Are you thinking about buying the combined ticket for all of Athens’ 7 archaeological sites? Are you wondering where you can buy the ticket? how much it cost? And if it’s even worth to see all of the places beyond Acropolis?
I’m here for you!
I recently visited ALL of the 7 archaeological sites in Athens with the popular combo ticket. So I’m thinking that it’s time for me to share my experience with you.
In this blog post, I’m going to share all the practical things of getting the combined ticket to Acropolis and beyond, plus I’ll go deeper into what to expect when visiting each place. And in the end of this blog post, I will draw a conclusion about whether the Athens combined ticket package is even worth it.
So when you’re done reading this blog post, you’re hopefully ready to make your own decision on whether you should get the combo ticket or not. Now let’s get started!
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What is the Athens combined ticket?
The Athens combined ticket is a ticket package, which allows you access to 7 archaeological sites in Athens. When you buy this combo ticket, you get 1 free entrance to each of the 7 sites over a period of 5 days.
Athens’ 7 archaeological sites in the combined ticket package includes:
- Acropolis and its slopes
- Ancient Agora + museum
- Roman Agora
- Hadrian’s Library
- Olympieion
- Kerameikos + museum
- Lykeion
Where can you buy the Athens combo ticket?
You can either buy the combo ticket directly at all the ticket offices by all of the archaeological sites in Athens, or you can buy it online and save some time queuing up at the ticket offices (this is especially a good option during the summer season).
How much does the Athens combined ticket cost?
If you buy the combined ticket directly at the ticket offices in Athens, then it will only cost you €30. However, if you book your combo ticket online, then expect to pay €36, which also includes a skip-the-line access.
If you’re visiting as a student, with your children, or during the winter season (1st November – 31st March), then you may be able to get a reduced ticket price. But you will have to go directly to the ticket offices in Athens to learn more about this.
The 7 archeological sites in the Athens combo ticket
In this part of the blog post, I will go through all of the 7 archaeological sites in the ticket package.
I’ll include opening hours, prices for single entry (without the combined ticket), pictures from my visit and a few comments on each of the sites. This basically works as a little “review” of each archaeological site in Athens.
Hopefully, this section will give you an idea on whether or not, it’s actually worth to buy the combo ticket and go see all of these historical sites in Athens.
1. Acropolis and slopes
The main attraction in the Athens combo ticket is without a doubt the Acropolis. Let’s be honest, the 6 other archaeological sites can’t compete with the grandeur of Acropolis. So, if you’re limited on time or if you prefer to only visit the Acropolis and its slopes, then book a guided Acropolis tour and skip the rest.
Of course in my opinion, you shouldn’t skip all the other amazing archaeological sites… Hence this blog post. But I’m just putting the cards on the table and letting you know that nothing really beats Acropolis.
Acropolis is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, and it has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Acropolis is an ancient citadel located on a limestone hill and has some of the greatest views over Athens. This famous hill has been inhabited since prehistoric times and has served many functions over the centuries – such as a fortification and a mythical home to the Greek gods.
There are so many ancient buildings to discover in Acropolis and its slopes, and you could easily spend a full day exploring them all. The most famous landmarks at the Acropolis is the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea, the remnants of the Dionysos Theatre, and the Theatre of Herodes Atticus – but there is still much more to discover on this limestone hill.
Opening hours: Summer period: 8 AM – 7 PM / Winter period: 8 AM – 5 PM
Ticket price without combo ticket: Summer period: €20 / Winter period: €10
Visitor Tips: Visit the Acropolis first thing in the morning. Get in line 20 minutes before 8 Am, so you will be the first one to enter when the gates open. Trust me, it’ll be worth it! The place is already starting to get crowded around 9 AM.
2. Ancient Agora + museum
The Ancient Agora is also a MUST visit archaeological site when you’re in Athens. This is where everything happened in ancient Athens! This is where Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato were putting their bright minds to use. This is where democracy was born. This is where you’ll find the best preserved temple in all of Greece.
Do I need to give you more reasons to visit the Ancient Agora in Athens..?
In my opinion, the Ancient Agora is the next best thing you can visit on the combined ticket in Athens. There is just so much to see here. It’s massive, so you have a lot of ground to cover. But apart from the beautiful Hephaistos Temple, most of the buildings are just small remains of what used to be. So you need to use your imagination when you’re walking the grounds of the Ancient Agora.
There is also a really nice museum included in the ticket, which you have free access to.
Opening hours: Summer period: 8 AM – 7 PM / Winter period: 8 AM – 5 PM
Ticket price without combo ticket: Summer period: €10 / Winter period: €5
Visitor Tips: Make this your first stop in the Athens combo ticket. You will learn a lot about the ancient Greek history of Athens, which will be useful when visiting the other sites. The Ancient Agora is definitely the best place to begin your exploration of Athens!
