The Acropolis: A Very Fine Place to Start

The wonderfully maddening thing about planning a trip to Greece is that there is so much beauty, history and culture to be experienced that FOMO is liable to sink in during the inevitable task of narrowing down your hoard of must-see Pinterest destinations into a practical itinerary. Since there are worse problems to be had, you must just pull the trigger. My advice: book the island that makes your heart beat a little faster, save time to discover local favorites and for Pete’s sake do not skip the Acropolis.

History of the Acropolis 

Two years ago, I never thought I would be able to walk from my house to the ACROPOLIS in 12 minutes, wow. For those of you who don’t know why this is such a big deal, we will have a short history lesson. 

The Acropolis is a fortress on a hill or citadel that powerfully looms over the entire city of Athens. The Acropolis is evidenced to have been inhabited as early as 495–429 BC. We all know that when something is important, mankind tends to put that important thing on a pedestal for all to see. Human nature hasn’t changed much since antiquity, and thus, our Greek ancestors dedicated the Parthenon atop the Acropolis as a temple to their most beloved deity, Athena.

Athena was, or is, (depending on who you are talking to) a pagan deity and the patron goddess of Athens. Mythology characterizes her as being the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, among other things. Be on the lookout for symbols of Athena when you visit Athens– owls, olive trees, snakes and her little side kick, Nike.

During the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Periods, the Parthenon was converted to house whatever its respective conquerors found paramount. The Romans exalted themselves with statues and the like. Next, the shift to the Byzantine era ushered in a Christian Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which was eventually captured by the Muslim Ottoman Empire and converted to a military site and harem. 

Today we are fortunate that the Greek people have ownership of their heritage. Thank you to the Greek people for maintaining this site and allowing us to step back in time with you.

When to See the Acropolis 

The Acropolis really is a very fine place to start your Greek holiday. I began my first holiday to Greece with a trip to the Acropolis, as any traveler rightfully should! Although I have now lived in Greece for almost one year, I remain the perpetual tourist forever in awe of the Acropolis. I am still that friend who stays behind to by all the merch. I am blessed that Nikos, a native Greek and the Yamas to my Ya’ll, just lets me have my moment. I want the magnet. I want the t-shirt. I also really want the commemorative figurine, but alas I am a tourist on a budget. 

Nikos and I agree that a one-night minimum stay in Athens upon arriving in Greece is the perfect way to take a break after a long flight and to make sure you don’t miss the crown jewel that is the Acropolis. Here’s how you do it…

How to See the Acropolis

You will want to book your visit to the Acropolis in advance and arrive early. During peak season, waiting times to present even your prepaid ticket for entrance can be 30 minutes or more. 

You can book tickets through the Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources and Development without skip the line entry HERE. You will be issued a mobile ticket that can be used at the entrance.

Two options for booking Skip the Line entry are Key Tours and Get Your Guide. Get Your Guide offers tours led by an audio tour guide accessible on our phone, while both companies offer in-person guided tours and basic non-guided access. 

IMPORTANT: After purchasing your tickets through Key Tours or Get Your Guide, you will be required to take your mobile confirmation voucher to the office of either company to exchange the voucher for your actual ticket! You must have the ticket, not e-voucher, to be admitted to the Acropolis. Insert “pick up my ticket” into your Acropolis itinerary. 

I did the most basic entry with no tour through Key Tours. My taxi driver stopped at the Key Tours office on the way to the Acropolis for me to collect the ticket. Although my ticket was Skip the Line, I had to wait a bit for all the other line skippers in front of me to enter first.

Getting to the Acropolis

The Acropolis is not hard to find. Just look up! Nevertheless, we have some helpful tips to get there.

Uber or Beat: Ride apps are great in a country where there is a language barrier. I have used both Uber and Beat many times and always feel safe. I would recommend Uber over Beat because Uber tends to have better location services for pick ups. Both apps provide you with driver information and tag number. You should also check for the Beat or Uber sticker on the outside of the car. 

Yellow Taxi: If you don’t feel comfortable hailing a cab, your hotel should have no problem calling one to pick you up. The taxis in Athens will be yellow. We do not advise getting into a car purporting to be a taxi if it is not yellow. Most taxi drivers will speak some English and should understand that you want to go to the Acropolis.

