Monday, August 20, 2012

Seven Dos and Don'ts Of Visiting the Acropolis

As amazing as ancient Greek architecture is, your visit to the Acropolis can be a bit stressful if you do not go prepared.  Here are some things to keep in mind:


1. Don't dawdle. Go early.  As the day goes on, the crowds multiply. It was busy when we got there (this picture), and got constantly busier with huge crowds arriving as we were leaving (last photo). 


2. Do bring water. Athens is very hot in the summer, and the Acropolis has practically no shade.  You will be much happier wandering from ruin to ruin with a cold bottle of water in your hand.



3. Do wear lots of sunscreen. Clear skies with not a cloud may look nice (as in my picture here) but it is important to protect yourself from the heat and sun. Wearing a hat is always a good idea.


4. Do hire a guide or bring a guide book. There is very little signage on Acropolis. You will get a lot more out of your visit if you read up on your Greek history beforehand. 


5. Don't be impatient.  There may be a wait to get in or to get that perfect shot of your family with no one in the picture. 


6. Do marvel at the beauty of the place. Take time to reflect on the timeless perfection of these Doric columns.


7. Don't expect to be able to get up close to the buildings.  These structures are thousands of years old, and they are being constantly maintained so they would not crumble. Keep your distance.


When you go prepared, your visit to one of the greatest ancient sites will be a lot more relaxed, and you might even avoid such crowds. 

No comments:

Post a Comment