The Acropolis of Athens, one of the most popular archaeological sites in Greece, will only open to 20,000 visitors a day
They want to “protect” the Acropolis of Athens from tourists
Athenian The Acropolis, which is one of the most popular archaeological sites in Greece, will only open to 20,000 visitors a day starting next month. In addition, there will be a limit on the number of visitors allowed in every hour.
Previously, up to 23,000 people came to the complex of monuments per day, with the bulk of the visitors before noon. However, these figures have resulted in bottlenecks and crowds at the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said such control measures are necessary to prevent damage and preserve the monument. In a radio interview, Mendoni said: “We all understand that tourism is important for our country and for all of us. However, we must find a solution to avoid the negative effects of excessive tourism on the Acropolis.”
The new entry restrictions will be introduced on an experimental basis from September 4th and will become permanent from April 1st, 2024. There will be no time limit for visits, although Mendoni noted that organized tours and cruise ships, which make up about 50% of daily traffic, spend about 45 minutes on average on the site.