I climbed the Acropolis early in the morning and realized why it was recommended.

In Athens, I decided not to postpone the Acropolis until the middle of the day and set the alarm quite early. To be honest, getting up was the last thing I wanted, especially when the city was just beginning to light up outside, but after a few minutes after leaving, I realized that the decision was right.

Athens in the morning without the crowds of tourists

The streets around Plaka were almost empty. Cafes were just starting to open, rare passers-by were calmly going about their business, and there were practically no tourist groups. As they climbed, it became more and more noticeable how Athens was waking up: somewhere below there was the sound of cars, the sun was rising over the houses, and the ancient walls of the Acropolis were already visible ahead.

When I got to the top, the first impression was completely different than I expected. Usually, photos of the Acropolis are associated with crowds of people, guides and constant movement, but in the early morning the space felt much calmer. You could stop near the Parthenon, examine the columns, the details of the stone and just stand for a few minutes looking at the city.

View of Athens from the Acropolis

I was particularly impressed by the view of the city. From a height, you can clearly understand the scale of Athens - white houses extend far in all directions, and traces of ancient history are constantly appearing among modern buildings. The Acropolis itself is located in the center of the historical part of the city and has remained the main symbol of Athens for centuries. The Parthenon, built in the 5th century BC, is one of the most famous monuments of ancient architecture and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

View of Athens from the Acropolis

I wasn't in a hurry on purpose. I walked away from the main venues several times, looked at the city, took pictures and just watched the light change. At some point, I caught myself thinking that it was for the sake of such moments that it was sometimes worth getting up earlier than usual.

Why do I recommend going to the Acropolis in the morning

Gradually, there were more people. Groups of tourists appeared, it became more difficult to take a photo without people, and the calm atmosphere began to disappear. And it was then that I finally understood why they advise coming here in the morning.

It wasn't just a matter of avoiding the crowd. In the early morning, the Acropolis is perceived in a completely different way. It doesn't feel like you just came to see a popular attraction and tick it off. There is time to stop, look around and imagine how many events took place here long before the appearance of modern Athens.

If you find yourself in the city, I would also choose early morning. Even if you have to sacrifice a little sleep for this, a few hours of quiet walking around the Acropolis is really worth it.