One day in Athens can take you from the Acropolis and its museum through Plaka to the Roman Agora, then on to Syntagma and the National Garden. This walking itinerary starts with the ticketed archaeological site and leaves room to adjust the order around seasonal opening hours. Hermes Hotel is a central base for this walking route.
At a glance
- The Acropolis is at 10558, Athens.
- The route includes the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Plaka, Roman Agora, Syntagma and the National Garden.
- Acropolis tickets are €30 full price and €15 reduced price.
- The Acropolis and Acropolis Museum use seasonal opening hours.
Start with the Acropolis and its ticketed site
Begin your day at the Acropolis, where the Parthenon is part of the archaeological site. Hellenic Heritage lists metro access on Line 2 to Acropolis station, or Lines 1 and 3 to Monastiraki station; bus 230 also stops at Acropolis.
Tickets cost €30 for a full ticket and €15 for a reduced ticket. Opening hours vary by season: from April through August, the site is open daily 08:00–20:00. In September, it closes at 19:30 through the 15th and at 19:00 from the 16th through the end of the month.
In October, closing time is 18:30 through the 15th and 18:00 from the 16th through the end of the month. From November through March, it is open daily 08:00–17:00, with last admission 20 minutes before closing.
Check the official site before you go for current Acropolis ticket and opening information. For more detail on entry and seasonal timings, read the Acropolis ticket and opening-hours guide.
Visit the Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum is a natural next stop after the archaeological site, with its own ticketing and seasonal schedule. General-admission tickets are available at the museum ticket desk or through its e-ticket service.
From November through March, the museum is open Monday to Thursday 09:00–17:00, Friday 09:00–22:00, and Saturday and Sunday 09:00–20:00. From April through October, it is open Monday 09:00–17:00, Tuesday through Sunday 09:00–20:00, and Friday 09:00–22:00. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
The archaeological excavation beneath the museum has separate hours. In winter, it is open daily 09:00–17:00, with last entry at 16:30. In summer, it is open Monday 09:00–17:00 and Tuesday through Sunday 09:00–20:00, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. The Acropolis Museum visit-planning guide covers tickets, galleries and access.
Walk through Plaka toward the Roman Agora
From the museum, continue through Plaka toward the Roman Agora. This part of the itinerary shifts from the Acropolis visit to the old-town streets and an ancient site in the same central area. The Roman Agora of Athens is about a 6-minute walk from the museum, making it a practical point to include on this itinerary.
Keep the Roman Agora as your next archaeological stop, then pause before continuing toward Syntagma. Check the Roman Agora’s opening hours before you set your schedule.
Pause at Syntagma and the National Garden
Use Syntagma and the National Garden as a quieter final section of the route after the archaeological visits. Syntagma Square is about a 5-minute walk from the National Garden. For background on the square and its central Athens setting, read the Syntagma Square visitor guide.
Adjust the route for opening times and energy
Build the day around the Acropolis and museum schedules first, then fit the Plaka, Roman Agora, Syntagma and National Garden stops around them. Seasonal hours differ, and the museum’s last entry is 30 minutes before closing while the Acropolis allows last admission 20 minutes before its winter closing time.
The Acropolis is closed on January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, and December 25 and 26.
The museum closes on January 1, Orthodox Easter Sunday, May 1, and December 25 and 26; it is open 09:00–15:00 on December 24 and 31. Check the Acropolis Museum’s official information before you go, especially if your visit falls on a holiday.
FAQs
How do you get to the Acropolis by public transport?
Take metro Line 2 to Acropolis station, Lines 1 or 3 to Monastiraki station, or bus 230, which stops at Acropolis.
How much is an Acropolis ticket?
A full ticket costs €30 and a reduced ticket costs €15. Check the official information before visiting for current details.
Can you buy Acropolis Museum tickets online?
Yes. General-admission tickets are available through the Acropolis Museum’s e-ticket service or at its ticket desk.
What time does the Acropolis Museum close?
Closing time depends on the day and season: it ranges from 17:00 to 22:00. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.