Accessibility at the Acropolis

Athens boasts many ancient attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year, but none are quite as spectacular as the Acropolis, towering over the city on a rocky hilltop. While the site is beautiful and a must-see for family travelers, getting there generally requires a walk up a steep hillside, followed by climbing a number of steps at the entrance.

With the first known wheelchair not appearing until the late 1500s, it goes without saying the streets of Athens and the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to several ancient ruins like the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike and Temple of Athena Polias (the site of the Caryatids, known as the Daughters of Athens), were not built with wheelchair accessibility in mind.

Luckily, visitors to this spectacular site can get up close and enjoy the sites at the Acropolis with convenient wheelchair access. While you still have to navigate the smooth but steep cobblestone road to approach the entrance, a convenient elevator offers access to the hilltop and lets you bypass the steps. Simply head to the left of the entrance where an information booth is available to show you the way to the elevator. The lift takes you up the side of the hill and lets you off inside the monument, where you can then access many parts of the site by way of a paved walkway.

While the walkway doesn’t give you total access to all areas of the Acropolis, it does let you get spectacular views of the Parthenon, the surrounding temples and the sprawling city around you with the beautiful Aegean Sea in the distance.

Insider tip: On windy days, the elevator doesn’t operate for safety reasons, so if you are planning on visiting in bad weather, you may want to reconsider and spend the day visiting a different attraction, doing a little shopping or enjoying the local cuisine at an eatery.