A couple of Greece questions
Apr 21st, 2026 | 03:05 PM
#1
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Joined: Apr 2007
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A couple of Greece questions
I'm leaving for Greece in less than two weeks and have just a few last-minute questions:
Acropolis tickets for May are not on sale yet; I'm assuming they will be available on May 1. Most of the advice says to go first thing in the morning, but I noticed that for the days in April in which tickets are currently available, all of the earliest spots in the day are sold out, while afternoon tickets are still available. I'll be visiting the Acropolis the first week of May, and it's not yet warm enough for mid-day heat to be an issue for me. I'm wondering if it would be better to get a 3 or 4pm entrance ticket. I know that people accumulate at the site during the day, so with an 8am entrance you're guaranteed to only be there (at least at first) with the number of fellow 8am ticket holders, but given that many of the afternoon slots aren't selling out, I wonder if the crowds will be pleasantly thin by late afternoon. The day I'm planning to visit, there is a large cruise ship that departs at 5pm and a very small one that will be in port until 9pm, so cruise crowds shouldn't be an issue later in the day.
How vital it is to pre-purchase tickets for the Acropolis Museum and National Archeological Museum? I'm planning to visit these museums in the afternoon (on separate days), and I'd rather not commit myself to a specific time if ticketing lines won't be an issue. I will be visiting the first week in May.
Is there a tourist information center in Nafplio? I'm planning to take a day trip to Hydra and I'd like to visit a TI a few days before to make sure I have the most updated info on ferry schedules from Metochi or Ermioni.
Acropolis tickets for May are not on sale yet; I'm assuming they will be available on May 1. Most of the advice says to go first thing in the morning, but I noticed that for the days in April in which tickets are currently available, all of the earliest spots in the day are sold out, while afternoon tickets are still available. I'll be visiting the Acropolis the first week of May, and it's not yet warm enough for mid-day heat to be an issue for me. I'm wondering if it would be better to get a 3 or 4pm entrance ticket. I know that people accumulate at the site during the day, so with an 8am entrance you're guaranteed to only be there (at least at first) with the number of fellow 8am ticket holders, but given that many of the afternoon slots aren't selling out, I wonder if the crowds will be pleasantly thin by late afternoon. The day I'm planning to visit, there is a large cruise ship that departs at 5pm and a very small one that will be in port until 9pm, so cruise crowds shouldn't be an issue later in the day.
How vital it is to pre-purchase tickets for the Acropolis Museum and National Archeological Museum? I'm planning to visit these museums in the afternoon (on separate days), and I'd rather not commit myself to a specific time if ticketing lines won't be an issue. I will be visiting the first week in May.
Is there a tourist information center in Nafplio? I'm planning to take a day trip to Hydra and I'd like to visit a TI a few days before to make sure I have the most updated info on ferry schedules from Metochi or Ermioni.
Apr 23rd, 2026 | 02:37 AM
#2
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 9,506
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Acropolis tickets for May 2026 are on sale; there is no doubt
https://hhticket.gr/tap_b2c_new/engl...lace=000000002
https://hhticket.gr/tap_b2c_new/engl...lace=000000002
Apr 23rd, 2026 | 06:43 AM
#3
Joined: Oct 2012
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I was there in Summer. And I had tickets for first entry. Even then, you have to get there at 7:20am for an 8am entrance to enjoy a temporary peace. At 8am, there was already a horde at the gate. Of course, the folks who got there at 8am then had to wait to get through the line, so waiting for them happened anyway.
The one advantage for all those people, earlybirds are not, was avoiding the worst heat of the day. If that is not a consideration, then by all means get an advanced ticket for later. No matter how crowded it is, you will enjoy views and moments where you can appreciate it all.
We hired a private guide the day before. It was damn expensive but worth it. If you don't go with a guide, then prepare beforehand or make sure you can access a guidebook or webpage that will give you insight.
When we walked up to the Acropolis Museum, late afternoon, it was easy as pie to get a ticket there, though it will be more expensive than buying a combo ticket.
The one advantage for all those people, earlybirds are not, was avoiding the worst heat of the day. If that is not a consideration, then by all means get an advanced ticket for later. No matter how crowded it is, you will enjoy views and moments where you can appreciate it all.
We hired a private guide the day before. It was damn expensive but worth it. If you don't go with a guide, then prepare beforehand or make sure you can access a guidebook or webpage that will give you insight.
When we walked up to the Acropolis Museum, late afternoon, it was easy as pie to get a ticket there, though it will be more expensive than buying a combo ticket.
Apr 30th, 2026 | 04:31 PM
#4
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,830
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We booked an Acropolis tour in advance. For the museums, we did purchase entry tickets in advance as well to avoid lines, and used audio guides we had downloaded. If you have time, also visit Ancient Agora and download the free Rick STeves audio guide. We went when it opened in the morning, no crowds at all.
I don't recall a tourist office in Nafplio, but most hotel staff usually can help. We had a car there and visited multiple ruins and palaces, none of which were crowded, in fact, some were empty. I loved Nafplio. If you want more info on where we went there, I can dig up my notes. One little thing in town we discovered was a wonderful local wine shop, Cellar Vellini, with a tasting available. We had a busy day, went for a walk before dinner and wanted to stop for a drink and relax a bit. We saw the shop so went in. We were the only ones there. Ordered just 1 wine tasting to share. They gave us each glasses and pours were ample for a tasting, they also provided snacks. I thought for sure they misunderstood that we were sharing, but it was so pleasant we didn't mind. Turns out they only charged us for 1 tasting. We chatted with the owner and employee the entire time.
I don't recall a tourist office in Nafplio, but most hotel staff usually can help. We had a car there and visited multiple ruins and palaces, none of which were crowded, in fact, some were empty. I loved Nafplio. If you want more info on where we went there, I can dig up my notes. One little thing in town we discovered was a wonderful local wine shop, Cellar Vellini, with a tasting available. We had a busy day, went for a walk before dinner and wanted to stop for a drink and relax a bit. We saw the shop so went in. We were the only ones there. Ordered just 1 wine tasting to share. They gave us each glasses and pours were ample for a tasting, they also provided snacks. I thought for sure they misunderstood that we were sharing, but it was so pleasant we didn't mind. Turns out they only charged us for 1 tasting. We chatted with the owner and employee the entire time.
Last edited by MFNYC; Apr 30th, 2026 at 04:34 PM.
May 2nd, 2026 | 06:18 PM
#6
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,259
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The supreme guide to all things Nafplio is the superb noncommercial website - https://www.visitnafplio.com Its by a Scandinavian expat who's lived there for 20+ years, knows the town & whole area better than Greeks.. how to get there where to stay, what to see, where to eat ... and NOT for glitz, for value. Click on EVERY link ... photo illustrated... about all the places to swim right there... the best walks, the museums... ancient sites. Her advice is GOLD.
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