3. Roman Agora
The Roman Agora used to be the ancient public square during the Roman Period in Athens. Here you could find the local marketplace, but it also worked as an administrative center of Athens for a period.
You don’t need a lot of time to explore the Roman Agora as it’s a small archaeological site compared to some of the other sites in the combo ticket, but it’s still worth to go in and have a look.
The main attraction in the Roman Agora is the beautiful gate by the entrance, which is held up by ancient pillars, and then there is the spectacular Wind Tower. The Wind Tower is one of the most intact buildings that you’ll find in the archaeological sites of Athens.
Also known as the “Tower of Winds”, it’s an octagonal marble structure, which was used to tell the time and predict the weather. Isn’t that incredible?
Opening hours: Summer period: 8 AM – 7 PM / Winter period: 8 AM – 5 PM
Ticket price without combo ticket: Summer period: €8 / Winter period: €4
Visitor Tips: It’s also possible to see the Roman Agora from the outside. Make sure to walk around the archaeological site, so you can see the site from another perspective.
4. Hadrian’s Library
Hadrian’s Library is located right next to the Roman Agora. The Library got its name from the Roman Emperor, Hadrian, who had big plans of rebuilding Athens – and a big, beautiful library was included in this plan.
Hadrian’s Library was constructed around 132 AC, and it used to be the biggest library in all of Athens. Its main purpose was to be a place where people could study, but it was also used for storing the state archives and other documents.
Today there isn’t much left of the building, but you can still see the beautiful facade of the library and imagine its greatness.
Hadrian’s Library is one of those archaeological sites in Athens, which are interesting but rather small, so don’t expect to spend a long time here – but do make sure to visit if you buy the combo ticket.
Opening hours: Summer period: 8 AM – 7 PM / Winter period: 8 AM – 5 PM
Ticket price without combo ticket: Summer period: €6 / Winter period: €3
Visitor Tips: Make sure to visit Hadrian’s Library right after the Roman Agora to get the full scope of the Roman period in Athens.
5. Olympieion
The Olympieion is another archaeological area you can visit on the combined ticket of Athens. In this place you can see the Roman baths and the remains of the largest temple ever build in Greece.
The Temple of Olympian Zeus is definitely the main attraction of the Olympieion. It took several centuries to complete the temple, and with its 104 massive columns, it quickly became one of the biggest temples in the ancient world.
While most of the temple is gone today, some of the massive pillars are still standing, so you can easily imagine the grandiosity of the Olympieion.
Opening hours: Summer period: 8 AM – 7 PM / Winter period: 8 AM – 5 PM
Ticket price without combo ticket: Summer period: €8 / Winter period: €4
Visitor Tips: The remains of the Temple of Olympian Zeus is without a doubt the most interesting part of this archaeological site. But make sure to also visit the Roman baths!
6. Kerameikos + museum
The Kerameikos quickly became one of my favorite archaeological sites in Greece. But I would honestly never have visited it if it wasn’t for the Athens combined ticket. Let’s be honest, I never heard of it before, and it’s not exactly located deep within city center like most of the other archaeological sites.
Kerameikos used to be a burial ground, so you basically walk around in an ancient cemetery. It’s just super interesting! There is even a museum at the archaeological site where you can learn about the funeral items found in the area such as urns, grave reliefs, and personal items that people were buried with.
Before Kerameikos became a burial ground, it was the area of potters and vase painters. The place therefore got its name from the Greek word “keramos”, which means “pottery”.
Compared to the other archaeological sites, Kerameikos is not that popular. So there are no big tourist crowds here, which is kind of a relief… Yet it’s hard to understand why not. Because in my opinion, Kerameikos was one of the most interesting sites you could visit in the Archaeological combo ticket of Athens.
Another bonus is that Kerameikos is full of turtles. Yes, you heard it right! During my exploration of Kerameikos, I saw 6 tortoises! So keep your eyes open and watch your step.
Opening hours: Summer period: 8 AM – 6:30 PM / Winter period: 8 AM – 5 PM
Ticket price without combo ticket: Summer period: €8 / Winter period: €4
Visitor Tips: Make sure to set aside some extra time for this place. Kerameikos has more to offer than what meets the eye – check out the museum, the grave reliefs in the cemetery, the many ruins, and look for turtles along the way.
7. Lykeion
If I have to be completely honest, then Lykeion was not that special… At least for me.
Lykeion has a very small excavation area compared to some of the other archaeological sites. And just like Kerameikos, it’s also located a bit out of the city center of Athens. So unless you already have the combo ticket in hand, then I wouldn’t worry about missing this particular archaeological site.
The Lykeion was a place where athletes trained themselves in wrestling and boxing. Today there are very little remains at the site, so it’s hard to imagine what used to be – maybe that’s why I wasn’t blown away by it?
