Greece Travel Itinerary Day 2: Visiting Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum

Day 2 of our Greece Travel Itinerary was probably the highlight of our travels in Athens. This was because we were finally visiting the world-renowned Acropolis of Athens! Some even refer to Acropolis as the “cradle of Western civilisation“. From the balcony of our apartment, we started our morning with time lapses of the Acropolis…

After some snacks with mimosa (orange + wine from last night), we headed towards Syntagma Square Station. Enroute, we stopped by a pie shop and bought an eggplant with tomato sauce pie (1.5 euro)…

Eggplant with Tomato Sauce (1.5 euro) from this Pie Stall enroute to Syntagma Square Station

We took the train from Syntagma Square Station to Acropolis Station (1 stop on the red line) by purchasing single trip tickets. Each ticket costs 1.4 euros and is valid for a 90 minutes window. The 24 hours tickets cost 4.5 euro and would be worth it if you take more than 4 trips in a day. As we planned to take only 3 trips, we purchased the single trip tickets…

Single Trip Train Tickets (1.4 Euros valid for 90 minutes) from Syntagma Square Station to Acropolis Station

There, we bought a cafe latte for 2 euros…

Eggplant pie (1.5 euros) and Cafe Latte (2 euros) before entering Acropolis Athens

Remember the combined tickets (to visit Athens ancient ruins for 30 euros) we bought yesterday? Because we bought it at a less-crowded attraction, we were able to skip this queue at Acropolis and head right in…

Good idea to purchase the combined tickets elsewhere before visiting Acropolis to skip this queue... — Good idea to purchase the combined tickets elsewhere before visiting Acropolis to skip this queue…

Acropolis of Athens – Athens’ Top Attraction

Acropolis, also known as the Acropolis of Athens, is an ancient fortress that sits atop a hill in Athens. Because of its elevation, Acropolis can be seen from many parts of the city – granting awe to visitors from all around the world. Built in the 5th century BC by Pericles, Acropolis is known for significant monuments such as Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike.

The walk up Acropolis takes about 10 minutes from the side entrance next to Acropolis Station. According to our (Kate’s) research, the slope from this entrance is gentler and is a recommended entry to Acropolis. From this route, our first attraction was The Theatre of Dionysos…

2bearbear @ The Theatre of Dionysos (Acropolis Athens)

Arty shot of the front row seats of The Theatre of Dionysos (Acropolis Athens)

About the Theatre of Dionysos (Acropolis of Athens)

However, do not confuse the Theatre of Dionysos with Odeon of Herodes Atticus – also an open-air theatre in Athens. As walk along the path up to Acropolis, you’ll be able to see the Odeon with a bird’s eye view of the city of Athens in the background…

Odeon of Herodes Atticus with City of Athens in the background

Before entering into Acropolis itself, we came upon the first significant monument of Acropolis – the Propylaia…

2bearbear @ The Propylaia (Acropolis Athens)

Another shot of The Propylaia (Acropolis Athens) with nobody!

We were able to catch a shot with nobody in the background because of the change of guards. And because that, visitors like ourselves, had to clear the path for the guards to march down the slopes…

Guards marching past the Propylaia (Acropolis Athens) as visitors watched on

The Propylaia is an ancient gateway to the Acropolis. As we ascended, we were indeed awed by the tall Roman columns and majestic gateway. Wondered what would be the reaction of travellers in the past when they first laid eyes on the Propylaia…

Passing through the Propylaia and entering into Acropolis proper

We have also read from many reviews that the slopes within Acropolis can be really slippery. Hence, remember to wear shoes with extra grip when visiting Acropolis…

Slippery paths at Acropolis - Remember to wear good shoes with grip — Slippery paths at Acropolis – Remember to wear good shoes with grip

During the Morean War, many monuments at Acropolis were seriously damaged, when the Venetians laid siege in 1687. As a result, countless restoration work was done at the site. Even during our visit, restoration work was still in progress…

Once at the top, you’ll be able to cover the remaining monuments in about half an hour…

Another view of the Parthenon of Acropolis

The Old Temple of Athena (Acropolis Athens) — Erechtheion (Acropolis Athens)

About the Old Temple of Athena (Acropolis Athens)

Another view of the Temple of Athena Acropolis

While we were there, we tried to take some pictures with 2bearbear. However, we were whistled at by the attendants who shouted “No soft toys, no soft toys! Delete, delete!“. After shouting, she proceeded over to ensure that the photos were indeed deleted. This explains why there were no photos of 2bearbear with the monuments at Acropolis 🙁

Leaving Acropolis, we took a longer route down and walked past a small church ruin…

Walking down Propylaia of Acropolis Athens

Small church ruin within Acropolis of Athens

On the way out, an uncle took a photo for us with Acropolis as a backdrop. Unfortunately, that photo was “photobombed” by another uncle who was executing a selfie at the same time. Looking back, our favourite part of the Acropolis has got to be the majestic entrance (the Propylaia). Folks back then must have stood in awe as well.

