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One Day in Athens: The Acropolis, Plaka and Sunset, Hour by Hour

How to spend one day in Athens: the Acropolis at 08:00, the Acropolis Museum, lunch in Plaka, the Ancient Agora and sunset on Philopappou Hill. Opening hours, tickets and free days.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

By the iLoveGreece editorial team · Last reviewed 2026-11-14 · 3 sources listed below

Quick answer

Be at the Acropolis when it opens at 08:00, with a timed ticket booked online, then walk down to the Acropolis Museum. Have lunch in Plaka or Monastiraki, see the Ancient Agora in the afternoon, watch sunset from Philopappou Hill and eat in Psyri or Koukaki. From November to March the Acropolis closes at 17:00 (last entry 16:30).

The day, hour by hour

  1. 08:00

    Acropolis and Parthenon

    Be there at opening with a timed ticket: cooler, and before the tour groups.

    Acropolis and Parthenon

  2. 10:30

    Acropolis Museum

    Right below the hill, with a glass floor over an ancient street. Plan 2–3 hours.

    Acropolis Museum

  3. 13:00

    Lunch in Plaka

    Step one street off the main lanes for better value.

    Lunch in Plaka

  4. 14:30

    Ancient Agora

    The heart of ancient Athens and the Temple of Hephaestus, one of the best-kept in Greece.

    Ancient Agora

  5. Sunset

    Philopappou Hill

    Free, and the classic view of the Acropolis at golden hour.

    Philopappou Hill

  6. 20:00

    Dinner in Psyri

    Athens eats late; Psyri and Koukaki stay lively.

    Dinner in Psyri

Photos: Wikimedia Commons

Make this plan from where you arePlan my day picks what's open near you, with walking times.

Opening hours and tickets

  • Acropolis ticket: €30 all year; free for EU citizens under 25 and non-EU visitors under 18 (bring ID). Book a time slot on the official site, hhticket.gr.
  • From November to March, entry to state sites is free on the first and third Sunday of each month, and they're very busy then.
  • The Acropolis is closed on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday and 25–26 December.
  • Acropolis Museum: €20; it has its own ticket and hours on theacropolismuseum.gr.
Acropolis hours by season
DatesOpenLast entry
1 November – 31 March08:00–17:0016:30
1 April – 31 August08:00–20:0019:30
September – OctoberCloses 18:00–19:30 as days shorten30 min before closing

If it's hot or wet

  • In summer, do the Acropolis at 08:00 and the museums at midday; outdoor sites can close early during extreme heat.
  • In rain, swap the Ancient Agora for the National Archaeological Museum (metro to Victoria).
  • Plan my day does this for you: on a wet day it leans on museums, cafés and indoor stops.

FAQ

Is one day in Athens enough?

For the Acropolis, its museum and an evening in the old town, yes. Two or three days let you add the National Archaeological Museum, a day trip or the coast.

Can I do this from the airport?

With a long layover, the metro to the centre takes about 40 minutes each way. Allow time to get back through security.

Do I need to book the Acropolis?

Yes, tickets are for a time slot. Booking the first slot of the day is the easiest way to avoid the crowds.

Plan my day near me →Acropolis tickets and free days →Athens in 3 days →Athens airport to the city →

Sources

Related guides

Updated 2026-11-14. General planning guidance. Check with operators and local authorities.