From Exarchion, the Acropolis Museum is a southern Athens stop that brings the ancient hill’s finds into view before or after a walk around the city centre.
The museum displays objects from the Acropolis and its slopes, including the Parthenon’s sculptural decoration; you can pair a visit with the archaeological site itself. Plan your outing from rooms at this two-star Athens hotel.
- Location: Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Athens 11742.
- Collections: Finds from the Acropolis and its slopes, including the Parthenon’s sculptural decoration.
- Suggested route: The museum’s official map guide covers 22 exhibits in about 2 hours.
- Nearest metro: Akropoli on Line 2, Anthoupoli–Elliniko.
What to see in the Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum’s galleries move from finds on the slopes to the history and sculpture of the Acropolis summit.
Start on the ground floor in the Gallery of the Acropolis Slopes, where finds from sanctuaries and settlements show activity around the hill. The first-floor galleries then trace the summit’s history from the 2nd millennium BC to the end of antiquity.
On the third floor, the Parthenon Gallery displays the monument’s sculptural decoration. At the museum’s base, archaeological excavation has also revealed the remains of an ancient Athenian neighbourhood. The ticket covers this excavation as well as all exhibition areas.
A suggested route covers 22 exhibits in about 2 hours. That gives you a practical framework for planning your time, while leaving room to spend longer in any gallery that interests you.
How the museum relates to the Acropolis
The Acropolis Museum presents objects from the Acropolis archaeological site and explains the history of the hill and its slopes.
The museum opened in the summer of 2009. Its focus links the objects on display to the place they came from: the ground-floor gallery covers finds from the slopes, the first-floor galleries follow the summit’s history, and the Parthenon Gallery displays the temple’s sculptural decoration.
That connection makes the museum a natural companion to the Acropolis itself. You can use the galleries to understand the site’s archaeological finds, then visit the ancient hill as a separate part of your Athens itinerary. The one-day Athens route from Exarchion can help you think about how the museum fits among other city stops.
How do you get to the Acropolis Museum from Exarchion?
Akropoli is the nearest metro station, on Line 2 between Anthoupoli and Elliniko. From Exarchion Hotel, take Line 2 from Omonia to Akropoli; the journey is about 10 minutes on foot to Omonia, then three stops by metro. You can pair the museum with the nearby Acropolis, whose finds are represented in its galleries.
The nearest city-bus stop is Makrigianni. Routes serving it include 24, 40, 57, 103, 106, 108, 111, 126, 134, 135, 136, 137, 155, 206, 208, 227, 230, 237, 790, 856, Α2, Α3, Α4, Β2, Β3, Β4, Ε2 and Ε22.
Makrigianni is also the nearest trolley stop, served by lines 1, 5 and 15. The nearest tram station is Leoforos Vouliagmenis.
The museum address is Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Athens 11742. If you are planning a walking route through the area, an Athens walk through Exarchia and nearby sights offers another way to structure time in the city.
Tickets, hours and entry planning
The Acropolis Museum has seasonal opening hours, and the last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
The museum's seasonal hours run from 1 November through 31 March and from 1 April through 31 October. Galleries begin clearing 15 minutes before closing.
Opening hours
- Monday to Thursday: 9:00–17:00
- Friday: 9:00–22:00
- Saturday and Sunday: 9:00–20:00
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
The museum is closed on 1 January, Orthodox Easter Sunday, 1 May, and 25 and 26 December. On 24 and 31 December, it is open 9 am–3 pm; on Orthodox Good Friday, noon–6 pm; and on Orthodox Holy Saturday, 9 am–3 pm.
General admission costs €20, and reduced admission costs €10. General-admission tickets are available at the ticket desk or through the museum’s e-ticketing service.
Reduced-admission and free-entry tickets are issued only at the ticket desk, where you need to present documents confirming eligibility. Visitors under 25 from non-EU countries qualify for reduced admission with a passport verifying age and country of origin.
Admission is free on 6 March, 25 March, 18 May and 28 October. Hours, ticket prices and entry rules can change, so check the official site before you go.
Ramps are available at the entrances, and elevators and accessible toilets serve all levels. You can borrow a wheelchair from the ground-floor Information Desk; a short guide in Braille is also available there, and guide dogs accompanying people with disabilities are welcome.
Leave large bags at the cloakroom, do not touch exhibits, and keep food and drinks out of the exhibition galleries. Photography and video are not permitted in the Archaic Acropolis Gallery.
Pairing the museum with nearby archaeological sites
The museum combines naturally with a visit to the Acropolis, since its collections come from the archaeological site and its slopes.
One way to plan the day is to use the museum’s galleries for context and then visit the ancient hill. The excavation beneath the museum adds another archaeological layer to the visit; access to it is included with admission.
The ground-floor shop and café do not require a museum ticket. Access to the second-floor shop and restaurant does require a free ticket from the ticket desk. The restaurant stays open until midnight every Friday and Saturday.
FAQs
How long does the Acropolis Museum route take?
The museum’s official map guide covers 22 exhibits in about 2 hours.
Which metro station is closest to the Acropolis Museum?
Akropoli on Line 2, Anthoupoli–Elliniko, is the nearest metro station.
Does an admission ticket include the excavation?
Yes. Tickets cover all exhibition areas and the archaeological excavation beneath the museum.
Can you visit the museum café without a ticket?
Yes. The ground-floor café and shop do not require a museum ticket. A free ticket from the ticket desk is required for the second-floor shop and restaurant.