Acropolis offers private visits for 5000 euros
The Acropolis in Athens is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Greece. Those who want to avoid the crowd can now privately visit the ancient site. However, the experience is not cheap.
Exclusive Tours for Paying Tourists: The Acropolis in Athens expands its offering to private visits outside of opening hours - for 5000 Euro per visit. "The Acropolis Experience now offers visitors the exclusive opportunity to privately enjoy this perfect architectural expression of the Greek spirit," according to the "Hellenic Heritage" ticket website, where the tours are offered under the name "The Acropolis Experience".
According to the website, the tours take place outside of regular opening hours and are limited to a maximum of five participants per booking. Therefore, a total of four group visits can take place simultaneously, each starting on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:00 or 20:00 hours. From July 12th, visits can be booked in the UNESCO World Heritage Site without a guide, and from August 2nd, visits with guides in several languages can be booked.
The offer aims to allow visitors to avoid the usual crowds during opening hours. According to Greek media reports, the first private visit to the ancient site took place on a Saturday: A Russian couple reportedly booked the exclusive tour with a private guide after the official closing of the site.
The introduction of such private visits was announced last year. They were originally scheduled to begin on April 1, according to the Greek Culture Ministry, but the start was then delayed. The Acropolis is the most popular tourist attraction in Greece. Normal tickets cost between 20 and 30 Euros.
In 2023, a record number of almost four million visitors flocked to the attraction - an increase of 31% compared to the previous year. The visitor numbers have increased significantly due to the cruise ships that anchor in the Piraeus harbor in Athens. Due to the large crowds, time-ticketed entries have been introduced.
The expansion of private visits to the Acropolis in Athens is part of a larger strategy to cater to the international tourism industry, attracting high-end travelers seeking unique experiences. These exclusive tours are primarily marketed internationally, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the ancient site without the usual crowds.
