Travel bucket list idea:

Acropolis Museum

Athens, Central Greece, Greece

Photo Nikos Daniilidis

Last updated: 30 March, 2024

Decades in the works, the Acropolis Museum opened in 2009. The clunky concrete and glass building has many detractors, but few dispute the magnificence of the collection.

For the first time, all the treasures unearthed on and around the Acropolis are displayed under one roof – except, of course, the ‘Elgin marbles’, a large section of the famous Parthenon frieze that’s in the British Museum. Should they be repatriated? Visit the top-floor gallery and decide for yourself.

The museum restaurant matches a great view with great food. Try inventive Greek dishes on a terrace jutting out towards the Parthenon. The glass-walled dining hall also offers stupendous views.

Logistics

Price from: £4

Minimum age: 0

Age suitable: 13+

When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The museum is next to the Acropoli metro stop. Tickets can be bought online in advance, or at the ticket desk.

The treasure trove is vast, you really need expert guidance to take you around. You can book an organised tour with an expert guide (see our recommendations below). Alternatively, every Saturday morning there is a free 90-minute guided tour (in English), ‘Saturday in the Museum with 20 + 1 masterpieces.’ There is no pre-booking – the tour is available to the first thirty visitors to ask at the information desk so a place is not guaranteed.

If you can’t make those, there’s a 2-hour audio tours available – ask at the Museum’s Information Desk on arrival – where museum curators introduce you to 60 exhibit highlights.

The website has a handy section of ‘highlights’ – have a browse before you go. There’s also a great section that introduces the site and the collection to kids.

When to do it

The museum is open all year round, seven days a week. Go early to avoid the coach parties or after dark, when the surrounding cityscape is eerily reflected in the glass-walled galleries.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Acropolis monuments & Parthenon Walking Tour with Optional Acropolis Museum

Athens

Viator

Behold the beginnings of Western civilization with an experienced licensed tour guide on a 4-hour walking tour of this UNESCO Heritage site. Remarkable history unfolds as you stroll by the Parthenon and other monuments of the Acropolis; visit the New Acropolis Museum to gawk at ancient statues. Walk over the glass floor of the state-of-the-art Museum and watch under the remains of Ancient Athens. Head up with your tour guide to the glass Parthenon room and finish the tour with the superb and classic perfect collection while admiring the views of the Acropolis. This is a skip-the-line tour. We will make sure you will not have to wait in long lines. The walking tour is made with an experienced licensed tour guide. The meeting point is in our offices by the Acropolis (60 meters walk from Acropolis metro station). We provide free WiFi at the meeting point, and an air-conditioned waiting lounge. You can also safely leave your luggage or bags and pick them up after the tour.

Price €32

Min age 0

Rating 4.87 / 5 [1640 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon and Acropolis Museum Guided Tour

Athens

Viator

Travel back in time on a 4 hours Skip-the-line informative and fun tour to the most significant monument in Athens. This tour is guided by an English speaking field expert and licensed tour guide. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Acropolis of Athens through a journey into history, mythology and storytelling. The tour continues with a visit to the Acropolis Museum, which has been ranked among the top Museums in the world. All the original surviving masterpieces from the temples of the Acropolis are displayed with the use of natural light. Excavations are also visible under glass floors and walkways.

Price €55

Min age 0

Rating 4.83 / 5 [783 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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The Acropolis, Athens Walking City Tour and Acropolis Museum

Athens

Viator

The Ideal Combination Tour! See the city center including two top sights in just a few hours. At the Acropolis of Athens, you’ll explore the Parthenon which is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Then, you’ll dive deeper into its worldly significance at the Acropolis Museum where marble masterpieces tell a story on their own. Please be aware that even with our skip-the-ticket-line service, there might be some waiting time required for security checks. This is because visitor numbers can fluctuate unpredictably at the sites throughout the day. The typical waiting time falls within 0 to 10 or 30 minutes, though on rare occasions, it might be longer.

Price €67

Min age 0

Rating 4.78 / 5 [413 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Acropolis and Acropolis Museum Private Tour with Licensed Expert

Athens

Viator

In the company of a Professional Licensed, Archaeological guide experience the Acropolis with its iconic Parthenon and temples, the Theater of Dionysus, and the New Acropolis Museum. Exclusive and dedicated to your group alone, your private guide will bring to life the pinnacle of the classical Greek period along with its associated masterpieces housed in the nearby Museum for a once in a lifetime experience. Flexible booking Options exclude the Museum to offer the following additional choices: ACROPOLIS ONLY, for a focused 90-Minute expert tour of this site only; ACROPOLIS & ANCIENT AGORA, for a combined 3-hr tour of the Acropolis and Ancient Agora; WITH VEHICLE OPTION, for a 5-hr tour also including the wider Athens City Highlights as well as return transfers from the Cruise Ship Port or central Athens Hotel.

Price €141

Min age 0

Rating 4.86 / 5 [281 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Ancient Athens tour: Acropolis, Parthenon and Acropolis Museum

Athens

Viator

Explore the Acropolis Monuments in a small group tour. Visit the state-of-the-art Acropolis Museum and enjoy a unique and personalized time of the landmark monuments of the Greek capital.

Price €60

Min age 0

Rating 4.86 / 5 [185 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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