From afar, my sister and I could see the massive ancient structure sitting on top of the hill. As we walked closer to the hill, the more excited we became. After passing by several buildings in the surrounding neighbourhood, we came to the entrance of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. OMG, I couldn’t believe that I was standing right on the foothill of the Acropolis of Athens in Greece! 😀
Entrance Ticket To The Acropolis Of Athens
Visitors to the Acropolis of Athens can buy the entrance tickets at the ticket booth located at the entrance of the historical site. The tickets are priced at €12 per person. Did you know that the ticket also grants free access to six other must see archaeological sites in Athens and they are:
- Ancient Agora
- Slope of the Acropolis – Theatre of Dionysus
- Roman Agora
- Kerameikos
- Temple of Olympian Zeus
- Hadrian’s Library
However, do take note that entry to the Acropolis of Athens will be raised from €12 to €20 for the months of April to October 2016 (reduced entry fee is €10). From November 2016 to March 2017, the price will be reduced by 50%. Without the Acropolis ticket, a single entry to the archaeological sites listed above is priced at €2 per person.
During summer (1 April – 31 September), the site is open from 08:00 – 19:30 daily except for Monday which opens at 11:00 – 19:30. During winter (1 November – 31 March), the site is open from 08:30 – 15:00 daily. A complete list of the opening hours and admission fees for the archaeological sites and museums in Athens can be viewed here.
The North & South Slope Of The Acropolis
With our tickets in hand, my sister and I proceeded into the historical site with glee. Our first impression of the Acropolis – the ancient citadel complex is enormous!! Good news is walking in the area is enjoyable and relaxing thanks to the lush greenery around us. The weather was perfect for a day’s of exploration too. 😀
Our first archaeological exploration covered the North and South Slope of the Acropolis. According to history, the Slope of Acropolis have been inhabited since prehistoric times because of the existence of natural springs in the area. During the archaic and classical times, this area became an intellectual, cultural and religious centre of major importance for life in ancient Athens.
Among the attractions in the area are the Sanctuary of Dionysus Eleuthereus, the Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus (where ancient Greek drama was born and flourished), Odeon of Pericles (where musical contests were held), Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Sanctuary of Aphrodite and Eros, Mycenaean Fountain and Klepsydra.
The Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus & The Odeon of Herodes Atticus
The Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus is an open-air theatre located on the South slope of the Acropolis. It is considered to be the place where European theatre had its beginnings for the theatre was built at the time when ‘drama’ or ‘theatre’ was being created.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, also known as the ancient amphitheatre of Herodeion was built at the base of the Acropolis during the Roman times (about 161 A.D.) by the Roman philosopher, teacher and politician Herodes Atticus. It was used as a venue for music concerts with a capacity of 6,000.
Today, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is the main venue of the Athens Festival which runs from May through October each year, featuring a variety of acclaimed Greek as well as International performances. Imagine watching a classical music performance under the stars on a warm summer night…utter bliss! 😀
Up next: Exploring the Propylaia (Propylaea), Temple of Athena Nike and Monument of Agrippa