Recently Viewed
Athens Tour: Explore Ancient City in Luxury Vehicle
4.9
208 Ratings
Athens
Regardless of your trip purpose, be it leisure or professional, our tour of Athens promises a wealth of sightseeing experiences in a plush ride across the historic city. Begin your journey from your accommodation, hotel, or Piraeus Port in a posh private transport and commence your exploration of one of the most ancient cities globally!
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Athens - Guests will be picked up from their hotel, apartment, or Piraeus Port to begin the Athens Tour.
- Acropolis - The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel situated on a rocky outcrop above the city, featuring the remains of several significant ancient buildings, the most renowned being the Parthenon. The term acropolis comes from the Greek words ἄκρον (akron, “highest point, extremity”) and πόλις (polis, “city”). While there are many acropoleis in Greece, this one is particularly notable. Evidence shows the hill was inhabited as far back as the fourth millennium BC, but it was Pericles (c. 495–429 BC) in the fifth century BC who oversaw the construction of the site’s most important buildings, including the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. The Parthenon and other structures were significantly damaged during the 1687 siege by the Venetians in the Morean War when gunpowder stored in the Parthenon by the Ottomans was hit by a cannonball and exploded.
- Parthenon - At the summit of this sacred hill stands the Parthenon, a pinnacle of ancient Greek architecture. Visitors will experience the grandeur of ancient Greece, captured in every piece of marble. This architectural masterpiece embodies the best of human spirit and genius, awaiting the return of its famed sister marbles.
- Erechtheion - The Erechtheion is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis, dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon.
- Theatre of Dionysus - The Theatre of Dionysus is an ancient Greek theatre located on the south slope of the Acropolis hill. Originally part of the sanctuary of Dionysus Eleuthereus, the first orchestra terrace was built around the mid- to late-sixth century BC, hosting the City Dionysia. The theatre reached its peak in the fourth century BC under the epistates of Lycurgus, with a capacity of up to 17,000. It remained in use until the Roman period, fell into decay during the Byzantine era, and was not identified, excavated, and restored until the nineteenth century.
- Herod Atticus Odeon - The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone Roman theatre on the southwest slope of the Acropolis. Completed in AD 161 and renovated in 1950, it remains a significant historical structure.
- Acropolis Museum - The Acropolis Museum is an archaeological museum dedicated to the findings from the Acropolis of Athens. Built to house artifacts from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece, it also lies over the ruins of part of Roman and early Byzantine Athens. Founded in 2003, the museum’s organization was established in 2008, and it opened to the public on June 20, 2009. It exhibits over 4,250 objects across 14,000 square meters.
- Panathenaic Stadium - Known as the Calimarmaro, the Panathenaic Stadium is the site of the first modern Olympic Games, made of Pentelic marble, reflecting the enduring Olympic ideals.
- Mount Lycabettus - After visiting the Calimarmaro, guests will drive up to Lycabettus Hill to enjoy a panoramic view of the city, admiring the blend of ancient and modern Athens.
- Hellenic Parliament - The Hellenic Parliament building, located in downtown Athens and overlooking Syntagma Square, houses the Greek Parliament. It is protected by the presidential guard, consisting of two soldiers in traditional Greek combat uniforms, who perform a ceremonial guard change every hour.
- Monument to the Unknown Soldier - The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a war memorial in Syntagma Square, in front of the Old Royal Palace. It is a cenotaph dedicated to Greek soldiers killed in war, sculpted between 1930 and 1932 by Fokion Rok, and guarded by the Evzones of the Presidential Guard.
- Syntagma - Syntagma Square, or Constitution Square, is the central square of Athens, named after the Constitution granted by King Otto following a popular and military uprising on September 3, 1843. Located in front of the Old Royal Palace, which has housed the Greek Parliament since 1934, Syntagma Square is a key historical and social hub of modern Athens, central to commercial activity and Greek politics. The name Syntagma also refers to the surrounding neighborhood.
- The Academy of Athens - The Academy of Athens, established in 1926, is Greece’s national academy and highest research institution, operating under the Ministry of Education. Its main building is a major landmark of Athens.
- National Library of Greece - The National Library of Greece, located near central Athens, was designed by Danish architect Theophil Freiherr von Hansen as part of his famous Trilogy of neo-classical buildings, including the Academy of Athens and the original Athens University building. It was founded by Ioannis Kapodistrias.
