Photo source: Acropolis Museum
Marking a major milestone in its 16th year, the Acropolis Museum welcomed over 2 million visitors in 2024, reinforcing its status as one of the premier cultural destinations in Athens.
During a recent press conference, museum officials revealed that total attendance reached 2,000,312 visitors last year, split nearly evenly between the first and second halves of 2024 (1,010,504 visited in the first half, followed by 989,808 in the second).
Beyond the permanent exhibits, the museum attracted about 10,000 attendees to special programs and musical performances held on-site.
Visitor growth and global recognition
According to officials, the museum’s 5 percent increase in visitors compared to 2023, and 14 percent growth since 2019 (pre-pandemic), underscores its growing international appeal.
The Acropolis Museum’s rising popularity also earned it 33rd place among the world’s 100 most visited museums, according to British publication The Art Newspaper – the only Greek cultural site to make the list.
Media reports say that it is also among the few museums from Southeastern Europe to achieve this global distinction.
Harnessing technology to enhance experience
Photo source: Acropolis Museum
To enhance the visitor experience, the Acropolis Museum has adopted cutting-edge technology to make its collections more accessible.”
In April 2025, the museum launched an upgraded digital tour powered by the Smartify app, which has since been embraced by approximately 40,000 visitors. Among them, 2,459 used the automatic translation feature, 1,886 engaged the voice rendering function, and 3,637 exhibits were translated from English to Chinese.
Features like automatic translation, voice rendering, and image recognition provide multi-language support across 35 languages, enriching visitors’ engagement with numerous artifacts.
The museum offers a variety of guided experiences, including a free audio guide, a concise 60-minute tour highlighting 30 key exhibits and a family-friendly treasure hunt designed to engage children and parents alike.
Promotional strategy to boost visitor numbers
Photo source: Acropolis Museum
To sustain momentum, the Acropolis Museum has implemented a dynamic promotional strategy featuring rotating exhibitions and cultural events.
In 2024, temporary displays showcased notable ancient and contemporary art from Greece and abroad, enhanced with modern storytelling and interactive elements.
Highlighted exhibitions included Robert McCabe’s photography series “Χαίρε Ξένε. In the Land of Dreams”, The Ancient Civilizations of Basilicata: Treasures Emerging to Light, and Allspice | Michael Rakowitz & Ancient Cultures.
Photo source: Acropolis Museum
The museum also hosted a variety of free cultural events, from the August Full Moon concert by the Hellenic Air Force Band to holiday performances by local student ensembles.
In spring 2025, a World Poetry Day event featured a continuous public reading of Homer’s Iliad, in partnership with Greece’s National Television and university students.
The Museum’s Education Department continues to offer free weekly thematic presentations in Greek and English, providing approximately 1,600 visitors with the opportunity to explore fascinating aspects of the ancient world.
Commitment to inclusion and outreach
Photo source: Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum continues to prioritize accessibility and social responsibility through specialized programs.
These include tailored tours for individuals on the autism spectrum and those living with dementia, as well as outreach initiatives for refugees, migrants, and vulnerable groups, in cooperation with governmental and non-governmental organizations.
Virtual tours are also provided for students in correctional facilities, reinforcing the museum’s role as an educational and inclusive institution.
Additional outreach programs support special education schools, mental health units, addiction rehabilitation centers, disability groups, vulnerable communities, and the Greek diaspora, in partnership with NGOs and volunteers.
Excavation Museum: A new underground hall
Photo © Greek Travel Pages
In 2024, the museum expanded its footprint with a new underground venue displaying over 1,150 artifacts unearthed from the archaeological site beneath its building.
The Excavation Museum offers a glimpse into daily life in ancient Athens over 4,500 years ago.
“The human element below in the Excavation Museum and the divine displayed in the galleries above come together in harmony,” noted Acropolis Museum Director-General Nikos Stampolidis.
To celebrate its 16th anniversary, the museum hosted a special concert featuring the Symphony Orchestra of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens’ Department of Music Studies, offering visitors an evening of classical and film music by Greek composers.
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