8 Tips for Visiting the Parthenon & Acropolis: 8 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Going

What should you know before visiting the Parthenon and Acropolis? Here's eight tips for your trip I wish I'd known before going.

8 Tips to Visit the Acropolis & Parthenon:

1. Go to the museum first.

We got this advice before going and we totally agree. We recommend going to the museum first to learn the history of the Parthenon so when you get up on Acropolis you know what you're looking at. Also watch the movie they show on the top level of the museum. It quickly shows you the history of the Parthenon. So interesting! And, here's good news, too: The museum's cheaper than a ticket to Acropolis. It's only 5 euro and is air conditioned:)

2. Consider splitting up your visit to the museum and Acropolis into two different days.

There's so much to learn and see! We split our visit to the museum and going up on Acropolis into two days. We (I mean Adam) likes to read every placard and sign. After several hour of this, my brain's fried. So, we spent half a day in the museum and I spent another half a day on Acropolis (Adam wasn't interested in going- so I went solo). You're learning centuries worth of history here. This makes for a great but exhausting experience if you try to cram it all in.

3. Go to the Acropolis early.

I went around lunch at the heat of the day. Mistake! This meant the lines were long to get in and it was so hot, and so bright up there. I made a lot of mistakes with no sunscreen, no water bottle, no hat. I ended my experience fried, dehydrated and exhausted. Learn from my mistakes, and make sure to pack these items. 

4. Make sure you're in the right ticket line.

To get a ticket to enter the Acropolis and head up to the top, you have to pay 20 Euro at the ticket booth. However, there's two lines to buy tickets. One line is for credit cards and the other one's for cash. There's little or no signage to know which line is which, so make sure you're in the right one. This leads to my next tip.

5. Eat before you go and pack lots of water. 

The ticket lines are long and you'll want to spend several hours exploring, so make sure you go on a full belly, pack a snack, and carry water with you to stay hydrated in the lines and up on Acropolis. There's lots of cheap gyro places with bottles of water near the entrance to the Acropolis to get stocked up. 

6. Prepare for the intense sun and bright surroundings!

This means pack your sunglasses, hat, I recommend an umbrella even, and sunscreen. The Acropolis and the area surrounding the Parthenon is very exposed to the intense sun and has little shade. To make the sun's rays even more intense, there's white rock reflecting light at every angle making it super bright up there. So, make sure you're ready for it. Check out my packing list for visiting the Acropolis and Parthenon here. 

7. Wear shoes with good traction.

The ground is uneven and it's slippery up there! The rock is so warn down from centuries of heavy traffic, I was slipping around up there with my shoes with no traction. I don't recommend flip flops. Make sure to wear shoes with good traction. Again, see my packing advice here. 

8. Take your time and enjoy it up there!

I share all of these hydration and gear tips to help you prepare for a comfortable experience so you can stay as long as you'd like learning, seeing and exploring. The Parthenon is over 2,400 years old and is still standing. What a special place in the world. Enjoy it and soak it in! 

9. Bonus: Read Before You Go

One of the biggest lessons we've learned on our travels is to read a book about the places and topics you'll be traveling to. It's just like when people tell us to read the book before seeing the movie. You learn so many more details from a book than the movie can provide. And once you see the movie, you'll know all the background details and you appreciate the visuals. Same with reading a book before you visit somewhere. By reading the history of the Parthenon before arriving, you'll have a better understanding of this special place and appreciate your visit even more. You'll be able to visualize what happened there.

We recommend these two books to learn more about Acropolis and the Parthenon before you visit:

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Gift Yourself a Great Visit to the Parthenon!

Download our Packing List for everything you'll need for your visit. 

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10 Things to Pack When Visiting the Parthenon & Acropolis in Athens, Greece

How should you prepare to visit the Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens, Greece? I've got you covered! I made so many mistakes on my visit, so please follow my list to carry what you'll need for an enjoyable time up there.

What mistakes? First, I made the mistake of going in the heat of the day (what a bad idea!). I was up there for three or four hours soaking in the history, but there's no vegetation and shade up there, so second, I forgot a hat and sunscreen so I got blasted by the sun for all that time. Lastly, I was wearing slippery shoes and was slipping on the rocks the whole time. I ended the visit fried, dehydrated, and exhausted. I was in awe the whole times surrounded by this ancient history, but boy did my body pay for it! 