Either way, go see it for yourself. Who knows? maybe you will find the Lykeion very interesting.
Opening hours: Summer period: 8 AM – 6:30 PM / Winter period: 8 AM – 5 PM
Ticket price without combo ticket: Summer period: €4 / Winter period: €2
Visitor Tips: There is not much to see here, so make sure to read the tourism board located next to the ruins – that way you’ll understand these remains a little bit better.
Conclusion: Is the Athens combined ticket worth it?
All right! Now that I’ve given you a little review of the Athens archaeological sites combo ticket, I think it’s time that I draw a conclusion. So, is the whole ticket package worth it? Let’s do the math!
Athens Combo Ticket Price = €30 office / €36 online through Get Your Guide
Individual prices to each archaeological site during summer (1st April – 31st October): 20 + 10 + 8 + 6 + 8 + 8 + 4 = €64
Individual prices to each archaeological site during winter (1st November – 31st March): 10 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 4 + 4 + 2 = €32
As you can see, there is A LOT of money to save if you buy the combined ticket to Athens’ archaeological sites during the summer period. You actually save up to €34 if you want to see all of the places during your trip! So it’s definitely worth it to buy the combo ticket in the summer season.
However, in winter you will only save €2 if you decide to visit all of the archaeological sites in the combined ticket. So if you’re visiting Athens during winter, and you’re not interested in exploring all of the archaeological sites, then it’s not really worth it to buy the combined ticket package.
A thing that I like about buying the combined ticket, is that you have one ticket for all. You don’t need to stand in line to buy a new ticket at every archaeological site, instead you just show your one-in-all ticket. It’s really easy! And it’s nice that you have 5 days to use it, so you don’t have to rush through the places.
If you’re heading to Athens, then you can buy your combined ticket here. I really hope you will enjoy all these incredible archaeological sites during your trip to the beautiful capital of Greece!
I hope you enjoyed this blog post and review about all the great archaeological sites you can visit in the Athens combined ticket. I’m really happy that Glenn and I bought the ticket package because we actually ended up visiting all of the sites during our time in Athens.
If you have any questions about the combo ticket, then make sure to leave a comment below, and I’ll get back to you. Thanks for reading and happy travels!
Make sure to also read my blog post about how to spend 3 days in Athens – or check out my other blog posts from Greece here:
Hi and thank you for the useful information. I am trying to decide what date to put on my online order of the combo ticket. We land on September 21 and will likely visit some of the sites on the ticket that day, but will not visit the Acropolis until the next day, September 22. Is the date on the ticket the date you will visit the Acropolis or just the first date you plan to use the ticket at any of the seven sites? Thanks, Gail
Hi Gail, I’m glad you found my article helpful 🙂 It’s the first date you plan to use the ticket in any of the sites, so you should put 21 on the combo ticket. Then you have 5 days from 21-25 of September to visit the Acropolis and the other 6 sites. Make sure to visit Acropolis early in the morning if you want to beat the big crowds. I hope you’ll enjoy Athens! Best, Cecilie.
Hi Thank you for the information, we are looking at getting a combine ticket our daughter is 4 years old will her ticket also be 30 euro? Also does the combine ticket give you access of skipping the lines?
Thanks Selena
Hi Selena, thanks for your question. Yes there should be skip-the-line included (however, we never got to try it because we visited the busy places early in the morning without the lines). I’m not sure whether or not there will be a discount for your daughter, I would ask directly at the ticket office if I were you. Enjoy your trip to Athens!
Best, Cecilie
Both in our 70’s coming off a Greek islands cruise at Athens. We prefer walking and as many as 16,000 steps if necessary. If it is too hot at the end of June we need to be prudent. With the combo ticket how could we and in what order of sites you recommend allow a 2 night stay, before our flight home to Canada? The neighbourhood for an inexpensive hotel will be invaluable. We carry electrolytes to stay hydrated.
Thank you so much
Dennis
Hi Dennis, that sound like a great vacation. We really hope you will enjoy Greece!
If I were you, I think I would take the first day to discover the Ancient Agora, Kerameikos, Roman Agora, and Hadrian’s Library.
The Ancient Agora and Kerameikos will take some time since the archeological sites are big, but luckily they’re not located very far apart. Afterwards, head to the Roman Agora and Hadrian’s Library, which are located right in the city center – both of these sites are very small and won’t take any longer than 20 minutes to discover.
On the second day, I would start early in the morning with Acropolis. Right when they open the gates is the best time to be there since it already starts to get crowded around 9-10. Afterwards, you can exit at the side entrance near Dionysis Theatre. From here you are very close to Olympieion. Then you can decide whether you also want to visit Lykeion. And that was all 7 sites.