Metro: If you chose to take the Metro, hop on the Red Line to “Acropoli”. The kiosks have English settings and offer passes for one day, 90 minutes, two trips or four trips. The kiosks accept both Euro and card.

Walking: Depending on where you stay and how much time you have, walking is an excellent option to explore the Center and Plaka. Google maps on your phone or an actual map should get you to the Acropolis, but be prepared to possibly encounter hills and cobblestone.

What to Wear at the Acropolis

Shoes: Always be prepared with the appropriate footwear! Our top wardrobe advice for the Acropolis is sturdy footwear. Take it from me; I almost busted my butt sliding across the slick stone steps and surfaces of the historical site in my flip flops. Tennis shoes, Chacos or any shoe with a gripped soul that provides support and security will work. 

Dress: If you visit during the summer months, make sure to dress for the heat and to stay hydrated. There is no shame in dawning your tourist hat under the Athens summer sun, which is magnified at the ancient citadel. Don’t forget your shades and lather on that SPF before you start your day. 

I really can’t stress the summer heat enough… not. a. shade. tree. in. sight. 

Accessories: Yes, a water bottle is an accessory. Once you react the Parthenon, be on the lookout to refill your water bottle at the stations located near the restrooms.

The remainder of your accessory advice is coming from my stylish counterpart, who worked at the Acropolis and in the Center back in the day as a baby police officer. Although Greece is one of the safest countries in the world, you should take care to guard your belongings, as in any large tourist area. Wearing a cross-body bag, wristlet or fanny pack with a zipper is smart. 

For real though, strap on your fanny pack and leave the Louis Vuitton and the trendy back pack at home! Again, you can learn from my mistakes. On my first visit to Athens, I took my last picture at Acropolis before my phone was lost or maybe stolen. What am I wearing in the picture? A trendy back pack with a nifty draw string of course. I really sound like an expert traveler huh?

Nikos, the responsible one, also recommends dialing down the flashy jewelry when visiting the Acropolis and exploring the Center of Athens. 

Acropolis Pro-Tip Photo Ops.

Areopagus

After you see the Acropolis up close, you must visit Areopagus, translated Hill of Ares or, in the Latin, Mars Hill. Our favorite Acropolis photo locale is known modernly as Holy Rock by Nikos, the local. The Holy Rock is where the Christian Apostle Paul delivered one of his most impactful sermons. 

The Rock is located just North West of the Acropolis. Entrance is totally free with no ticket required. You can reach the Rock by following the pathway that leaves the Acropolis to the North West, where you will see a stairway that leads to the top of Holy Rock (see photo of entrance below). Note, the rocks are incredibly slippery. 

I did not know about this vantage point on my first visit and wish that I had. As you can see, the photo op. is selfie-friendly. Do not skip Lover’s Rock!

Filopappou Hill

Do you need these angles for your Instagram? I think you do! If you have an extra 30 minutes to explore Filopappou Hill, it’s totally worth it. The entrance is located on Dionysiou Areopagitou, which is where the Acropolis exit path conveniently leads you. Other landmarks near the entrance are Dionysos Zonar’s restaurant and the adjacent, large public parking lot.

The Hill of Muses itself houses several archeological sites such as the Prison of Socrates, Monument of Philopappos and more.

Acropolis Museum

The Acropolis Museum is right across the street from the Acropolis. We consider the Acropolis Museum a must see to fully understanding the ancient site. Remember the bundle tours and entry packages mentioned earlier! 

Acropolis Reflections

My view of the Acropolis has evolved since moving to Greece. The first time I visited, I was hot and I was wearing the wrong footwear, as we have discussed. For whatever reason, I perceived a relic of Greek Mythology that I had to check off my list, but nothing more. 

As I take in the beacon on the hill from different angles and in different seasons, I now realize how it really does govern this place. How it must have governed this place in the past. I think about how this beacon has evolved to represent so many things over time, from conflicting religious ideologies to the national pride that is now rooted in its antiquity. In each phase of its existence, what the Acropolis housed was of the upmost importance to some group of people, yet the structure could not be preserved. 

Upon my reflections, I am reminded that any lasting temple must be built within. It is what we set atop a hill inside of ourselves and share with others that will endure even after the greatest of monuments have fallen.

What will you see when you visit the Acropolis? Whether you ponder the meaning of life or just get the perfect shot for social media, you can’t go wrong starting your Greek holiday here!