We all want a good value when we travel, right? It can be really expensive to visit all the most iconic sites wherever you go, but it’s the whole reason you went! That’s why it’s such a relief to find an all-in-one (or even most-in-one) ticket so you can see as much as possible. Even better, tickets like this encourage visitors to go to more sites than they might otherwise, since the more sites you see, the more money you save! Here’s your ultimate guide to the Athens Combination Ticket.
Also helpful: Stay nearby at Home & Poetry Hotel Athens!
Admission
Cost: €30
That price will get you into all nine sites on the list, and the ticket is good for 5 consecutive days. Please also note that your ticket is only good for one entry to each site, meaning that you can’t go to any of the sites more than once! Hours are seasonal, but generally, sites are open from 8:00am until 8:00pm, unless otherwise noted.
Read on: The Ultimate List of 30 Trips to Take in Your 30s
Where to Purchase
Online
You can purchase your combination ticket (or an individual ticket to any of the included sites) on this official website. It’s not entirely intuitive, and in fact, I didn’t know this was an option until we chatted with another couple on the flight to Athens! Here’s what to do:
- On the “Please Choose Region” box, select “Attica.”
- On the “Please Select a Site from the List” box, select any of the first seven sites listed.
- On the “Select Date” box, select your start date (the Athens Combo Ticket is good for five days, beginning on the date you choose).
- Below the date, select your preferred time slot and click the “Continue” button.
- On the next page, find the “Combined €30” option and select the number of tickets you want to purchase.
Then follow the rest of the steps to purchase your advance tickets!
Also helpful: Money Saving Tips for Your Trip to Athens
In Person
We had no problem with this, even though I was kicking myself for not knowing I could purchase the tickets in advance! You can purchase the combined ticket at any of the sites that are included. You could also purchase individual tickets for each site if you don’t think the cost of the combined ticket is worth it to you.
Essential info: How to Make the Most of 36 Hours in Athens
How Much Are you Saving?
The more sites you visit, the more money you save. The catch is… Do you want to see all those places? If you purchased admission to all sites, the combined cost would be €64 as of 2022. So, for instance, as long as you visit the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora of Athens, you’ll be breaking even. Any other sites you visit on this list will be pure savings!
Keep reading: How to Have a Great Trip on a Tight Budget
What’s Included?
The best way to know if the ticket price is worth your while is to know what you’re getting into! Below are brief descriptions of each included site, including individual cost, with links to more info. Just click on the title of each site!
Acropolis of Athens
This is the hill on which the Parthenon sits, so you will also be able to visit the Parthenon while you’re here. It’s by far the most popular site on this list, so go early before the crowds come up. There is a lot more to see here than just the Parthenon, so take your time. (€20)
Ancient Agora of Athens
The Agora, or marketplace, was the center of it all in ancient Athens. It was the political, economical, administrative, and social hot spot for the city, as well as the seat of justice. The apostle Paul also preached here, as written about in Acts 17:16-34. It’s quite a large site, so plan to spend some time here to see it all. (€10)
Ancient Agora of Athens Museum
This is exactly what it sounds like: The museum housing artifacts found at the Ancient Agora of Athens. The building that houses the museum, the Stoa of Attalos, was originally built in the second century, so it’s a part of history itself! Admission is included with the Ancient Agora Site.
Hadrian’s Library
This site was built in the year 132 by Emperor Hadrian. Since then, it’s been destroyed, rebuilt, housed Christian churches, and even been the seat of the Governor during Turkish occupation. In its time as a library, it housed papyrus scrolls on its eastern side. (€6)
Kerameikos
This archaeological site dates back to 2700 B.C., and it’s known for its pottery. As mentioned above about the Kerameikos Museum, the name itself comes from the Greek word for “pottery!” (€8)
Kerameikos Archaeological Museum
This museum was built in 1937, and it houses artifacts and exhibits from the Kerameikos site. Kerameikos is related to the word “ceramic,” and as such, there is a vast collection of pottery inside. Admission is included with the Kerameikos Site.
Lykeion Archaeological Site
Boxers and wrestlers used to train here at the palaestra. This is the site of a former gymnasium, where athletes used to train in Athens. Aristotle also taught here, as well as had a library on the site. It’s tucked away in a neighborhood behind the Greek Presidential Mansion. (€4)
Olympieio (Temple of Olympian Zeus)
This was the site of Olympian Zeus’s sanctuary. It also includes the Temple of Apollo, and it was once the largest temple in all of Greece. It was undergoing some restoration when we visited, but there was still plenty to see! (€8)
Roman Agora of Athens
An Agora is a marketplace, and this one was built and used during the Roman times in Athens. It was the focus of public life in Athens at the time, though it’s much smaller in area than the Ancient Agora of Athens. It’s sometimes referred to as the Roman Forum and Tower of the Winds. (€8)
Also helpful: Mistakes People Make When Planning a Trip to Greece (and how to avoid them!)
What’s Surprisingly Not Included?
You’ll be a little bit perplexed to find that the Acropolis Museum is not included in your Athens Combination Ticket price. That will be an extra €10 per person, so you can decide if visiting this museum is worth it or not for you.
More money saving travel tips are on my dedicated Saving and Money Page!
Tips for Seeing Everything
It’s my favorite part… Tips!
Save Time in Line
Because the Acropolis is so popular, you may want to consider buying your ticket at one of the other sites on the list to avoid the long line of people purchasing theirs here. Try purchasing the combined ticket at the Lykeion Archaeological Site, Hadrian’s Library, or the Olympieio (Temple of Olympian Zeus).
And don’t forget to eat! Where to Eat in Athens in 36 Hours
Wear Reasonable Shoes
This is not the moment for your cutest, strappiest, or flip-floppiest pair of shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, and the ground is uneven (and sometimes covered in debris), so sneakers are a wiser option!
More here: The Ultimate Guide to Travel and Your Feet
Bring Water
As previously mentioned, you’ll be doing a lot of walking! And in late spring, summer, and early fall, it can be quite hot. You can drink the water in Athens, so fill up a reusable water bottle before you set out. Many hotels also provide a couple of bottles of water to guests each day during their visit. Stay hydrated, friends!
Keep reading: What to Know Before You Visit Athens
Know Where the Bathrooms Are
This is here for all the ladies, and for anyone who likes to stay hydrated. Not all the sites have a restroom available. So, for your planning purposes, here’s the list of which sites do have a restroom. Just don’t flush the toilet paper!
- Acropolis
- Ancient Agora Museum
- Hadrian’s Library
- Kerameikos Museum
Also helpful: What to Know Before You Visit Greece
Bring a Guide Book
I can’t believe I considered leaving this guidebook at home to save space in my carry-on bag! We were so glad to have it with us. You can, of course, see the sites with a guide (especially the Acropolis and Ancient Agora), but that’s not everyone’s preferred way of seeing the sites. This was just what we needed everytime we looked at a site and wondered, “What is that supposed to be?” Get yours at the link below!
Read next: How to Be a Prepared Traveler
Find Out Where the Entrance is Located Before You Walk All the Way Around
This was a major faux pas for us. Each site only has one entrance (possibly due to COVID policies, since there were other entrances that were not open), and some of the sites cover quite a large area. If you miss the entrance, or go the wrong way around, you’ll waste a lot of time! Ask where the entrance is if it’s not clear. The locals will be happy to help you!
Also important: Everything You Need to Know about Travel in the Shoulder Season
Want more? You’ll find all my posts about Athens on my dedicated Greece Page!
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