Greece Plans Hourly Caps On Visitors To Ancient Acropolis And Will Let In Up To 20,000 Daily

ATHENS, Greece — The Greek government said Wednesday that visitors to the Acropolis of Athens, Greece’s most popular archaeological site, will be limited to a maximum of 20,000 per day, with hourly admission limits shifting.

According to Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, the regulations are necessary to avoid congestion and overcrowding at the UNESCO World Heritage site. As many as 23,000 people each day have been crammed inside the monument complex, most arriving before noon.

“That’s a huge number,” Mendoni told the Real FM radio network in an interview. “Obviously, tourism is beneficial to the country and to all of us. However, we must determine how excessive tourist would not destroy the monument.”

The new immigration limits will be introduced on a trial basis beginning September 4 and will become permanent on April 1, 2024, according to the minister. There will be no time limit on how long visitors can stay, though Mendoni said individuals who come on organized tours or from cruise ships, who account for around half of the daily visitors, spend an average of 45 minutes at the site.

The Greek government said Wednesday that visitors to the Acropolis of Athens will be limited to a maximum of 20,000 per day.

During the site’s 8 a.m.-8 p.m. hours, different amounts of visitors will be permitted at different times. Mendoni estimates that half of the Acropolis’ foot traffic arrives between 8 a.m. and noon. The new approach will allow 3,000 people entry from 8-9 a.m., 2,000 during the next hour, and varying numbers during the rest of the day.

“The measure will address the need to protect the monument, which is the main thing for us, as well as (improving) visitors’ site experience,” she added.

Mendoni stated that similar restrictions would be imposed on other popular archaeological sites. She added that the Acropolis decision was made after negotiations with tour and cruise operators, and it was postponed owing to Greece’s June 25 general election.

According to Greece’s statistical office, over 3 million visitors visited the site last year.

Last month, at the height of a heat wave that simultaneously triggered massive wildfires across the country, Greek officials banned access to the Acropolis and other ancient monuments at lunchtime. Awnings were also built to provide shade for visitors waiting to see the Acropolis’ 5th century B.C. temples. Mendoni stated that if required, those steps would be repeated.

SOURCE – (AP)