The midsummer August full moon will see several museums and archaeological sites around the city open their doors to the public free of charge in the evening with extended opening hours until midnight. The Ministry of Culture has announced their programme of events for the full moon, which this year falls on the 26 August 2018.
This event post is not current for 2023
Moonrise in Athens is at 8:18pm (20:18) from the East-southeast (at the position of 108 degrees on a compass) and for those photography lovers trying to get a shot of the moon rising behind the Acropolis, the best vantage points in Athens are from areas around Thissio and Pnyx Hill which you can read more about in our best places to photograph the Acropolis. For a one of a kind experience, head to the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio which is open until midnight (more details below).
Full moon over the Acropolis taken from Thissio in central Athens. Photograph: Why Athens
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT – AUGUST FULL MOON ATHENS, 26 AUGUST
Acropolis Museum – open until midnight with free entry from 8pm & musical performances by the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra (9pm, main entrance).
National Archaeological Museum – open until 11:45pm with free entry from 8pm.
8:15pm – 9:15pm – Free Archaeologist discussion titled “THE AMENITIES OF THE TIME”
9:30pm – 10:15pm – Theatrical lecture by students from the “Delos” Drama School
10:30pm – 11:30pm – Musical event with the Greek Guitar Club
Numismatic Museum Courtyard – from 9:00pm – Musical event “La Luna” with Marian Georgiou and Adam Tsarouchis, Elias Argyropoulos and Dimitris Karagiannis.
Archaeological Site of Kerameikos – grounds open until 11:45PM
Acropolis – no events are taking place on top of the Acropolis, but the site will be open during regular hours, until 8:00pm.
FULL MOON AT CAPE SOUNIO – TEMPLE OF POSEIDON
The August Full Moon rising over the Temple of Poseidon. Photograph: Menelaos Myrillas / SOOC.gr
The archaeological site of the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio south of Athens, will celebrate the August full moon by welcoming visitors until midnight. It is the only day of the year where this sacred site remains open after sunset for visitors to admire it under the moonlight. Find out how to get there on our recommended bus transfer here.
If you love night photography, here are our favourite vantage points in Athens to capture the Acropolis.
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