Essential Athens Highlights Plus Cape Sounion Skip-The-Line Tour

Experience the best of Athens on a full-day private tour that includes the iconic Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, and more. Then, relax on a coastal road trip to the stunning Temple of Poseidon. Enjoy the comfort of a luxury Mercedes, knowledgeable tour driver, and personalized itinerary.

Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Acropolis - Our day in Athens begins with the Acropolis, the heart of life in Ancient Athens, encircled by its remarkable cyclopean wall constructed by the Mycenaeans millennia ago. The Acropolis is home to all the Temples, including the Temple of Athena Nike, the grand gateway (Propylaea), the Erechtheum, and the renowned Parthenon, the principal temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.
  • Theater of Dionysus - Regarded as the world’s oldest theatre, built in the 6th Century BC, this venue hosted the earliest performances of ancient plays by Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus, and Aristophanes, among others, and was the site of an annual spring drama festival.
  • Temple of Athena Nike - Situated atop the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena Nike (or ‘Victory’) is dedicated to the goddess Athena and was constructed around 420 BC. It is the earliest fully Ionic temple on the Acropolis.
  • Herod Atticus Odeon - A striking and fully restored Roman theater, completed in AD 161 and dedicated to the wife of a wealthy benefactor. The theater hosts a lively public program each summer.
  • Propylaea - The Propylaea is a classical Greek Doric building complex that served as the ceremonial entrance to the Acropolis, through which you will enter.
  • Erechtheion - An ancient Greek Ionic temple on the north side of the Acropolis, the Erechtheion is unique in its construction and was dedicated to the goddess Athena.
  • Parthenon - Widely considered a masterpiece of science, engineering, and culture, the Parthenon was dedicated to the goddess Athena and originally housed her impressive statue. Its decorative sculptures are regarded as some of the pinnacles of classical Greek art, some of which can be seen in the nearby museum.
  • Acropolis Museum - Explore the New Acropolis Museum, located adjacent to the Acropolis, which houses many masterpieces from the site.
  • Panathenaic Stadium - Also known as ‘Kallimarmaro,’ this stadium is one of the highlights of Athens, where the classic Marathon ends. It is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble.
  • The Academy of Athens - Stop at Panepistimiou Street for the Athenian Trilogy – the three elegant buildings: The University, The Academy, and The Library.
  • National Library of Greece - The National Library of Greece.
  • Hellenic Parliament - The Parliament and center of current political life in Athens.
  • National and Kapodistrian University of Athens - The University of Athens.
  • Temple of Olympian Zeus - A colossal temple at the center of Athens dedicated to the god Zeus, head of the Olympian gods. Construction began in the 6th century BC, and the temple housed a richly adorned statue, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
  • Arch of Hadrian - A classic triumphal arch built by the ancient Athenians for the Roman Emperor Hadrian, seen together with the Temple of Zeus in the same location.
  • Presidential Mansion - A short stop at the Neoclassical Maximos Mansion, also known as the Greek “White House.” It has been the official residence of the Prime Minister of Greece since 1982.
  • National Garden - Originally built as Royal Gardens for Queen Amalia, the National Gardens are a beautiful oasis in the city, running alongside some of Athens’ most prominent landmarks.
  • Plateia Syntagmatos - The main square of Athens, housing the Parliament building and the focal point of much of Athenian life and politics.
  • Monastiraki - Monastiraki Square, at the heart of the Old Town, is a vibrant center of life in the city.
  • Plaka - Leading from Monastiraki Square, the Plaka neighborhood is bustling with markets, bars, cafes, and restaurants.
  • Athens - LUNCH OPTION: (No street food) If you choose our lunch option during booking, you will enjoy a traditional 3-course Greek lunch.

During the summer months, our default location for lunch is by the sea in Sounion, and at other times, in Athens.

Please note that alcoholic drinks are not included.

  • Lake Vouliagmeni - Included in Greece’s NATURA 2000 Sites of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the thermal and mineral-rich waters of the lake have been a spa retreat for centuries.
  • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - At the tomb, you will witness the impressive changing of the guard ceremony, featuring the iconic ‘Evzone’ guards in their traditional uniform.
  • Glyfada Beach - An upscale suburb and the start of the Athens Riviera, offering wonderful sea views from our coastal route.
  • Lagonisi - One of the most beautiful stretches of coastal scenery in Europe. Elevated views out to sea, the rugged coastline, and the deep blue and contrasting greens of the landscape, along with the small settlements along the way, make this an amazing spectacle.
  • Temple of Poseidon - Located 70 meters atop a cliff at the tip of the Athens Peninsula, this magnificent temple was dedicated to the god Poseidon. It was the last thing ancient sailors saw when leaving port and the first sight on their return, with many legends to tell. It is especially beautiful at sunset and a perfect final location for your tour.
What's Included
  • Pre-purchased Skip-the-line Tickets for Acropolis & Temple of Zeus [Cost refundable to your driver]
  • Professional Experienced Tour Driver with thorough Historical Knowledge (cannot enter sites)
  • Athens Hotel, Airbnb Residence or Cruise ship pickup & return
  • First class transport: Mercedes EClass Sedan; Luxury Class Mercedes. Free WiFi Chilled Bottled Water
  • Expert Licensed Guide at the Acropolis for Groups of 8+
What's Not Included
  • Athens Airport transfers or pickup locations outside Athens. Arranged on request [Additional cost]
  • Expert Guide for Groups of 1 - 7; Extended Guiding time. Available on request [Additional cost]
  • Admission for Acropolis & Temple of Zeus (35 Euro per person + 20 Euro per group). Payable to driver
  • Admission for the Acropolis Museum & Temple of Poseidon (20 & 10 Euro respectively). Payable at site
  • Food (unless selecting the Lunch Option)
Additional Information

Private flexible tour combining the Highlights of Athens with a coastal road trip to the Sounion peninsula & amazing clifftop Temple of Poseidon as you relax along the way in one of our new full extra Mercedes models with free WiFi & bottled water in the company of a highly experienced, knowledgeable & considerate Tour driver.

