In a move aimed at preserving the historical monument and enhancing visitor experiences, the Greek Ministry of Culture has implemented a daily cap of 20,000 visitors to the Acropolis, effective this week.
The restriction also includes a specific allocation of visitors per one-hour time slot within the Acropolis premises.
Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, stated in an interview with Alpha TV that this measure is designed to safeguard the monument while improving the overall visitor experience.
Mendoni stressed the Ministry’s primary concern for preserving the monument. She referred to a study conducted by the Organisation for the Management and Development of Cultural Resources (ODAP), which concluded that the daily visitor count should not exceed 20,000, with visitors distributed across specific one-hour time zones.
The study took into account the duration of visitors’ stay and exit, aiming to avoid excessive concurrent visits, particularly during the morning hours when overcrowding has been observed.
As a result of this distribution, visitors will have a better opportunity to explore and appreciate the historic site, enriching their knowledge of the area and its history.
“At the Ministry of Culture, our main goal is the protection of the monument itself,” Mendoni said.
“Therefore, we decided to limit the daily number of visitors to 20,000.”
It’s worth noting that, according to Greek media reports, daily visitor numbers reached approximately 23,000 during July and August.
“The current operating hours from 8am to 8pm have been divided into 12 hourly visitation zones, each with a specific visitor limit. For example, the zone from 8am to 9am can accommodate 3,000 visitors. It is not possible to exceed this limit. This allows visitors to enjoy a proper tour and experience of this magnificent monument,” the Minister explained.
Mendoni also discussed the use of the visitor zone program by tourism professionals who typically manage large groups of visitors.
She mentioned that from July to early September, systematic meetings between tourism professionals and representatives of ODAP and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Athens have been held to inform and adapt to the new procedures.
“The program is available online, so you can check the availability at any time. The goal is to avoid the congestion that occurred in the past, particularly with 50 per cent of visitors wanting to visit the Acropolis between 8am and 11am, creating a bottleneck,” Mendoni said.
According to the Ministry of Culture, visitors to the Acropolis can book their tickets through the hhticket.gr online platform, choosing their preferred time slot for visiting the monument.
Mendoni also addressed the issue of theft of valuable artifacts from the British Museum, stating that it remains a sensitive matter as it involves individuals responsible for the safeguarding of collections.
Furthermore, she reiterated that the request for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, a national goal for the Greek government and the Prime Minister personally, aligns with the beginning of the modern Greek state, marking 200 years of continuous pursuit.
“We follow the ‘red lines’ set for this major national issue,” Mendoni affirmed, adding that “Greece cannot recognise any claims of ownership, jurisdiction, or possession by the British Museum since the Parthenon Sculptures are, in essence, stolen artifacts.”
