Acropolis of Athens Audio Guide

For centuries, the Acropolis of Athens has watched from above as civilizations have come and gone. On this Acropolis audio tour, Context Travel expert and tour guide Smaro Touloupa will enthrall you with tales of ancient gods, ambitious Greek projects, and the enduring spirit of human creativity.

The audio tour begins outside the Acropolis Ticket Office where you‘ll learn how the site, an ancient citadel built on Acropolis Hill, was dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos. As you walk around, you'll take in the remains of impressive and groundbreaking architectural structures, including the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Theatre of Dionysus, and the Parthenon, the largest marble temple of its time which took 15 years to complete. You'll hear how, in the aftermath of the 1687 explosion, the Parthenon was looted, leaving sections visibly missing. Along the way, you'll find out what remains of the original Acropolis, and how it's long been a source of inspiration. Smaro will also share interesting details about how, over the centuries, it came to symbolize democracy, philosophy, design, and entertainment. As you make your way to the south slope of the Acropolis of Athens, where our audio tour ends, you‘ll enjoy panoramic views of the city.

On this Acropolis audio tour, you'll:

• Gain insights into the Greek War of Independence, which marked the birth of modern Greece and still echoes through the Acropolis

• Pay tribute to Manolis Glezos, the "first partisan of Europe," whose legacy for fighting fascism resonated until his passing in 2020 at the age of 98

• Marvel at the remarkable craftsmanship that brought the Acropolis to life, involving 150 stone masons and 50 sculptors over a 15-year period

• Find out about the ingenious use of wooden cranes and pulley systems that lifted massive blocks during construction 2,500 years ago

• Discover the mathematical precision behind the Acropolis' geometric beauty, including principles like the golden mean and Fibonacci sequence

• Delve into the Dionysian Theatre, one of the world's oldest

• Learn about the awe-inspiring 42-foot gold and ivory statue of Athena Parthenos, symbolizing the Virgin, adorned with nearly 1.2 tons of gold

• Visit sanctuaries dedicated to Artemis, the virgin goddess of hunting, and Asclepius, the god of healing and medicine

• Visit the tiny sanctuary for Asclepius, once a very popular symbol of health

By the end of this 90-minute tour, you'll have unlocked the mysteries of the Acropolis and gained a profound understanding of its enduring significance and timeless allure. 

The Acropolis has different opening hours based on the time of year. It is open daily from 8 AM till 5 PM during winter months (November-March) and 8 AM till 8 PM during high season (May-September). If you are visiting in April or October, please check the closing time because it gradually changes according to the length of daylight. It can be very crowded, especially in the morning hours, therefore the best time to visit is either at 8 AM when the park opens or after 3 PM to avoid crowds.

Please note: An admission ticket is required to access the Acropolis, which you can purchase here. The Acropolis has a timed ticket system, so if you buy tickets with access at a certain time, please arrive on time or else you will lose your ticket.

Although this tour includes rough terrain in some areas, it is wheelchair accessible and can be experienced by travelers of all capabilities. If you have mobility constraints, vehicles can access a gate to the left of the main entrance. From there, the guards will lead you to the electric cars that take you, and only one escort up to the lift. If you need to use the lift service, you will need to restart the tour by using the Resume function from the stop called 'Erechtheion North'. The total distance of the Acropolis audio tour is 1.05 miles.