Visit the highlights including the Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, Olympic Stadium, Parliament & changing of the guards, and set off along the deep blue colours of the Aegean sea to explore the Temple of Poseidon.

A Skip-the-line Ticket service is included as well as an option to have lunch by the sea in Sounion as well as an expert Archaeological guide for all groups of 8 or more (groups of 1 to 7 by request).

With door to door return transfer to your hotel or cruise ship, this comprehensive and ‘go at your own pace’ tour aims to provide you with one of the most outstanding experiences of your visit.

  • Groups of 1 to 7. ADDING AN EXPERT LICENSED GUIDE: Your knowledgeable tour driver will inform you en-route but can not enter archaeological sites. On request we can add a Licensed Archaeological Expert Guide to accompany you through the Acropolis and other Athens sites. Contact us by meessage after booking if you would like this addition
  • Groups of 8+. AN EXPERT LICENSED GUIDE: is included at the Acropolis only. Extended guiding to the other Athens sites on request.
  • TAILOR YOUR TOUR: If you would like to add a further site, such as the National Archaeological Museum, Omit one of the existing sites, or need an airport transfer for example then please let us know directly.
  • ROUTE. In order to provide the best experience for your day we reserve the right to alter the tour route or omit sites in the case of issues such as time constraints or local factors such as site closing times & road closures. For persons returning to Cruise ships, we recommend start times of 07:30 or 08:30 to avoid time pressure.
  • TOUR UPDATES BETWEEN MARCH 11th to 19th: Tour inclusions and exclusions were updated. For bookings made before this date your previous conditions apply at the time of your original booking.
  • SKIP THE LINE SERVICE. We purchase tickets in advance so you do not need to queue. Tickets are non refundable and for designated entrance times according to the policy of the Archaeological sites. Tickets are not included in the tour price, and the additonal cost per person of 35 Euro plus the administration fee of 20 Euro per group is payable to your driver in cash on the day of your tour. If you already have tickets, please inform us at least two days prior to your tour.
Location
Acropolis
Via Dionysiou Areopagitou Str.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(674 Ratings)
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1 star
Scott
Aug 30, 2024
Personally catered - Andreas was awesome for the day taking us all around all the sites and trying to miss some of the larger crowds. We hit most of the sites and he showed us some other things around Athens after we had enough walking for the day. He recommended a fabulous baklava place that he personally enjoyed and it was great.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Colleen_j
Aug 28, 2024
Our tour guide was... - Our tour guide was wonderful. He was knowledgeable and his English was good. He answered all our questions and took his time with us.
Review provided by Viator
William
Aug 17, 2024
Fabulous tour of Athens - Wonderful time today visiting sites with Petro. He was so knowledgeable explaining the sites and conversing with us about the culture and local way of life. He took great care of us and made sure we enjoyed everything all day long. Very courteous and prompt. If we toured again would absolutely call on him.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vicky_u
Aug 12, 2024
Temples in Athens - I have mobility issues and I loved how I was treated by the workers during my visit to the Partenón. I felt emotional and grateful that these temples are being protected for the enjoyment of new generations. Our guide was very good in explaining facts and legends about the places we visited. Thank you for this unforgettable experience.
Review provided by Viator
Kerseyb
Aug 7, 2024
Athens in a Day! - Our driver and guide were dynamite! I highly recommend the separate guide to take you through the Acropolis, museum and city! She added so much more than if we’d done it ourselves! Our driver was fantastic too! A great way to cover a lot of Athens in a day! Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Bk2425
Aug 7, 2024
A day in Athens - Our driver and tour guide were great! Very insightful and gave us a great day of exploring Athens—all its history and mythology! Fun for all ages!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicole_t
Aug 4, 2024
A fabulous experience! - Andreas made our trip spectacular! He always had cold waters for us & really spent the time giving us a colorful & thorough account of Greek history! We couldn’t have been happier with our experience!
Review provided by Viator
Mark_h
Aug 1, 2024
Best Tour of Athens and Sounion - Great tour, we got to see and wander around so many beautiful and historic sites. It was a very warm day Andreas was proactive directing us in ways that tended to keep us cooler and hydrated. The temple of Poseidon was a stand out site and it was not crowded and the views were outstanding. I would highly recommend this tour as an excellent way to see a lot and the skip the line service is highly recommended. Also, Andreas was great, very knowledgeable and excellent to have as a guide.
Review provided by Viator
Trudy
Jul 30, 2024
Best tour to see Athens and the little villages going south to Cape Sounion - We had a private tour for 6 and the day was just perfect! Petros was our driver guide and he was perfect! He knew history and explained it in a way that made it easy to understand. He himself was well travelled and could add much perspective to the differences between Greece and American culture. He was a kind funny man and was a walking book of knowledge on everything from ancient to modern times. The tour is a great combination as you get to see Athens and then get out of the city to see the coastline down to the Temple of Poseidon. We had a great lunch at a small taverna in one of the small fishing towns along the way. You won’t go wrong with Warm Penguin as your tour company and Petros as your driver guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anna_z
Jul 28, 2024
Fantastic tour for families visiting Athens. - This is a fantastic tour for any family visiting Athens. We had Yannis as our driver and Vicky as our guide. Everything was perfect and I will recommend this tour to all our friends and family. Please get all the upgrades; mercedes van, lunch by the sea, etc.
Review provided by Viator
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