechtheion is the tomb of Kekrops, the mythical King of Athens. The Caryatids you’ll see on the Acropolis Hill are all replicas of the original marble sculptures.

Five of the six original Caryatids are in the Acropolis Museum. One was damaged by a Turkish cannonball. The sixth Caryatid is exhibited in the British Museum in London, as it was one of the parts that Lord Elgin removed from the Acropolis in the early 19th century.

The Balustrade of The Temple of Athena Nike

If you’ve been to the Acropolis and seen the Temple of Athena Nike perched on the cliff, you understand how dangerous it was for visitors to fall off. A Balustrade made of marble slabs with a metal railing on top protected people from injuries.

The marble slabs are decorated in relief and depict scenes related to the city’s victories. The scene of Nike adjusting her sandal stands out.

East Frieze of The Temple of Athena Nike

You can see the temple’s East Frieze from a distance on the rock of the Acropolis, but you can have a closer look at the original in the Acropolis Museum. The frieze depicts the mythical gathering of the gods around Zeus.

Nine blocks of the East Frieze are exhibited in the Acropolis Museum; one is lost, and the remaining four were among the parts removed by Elgin and are now exhibited in the British Museum in London.

Sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia

One of the sanctuaries on the Acropolis Hill was the Sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia. This was actually a branch, as the main temple was in the suburb of Braurona. Artemis Brauronia was the goddess of expectant mothers, women in confinement, and children.

The sanctuary on the Acropolis was more of a colonnade with statues and offerings than a typical temple. If you visit the Acropolis, nothing has been preserved on the spot. A big head of a statue depicting Artemis Brauronia has been found and exhibited in the museum.

However, the sculpture of the incredibly cute small bear, which was found in the area, is one of our favorite exhibits in the Acropolis Museum.

Scale Model of Athens in The 2nd Century AD

Before you go up to the Second Floor, stop at the 3D scale model of Athens in the 2nd century AD. You can see how Athens developed during the Roman Period, several centuries after the glorious Classical Period.

Located near the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora and Hadrian’s Library are two important buildings of the Roman Period. At the city’s outskirts, Hadrian finally completed the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

Second Floor

On the Second Floor, there are facilities like toilets, a kids’ corner, a multimedia center, a reading lounge, a bookshop, and, of course, the museum’s restaurant-café with its gorgeous views of the Acropolis.

If the weather is good, it’s a great opportunity to rest on the terrace and enjoy a cup of coffee or a light meal with the best view.

Third Floor

Parthenon Gallery

The indisputable highlight of the Acropolis Museum awaits on the Third Floor. The Parthenon Gallery is designed with the same dimensions and orientation as the actual temple on the Acropolis.

On the top floor of the museum, a blend of original and replica sculptures of the Parthenon is displayed in an incredible way to offer visitors a unique experience.

Along the walls, the relief blocks compose the Ionic Frieze of the Parthenon and depict the Panathenaea Procession.

The metopes between the metal columns depict mythical battles to honor the city’s victories. The East and West Pediments are related to the city’s patroness, goddess Athena.

The Museum Building

Made of glass, steel, and concrete, the building that houses the Acropolis Museum looks too modern for its surroundings at first glance. Yet, it’s designed to reflect and imitate the very landmark it owes its existence to: the Acropolis Hill.

The new museum building has the same orientation as the Acropolis Hill and, through its glass panels, achieves a constant dialogue with the Sacred Hill and its monuments.

The fact that the building of the Acropolis Museum is in essence mirroring the Parthenon is another reason to visit the Acropolis Museum in its own right. If you love architecture as much as you do ancient history, you’ll be amazed.

Acropolis Museum Guide – Opening Hours

During the winter period from November 1st to March 31st:
Monday to Thursday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Friday: 9 AM to 10 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 9 AM to 8 PM
On December 24th and December 31st, the museum is open from 9 AM to 3 PM.

During the winter season, the Excavation Area beneath the museum is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.

During the summer period from April 1st to October 31st:
Monday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday: 9 AM to 8 PM
Friday: 9 AM to 10 PM

During the summer season, the Excavation Area beneath the museum is open from 9 AM to 5 PM on Mondays and from 9 AM to 8 PM from Tuesday to Sunday.

During Greek Easter:
Orthodox Good Friday: noon to 6 PM
Holy Saturday: 9 AM to 3 PM

The Acropolis Museum is closed on January 1st, May 1st, Greek Easter Sunday, December 25th, and December 26th.

Acropolis Museum Guide – Ticket Prices

Unlike most archaeological sites that offer reduced ticket prices in the low season, general admission tickets for the Acropolis Museum cost 20 EUR all year round. Check out here if you are eligible for reduced or free admission.

Free entry is available on the following days, but expect long lines and a lot of people: March 6th, March 15th, May 18th, and October 28th (Greek national holiday).

How To Get To The Acropolis Museum

Located in the city center, the Acropolis Museum is easily accessible either on foot or by public transportation.

The Acropolis Museum is a 15-minute walk from Syntagma Square if your hotel is in this area. Monastiraki Square is also a 15-minute walk via the quaint neighborhood of Plaka.

The entrance to the Acropolis Museum is on Areopagitou Street, a few steps from the Acropolis Metro Station (Red Line 2).

If the tram is more convenient for you, the closest stop is Leoforos Vouliagmenis. Moreover, several bus and trolley stops are close to the Acropolis Museum.

Where To Stay Near The Acropolis Museum in Athens

With plenty of accommodation options, the best area to stay near the Acropolis Museum is the lively Koukaki neighborhood.

Our favorite hotel there is the 4-star Herodion Hotel, a family-run hotel with panoramic views of the museum and the Acropolis. Don’t miss its rooftop terrace for a refreshing drink and a delicious meal.

Things To Do Near The Acropolis Museum

A visit to the nearby archaeological site of the Acropolis is the obvious thing to do before visiting the Acropolis Museum. Other than that, you could also plan a visit to the Temple of Olympian Zeus. This ancient site is a 10-minute walk from the museum.

Dionysiou Areopagitou Street and Plaka are ideal for a relaxing walk after sightseeing, while Koukaki offers plenty of options for dinner or drinks.

For more recommendations, here’s how to spend three days in Athens.

Now that you’ve made it to the end of our thorough Acropolis Museum guide, it must be clear why this archaeological museum is often considered the most important in Athens, if not Greece.

Wandering around its corridors and checking out the Acropolis Museum highlights as you go is a unique experience and an unmissable part of any history lover’s trip to Athens.

What do you think about visiting the Acropolis Museum? Join our dedicated Ancient Greece Facebook group and let us know.