There are two major entrances to the Acropolis: the West Entrance (which leads directly up to the Parthenon and its friends; and the Southeast entrance (which takes you through the “back door” of the South Slope of the Acropolis before putting you on the summit itself). You want this latter entrance.
Take the Metro to the Acropolis Station (just one stop south of Syntagma Square on Line 2). Head upstairs following the “Dionissiou Areopagitou” signs. Escalators will carry you up to the surface level. When you hit the sidewalks, you are on Makrigiani Street and should be headed north. Walk straight ahead about 20 yards. This will dump you onto Dionissiou Areopagitou Street. Just across that street and a little to your left, you’ll see a very small park-like area. That’s the entrance to the South Acropolis.
(Just east of this area, by the way, are public restrooms. You’ll find stairs leading down to them. You might consider using the facilities before you tackle the Acropolis.)
The Acropolis is the symbol we all associate with the city of Athens and with Greece. This “high city” holds within itself all the classic Greek themes: stories of artistic revolution, financial investment, political upheaval, war and personal betrayal. Tourism is the number one money-maker for Athens and the Acropolis is THE SITE, the one p
lace people think of when speaking of Athens. So bring your camera! The Parthenon, Erechtheon, Propylaia and Temple to Athena Nike are the picture-perfect subjects of the photos everyone at home will want to see.
For all the hype, you will certainly not be disappointed. The Acropolis has its world-class reputation for good reasons. You will walk up the crowded steps, just as the ancients did, and stand among massive ruins. You will feel pride surge through you as you admire what we humans are capable of accomplishing. (And perhaps – depending on your perspective – feel a little humility about how little we have done since!). The geometric principles, the architectural sophistication, and the incredibly detailed artistic decorations are astounding even when just reading about them in a book. But actually standing in front of these temples, marveling at the audacity and skill of the ancients, will bring you to something approaching awe. Your physical presence adds a human element to decaying ruins that mere facts and pictures cannot convey.
After braving the masses and the elements, you will come away with pictures and memories to treasure forever.