Greece Travel Tips: Archaeological Sites Opening Hours & Entrance Fees

Public holidays, museum tickets and practical information for your holiday in Greece

Greece Travel Tips & Archaeological Sites Opening Hours

Greece Travel Tips: Planning Your Holiday in Greece

We’re often asked the same practical questions by guests planning their first trip, so we’ve gathered the answers here: opening hours, entrance fees, public holidays and a few useful facts about Greece. If you’d like help putting it all together, our local team is always happy to plan your days for you. Ask us for a free quote.

Greece at a glance

Greece (Hellas) is an ancient country at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa. Today it borders Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey, and it has the longest coastline in the Mediterranean, with hundreds of famous beaches and islands. About 10.4 million people live in Greece, and its capital and largest city is Athens, home to around 3.7 million people in the wider Athens area. Greece became the 10th member of the European Union on 1 January 1981, and the main religion is Greek Orthodox Christianity.

Greece is an archipelago of more than 6,000 islands and islets, of which only 227 are inhabited, and only 78 have more than 100 inhabitants. The five largest Greek islands are Crete (Kriti), Euboea (Evia), Lesbos (Lesvos), Rhodes (Rodos) and Chios, while many smaller islands are famous worldwide for their history, beaches, scenery, architecture and way of life.

Greece archaeological sites opening hours

Skip the ticket line at the Acropolis. To avoid long queues, buy your tickets online from the official ticket website, hhticket.gr. The ticket for the Acropolis and its slopes costs 30€ per person. If your tour starts from Athens at 08:00, choose an entrance time slot of 08:00, 09:00 or 10:00.

Skip the line at the New Acropolis Museum. Book your tickets online at the museum’s official ticket site: etickets.theacropolismuseum.gr.

Winter period (1 November to 31 March) | Summer period (1 April to 31 October). Opening hours change often, especially in winter and on public holidays, so please check the official links below before your visit.

Museums/Sites	Winter Hours	Summer Hours
National Archaeological Museum	Tuesday: 12:30 – 20:00	Monday: 13:00 – 19:30
National Archaeological Museum	Other Days: 8:30 – 16:00	Other Days: 8:30 – 19:30
Acropolis Museum	Mon–Thu 9:00 – 17:00, Fri until 22:00, Sat–Sun until 20:00	Mon 9:00 – 17:00, Tue–Sun 9:00 – 20:00, Fri until 22:00
Acropolis Museum
Acropolis of Athens	8:00 – 17:00	8:00 – 20:00 (closing time varies)
Acropolis of Athens
Ancient Agora of Athens	8:00 – 17:00	8:00 – 20:00
Byzantine museum	8:00 until sunset	8:00 until sunset
Roman Agora of Athens	8:00 – 17:00	8:00 – 20:00
Kerameikos Museum	Temporarily closed since May 2025	Temporarily closed since May 2025
Temple of Olympian Zeus	08:00 – 15:00 Last entrance 14:30	8:00 until sunset
Thessaloniki archaeological museum	8:00 until sunset	8:00 until sunset
Thessaloniki White Tower	8:00 until sunset	8:00 until sunset
Marathon archaeological sites museum	8:00 until sunset	8:00 until sunset
Nemea archaeological site museum	8:00 until sunset	8:00 until sunset
Ancient Corinth archaeological site & museum	8:00-15:00, Closed on Tuesdays	8:00 – 19:00
Cape Sounion	8:00 until sunset	8:00 until sunset
Sparta archaeological site museum	8:00 until sunset	8:00 until sunset
Mystra archaeological site museum	8:00 until sunset	8:00 until sunset
Delphi archaeological site & museum	8:30 – 15:00	8:00 – 19:00
Epidaurus archaeological site museum	8:30 – 15:00	8:00 – 19:00
Meteora Monasteries	9:00 – 13:00 15:00 – 17:00	9:00 – 13:00 15:00 – 17:00
Mycenae archaeological site museum	8:30 – 15:00	8:00 – 19:00
Olympia archaeological site museum	8:30 – 15:00	8:00 – 19:00
Temple of Apollo Epicurius (Bassae)	8:30 – 15:00	8:00 – 19:00
Hadrian’s Library	8:30 – 15:00	8:00 – 20:00
Nafplion Palamidi fortress	8:30 – 15:00	8:00 – 19:00
Nafplion archaeological museum	8:30 – 15:00	8:00 – 19:00
Philippi archaeological museum	8:30 – 15:00	8:00 – 19:00
Knossos archaeological site	8:30 – 15:00	8:00 – 19:00
Mykonos archaeological museum	8:30 – 15:00	8:00 – 19:00
Santorini archaeological museum	8:30 – 15:00	8:00 – 17:00
Akrotiri archaeological site

