Conflicting comments about when best to enter the Acropolis

In 2022, we visited independently right when the gates opened. We didn't use the main entrance, we used the other entrance-- I think on the south side. There was virtually no line, we purchased tickets right there, climbed the hill, and met the people from the other main entrance line toward the top. The crowds at the top were small--we could move around and get a decent photo anywhere on top. We stayed about an hour. It was considerably busier as we were leaving.
We then visited around 10:30 with a tour group on a different day. It was mobbed! We were so glad we had gone independently a couple days before, right at the opening time, in order to enjoy the site.

I've been to the Acropolis twice.

The first time at 2 in the afternoon and the second time at 8 in the morning.

Go at 8 a.m. to avoid tour groups and hordes of tourists especially in mid-July.

It will be more enjoyable, tranquil and you'll have a better understanding of what you are experiencing.

BTW, if you are not going with a group tour, have you done "homework" to enable you to appreciate the Acropolis & Parthenon? If not, have you explored this grreat Steves website?? If you click in LH corner on "Watch, Read, Listen" and click "Greece" and "AthenS" you'll see FREE downloadable audio guides for step-by-step visits to Acropolis AND the Ancient Agora. These enable you to visit on YOUR schedule (and I also recommend 8 AM -- because cruise throngs & group tours can be huuuge). THere's also a nifty "Must-see" audio guide to the enormous Nat. Arch. Museulm... steering you straight to the most-famed treasures. TIP: listen to audio guides briefly before your visit, for best understanding.

In order to complete your "homework" by pre-listening to the audio guide recommended by janet and to prepare yourself to explore the rich history of Athens, I recommend that you watch the excellent work of Dimitris Tsalkanis who has reconstructed Athens in 3D as it was during the 5th century BC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulAxMLJ7O7M

Its website also contains a lot of historical information.

https://ancientathens3d.com/

THanks SO much JoLui! Bookmarked both of those.

Go with the 8 AM time slot. I got in just after it opened and left between 10 and 10:30.

At 8 AM, the Acropolis wasn't too busy and the wait was negligible. By the time I left, it was a zoo. The lines stretched forever. And that was in April.

Thanks, everyone.

We will be touring by ourselves and I am using the RS information for our planning.
I do plan to use his audio guides as well and appreciate the suggestion that we listen to them once ahead of time.

I am convinced to book the 8am time slot.
That will actually work fine for us as we are staying at a small hotel just a 5 minute walk from the southern/side entrance of the Acropolis.

What month?

We are going mid-July.

I made a video of my 8 am visit to the Acropolis. (Part I & II)

It will show you how relatively quiet it is at that time. Kinda of long but hopefully not boring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_zztxCMPqo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBXV4MLV9yI

tommyK5 - thanks for those - pictures are worth 1,000 words.

8am certainly was fairly quiet at the top back in 2017 when you took those videos.
My guess is that it is still comparatively quiet at 8am these days, but perhaps not as quiet as 7 years ago?

The last couple of years since COVID ended Greece has experienced a huge increase in tourism. On one hand that's good for their economy on the other it impacts infrastructure, demand for services and for those who want a more "real" Greece difficult.

Now we have to search out those islands and areas of the mainland that doesn't get the hype that glossy travel magazines and travel agents push let alone websites that think only the Big Name Islands is what Greece is all about.

Travel off season helps but even now Greece is trying to expand the tourist season so one really has to do their research on where to go in Greece.

If that's not bad enough air fares are now through the roof for flights from the US (Boston), hundreds of euros/dollars more for the same flight I took last year making my decision to go to Greece on the line.

I'm hoping they come down but every time I check they go higher!

Mid-day in July in Athens will be scorchingly hot. You will be thankful if you choose 8 AM.

I am from Texas. This is very warm for Texas in June: https://weatherspark.com/d/89228/6/15/Average-Weather-on-June-15-in-Athens-Greece#Figures-Temperature