It is much cheaper to buy a cold drink and carry it up to the Acroplis than buying one there.

Make this the last thing to do in Athens. It will give a really cool prespective on the city that you have been walking round for days and days.

Depending on the day/season, the Acropolis opens no later than 8:30 a.m. and I recommend arriving as early as possible to enjoy your own reverant solitude paying uninterrupted homeage to the place (not to meniton phot ops) before mass invasion from tourist buses unloading. Be prepared to lose yourself in time. I spent over 4 hours my first visit; almost 3 the second. Admission was 2000 drachmas.

The Parthenon is mind-boggling in its present form...not to mention trying to imagine its passed granduer. Most intriguing were the reddish-pink stone steps which led up to the entrance of the temple. They're in amazingly decent shape; polished smooth from footsteps of countless people over the last two milleniums and more. The Parthenon is roped of to keep you from actually walking thru the temple, but I couldn't guess how many times I circled the area with head tilted back, mouth agape. Being here was definitely one of my best, overall travel experiences.

Looking out across the city from the Acropolis was the other major highlight one can loose endless time with just as Socrates and others before me likely have. It's also a good distraction once the place fills up with people.

I found the second visit necessary/needed for giving fuller attention to the lesser temples as well as revisting favorites. Binoculars would come in handy for viewing the Porch of the Caryatids as well for looking down into the Greek theaters of Herodes Atticus and Dionysus; the latter of which was under renovations in '99. Also don't leave the area without visitng the Museum which has many fragmented works from the Acropolis, Parthenon and four of the original caryatids...(Yes, the ones on the temple are replacements!)

Another important area easily missed outside the complex down from ticketcounters is Areopogas Hill where Greek officials used to convene court on these rocks looking up to the Acropolis and down to the Ancient Agora. It's also where the Apostle Paul proclaimed Christ to Greeks as their "unknown God" as described in Acts chapter 17. Because of those efforts, Dionysius was converted and today is Greece's patron Christian saint.

Being the lover of archeology and in general of Greek classical studies, I was absolutely fascinated by the site. The sheer size of Parthenon is remarkable, when you realize it was built 2,500 years ago. The museum houses artifacts found in the temples on the Acropolis, which were put there to prevent weather damage. In 1999, the combination ticket to both the site and the museum was 2000 drachmae. Well worth it too!

Acropolis is a hill, and a pretty steep one, so take good walking shoes and bottled water with you when you go. And take careful steps, because the marble steps are awfully slippery. I introduced myself to the marble the hard way: face first, and let me tell you: it’s not a pleasant experience.

On the path to the Acropolis there are dozens of souvenir peddlers that sell postcards, papyrus drawings and other little souvenirs. They sell the same type and quality of souvenirs as the museum gift shop but at a half price. I suggest loading up on souvenirs from them on the way out of Acropolis.

Acropolis has a web-site with more relevant information as well as phone numbers and opening hours at http://www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21101a/e211aa01.html.