So, make sure you go early in the day and pack these items below:

10 must pack items for visiting the Acropolis & Parthenon:

1. Money

Secret Money Belt

To get a pass in, it costs €20 in the summer (€10 in the winter) and you'll be standing in line for awhile for your pass. So, make sure you have a credit card or euros on hand. And make sure you're in the right line (there's two lines at the ticket booth). There's a credit card line and a cash line and there's terrible/no signage for which one's which. So make sure you're in the right line, so you're not waiting in the wrong line to have to wait all over again. 

Here's a money belt we pack with us to tuck our money into.

2. Shoes with Good Traction

Altra Trail Running Shoes

I was shocked by how slippery the rocks were up there on Acropolis and around the Parthenon. However, if you think about it, this small area has been walked on with high traffic for centuries, so the ground has been smoothed and it's slippery. I recommend shoes with good traction to have sure footing as you're looking up at the striking columns and carvings on the Parthenon. 

During my visit I was wearing cheap and slippery shoes. I wish I'd been wearing my Altra's. They have awesome traction! 

3. Sunglasses

Polarized sunglasses

The area up on Acropolis around the Parthenon is white rock at every angle. There's barely any vegetation and it's super bright from all the light being reflected! Protect your eyes with sunglasses. 

A friend gifted us fun sunglasses like these, and life is just more fun in these. We feel like we're chilling at the beach when wearing them:)

4. Hat

Hat

Buff to protect your neck

Along with no vegetation up there, there's also little shade. Make sure you wear a hat, a big wide one, to protect your head, face, and skin. 

I forgot these things on my visit, but if I were to go again, I'd pack my hat and my buff to protect my head and neck. 

5. Sunscreen

And wear sunscreen from head to toe! 

Again, I forgot this at our Airbnb. But, we use Beyond Coastal's tiny travel size ones and love it, because it doesn't leave you greasy like other sunscreens. 

6. Umbrella

Mini Compact Travel Umbrella

Bring this too! I'm not an umbrella type even in the rain, but it's so bright up there from the sun above and the white stone reflecting light from every angle, next time I'm packing an umbrella to provide my own shade.

Here's a fun travel umbrella I found for next time:)

7. Water

Collapsable Water Bottle

Carry water, water, and more water. With that Greek sun, heat, and the amount of time you'll want to spend up there, remember to stay hydrated. It'll make for a more enjoyable experience. 

This is my favorite water bottle that I left at home and forgot to carry.

8. Snack

It's always smart to carry a snack to keep the hangry monster at bay:)

My favorite quick, compact, and healthy snacks to grab and go is some kind of bar. Larabars are my fav!

9. Camera

For your photos and video of the Parthenon! You have to capture this place! It's over 2,400 years old! What a spot in the world! Read some more fun facts here. 

I carry a small Canon Rebel. I love it because it's light and I can stow it away in my bag and get it out easily when I need it. You can check out other camera gear I carry here. 

10. Backpack

Pack all this in a collapsible backpack. 

Our friends gifted us this awesome collapsable backpack. It folds down into a tiny pocket to pack in our carry on luggage and then we unpack it and use it for our day trips. It's been a game changer for us on trips!

Have an awesome time at the Parthenon!

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Make packing easier!

1. Pin this for later here.

2. And, download this packing list to have for later, too.

Yes! I want the packing list!

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The Most Essential Packing Items On Our Lists

"If you could name the most important piece of gear you pack, what would it be?"

A friend asked us this the day we flew back from Finland after 4 months of traveling Europe.

We scanned our memories and packing lists. At that time, we'd been traveling for over three years living out of small backpacks and luggage. We'd traveled the US living out of a tent and our car, then campervanning New Zealand, to backpacking South East Asia, to then RVing the US, and just recently campervanning Europe.

We both had our answers pretty quickly and our friend was shocked they weren't electronics.

We call these items our MVP's of Gear.

