If you only have a short amount of time in Athens and want to see as much as possible in one day, this full-day private tour is the perfect option for you! You will visit the Greek Essentials, including Parthenon, Acropolis hill, New Acropolis Museum, the Plaka neighbourhood, the Ancient Greek Agora & the Olympic Stadium.
On your all-inclusive, private full-day tour of Athens you will:
- Admire the Parthenon’s remarkable design, learn about the uses of Acropolis Hill over the centuries, and cross through Acropolis propylaea gate, as the ancients would have done in procession centuries ago;
- Enjoy a comprehensive tour of Greece's most iconic archaeological site, including the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Theatre of Dionysus, where classical works by the most famous Greek poets were first performed in the 5th Century B.C.;
- Walk through the charming Plaka district, with its famed white staircases, cafes and terraces and see the Lysicrates Monument;
- Admire the Tower of the Winds and Roman Agora and marvel at Hadrian's Library;
- Explore Ancient Greece's economic and political centre at the Greek Agora;
- Admire the Temple of Hephaestus, known to be the best-preserved ancient Greek temple in the world, and is even older than the Parthenon;
- See the Stoa of Attalos, the beautifully reconstructed Ancient Greek Portico, once an ancient shopping mall;
- See the Parthenon Marbles up close in the New Acropolis Museum on the Museum's top floor, as you admire breathtaking views over the monument itself;
- End the tour at the famed Olympic Stadium (Panathenaic Stadium), the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble and home to the first modern games in 1896.
With your expert guide, you will discover the city’s most important cultural sites, including the colossal remains of the Temple of Zeus and the Acropolis, a UNESCO world heritage site. On the plateau of the Acropolis, you will find the awe-inspiring heights of the Parthenon pillars, gaze on the beautiful female forms of the Caryatid columns, discover some of the earliest theatres known to man and enjoy panoramic views over the city.
Your guide will explain the central role these monuments, and more, played in classical society and immerse you in the myths and legends of Ancient Greece. You will also wander through the Agora, the heart of classical Athens. Once a bustling marketplace, in these now peaceful ruins you’ll walk in Socrates’ footsteps amongst classic temples and Byzantine churches, learning how Athens became the birthplace of democracy.
On your way to lunch at a place recommended by your local guide, explore bustling Plaka, the oldest district in the city. Sometimes called “the neighbourhood of the gods”, Plaka is known for its winding alleyways and scenic shopping.
After finishing lunch, escape the heat of the day with a visit to the spectacular (and air-conditioned) New Acropolis Museum. Here you will learn firsthand the artistic wonders that once adorned the monuments of the Acropolis.
Finally, you will also visit the stunningly marbled Panathenaic Stadium. Constructed for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, this immense structure is a strong reminder of the continuing legacy of ancient Athens in the modern day.
This tour includes the
"combo ticket" that will give you skip-the-line access to the Roman Agora, Kerameikos site & Museum, Lykeion Gymnasium, Hadrian's Library and the Temple of Olympian Zeus during in the 4 days following your tour.
Tour duration8 hours
Type of tourWalking tour: no transportation is included
Tickets included- English-Speaking tour guide
- Olympic (Panathenaic) Stadium, Acropolis, New Acropolis Museum and Greek Agora admission tickets
- Combo ticket that gives you access to these additional sites in the 4 days following your tour
Other inclusions- Gratuities optional
- Additional tickets are not included
- Food and drink are not included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included
Suitable forCulture Vulture, Family, Friends, History Buffs
Attractions along this route:
AcropolisAn ancient citadel high above the city, this group of stunning ruins are among the most important cultural icons of Western civilisation.
ParthenonCrowning the Acropolis hill, the sublime marble columns of the Parthenon form the most recognisable monument in Athens.
ErechtheionThis temple across from the Parthenon is famous for its Caryatids, the six larger-than-life female columns which support its roof.
PropylaeaThis stunning monumental gateway leads onto the plateau of the Acropolis.
Odeon of Herodes AtticusBuilt on the Acropolis' southwest slope in memory of the beloved wife of magnate Atticus, this 2nd century theatre is still used today as a venue for live performances.
Theatre of DionysusOne of the earliest preserved theatres in Athens, this space was used during festivals to honour the wine god Dionysus.
Acropolis MuseumCompleted in 2009, this archaeological museum has one of the best displays of Greek antiquities in the world.
Plaka NeighbourhoodLike a village in the city, Athens' charming old town is known as the Neighbourhood of the Gods.
Areopagus HillAlso known as the Rock of Ares, this outcrop is famed as the location of Paul's sermon to the Athenians.
AgoraThe Agora was the heart of ancient Athens, acting as a focal point for commercial, political and social activity.
Panathenaic StadiumBuilt entirely of marble, the Panathenaic Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Athens.
Temple of HephaestusLocated just above Thissio, this ancient temple was opened in the 5th century BC and still remains largely intact.
Hadrian's LibrarySee the remains of the largest structure erected by Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, which held not just a library but also music and lecture rooms.
Tower of the WindsAn octagonal Pentelic marble clocktower in the Roman Agora considered the world's first meteorological station.
Lysicrates MonumentThe monument sits on Tripidon Street, the ancient road that led from the city entrance to the theatre and was erected in honour of victory at the Great Dionysia festival.
Hadrian's ArchIt was constructed in 131 AD by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as part of a wall separating the old and new cities of Athens.
Sanctuary of Zeus PolieusOn the East of the Erechtheion around 500 BC, the Athenians built the open-air sanctuary of Zeus Polieus, the city protector.
Temple of Rome & AugustusThe Temple was built at the end of the 1st c. BC on the east side next to the Parthenon.
Pandroseion templeTemple dedicated to Pandrosus, one of the daughters of Cecrops I, the first king of Attica.
Odeon of AgrippaBuilt about 15 BCE, it was a large odeon located in the centre of the Ancient Agora of Athens.
Ancient PrytaneionA building that housed the Prytaneion or seat of government in ancient Athens.
Monument of the Eponymous HeroesIt was a marble podium that bore the bronze statues of the ten heroes representing the tribes of Athens.
Panathenaic WayIt was the road leading from the main gate of Athens up to the Acropolis, built for the great Panathenaia religious festival.
Stoa of AttalosIt was the first and largest shopping center of antiquity with 21 shops between the two floors.
Dionysiou Areopagitou StreetWalk along the pedestrian street of Dionysiou Areopagitou and have magnificent views of the Acropolis.
