AcropolisWhat Is the Athens Combo Ticket?
The Athens Archaeological Sites Combo Ticket (officially called the "Special Ticket Package") bundles entry to the Acropolis with six other major ancient sites across central Athens. Rather than purchasing separate tickets at each location, you buy once and visit all seven sites within a 5-day window.
At €36, the combo represents significant savings. The Acropolis alone costs €30 for standard entry. Add any other site — the Ancient Agora at €10, for instance — and you've already exceeded the combo price. Visiting all seven sites individually would cost approximately €86.
💡 Expert Recommendation
I've guided hundreds of visitors through Athens over 15 years. My consistent advice: if you're spending at least 2 full days in the city, the combo ticket pays for itself. Even just adding the Ancient Agora to your Acropolis visit justifies the €6 upgrade — and most visitors find 3–4 sites easily manageable.
All 7 Sites Included in the Combo Ticket
1. Acropolis of Athens
The crown jewel of ancient Greece. Standing 156 meters above sea level, this rocky citadel features the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike, and Propylaea. The combo ticket includes access to both the main plateau and the North/South Slopes (Theatre of Dionysus, Odeon of Herodes Atticus).
- Individual price: €30
- Average visit time: 2–3 hours
- Best time: 8:00 AM or after 5:00 PM
2. Ancient Agora of Athens
The commercial, political, and social heart of ancient Athens. Walk where Socrates debated, where democracy was born, and where ancient Athenians conducted daily business. The remarkably preserved Temple of Hephaestus (449 BC) and the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos (now housing the Agora Museum) are highlights.
- Individual price: €10
- Average visit time: 1.5–2 hours
- Why visit: Essential context for understanding Athenian life beyond the religious monuments
3. Roman Agora
Built between 19–11 BC as Athens' new commercial center under Roman rule. The Tower of the Winds (Horologion of Andronikos), an octagonal marble clocktower, served as a sundial, water clock, and weather vane. The Gate of Athena Archegetis and remains of merchant shops reveal daily life in Roman-era Athens.
- Individual price: €8
- Average visit time: 45 minutes–1 hour
- Why visit: Compact site with the unique Tower of the Winds
4. Hadrian's Library
Emperor Hadrian commissioned this grand library in 132 AD. Once the largest building in Athens, it housed 20,000 scrolls in a rectangular complex with 100 columns. Today you can walk among impressive ruins and see a Byzantine church built within its walls centuries later.
- Individual price: €6
- Average visit time: 30–45 minutes
- Why visit: Stunning columns and peaceful atmosphere
5. Temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympieion)
One of the largest temples ever built in the ancient world, dedicated to king of the Olympian gods. Construction began in the 6th century BC but wasn't completed until 638 years later under Emperor Hadrian. Fifteen of the original 104 Corinthian columns still stand — each 17 meters tall.
- Individual price: €8
- Average visit time: 30–45 minutes
- Why visit: Jaw-dropping scale and excellent photo ops with Hadrian's Arch
6. Kerameikos Archaeological Site & Museum
Athens' ancient cemetery and potters' quarter, named after the ceramics workshops that once operated here. The site features elaborate grave monuments, the Sacred Gate leading to Eleusis, and remains of the ancient city walls. The on-site museum displays funerary artifacts and pottery.
- Individual price: €8
- Average visit time: 1–1.5 hours
- Why visit: Contemplative atmosphere, fewer crowds, fascinating funerary art
7. Aristotle's Lyceum
The gymnasium where Aristotle founded his philosophical school in 335 BC. Students learned while walking through covered walkways (peripatos), giving rise to the "Peripatetic school." Excavated only in 1996, this intimate site connects you directly to one of history's greatest minds.
- Individual price: €6
- Average visit time: 30–45 minutes
- Why visit: Stand where Aristotle taught Alexander the Great
Most visitors skip Kerameikos, and that's a mistake. It's the most atmospheric site in Athens — ancient tombstones casting long shadows, birdsong instead of tour group chatter. I always save it for late afternoon when the light turns golden and the crowds thin to almost nothing.
— Elena K., Athens Licensed Guide (18 years)Price Comparison: Combo vs. Individual Tickets
| Site | Individual Price | Combo Price |
|---|---|---|
| Acropolis | €30 | €36 |
| Ancient Agora | €10 | |
| Roman Agora | €8 | |
| Hadrian's Library | €6 | |
| Temple of Zeus | €8 | |
| Kerameikos | €8 | |
| Aristotle's Lyceum | €6 | |
| Total if purchased separately | €76 | You save €40 |
Prices as of April 2026 per official sources (hhticket.gr). Subject to change.
📊 Break-Even Point
The combo ticket (€36) breaks even compared to Acropolis-only entry (€30) if you visit just one additional site. Any further sites visited are essentially free.
