Travelers to Greece can explore various museums and historical monuments for free, on designated days. Here are all the free admission days in Greece, when you can visit ancient sites, such as the Acropolis, free of charge.
How to visit the archaeological sites in Greece for free
During certain days of the year, entrance to the archaeological sites and monuments in Greece is free for everyone. This includes amazing sites like the Acropolis, the temple of Poseidon at Sounion, the Ancient Knossos in Crete, Lindos in Rhodes, and dozens more.
On those dates, public museums also offer free admission. These include, for example, the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, the Museum of the Ancient Agora in Athens, the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, etc.
I’m an Athenian, and have been to many of the ancient sites and museums in Athens and the rest of Greece. I like to return now and then, as there is always something new to learn!
So, here is how to explore the popular historical sites in Greece for free.
Free admission days for the museums and historic sites in Greece
Here are the dates when archaeological sites and state-owned museums in Greece are free to visit:
- 6 March – in memory of the late Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri
- 18 April – International Monuments Day
- 18 May – International Museums Day (most private museums are also free on that day)
- The last weekend of September – European Heritage Days
- 28 October – The Greek national holiday known as OXI day
- Every first Sunday of the month, from November to March
Entrance on those days is free for all visitors. Note that you will still need to pick up a free ticket at the entrance.
If you are visiting Athens outside the free days, have a look at the combined ticket for the Ancient sites in Athens. This is a multi-pass which gives you discounted access and priority access to the Acropolis and six more ancient sites.
Who can visit the historical monuments in Greece for free?
Entrance to the archaeological sites in Greece is free for everyone on the above dates. However, there are certain categories of visitors who are entitled to free access at all times!
You can visit the ancient monuments and museums for free if you belong to any of these groups:
- Children / young people up to the age of 25, coming from EU member-states
- Children up to the age of 5, from all countries
- Persons over 25 years of age from EU / EEA countries, attending secondary education / vocational schools
- Students and escorting teachers from EU / EEA countries, during educational visits
- Graduates (BA, MA, PhD) from EU / EEA countries, with a degree in the fields of History, Archaeology, Architecture, Fine Arts, Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art, Museum Studies, Cultural Management
- Members of the ICOM and ICOMOS (International Council of Museums / International Council of Monuments and Sites)
- Journalists
- Persons with disabilities, along with one escort (only in the case of 67% disability), irrespective of the country of origin
In order to visit the ancient monuments and public museums free of charge, visitors will need to present official documentation to prove their age / status / country of origin.
Examples of supporting documentation include ID, passport, driver’s license, student card, journalist’s card, and disability certificate.
Discounted tickets for the Greek ruins
From November to March, admission fees to all the ancient monuments and public museums in Greece are discounted to 50% of the original price.
For example, the entrance fee to the Acropolis costs 20 euro from April to October, and is reduced to 10 euro from November to March. This is valid for all visitors, irrespective of age, status or country of origin.
In addition, certain categories of visitors are eligible for discounted prices year-round, as follows:
- Children / young people from 6 to 25 years of age, from non-EU countries
- Senior citizens over 65, from EU / EEA countries
- Parents joining primary education school visits, from EU / EEA countries
- Teachers from non-EU countries, escorting schools and other educational institutions
Again, in order to qualify for discounted tickets to the ancient sites in Greece, visitors will need to present official documentation such as ID or passport.
Tips for visiting the ancient Greek sites on a free day
As you may have noticed, none of the dates to see the Greek ruins for free are in the peak season. Still, the most popular sites like the Acropolis can get quite crowded, as many locals visit as well, especially if the weather is good.
For example, this is a photo of the Acropolis on 28 October. I think that we had to wait for about an hour to come out, as there were so many people!
So, if you want to see the Acropolis on a free day, my best suggestion is to head up the hill as early as you can. Try to be there by 8:00 – 8:30, as Greeks tend to visit much later.
Whichever site you want to explore, bring with you a bottle of water, sunscreen and a hat – even in April or May, it can be really warm.
If you are traveling in the off-season, bring some warmer clothes when visiting the outdoor monuments, as it can get quite chilly! Here’s a handy guide with what to pack for Greece for every season.
Which historical monuments in Greece can I visit on a free day?
When the ancient ruins and public museums in Greece are free, there is so much choice of places to visit.
If you are in the city of Athens, the obvious site is the Acropolis. Still, if you want to avoid the crowds, you could always explore the Ancient Agora, the temple of Zeus, Kerameikos, or the Roman Agora instead.
This article on the combined ticket for Ancient Athens explains all the sites in the Greek capital in detail.
Or you can take a sightseeing trip to one or more of the following sites:
- Ancient Delphi and the sanctuary of Apollo
- The ancient theater of Epidaurus
- Ancient Mycenae
- Ancient Olympia
All of these are easy to visit on a day trip from Athens – though you might want to spend a night in Ancient Olympia.
For more inspiration, have a look at this article with some of the best archaeological sites in mainland Greece and the Greek islands – and how to get there!
Which museums can I visit for free in Greece?
On free admission days, all the public museums in Greece are free to visit. This includes the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, and also all the Museums located inside the ancient sites, such as the Agora, Delphi, Mycenae etc.
Note that the Acropolis museum is a private institution, and has its own free days. The Acropolis Museum offers free admission on 6 March, 25 March – Independence Day, 18 May and 28 October – OXI Day.
Here is a guide on free museums in Athens. Also, have a look at this article with 20 of the best museums in Athens for history, culture and art.
And, while we’re at it, have a look at this guide with 15 things to do in Athens for free!
FAQs about free sightseeing days in Greece
Visitors often ask the following questions:
Can you visit the Acropolis for free?
On certain days of the year, everyone can see the Acropolis of Athens for free. In addition, certain categories of people, such as children and students from the EU, are entitled to free entrance to the Acropolis.
When is the entrance to the Acropolis of Athens free?
Entrance to the Acropolis of Athens is free on 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October, and every first Sunday of the month, from November to March.
Is it free to visit Parthenon?
The Parthenon is a temple inside the Acropolis complex. You can see it for free on certain days of the year. Otherwise, it’s included with your Acropolis ticket.
Does Acropolis ticket include Agora?
The Acropolis ticket includes entrance to the Acropolis, where you will see temples like the Parthenon and the Erectheion, as well as the theater of Dionysus. There’s also the Acropolis Combo Ticket, with which you can tour six more ancient sites in the city of Athens, including the Ancient Agora and the Roman Agora.
How much is the entrance fee to the Acropolis?
From April to October, single-entry tickets to the Acropolis cost 20 euros. From November to March, which is the low season, they are discounted to 10 euros. There is also a combo ticket for Acropolis and more ancient sites, which saves you money on admission fees.
Here is some more information on the combined ticket for the ancient sites in Athens, and on things to do in Athens on a Sunday.
And, last but not least, here’s a walking route where you can see Ancient Athens for free!
Hi, I’m Vanessa from Athens! I’ve visited many of the fascinating archaeological sites and museums in Greece, some of them multiple times! Follow me on FB and Instagram for more Greece-related inspiration!
Thank you – the articles were very informative!