Greece is making its best attractions free for one night only

Greece continues to enjoy a tourism boom, with travellers drawn by the variety of experiences on offer, as well as friendly locals and overall safety (Picture: Shutterstock / Neirfy) Fancy exploring the birthplace of the Olympics, standing where ancient Greeks sought answers from the gods, or stepping through the entrance to the underworld? There’s plenty to see in Greece, from thousands of ancient archaeological sites to more than 200 state museums. But they don’t come cheap. The Athens Pass, which gives you access to ‘the best things to do’ in the Greek capital, starts from €104. That’s around £89 to me and you. So if you’re heading to Greece in the next few weeks, there’s a nationwide event that should be on your radar. Each year, the country’s Ministry of Culture unlocks over a hundred archaeological sites, monuments and museums after dark to coincide with the full moon and lets visitors in for free. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. This year, it will fall on Friday, August 28. From around 7:30pm until midnight, tourists can enjoy historical treasures from temples to Minoan palaces under the moonlight. Delphi was the home of the Oracle, where heroes went for advice (Picture: Alamy) Some of them even have live musical concerts, choirs and guided tours built into the programme. Of the 126 sites, several are the most visited attractions in Greece, which makes seeing them in this way even more special. Did we mention it’s free? A standout is Delphi, the ancient sanctuary town on Mount Parnassus where the ancient world travelled to for the Oracle’s word on everything from wars to marriages. Greek destination inspiration from Metro Rhodes: the Greek island with gorgeous walking trails and quaint tavernas Ithaca: otherworldly beaches and mythical festivals Lefkada: the ‘Greek Caribbean’ Tinos: ‘the Greek island I keep going back to’ It’s about two and a half hours by car from Athens, but that’s surely worth driving for free entry to the Temple of Apollo. In the Western Peloponnese is Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, which will have free entry from 8pm to midnight, as well as guided tours from archaeologists. In Sparta, known for its fierce warriors and for being one of the only places in ancient Greece where women could receive education and own property, the medieval ruins of Mystras will be open from 8pm with a musical event. Athens is getting in on the action, too. The Acropolis at night is a sight to be seen (Picture: Dimitris Aspiotis/Shutterstock) The Acropolis Museum will remain open from 9am until midnight, with free entry to its temporary exhibition of ancient Greek art discovered in Italy. This includes 38 works of ceramic, bronze and marble. A word of warning: regular admission fees of €20 (£17.10) will apply to the permanent collections, and booking is required for the guided tour. Lesser-known but equally worth your time is the Nekromanteion of Acheron in Epirus, an ancient sanctuary associated with the underworld where pilgrims are said to have consulted with the dead. Meanwhile on Crete, the Minoan palace complex at Malia, once home to the Minotaur – a mythic half-bull, half-man beast – will host a live performance by Greek singer Manolis Mitsias and a full choir. The home of the Minotaur is a must-visit for travellers in Crete (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo) Gortyna, also on Crete – Greece’s largest island – is home to one of the longest surviving ancient Greek inscriptions, a 600-line collection of fifth-century BCE laws carved into stone, and will host a musical evening. For something more cinematic, Nafpaktos Castle offers views over the Gulf of Corinth and the Sanctuary of Ammon Zeus in Chalkidiki will stage a full performance of the tragic love story, Orpheus and Eurydice. You can find the full list of participating archaeological sites from Greece’s Ministry of Culture. Just remember that individual opening times and events vary, and some activities – including the Acropolis Museum’s guided tour – require booking. Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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