The one thing we always pack with us and why:

Lindsey's Most Valuable Piece of Gear:

Perfect as a headband, ear warmer, and a neck guard on the Tongariro Crossing in New Zealand.

A BUFF

What is a buff?

A Buff's a continuous loop of fabric you can use for anything!

Here's why it's my #1 packing item: 

I can use it in so many ways in both hot and cold weather! This is important, because when Adam and I set out on a trip, we have a general idea of where we're going but no set plans and no itinerary. We figure it out as we go. This means when I'm packing for months worth of travel, I have no idea what weather I'm getting myself into. So, when I'm packing I cover myself with clothes for both hot and cold weather.  

I love my Buff! It covers me for everything and is so tiny to pack. In hot weather I use it as a hair tie, a head band, and as a rag. And for cold weather I use it as a hat, an ear muff, and to cover my neck. This simple piece of fabric is essential for me!

Adam's Most Valuable Piece of Gear:

Epic wipes were needed after cruising muddy trails in West Virginia with no water hookups for showers in the camper!

BABY WIPES

Why is it Adam's #1 packing item? 

They're a showerless way to clean every nook and cranny on your body-- I mean every nook and cranny;) 

After experiencing South East Asia's toilet hygiene habits for six months, Adam was converted. And it makes total sense--- we heard this from our friend Daranee who's a doctor in Thailand. She put it this way (I'm paraphrasing here): "When you go out to work in the dirt in the garden, you don't come inside and wipe your hands with dry paper towels to clean off-- ew! You wash your hands to clean yourself. Same goes for doing your duty. Why use just dry toilet paper to clean?" Interesting point. Very interesting point. We know:)

Be Prepared!

You can snag both of these on Amazon so you're ready to pack them away on your next trip.

A Buff

Epic Wipes

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Lindsey's Packing List

Adam's Packing List

Buying a Campervan in New Zealand: Should Your Campervan be Self-Contained or Non Self-Contained? or Certified Self-Contained

Photo by Nathan Dumlao

Buying a Campervan in New Zealand:

Should Your Camper be Self-Contained, Certified Self-Contained, or Non Self-Contained?

This is a really important question to ask yourself when you're thinking about buying a campervan in New Zealand. 

Your campervan’s status of being self-contained or non self- contained determines how easy it’ll be for you to find designated campsites each night.

What's the Difference?

The difference between self-contained and non self-contained is about your waste situation.

Self-contained vehicles have their own toilet and tanks to hold the waste inside (everything's self-contained). With this kind of camper, it's easy to park up and camp for the night. 

Non self-contained means your vehicle is not self-sustainable and does not have a toilet or holding tank inside. This means you have to have a public toilet available at your designated campsite each night. 

This was us. We bought a non self-contained minivan that was converted to a camper. We always had to find a designated campsite for non self contained vehicles each night. 

Our biggest help with this: the app CamperMate! The app shows you campsites near you and categorizes them as self-contained or non self-contained campsites. It'll also show you dump sites for self-contained campers. Whatever campervan you get, download the app! It'll be your best bud in NZ!

OUR EXPERIENCE BEING NON SELF-CONTAINED

Klondyke Corner Campsite in Arthurs Pass

We campervanned NZ for five months in our non self-contained camper, Bernie. He was a minivan with a bed in the back:)

We always found a campsite, but for non self-contained campers, it's difficult to find designated campsites in the popular areas like the Coromandel Peninsula, Queenstown, Auckland, and the Franz Joseph Glacier.

In those areas, we found ourselves spending more time and gas money driving further out to campsite locations and passing many self-contained sites on the way. We had our moments of jealousy and wanting our own loo!

Other friends have campervanned NZ after us, and we always suggest to them to buy a self contained camper. 

THE SELF-CONTAINED SITUATION

Why is this a big deal? New Zealand has a ton of tourists coming in and they're on a mission to protect their landscapes from tourists dropping their pants relieving themselves everywhere. Totally understandable.

So, many communities prefer tourists in self-contained campers than tourists in non self-contained ones. I totally get it.

So how do you become self-contained?

Officially, self-contained means your van is in accordance with specific standards to protect the environment and public health from bad waste disposal. Essentially, this means a self-contained campervan has a toilet, holding tank, and fresh water for doing your duty.

