Hadrian’s Library

Tickets and tours: which to book

Hadrian's Library has its own standard ticket, sold at the entrance on Areos Street and through the official Greek e-ticket system. There is no timed entry and queues are rare. Athens has long offered a combined ticket for its main ancient sites, which covers the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora, Kerameikos, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Library; if you plan to see several of them over a few days, it is usually better value than separate tickets. Under-18s and EU citizens under 25 enter free, and Greek state sites are free on certain days, including the first Sunday of each month from November to March.

Only one product online is aimed at this site: an entry ticket with an audio guide for your phone. It suits visitors who like to wander on their own but want the building explained room by room, since the signs are brief. Check that the price covers entry and is not just the audio app.

Guided walks around Monastiraki and Plaka, and tours of the Roman Agora, often pause outside the library facade without entering. For most visitors the sensible choice is the combined ticket, with a self-guided half hour here between the Agora and the Roman Agora.

A short history

The emperor Hadrian, a great admirer of Greek culture, built the library in AD 132 as part of a programme of buildings in Athens. It was laid out like a Roman forum, with one monumental entrance, a high wall, a colonnaded courtyard with a pool, and book halls on the east side. The Herulian invasion of 267 badly damaged it, and the prefect Herculius repaired it between 407 and 412; it was then built into the late Roman city wall. Three churches rose in the courtyard between the 5th and 12th centuries. In Ottoman times the old bazaar of Athens occupied the area, and excavations began after a fire destroyed it in 1884.

Getting there

Hadrian's Library is in the centre of Athens, a two-minute walk from Monastiraki metro station on Line 1 and Line 3. From Athens airport, Line 3 runs direct to Monastiraki in about 40 minutes. From Syntagma Square, walk west along Ermou Street, about 10 minutes, or take Line 3 one stop. From the Acropolis, follow the paths down through Plaka or the Ancient Agora, a walk of 10 to 15 minutes. The entrance is on Areos Street at the north-east corner of Monastiraki Square. The area is pedestrianised and busy, so avoid driving; taxis can drop you at the square.

Rules and what to bring

Do not climb on walls or column bases, and stay on the paths. Large bags and backpacks may be refused, and food is not allowed among the ruins. Drones are forbidden without a permit, as at all Greek archaeological sites, and professional photography needs permission. Bring water and a hat in summer, as shade is limited. There are toilets at the entrance, and cafés and tavernas on every side of Monastiraki Square.

When to go

Hadrian's Library is one of the quieter ancient sites in central Athens, even in summer, because many visitors simply photograph the facade from the street. Small groups from cruise ships and city walks pass through in the late morning, so opening time and the last two hours before closing are the calmest. Winter closing times are much earlier than in summer, so check them if you plan to visit in the afternoon from November to March.

The best months are April to June and September to October, when Athens is warm but not exhausting. July and August often bring temperatures above 35 degrees, and the courtyard holds the heat, so go early. The free Sundays in winter and national free days draw local families, but the site rarely feels crowded. Allow about 45 minutes to an hour, and combine it with the Roman Agora next door.