Greece: Museums dodge the overtourism bullet

The Acropolis Museum counted two million annual visitors in 2024, but daily attendance averages 7,000-8,000 – well below problematic levels.

Museum Director Nikolaos Stampolidis says Greek museums “don’t appear to have a problem,” though overtourism is affecting Athens’ historic center and some islands. “The excess spoils the proper measure,” Stampolidis noted, acknowledging infrastructure concerns in heavily visited areas.

The museum handles up to 10,000 daily visitors without overcrowding. Free admission days can spike to 18,000 –International Museum Day in May drew a record 18,000 visitors. Management measures include staff training and directing visitors indoors during extreme weather rather than outdoor queuing. Officials also guide visitors to the excavation museum below during busy periods.

The adjacent Acropolis site caps daily visitors at 20,000 through timed entry slots, down from previous peaks of 23,000. Greece plans to expand electronic ticketing to 107 archaeological sites, allowing visitor limits when needed. 

Source: ekathimerini.com