Days when archaeological sites and museums are closed

Christmas: 25 and 26 December
New Year’s Day: 1 January
Greek Independence Day: 25 March
Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday (moveable date, April or May)
Labour Day: 1 May

Greek public holidays

On these official holidays, all public services are closed:
1 January: New Year’s Day
6 January: Epiphany
Clean Monday, the first day of Lent (moveable)
25 March: anniversary of the 1821 War of Independence
Good Friday (moveable)
Easter Sunday and Easter Monday (moveable)
1 May: Labour Day
Whit Monday, the Day of the Holy Spirit (moveable)
15 August: Dormition of the Virgin Mary
28 October: anniversary of Greece’s “No” to the Italian ultimatum of 1940
25 December: Christmas Day

Free admission for

Journalists
Members of ICOM and ICOMOS
Holders of a free admission card
Soldiers doing their military service
Tour guides

Latest information about archaeological sites and museums

The 10 most popular Greek islands

Santorini: breathtaking volcanic views, often voted one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
Crete: the largest Greek island, with wonderful old towns, great history and endless choice.
Mykonos: fantastic beaches and a lively nightlife.
Hydra: one of the most historic and picturesque Greek islands, with a unique architecture.
Kefalonia: superb natural beauty, varied beaches and sapphire waters.
Paros: a classic Cycladic island with great beaches and nightlife.
Corfu: an Ionian island shaped by Venetian, French, Italian and English influences.
Skiathos: a spectacular island in the Sporades, covered in pine trees that reach down to the sea.
Rhodes: once home to the Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and to a wonderful medieval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ios: a great atmosphere, whitewashed houses in Chora, the island’s capital, and a lively nightlife.

Short on time? From Athens you can still see the best of mainland Greece in a day, with our day trips from Athens to Delphi, Nafplio, Olympia and more.

Greece Museum Entrance Fees & Official Tickets

Purchase Tickets for Archaeological Sites and Museums in Greece

Official ticket purchases for archaeological sites, monuments, and museums under the Ministry of Culture can only be made through the official website of the Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development (H.O.C.RE.D.): www.hhticket.gr.

Opening Hours for Archaeological Sites and Museums
For up-to-date information on the operating hours of archaeological sites and museums, visit the official page of the Ministry of Culture: Opening Hours.

Free Admission Days and Eligibility
A list of free admission days and categories eligible for free or reduced entry can be found here: Free Admission.

Updated Entrance Fees for Archaeological Sites and Museums (Effective April 1, 2025)

As of March 25, 2025, the Greek Ministry of Culture has revised entrance fees based on a tiered pricing policy approved by the Central Archaeological Council (KAS). The new pricing, effective April 1, 2025, standardizes fees throughout the year, eliminating previous seasonal discounts.

Ticket Price Categories

Category A: Acropolis of Athens
- Entrance Fee: €30
- Applies exclusively to the Acropolis, Greece’s most visited and iconic site.
Category B: Sites and Museums with Over 200,000 Visitors Annually
- Entrance Fee: €20
- Includes major attractions such as Knossos (Crete), Delphi, and the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
Category C: Sites and Museums with 75,000–200,000 Visitors Annually
- Entrance Fee: €15
- Covers locations like the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki and Mycenae (exceptions may apply).
Category D: Sites and Museums with 15,000–75,000 Visitors Annually
- Entrance Fee: €10
- Includes regional museums and moderately visited sites.
Category E: Sites and Museums with Fewer Than 15,000 Visitors Annually
- Entrance Fee: €5
- Covers lesser-visited historical locations across Greece.

Additional Notes

Implementation: The new pricing structure follows the second phase of a pricing adjustment initiated on April 1, 2024. Visitors purchasing tickets before April 1, 2025, may still find 2024 pricing applicable.
Combo Tickets: Most combination tickets for multiple sites have been discontinued, except for select locations like Ancient Olympia, Delphi, Mycenae, and Aegae, where logistical considerations necessitate their continuation.
Free & Reduced Entry:
- Free Admission: Available to all visitors under 18, EU citizens up to age 25, students, disabled persons and Greek seniors (65+), with valid identification.
- Free Entry Days: March 6, April 18, May 18, the last weekend of September, October 28, and the first Sunday of each month from November to March.
Independent Museum Pricing: Five major museums, including the National Archaeological Museum and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, operate independently and may set their own pricing, though they are expected to align with the categories above initially.

