Visit the Acropolis and Other Ancient Sites for Free

You know I love a freebie and so when I discovered that I was visiting Athens on one of their days when access to the Acropolis and other ancient sites was free, I was over the moon.

The good news is that there’s a few of these ‘free’ days to choose between including:

• The first Sunday of each month from 1st Nov to 31st March
• 6th March (Melina Mercouri Remembrance Day)
• 18th April (International Monuments Day)
• 18th May (International Museums Day)
• Last weekend of September (European Heritage Days)
• 28th October (Oxi Day)

These days are mostly classed as off-peak but still, the lure of a free ticket means it can get busy so still aim to go early to beat the crowds.

When we went, we simply showed up at the ticket office and they handed over a ticket which was zeroed out.

Free admission is also given to the following no matter what time of year:

• All children under 5 years of age (with current identification to prove age)
• Young European citizens under 25 years of age (with valid identification to prove age and nationality)
• Students from Higher Educational Institutions and Tour Guide Training Institutions, from EU countries, with valid student identification card or International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
• Tour Guides with professional license from the Hellenic Ministry of Development
• Teachers or parents accompanying children on primary & secondary education school visits
• Persons with disabilities (67% or over) and one escort, upon presentation of the certification of disability
• Archaeologists, with valid license
• Journalists by presenting their valid work permit

If none of those options work, you can buy a ticket from the ticket office for:

• 1st Nov to 31st Mar – €10
• 1st Apr to 31st Oct – €20

However, if it’s peak times there may be big queues and so you could always buy a mobile ticket that will allow you to skip the line for around €24. Well worth the extra few quid in my opinion!

Want to know what James and I made of it? You can listen to our podcast, Tipsy Tourism, where we explored it with an Ouzo!