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Is part of the Acropolis closed?

The Odysseus website (online tickets) says the following about the Acropolis: "Important notice: From the 15th September 2018 the elevator, the Acropolis North and East slope will remain closed due to technical reasons." Does anyone have any more info about this? We'll be visiting in late June 2019.
Cheers!

Posted by
3316 posts

Suggest you ask this question on TRIP ADVISOR Greece Forum -- there are many Athens residents who contribute there, and they are much likelier to know than contributors to RS forum... who are mostly past visitors from N. America, almost no Greeks or people who are on the scene. I Googled "what "technical reasons: for closure of some Acropolis areas" and got no answer... It probably has to do with deterioration of the rock in that area & shoring up/repairs etc. Next thursday having dinner with an Athenian friend and she'll doubtless know everything. The locals will know the story even if it's not in the press.

Posted by
60 posts

An excellent suggestion. Thanks, Janet!

Posted by
3044 posts

We were on the Acropolis on Friday May 24. Nothing was closed. It was crowded, but not like it will be in June. It was quite impressive.

Posted by
60 posts

Thanks, Paul! We're planning to visit first thing in the morning, hoping to avoid the tourist buses!

Posted by
3044 posts

yeah, earlier is better. Take water. Very hot up there, no shade at all. But very inspiring and moving. Everyone should go. Just not all at once, on the same day as I am going.

Buy the expanded 30 E pass for other sites. The Old Agora and Temple of Jupiter Olympian are particularly cool and not-to-be-missed.

Posted by
265 posts

We were just there last week. I can also recommend going to the museum the day before to get the history. I would also recommend hiring a private guide for both. This really enhanced our experience considerably. Faye Georgiou was terrific- a Rick Steve’s recommendation fayegeorgiou@yahoo.com.

Posted by
3961 posts

We would also recommend guide Faye Georgiou. She was our local guide a couple years ago. So highly regarded that some friends who were on our Greece tour just hired her for a family tour of the Acropolis and museum.

Posted by
18 posts

Wear running shoes. Nothing is level and those stones have been walked on for thousands of years. Some are very slippery. We saw three people fall last week. Don't even think of visiting in flip flops, sandals or any footwear with a hard sole.

Posted by
3961 posts

I agree with upthread message about slippery steps, uneven terrain at the Acropolis & beyond. I wore tennis shoes with a good thread, but still found it slippery. Any hand railing in Greece is a benefit to prevent falls. We saw so many arm and leg casts throughout Greece. Be cautious.

Posted by
1157 posts

You can to a "tour" of the Acropolis on your own. With a good guide book and the internet you can get all the info you need to explain what you are witnessing on the Acropolis and the North & South Slopes.

If you do a tour you'll be there with numerous other tour groups and hordes of tourists which may ruin your experience of the Acropolis with people pushing, shoving and getting in the way of photo ops.

Get there at opening time, 8 a.m. and you'll have a more tranquil and peaceful experience. In addition you'll get to see the Greek Army march in, raise the flag and sign the Greek National Anthem then march out.

I also recommend the multi-site ticket which is a bargain at 30 euros considering that you will see World-Class Archeological sites. Don't overlook Kerimikos Cemetery a lesser-known but just as impressive site in Athens.

Posted by
11126 posts

The announcement mention an “ elevator” which I believe is for handicapped visitors. We always have walked up the pathways to the top.

Posted by
4297 posts

From a distance, the so-called elevator appeared to be a wheelchair lift . We went to the excellent museum in the early afternoon, when it was hottest, and them did the climb. We were all wearing Keen Rose sandals and their traction was fine.