Athens Full-Day Private Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the Acropolis and Parthenon
- Visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus
- Discover the Ancient Agora
- Wander through Plaka's charming streets
- Enjoy panoramic city views from Lycabettus Hill
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Transportation in a private vehicle
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Sightseeing in Athens starts with the hill of Acropolis which will make your day. On the historical hill, you will have the opportunity to see the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Temple of the Athena Nike, the monumental gateway (Propylaea), the Erechtheum and of course the famous Parthenon, the main temple dedicated to the virgin goddess Athena.
Parthenon, the main temple dedicated to the virgin goddess Athena, the eternal symbol of the Athenian democracy and the western civilization.
The Propylaea is the monumental entrances to the sacred area dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of the city. Built by the architect Mnesicles with Pentelic marble, their design was avant-garde. To the south-west of the Propylaea, on a rampart protecting the main entrance to the Acropolis, is the Ionian temple of Apteros Nike.
Temple dedicated to the goddess Athena Nike or Wingless Victory.
Temple of Poseidon and Athena, the strangest and most sacred place in ancient Athens.
Pass by: After the Acropolis, we will head towards the Temple of Zeus, the biggest temple in antiquity, devoted to the King of the Gods, by way of Hadrian's Arch.
Pass by: We will visit Panathenaic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896.
Then moving into the historical center of the city we will drive up the highest hill of Athens, Lycabettus Hill, where you’ll have the best panoramic view of the city, from the hill of Acropolis to the Aegean Sea.
Ancient Greek Agora which is considered the birthplace of democracy, philosophy and free speech.
In the ancient Greek Agora, you will visit the Temple of Hephaestus (the best-preserved temple in Greece standing largely as built) devoted to the God of blacksmiths and volcanoes.
In this small but important museum you will see findings from Ancient Athenians' daily life and learn about their constitution.
Next driving alongside the National Garden, we will see the changing of the guard (Euzones) in front of the old palace, which is today Parliament House, above the central square of Athens, Syntagma. The square is named after the Constitution that Otto, the first King of Greece, was obliged to grant after a popular and military uprising on 3 September 1843.
We will see the changing of the guard (Euzones) in front of the old palace, which is today Parliament House, above the central square of Athens.The Hellenic Parliament, in Greek known as Voulí ton Ellínon is the parliament of Greece, located in the Old Royal Palace, overlooking Syntagma Square in Athens. The Parliament is the supreme democratic institution that represents the citizens through an elected body of Members of Parliament.
Pass by: The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens is the largest state institution of higher learning in Greece, and among the largest universities in Europe. The splendid Athens University was designed by the Danish architect Christian Hansen and completed in 1864.
Pass by: The Academy Building constitutes one of three parts in an “architectural trilogy”. It was founded with the Constitutional Decree of March 18th, 1926, as an Academy of Sciences, Humanities and Fine Arts.
Pass by: The National Library of Greece was built at the end of the 19th century, as the last of the Architectural Trilogy of Athens, a group of three neoclassical buildings which also includes the Academy and the University. The building was designed by Theophil Hansen.
You will be feeling hungry by now, so our next stop is going to be a Greek tavern with the authentic Greek Pitta Gyros in the traditional neighbourhood of Koukaki. Enjoy your lunch and taste Gyros, the most popular Greek recipe, with a set menu, as described below: 1 Pitta Gyros (pork or chicken or veg, fried potatoes, tzatziki, tomato, onion) 1 Greek salad (tomato, cucumber, green pepper, olives & feta cheese, dressed with salt, Greek oregano, and olive oil) 1 piece of Baklava (layered pastry dessert made of filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with syrup or honey) 1 Drink (beer or glass of wine or soft drink) Please contact us in case of food allergies or dietary restrictions
Pass by: Historically old neighborhood of Athens.
As you enter the museum grounds, look through the plexiglass floor to see the ruins of an ancient Athenian neighbourhood, which were artfully incorporated into the museum design after being uncovered during excavations. This dazzling modernist museum at the foot of the Acropolis’ southern slope showcases its surviving treasures still in Greek possession. While the collection covers the Archaic and Roman periods, the emphasis is on the Acropolis of the 5th century BCE, considered the apotheosis of Greece’s artistic achievement. Built in 2009, this museum was voted as the best mono-thematic museum for 2019. You can choose to visit either the new Acropolis Museum, or the National Archaeological Museum of Athens or spent time in the neighbourhood of Plaka.
Instead of visiting the new Acropolis Museum, we give you the opportunity to visit the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, that houses some of the most important artifacts from a variety of archaeological locations around Greece from prehistory to late antiquity. It is considered one of the greatest museums in the world and contains the richest collection of artifacts from Greek antiquity worldwide.
If you don't want to enter the Acropolis or the National Archaeological Museum, you can walk at the traditional neighbourhood with the narrow and picturesque streets, that is known as the neighbourhood of the Gods.
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- This is a private tour; the itinerary can be customized to your preferences.
- Meals and beverages are not included; plan accordingly.
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and attire suitable for the weather.
- Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water to stay hydrated.
- Be prepared for some walking on uneven terrain at archaeological sites.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Stroller Accessible
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- The drivers are not licensed to accompany you inside the archaeological sites and museum.
- Please contact us after your booking if you are using a wheelchair or if you are travelling with infants
- German/ Spanish Speaking Drivers upon request- depending on the availability
- If your group is more that 14 people you can make several bookings & let us know that you are all together after your booking
Traveler reviews
Private Tour of Athens
We had an outstanding experience on this private tour! Everything was well organized from start to finish, and the communication before the tour was excellent. Our guide, Dimi, was absolutely fantastic. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the history and culture of Greece. He shared fascinating stories and insights throughout the day, answered all of our questions, and made the experience both educational and enjoyable. His warm personality and attention to detail made us feel welcome and ensured we had a memorable day. If you’re looking for a private tour in Athens, I highly recommend this company—and if you have the opportunity to tour with Dimi, consider yourself fortunate. It was one of the highlights of our trip!
Great way to see it all!
This was a wonderful tour to see the city of Athens. Our driver, Panos, was amazing! He had so much information to share and made seeing Athens so enjoyable.
Aris is Fantastic!
Aris where's our tour guide. His knowledge was exceptional. As a history buff myself, it was nice to have a conversation about history instead of just a lecture. Aris Blended in the local history and the ancient history and made everything extremely interesting and extremely relevant. There wasn't a question that he couldn't answer. My wife and I learned things that we never had even considered even though we both are well educated. I would highly recommend Aris to anyone wanting to really learn about current Athens, recent Athens and ancient Athens as well as how Athens fit into the larger area in the world. Five stars in not enough!!!
Fantastic day in Athens!
Our full day private tour was the perfect way for my group to experience everything we wanted to see in Athens before boarding our cruise. Our guide, Stefanos, was personable, fun, knowledgeable, and shared information in a way that kept all of us engaged the entire day. The time spent in each location was great, as was the included lunch. My group enjoyed the day so much that they booked a different tour with Stefanos as their guide during their post-cruise stay as well.
See Athens With Yiannis!
Yiannis was a fantastic tour guide! He introduced us to his city and his culture with thoughtful and meaningful stories, a wonderful tour of the major sites, and patient flexibility to accommodate our needs. We all thoroughly enjoyed this day!