South Slope of the Acropolis of Athens — Attraction in Athens

1st April 2024 -- Visiting this site/entrance and trying to find out where the ticket machine is and how to buy one ticket (and perhaps avoiding some part of the huge waiting cue/line).

(All/complete Google maps policies are being fulfilled! -- όλες οι προϋποθέσεις των κανόνων του google maps τηρούνται)

#!Before continuing this comment, according to my opinion, this is the best entry gate/site when wanting to visit the most beautiful monument Acropolis/Parthenon! I can only speak for myself while being fully able to move and walk on foot and on my own!#

I did not try to buy a ticket online via the official government webpage (https://www.gov.gr/en/upourgeia/upourgeio-politismou-kai-athletismou/tameio-arkhaiologikon-poron-kai-apallotrioseon/eisiteria-arkhaiologikon-khoron) which subsequently redirects to another webpage (www.hhtickets.gr) of the Ministry of Culture (as mentioned/written on this webpage.

As soon as I found out how the ticket system of the ticket machine (next to the tourist information point) works, some friendly "fellow co-tourists" asked me what to do and how to use the machine. Tried to explain it to them and hopefully it helped. Handling the machine is very inconvenient, hence the one star !!

Be advised, there are several choices for issuing your ticket, if one is not older than specific age limits. These did not apply to me, thus were not considered and seemed to perhaps be more confusing when trying to issue a ticket.

I asked the staff (I do not mean the touristic guides), which works there, if I have to stand in line after having purchased a ticket from this machine (only this one was available on this date to my knowledge) and their answer was "no, you can directly walk to the entrance and let your ticket be scanned and walk in".

This works out fine due to some fellow tourists doing exactly this.

Note: Currently (1st April 2024) you can visit multiple sites with the "extended" ticket version. Should be apprx. 6 or 7 sites which surround the Acropolis. It was verbally mentioned to me by the lady who "validates" the tickets at the gate, that one can visit them once in the duration of five days (each site just once with the issued 5icket)

Please do not neglect to get some information at the tourist point (which is not involved in the ticket issuance) and get a tourist map for free (at least this was the case for me) and the friendly lady (thank you!) marked all of the sites that can be visited.

Should you be asking yourself if tickets for the Acropolis museum can be purchased there as well, not to my knowledge. I was referenced to buy them directly at the museum). Additional note(s): At the infopoint cash desk, there are some brochures of the museum with various information of the Acropolis Museum for free in different languages, not in the "regular" waiting lines/cues for ticket issuance. Before entering the building, please check for a small sign with a QR-Code which could help you buying a ticket online - I didn't use it. The waiting cue was very small)

Please be reminded that all of the above states my...

The Acropolis has 2 entrances, this one is the less popular south entrance. I would recommend starting your visit here as you will see other ruins before reaching the main temple as the main highlight.

Toilet is located besides the entrance outside of the Acropolis so go there before going through the gates. Wear a hat and take a water bottle as it will be very hot during the summer months and May-September. There are a few water fountains where you can fill up your bottle but they're easy to miss so keep an eye for them or check the map.

Buying tickets in advance is a must. Beware of non-official websites selling tickets more expensive. The official prices (2024) are €20 for Acropolis and €30 for Acropolis and 6 other smaller less impressive ruins that are within walking distance. The official ticket site is hhticket.gr The ticket will have a QR code that you can scan on the gates from your mobile phone. No need to print the ticket if you bought it from the official website. The tickets are timed and you can enter 15 minutes before time stated on your ticket.

The non-official websites often justify higher prices by providing downloadable audio guides that you can play on your mobile. Remember that there is no official audio guide. You can get a free audio guide by searching for an app or website"Rick Steves Audio Europe" that provides a free Acropolis 50 minutes audio guide. The app also has a free Athens city walk through the sight around the Acropolis. Download the audio in advance and don't forget...

Awful service. We bought a ticket from the complicated website. No point in doing it as you still have to go to the ticket office to get the printed tickets when you arrive anyway. We thought there was a discount for all elderly people, but it was only for those who are also EU citizens. We had to buy an extra a ticket and were given an email address to get a refund. We have now had the refund refused as the conditions say that they do no refunds under any circumstances. I can't believe we were lied to like that. Also, if you are disabled, don't use this entrance. There were no signs or help from staff telling us to use the other entrance which is much better for accessing the lift - instead a member of our party had to struggle across rocky ground and on difficult steps. The staff here are disgraceful and ruin the...