Important Advisory for Visitors

Beware of Unofficial Ticket Sellers: The only official platform for purchasing tickets is www.hhticket.gr. Any third-party website claiming to sell official Greek State tickets is not affiliated with the Ministry of Culture or H.O.C.RE.D.
Skip-the-Line Services: While some private vendors offer “skip-the-line” services, visitors should be aware that security and ticket validation checkpoints at high-traffic sites may still result in waiting times during peak hours.
Verify Ticket Prices: When purchasing from private vendors, confirm the actual ticket value and any additional services being offered. Always check for transaction details, including the seller’s registered name, office address, and tax registration number.

For the most accurate and updated information on site-specific fees and classifications, visit the official website of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture: odysseus.culture.gr.

More Practical Information for Your Holiday in Greece

Visas and entry

Greece is part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of EU countries can enter freely, and travellers from other Schengen countries don’t need a passport (a valid ID card is enough). Visitors from the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand don’t need a visa for short stays of up to 90 days. Visitors from other countries need a visa from the Greek Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence. Entry rules for non-EU travellers are changing with the EU’s new Entry/Exit System, so please check the official EU and Greek government websites before you travel.

Money

The euro (€) is the official currency of Greece. You can bring foreign currency into Greece freely, but if you enter or leave the EU carrying 10,000€ or more in cash, you must declare it. Money can be exchanged at banks, exchange bureaus and some travel agencies and hotels. Credit and debit cards, including contactless payment, are accepted almost everywhere, and ATMs are easy to find.

Electricity

220–230 volts AC at 50 Hz. Wall sockets have two round pins, as in continental Europe (type C and F plugs).

Water

Tap water is generally excellent, but on some islands and in a few regions it isn’t drinkable. If in doubt, ask for bottled mineral water, even for your coffee.

Phones and internet

Mobile coverage is excellent across Greece. Visitors with an EU mobile plan can use it at no extra roaming cost, and visitors from outside the EU can buy a local prepaid SIM or eSIM to avoid roaming charges. SIM cards are sold at mobile phone shops, kiosks and the airport. The country dialling code for Greece is +30.

Maps and newspapers

Free maps are usually available from hotels and travel agencies. Most Western European newspapers and magazines reach Athens daily and are easy to find.

Shop opening hours

Shops in Athens are usually open on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9:00 to 15:00, and on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 to 14:00 and again from 17:30 to 21:00. Most are closed on Sundays, although in tourist areas such as Plaka many shops stay open longer and on Sundays too. Department stores are open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 21:00 and on Saturday from 9:00 or 10:00 to 20:00 or 21:00, depending on the store.

Time zone

Greece is seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the USA and Canada (UTC+2). Daylight saving time runs from the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October.

Post offices

Post offices are open Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 14:00. Some central offices, such as the one at Syntagma Square, stay open later.

Shopping

Greece is a wonderful place to shop. Greek goldsmiths have been making fine handcrafted jewellery for more than 2,000 years, and many shops sell classic and modern gold and silver jewellery as well as reproductions of ancient designs, in 14k and 18k gold with diamonds and precious stones. You’ll also find antique carpets and hand-woven rugs, furniture, paintings, porcelain, leather goods and furs, as well as souvenirs, natural sponges, clothes, shoes, books and the famous handmade Greek pottery and ceramics from traditional workshops.

Healthcare and medical help

If you need urgent medical care, go to the nearest hospital emergency department (airports and many stations also have first-aid facilities), or call 112, the European emergency number. If you have a serious illness or allergy, carry a note from your doctor with details of your treatment. Pharmacies (ΦΑΡΜΑΚΕΙΟ) usually follow shop hours, and in big cities many stay open all day, with night pharmacies working on a rota; the duty pharmacies are posted on every pharmacy door. EU visitors should bring their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and all visitors are advised to have travel insurance.

Planning your trip? Our local team is happy to help with airport transfers, private Athens tours and shore excursions from Piraeus. Request your free quote.

Greek National Tourism Organization GNTO

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