- Arch of Hadrian (Hadrian’s Gate) - The Arch of Hadrian, commonly known as Hadrian’s Gate, is a monumental gateway resembling a Roman triumphal arch. It spanned an ancient road from the center of Athens to the complex of structures on the eastern side of the city, including the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- On-board WiFi
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Entry/Admission - Acropolis (20€ pp, are limited, dated/timed tickets must be purchased in advance)
- Entry/Admission - Acropolis Museum (20€ pp)
- Licensed tour guide -(€300 upon request, subject to availability)
- Gratuities
Additional Information
- Our drivers are not professional tour guides and will not enter the archaeological sites with you. Nevertheless, they have the necessary historical knowledge and of course the ability to speak english with you and answer your questions during the tour.
- Additional charge for pick up/drop off at the airport
- You can prepurchase Acropolis tickets on their website. Website provided on your tickets/vouchers.
- You can prepurchase Acropolis museum tickets on their website. Website provided on your tickets/vouchers.
Location
Athens
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(208 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Pauline_c
Sep 1, 2024
Athens private tour - Awesome private tour. Schedule was flexible and expansive. We saw so much more of Athens through the private tour. Our guide was very informative about all aspects of Greece’s history, culture and current day. He was a delight to be with. Overall thoroughly enjoyed it!
Review provided by Viator
George_d
Aug 31, 2024
Great Tour & Service - We had a great afternoon with Billy as our tour guide and driver. The tour stopped at all the major attractions that we wanted to see. Billy made sure we were comfortable, informed and cared for from start to finish. He went out of his way to ensure it was easy for us to meet him and reconnect at each stop. His local knowledge and extremely friendly demeanor were welcomed by my daughter and I.
Review provided by Viator
Sharpeta6
Aug 30, 2024
Book it! - This is a must book! George was amazing and went above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience. I accidentally booked the wrong date for the museum and he kindly offered to show us an additional part of Athens to fill the time and even let us take a moment to grab lunch! He was super knowledgeable and knew the perfect spots to pull off for us to take pictures.
Review provided by Viator
Jackie_m
Aug 29, 2024
Fantastic private tour- get your moneys worth! - George was a spectacular guide! He offered valuable information, safely brought us around the city, took pictures for us and always communicated with us in a timely manner. We loved our experience exploring Athens, privately. This was an excursion I would recommend to all!!
Review provided by Viator
Bizzle2002
Aug 27, 2024
Great private tour for families! - We had an absolutely fantastic tour experience! Billy was a wonderful driver who took us to all of the important sites and was happy to change up the route to accommodate our family. He also told us where we could give the best views for photos and had great suggestions about sites that our kids would (and wouldn't enjoy). The car was air conditioned (which was key since the temperature was about 93 degree F!) and he offered us cold water as soon as he picked us up. He also arrived right on time and gave us extra time at the end of the tour so that we'd have time to have lunch in the Plaka district. I would highly recommend this tour particularly because of the punctuality, professionalism and friendliness of the driver!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Renee_c
Aug 26, 2024
Athens with children - Seeing our grandchildren enjoy the wonders of Athens with a private guide and air conditioned care to take us around was an incredible experience. Our guide tried to include the children in the discussions as often as possible.
Review provided by Viator
Gmsackman
Aug 19, 2024
Great tour, so much information, brilliant! - This was a brilliant and informative tour. The guide has outstanding knowledge of Athens, the archaeological sites, the history, everything. He was flexible with the day in terms of when we had bookings for Acropolis and the museum. He offered great insight and even spoke around places for us to eat and drink. Vehicle was clean, tidy.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cherie
Aug 19, 2024
Great tour guide! - George was a wonderful guide with a very knowledge base of information to help make our tour of Athens a pleasure. He was able to show us all the amazing sites and educate us on this amazing city! You won't be disappointed with George!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Diane_m
Aug 17, 2024
Athens Day Tour - Our driver was excellent at driving us to the important places that we needed to see for our first time in Athens. It is very hot and he was always offering us cold water. We went to Hadrian’s Gate, Olympic Stadium, Acropolis Museum, The Acropolis and where he thought was the best view of all Athens. It was well worth the private tour. Thanks, Billy!!
Review provided by Viator
Dolsorat
Aug 13, 2024
Amazing trip to Athens, Greece - Our trip to Athens was amazing, we had a great time because our driver George was awesome, he gave us plenty of time strolling around Athens and took us to Dopios Resto where we ate sumptuous lunch. Highly recommended…
Review provided by Tripadvisor