How to Use the Combo Ticket
Booking Process
- Select your start date — This is when your 5-day validity begins
- Choose your Acropolis time slot — The combo requires a timed entry for the Acropolis only
- Receive your mobile ticket — QR code sent instantly to your email
- Visit at your pace — Other 6 sites have flexible entry within your 5-day window
Entry Process
At the Acropolis: Arrive at your designated time slot with your QR code. Present it at the gate, pass security, and enter. You must use your assigned slot — there's a 30-minute grace window.
At other sites: Simply show your QR code at the entrance during normal opening hours. No advance time slot required — walk up and enter when convenient.
⚠️ Important: Each Site Once
The combo ticket allows one entry per site. Once your ticket is scanned at a location, you cannot re-enter that same site. Plan accordingly, especially for the Acropolis.
Suggested Itineraries
2-Day Archaeological Marathon
Day 1 (Morning start at 8:00 AM):
- 8:00 — Acropolis (2.5 hours)
- 10:30 — Ancient Agora (1.5 hours)
- 12:00 — Lunch break in Plaka
- 14:00 — Roman Agora + Hadrian's Library (1.5 hours combined)
Day 2:
- 9:00 — Temple of Olympian Zeus (45 min)
- 10:00 — Aristotle's Lyceum (45 min)
- 11:30 — Kerameikos (1.5 hours)
3-Day Relaxed Exploration
Spread the sites across three days, allowing time for neighborhoods, cafes, and museums (remember: Acropolis Museum requires separate ticket).
Day 1: Acropolis + South Slopes + Plaka neighborhood
Day 2: Ancient Agora + Roman Agora + Hadrian's Library + Monastiraki
Day 3: Temple of Zeus + Aristotle's Lyceum + Kerameikos + National Garden
1-Day Highlights (Ambitious)
If you only have one day but want to maximize the combo ticket:
- Book the 8:00 AM Acropolis slot
- Move quickly through Ancient Agora (the must-see after Acropolis)
- Roman Agora + Hadrian's Library are adjacent — efficient combo
- Temple of Zeus for photos with Hadrian's Arch
- Skip Kerameikos and Lyceum if time-pressed
💡 Walking Route Tip
All seven sites are within 2 km of each other in central Athens. The pedestrianized Dionysiou Areopagitou street connects the Acropolis to the Temple of Zeus beautifully. Google Maps walking directions work well; the Archaeological Promenade signage also helps.
What's NOT Included
The combo ticket covers the seven archaeological sites listed above. These popular attractions require separate tickets:
- Acropolis Museum — €15. A must-visit, but operated separately from the archaeological site
- National Archaeological Museum — €15. Greece's largest museum with treasures from across the country
- Benaki Museum — €12. Greek art from prehistoric to modern
- Byzantine and Christian Museum — €8
- Ancient Corinth / Delphi / Epidaurus — Day trips require separate planning
Combo Ticket vs. Alternative Passes
Combo Ticket vs. Single Acropolis Entry
| Feature | Combo (€36) | Acropolis Only (€30) |
|---|---|---|
| Sites included | 7 | 1 (+ slopes) |
| Validity | 5 days | 1 day |
| Skip-the-line | ✓ | ✓ |
| Best for | 2+ days in Athens | Short stopovers |
Combo Ticket vs. Athens City Pass
Various "Athens City Pass" products exist from third-party companies. These typically bundle archaeological sites with hop-on/hop-off buses, airport transfers, or museum entries. They cost €60–€100+.
Verdict: If you only want archaeological sites without transportation or museums, the official €36 combo ticket is better value. City passes make sense for first-time visitors wanting all-inclusive convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
The official government combo ticket has historically been suspended during peak summer months (typically July–August). Third-party providers like GetYourGuide often offer equivalent multi-site passes year-round that function similarly. Check availability for your specific dates.
You must book a specific time slot for the Acropolis, but this doesn't have to be your first visit. You can explore other sites before your Acropolis slot — just ensure you arrive at the Acropolis at your designated time.
Yes. Reduced combo tickets (€18) are available for EU seniors 65+ and students. Free entry for EU students under 25, Greek citizens under 25, children under 5, and disabled visitors with one companion.
The ticket is still worthwhile if you visit at least 2 sites (Acropolis + any one other). Each additional site is essentially free value. No refunds for unused entries.
No. The Acropolis Museum is a separate institution requiring its own €15 ticket. The combo covers only the seven archaeological sites, not any museums.
No. Each site allows one entry only. Once scanned, that portion of the ticket is used. Plan to see everything you want at each location before leaving.
Ready to Explore All of Ancient Athens?
The combo ticket transforms a single Acropolis visit into a comprehensive journey through 2,500 years of history. For €6 more than standard entry, you unlock six additional sites that most tourists never see — walking where Socrates philosophized, where Roman merchants traded, and where Aristotle taught.
With 5 days of validity and flexible entry to all but the Acropolis, you can explore at your own pace. This is how locals recommend experiencing ancient Athens.
5-day validity • Skip-the-line Acropolis entry • Mobile ticket