Self Contained Photo from Backpacker Guide

Self-contained vehicles show proof of being self-contained with this blue and white sticker on the back of the campervan.  

However, folks were finding these stickers and illegally slapping them on their non self-contained vehicles to have more camping options.

To combat this, district councils have designed a new level of proof of certification where self-contained vehicles need to be inspected, approved, and show certification on the windscreen with a green label like the one shown in this picture.  These vehicles are Certified Self-Contained.

Certified Self Contained Photo by CamperMate

If you're leaning toward a self-contained vehicle, make sure the vehicle is Certified Self-Contained. This way, you’ll be able to camp at any campsite in NZ. Campers with self-contained vehicles without certification need to pay close attention to signage at campsites to make sure they’re in a designated area for their vehicle. Some campsites only allow certified self-contained vehicles to camp.

Requirements to Be Certified Self-Contained

As of October 13, 2015, New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Inc. stated on its website the specific requirements a vehicle has to have to be certified self-contained.

The vehicle must have “sanitary and safe installation of the following:

• Fresh water supply: 4L per person per day (i.e. minimum 12L per person)

• A sink

• Toilet: 1L per person per day (i.e. minimum 3L net holding tank capacity per person)

• Holding tank: 4L per person per day (i.e. minimum 12L per person) and monitored if capacity is less than the fresh water tank

• An evacuation hose

• A sealable refuse container (with lid)."

Types of Self-Contained Vehicles

We saw all types of self-contained vehicles. There are large caravans specifically designed to be self-contained and there are minivans out there modified to be self-contained.

For normal backpacker campers, you have a higher chance of finding a utility van or pop-top that’s self-contained, than a sedan, hatchback, or minivan, simply due to the design and available interior space in the campervan.

SHOULD YOUR CAMPER BE SELF CONTAINED OR NON SELF CONTAINED?

Like we shared, when friends ask us what they should buy, we give them our guide book and always tell them to find a self-contained camper. These are more expensive, though, so it's your decision. 

If you're still not sure, here's some benefits and limitations to both choices we found in our five months campervanning NZ. 

SELF CONTAINED pROS & CONS

BENEFITS OF BEING SELF-CONTAINED

1. You’ll have more camping options, especially in popular areas of the country.

2. You won’t have to drive as far to find a campsite each night.

3. You’ll save money on petrol, since you don’t have to drive as far to find campsites.

4. You’ll have fewer late night arguments with your travel partner when you’re both tired and desperate to get settled at a campsite.

LIMITATIONS OF BEING SELF-CONTAINED

1. Self-contained vehicles are normally more expensive than non self-contained vehicles.

2. Most of these vehicles are big and bulky. Some campsites may be difficult to get into and navigate through.

NON SELF-CONTAINED PROS & CONS

BENEFITS OF BEING NON SELF-CONTAINED

1. Vehicles are normally less expensive than self-contained vehicles.

2. These vehicles are smaller, allowing you access down less traveled roads.

3. These types of vehicles allow you to blend in more like a local instead of standing out as a tourist. Non self-contained vehicles are vehicles local families and local businesses would drive; sedans, hatchbacks, minivans, and utility vans.

4. There’s less maintenance to worry about. With self-contained vehicles you have to worry about fixing the plumbing if anything should go wrong.

5. You don’t have the added worry of dumping and cleaning the holding tanks on your holiday.

LIMITATIONS OF BEING NON SELF-CONTAINED

1. You have less camping options than self-contained vehicles, especially in popular areas like Queenstown, Auckland, Franz Joseph Glacier, and the Coromandel.

2. You may find yourself spending more time and money on petrol getting to a designated non self-contained campsite each night.

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Ready to Campervan New Zealand, but Not Sure How?

We've got you covered!

Get our step-by-step guide to save you money, time and stress figuring it out yourself. Let's get you on the road exploring right away. 

We guide on where to buy, how to get one on a budget, what to look for when test driving, tips to negotiate the price down, what government forms to complete, how to find free and cheap campsites, and heaps more. 

“Your book was soooo stinkin helpful!”

— Brooke M.