ATHENS · ACROPOLIS · TICKETS
Acropolis tickets 2026: the official €30 timed ticket, which slots sell out, and when it's free
The official Acropolis ticket costs €30 (reduced €15) on tickets.hh.gr, the Greek Ministry of Culture's own store. Entry is timed by the hour, the ticket is non-refundable, but you can change it up to 2 hours before (twice). Mid-morning slots go first: on October 31 the 09:00-12:00 hours were already gone for a Friday six days later, while every afternoon hour was open. The Acropolis Museum is a separate ticket.
Ad / affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you book a tour through the GetYourGuide links or buy a Greece eSIM through the Airalo link on this page, at no extra cost to you. Links to tickets.hh.gr and culture.gr are not affiliate links, and the official store is the cheapest way in. PracticalPivot is not affiliated with the Greek Ministry of Culture, Hellenic Heritage or any tour company. Prepared with AI assistance; prices, hours, rules and slot availability below were read on the official Ministry page and the official ticket store on October 31, 2026.
The 30-second answer
Most visitors: buy the official €30 timed ticket on tickets.hh.gr. If you can, pick 08:00 (cooler, before the rush) or after 15:00 (in winter the site closes at 17:00, last entrance 16:30).
Your morning slot is gone: take an afternoon slot on the official store; they were the ones still open when we checked.
Every slot on your date is gone: a guided tour with entry included, ideally one with free cancellation.
Free entry: on the Ministry's free days and on Sunday November 1, 2026, tickets are only at the on-site counters, not online. Expect queues.
Book on the official Acropolis ticket store, tickets.hh.gr (not an affiliate link)
Official Acropolis ticket: price and rules (checked October 31, 2026)
| Item | Official answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full price | €30 | Ministry page + tickets.hh.gr |
| Reduced price | €15 (bring proof of eligibility) | Ministry page |
| Where to buy online | tickets.hh.gr (Hellenic Heritage) | Ministry page |
| Timed entry | Required; one-hour slots | tickets.hh.gr |
| Changes | Up to 2 hours before the visit, max 2 changes per ticket | tickets.hh.gr |
| Refunds | Non-refundable | tickets.hh.gr |
| Entries | Single entry on the chosen date and time | tickets.hh.gr |
| Included | Access to the Digital Guide app | tickets.hh.gr |
| Not allowed | Large luggage, food, professional photo shoots or filming | tickets.hh.gr |
| Acropolis Museum | Not included: separate ticket on the museum's own site | Separate institution |
Who qualifies for reduced or free entry is set by the Ministry's admission rules (Ministry admission information, PDF). The store says visitors with reduced or free tickets must show valid ID or documentation at the entrance.
Which time slots sell out (official calendar, read October 31, 2026)
| Date | 08:00 | 09:00-12:00 | 12:00-13:00 | 13:00-17:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Nov 1 | Free admission for all visitors; tickets only at the ticket counters | |||
| Mon Nov 2 (2 days out) | Unavailable | Unavailable | Limited | Open |
| Fri Nov 6 (6 days out) | Limited | Unavailable | Open | Open |
That is November, the quiet season. In spring and summer, plan on booking further ahead. The pattern to expect: 09:00-12:00 goes first (cruise passengers and tour groups), then 08:00, and the last two hours before closing stay open longest.
Opening hours (official)
| Season | Hours | Last entrance |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | 08:00-17:00 | 16:30 |
| Summer | 08:00-20:00 | 19:30 |
Hours as listed on the Ministry's Acropolis page. The ticket store adds that last entry is 20 minutes before closing, and its November slots end at 16:00-17:00. Hours can change for heat waves or strikes; check the store on the day.
Free admission days
- March 6 (in memory of Melina Mercouri), April 18 (International Monuments Day), May 18 (International Museums Day), the last weekend of September (European Heritage Days) and October 28: listed on the Ministry's Acropolis page.
- Sunday November 1, 2026: marked on the official store as "free admission for all visitors", with tickets only at the counters. Check the store calendar for other winter Sundays before you plan around one.
Official ticket vs a guided tour
| Official €30 ticket | Guided tour with entry | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €30 | Higher (entry + guide) |
| Change or refund | Change up to 2 h before; no refund | Often free cancellation (check each listing) |
| Context | Digital Guide app included | A licensed guide explains the Parthenon, Erechtheion and slopes |
| Availability | Morning slots sell out first | Can have places on dates when the official store is short |
| Best for | Fixed dates, afternoon visits, independent travellers | Short stays, cruise days, or wanting the story behind the stones |
Compare Acropolis tours with entry on GetYourGuide (affiliate link)
Check that a listing says the entry ticket is included. Some "Acropolis tours" are walking tours of the area without admission.
What to do, step by step
- Type tickets.hh.gr yourself and open "Acropolis of Athens Tickets". Ads and look-alike domains resell the same ticket for more.
- Pick the date, then the hour. Greyed-out hours are gone; "limited" ones are close.
- Book reduced tickets only if you can prove eligibility at the gate (ID or documents).
- Save the ticket on your phone and keep a printout or screenshot.
- Plans changed? Use the store's change option up to 2 hours before your slot (twice at most). There is no refund.
- Arrive with no large bag and no food. Wear shoes with grip: the marble is polished smooth.
- Book the Acropolis Museum separately if you want it; it's at the foot of the hill.
Checklist before you go
- Timed ticket for the right date and hour (or a free-day plan with time to queue)
- ID or documents for any reduced or free ticket
- Small bag only, no food; water bottle
- Non-slip shoes; sun hat even in autumn
- Last entrance in winter: 16:30
- Mobile data for the QR ticket and the Digital Guide app: Greece eSIM from Airalo (affiliate link), or compare options in our Greece eSIM guide
More Europe ticket guides
Rome next? See Colosseum tickets and Vatican Museums tickets. Paris: Louvre tickets. Several countries on one trip: Europe eSIM guide.
FAQ
How much is an Acropolis ticket in 2026?
The Greek Ministry of Culture lists the Acropolis and its Slopes at €30 full price and €15 reduced, and the official ticket store tickets.hh.gr sells the timed ticket at €30. The Ministry page shows no separate winter price.
What is the official Acropolis ticket website?
The Ministry of Culture's own Acropolis page sends buyers to tickets.hh.gr, the Hellenic Heritage e-ticketing service. Type the address yourself; many look-alike sites resell the same ticket at a markup.
Can I change or refund an Acropolis ticket?
The official store says tickets are non-refundable, but you can change the date or time up to 2 hours before your visit, at most 2 times per ticket.
How far ahead should I book the Acropolis?
For a morning slot, at least a week. On October 31, 2026 the official calendar already showed the 09:00-12:00 slots unavailable for Friday November 6, while afternoon slots were open. Afternoons are the easiest to get at short notice.
Is the Acropolis free on some days?
Yes. The Ministry lists free admission on March 6, April 18, May 18, the last weekend of September and October 28. The official store also marked Sunday November 1, 2026 as free for all visitors, with tickets only at the on-site counters. Expect crowds on free days.
Does the Acropolis ticket include the Acropolis Museum?
No. The Acropolis Museum is a separate institution with its own ticket, sold on its own website. Book it separately.