Greece is set to offer a unique opportunity to experience the ancient Acropolis without the usual crowds of tourists. Starting from April 1, 2024, the Greek government plans to provide exclusive guided tours of the iconic site to a select few affluent visitors during non-operational hours. This move comes as part of a larger ticketing policy overhaul for Greece's archaeological sites and museums, introducing increased prices across the board, effective from April 2025.
According to an official from Greece's Culture Ministry, the new Acropolis service will allow a maximum of four groups, with up to five people in each group, to gain access. The cost will be a hefty 5,000 euros ($5,500) per group, although individuals willing to cover the full fee are also welcome. Nikoletta Divari-Valakou, the head of the ministry's cultural resources development, stated that the revenue generated from these exclusive tours will be reinvested into cultural projects and monuments.
Certified guides will lead the tours, which will last approximately two hours either from 7-9 a.m. just before the regular opening hours or from 8-10 p.m. after the site closes. Divari-Valakou emphasized that if this pilot program proves successful, it may be expanded in 2025 to include other significant archaeological sites across Greece.
The Acropolis, with its magnificent 2,500-year-old marble structures, including the renowned Parthenon Temple, reigns over the Athens skyline and remains Greece's most-visited ancient site. In 2022 alone, it attracted over 3 million visitors. However, the overwhelming influx of tourists, with up to 23,000 daily visitors, has prompted the Culture Ministry to enforce caps on entry numbers and implement other restrictions starting in 2024.
The decision to introduce private visits during exclusive hours was made by an advisory board of senior officials from the ministry amidst the ongoing reform of the ticketing policy. The government is expected to formally approve the program in the coming days.
In addition to the exclusive tours, the ministry announced that the overall ticket policy will be overhauled in April 2025. This includes a 50% increase in the prices of regular Acropolis tickets, raising them from 20 to 30 euros ($22-$33). However, the number of free entry days during the winter months will be doubled to two per month. Furthermore, the cheapest tickets for all of Greece's historical sites and museums will see an increase from 2 to 5 euros ($2.20-$5.51).
The ministry justified the ticket price increases by citing the surge in tourist arrivals post-pandemic and the need to align with the average pricing across Europe. The revenue generated from the increased ticket prices will be utilized to maintain and enhance cultural projects, ensuring the preservation of Greece's rich heritage for future generations.