The 3 biggest sites are definitely the Acropolis and slopes, the Ancient Agora and museum, and Kerameikos. These archeological sites are where you’ll spent the most time and get the most steps in 🙂
I have a few hotel recommendations here: https://wowiwalkers.com/3-days-in-athens-itinerary/#Where_to_stay_in_Athens_during_your_3_days
I hope this reply helped a bit. Enjoy your travels, and definitely keep hydrated in June!
All the best, Cecilie.
Hello, we’re arriving in May from Malaysia. We’re not quite sure if May is considered as winter or summer period as May is shoulder season. Can you let us know if summer prices starts on 1st May or 1st June? Thanks!
Hi Jac, the winter period is from 1st November – 31st March, so you will have to pay the summer price. Enjoy incredible Athens!
X Cecilie
Thank you for taking the time to put this article together! The combo ticket does not include the National Archaeological Museum or the Acropolis Museum, correct? Do you consider those ‘valuable to see’? Also, I’ve read quite a few reviews which stated they wished they had a tour guide. Do you feel that is necessary to get the full impact of the history? Thanks a bunch!
Hi Drew, my apologies for replying you so late. Those museums you’ve mentioned aren’t included in the ticket. Only the 7 different archaeological places and the museums within the grounds such as the museum in the Ancient Agora and Kerameikos.
Sometimes we did wish that we had a guide to show us around – Especially in the Ancient Agora because it was such an important place in Athens. But you don’t need to hire a guide for all of the places…
Chances are that you’ve already visited by now – if that’s the case, then I hope you had a wonderful trip!
All the best, Cecilie 😊
Will the Combo Ticket let us visit each site more than once or is it only a single entry?
Thanks,
Dave
Hi Dave,
It is only single entry to each site.
I hope you enjoy Athens!
Best, Cecilie 🙂
Hi, if I buy online via the official site, it asks to book a slot for Acropolis only. So, if I land on 4th July but want to visit Acropolis on the 5th, what do I do?
Hello!
I saw on tiqt website that says none eu, age 65 and above its free (to collect at office) when I’m about to purchase this ticket. Is that true or misinformation?
Hello! If you pre book the combination ticket online, do you need to pick it up at one of the sites or will they email the ticket to you?
Hi Kaitlyn, you don’t need to pick it up. You get the ticket on your phone, and you don’t need to print it either 🙂
If you take a private Acropolis and Acropolis
Museum tour (i. e. Athens Waking Tours)
can I use my Combination Ticket or do I have to buy tickets from the Tour Company
Hi Doug, I guess that depends on the tour company’s policy. I would contact them and ask before buying the Combo Ticket 😊 Enjoy Athens! Best, Cecilie
Hi! Thank you for this super useful article!
I will visit Athens from September 17th, and I am planning to visit the Acropolis on the 19th. But I want to start using the combo ticket from the 17th.
Also, I am considering to buy it from the official website, and I guess the booking works the same way as for other tickets providers. So my question is: all the websites ask to choose date and time to visit the Acropolis. If I select the 19th Semptember at 8am, does it mean that the ticket will be valid from that day and time? or can I start using it from the 17th (and the 19th september 8am date is only a reference to enter the acropolis?).
I hope I managed to explaine myself 🙂
Thank you in advance!
Chiara
Hi Chiara, I really hope you enjoyed your time in Athens. I’m so sorry I never got back to you in time, but booking a time slot at Acropolis is something new they just started this summer. So I contacted Get Your Guide who contacted the ticket provider and this is the response:
“In regard to the activity timeslots, you would not need to pre-book anything aside from the booking made on our website, kindly note that the booking you make with the date and time would be for the Acropolis, so if you wish to enter the Acropolis on the 27th of September, you make a booking for the 27th and not the 25th. Regarding the other attractions, it would not be an issue to enter them before your visit to the Acropolis as long as it is within 5 days.
To make things clearer, you make a booking with the date for your Acropolis on the 27th, then you will first use the tickets on the other attractions on the 25th, so since the booking allows you to enter each of the sites listed once within 5 days from the first use, your booking will be valid from 25th-30th.”
I hope future readers will benefit from this response.
All the best,
Cecilie 😊
If we have the combined ticket, is this considered “skip the line” tickets. I would like to use the Southern entrance (faster to get in), but I note that this is for skip the line tickets and tour guides.
Hi Priya, yea the combo ticket is considered a “skip the lines” ticket, and you should be able to enter at the Southern entrance with it. We entered at the Northern entrance, so we haven’t tried ourselves. Enjoy beautiful Athens!
Hello, loved how clearly you mentioned everything especially the combo ticket breakdown. We’re travelling in 2 days and wondered if its better to book via getyourguide? Would you know what they offer for the additional 6Euro – is it an audio app for the mobile?
Thanks!!
Interesting article & great information- the prices are however misleading. On the GYG site/app there is no €36 … starts at €45 for one attraction only (and €95 for the combo ticket) so not up to date info (has the price done up this much since 2023?)