Acropolis Athens Address:Athens 105 58, Greece
Acropolis Athens Opening Hours: 8am to 8pm

Exiting Acropolis, just across the street from the side entrance is the Acropolis Museum…

Acropolis Museum – Things to do in Athens

We were thankful that when we arrived at the Acropolis Museum, the queue to enter was relatively short. If you had followed our itinerary (i.e. purchase combined tickets elsewhere and enter Acropolis early in the morning), you’d most probably beat the crowd to enter Acropolis Museum as well. When we exited, we saw that the queue was snaking – probably a half hour wait to enter.

Entrance fee to Acropolis Museum was 10 euros in the summer. Prior to 1 Apr, it was only 5 euros. The cool part about the visit is the opening of the excavation site during its 10 years anniversary in 2019…

Long queues as we exited Acropolis Museum (use our method to avoid the queues!)

Excavations started in 1997 and the museum was built by 2007. However, the Acropolis museum was only opened to public in 2009. 10 years on, the excavation site on which the Acropolis museum was built on, is now also open to the public…

Map of Excavation Site at beneath Acropolis Museum

Excavation Site at beneath Acropolis Museum

2bearbear at excavation site of Acropolis Museum

Once we entered, we headed to the museum cafe to start off with a hibiscus juice and salami sandwich (8.8 euros in total). A little expensive but refreshing after a long walk at the Acropolis…

Hibiscus Juice and Salami Sandwich at Acropolis Museum Cafe (8.8 euros total)

As we entered the museum proper, the first thing we noticed was the transparent glass floor that showcased the excavation site right beneath the Acropolis Museum…

Within the Acropolis Museum, we saw a video about the Parthenon of Acropolis (Athens) that depicts a marching procession at the top of the Parthenon – also known as frieze. At level 2 of the museum, you’ll also be able to have nice views of the Acropolis both indoors and outdoors…

Views of Acropolis from within the Acropolis Museum

Entrance tickets to Acropolis Museum (10 euros per person during summer)

Acropolis Museum Address: Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Athina 117 42, Greece
Acropolis Museum Opening Hours: 8am to 8pm (Summer) / 9am to 5pm (Winter) – Except Mondays (till 4pm) Timing Varies (Check here for more details)

After our visit to Acropolis Museum, we had a little time to spare. So we headed to National Bank to do a special transaction…

Can You Change 500 Euros Note in Athens?

Many years ago, we changed for euros and somehow ended up with a 500 euro note. Reading online, we learnt that 500 euros notes are hardly accepted in the city itself. Hence, the only way was to head to a bank to change it. During this trip to National Bank, we were finally able to change our 500 euros note to 10 pieces of 50 euros notes. *Verified.

However, to enter into the bank, we did not know that we could not wear sunglasses or caps. You see, to enter National Bank, you have enter through 2 doors. Once you press the first button, the first door opens and you enter into a transit area. Here, you’ll be scanned before you’ll be let into the bank via a second door. As Tom was wearing both a cap and sunglasses, he was stuck in the transit door and had to leave. The second time, a local lady joined him in the transit area but both were stuck and the local was also unaware that it was because of the cap and sunglasses. Finally, on the third try, Tom removed the cap and sunglasses and was finally able to enter National Bank. The exchange was quickly and smoothly done with the help of receptionist at the bank.

If you’re going to do the same, remember that the National Bank closes at 2pm on a weekday.

After visiting the bank, we headed to Centro di Massagio for a massage…

Cheap and good massage at Centro di Massagio in Athens (15 euros for 45 mins)

There’s actually an on-going offer for 10 euros for 45 minutes. As you enter the building, grab one of the flyers at the security guard’s desk and you’ll be able to enjoy the offer. As we did not see the flyers on the way up, we paid the usual price of 15 euros and paid a tip of 5 euros. Yikes!

Centro di Massagio Athens Address: Dionysiou Areopagitou 15, Athina 117 42, Greece
Centro di Massagio Athens Opening Hours: 11am to 9pm

For lunch, we had a pork sandwich (6.9 euros) bought from a local restaurant. Love it that prices here includes taxes and you don’t have to tip…

Pork sandwich with wine in-room for lunch

To end off the day, we took the train to our friend’s place where we were treated to amazing spinach pie and baked potatoes that oozed with fragrant olive oil…yum!