5.0(39 reviews)
Pristine Parthenon: No-Crowds Acropolis Tour & Skip the Line Acropolis Museum Tour
3.5 hours
Max 15 people
Commentary: Guide · en
Athens, Greece
About this activity
This specially timed Acropolis tour gets you to the top of the ancient citadel to enjoy the Parthenon without the crowds.
Highlights
- Morning tour: See the Parthenon before the crowds by using skip-the-line, first-entry tickets and following our special itinerary that gets you to the top of the Acropolis for the first viewing of the day.
- Afternoon tour: Enjoy the Parthenon in peace after the crowds have left with our special itinerary and skip-the-line tickets.
- Explore the Acropolis with an expert guide and see the Monumental Gateway, Erechtheum, Theater of Dionysus and Herodes Atticus, as well as panoramic views over the city.
- Skip the line at the New Acropolis Museum for a guided tour featuring the original Parthenon Marbles, the Caryatids and access to the underground excavations.
- With all-inclusive tickets, you can leave your wallet at home!
Full description
This Acropolis tour uses a special itinerary to ensure that you see the Parthenon without the crowds. It also includes the other major attractions of the Acropolis and a guided visit to the New Acropolis Museum where you’ll see the Parthenon friezes and other beautiful statues from antiquity. The perfect tour for both history buffs and casual visitors, with the choice of a morning or evening tour, for a serene way to experience one of history’s most iconic sights.
Take a special itinerary to view the Parthenon sans crowds
Explore the Parthenon at its quietest on this specially designed tour of the Acropolis and New Acropolis Museum in the early morning or evening. Get up early and be among the first people of the day to the top of the Acropolis or experience the Parthenon after all the large tour groups have left. Either way, you're guaranteed an unforgettable experience at Athens' most iconic landmark.
For those who opt for the morning tour, begin the day meeting your local guide and small group of no more than 15 people near the Acropolis. You'll skip the line and head inside just as the gates are opening. Passing other Acropolis walking tours that pause to visit temples and monuments on the way up the hill, you’ll go straight to the main event. As you stand in the shadow of the Parthenon with virtually no one else around, your guide will tell you its millennia-spanning story and reveal some of its secrets, including why it has never been replicated.
Next, follow your guide back down the hill to enjoy the other attractions on the Acropolis, including the Erechtheon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Theater of Dionysus (the oldest theater in the world) and the Theater of Herodes Atticus. You’ll also enjoy stunning views over the Greek Agora, which was once the civic center of the ancient city.
Explore the Parthenon at its quietest on this specially designed tour of the Acropolis and New Acropolis Museum in the early morning or evening. Get up early and be among the first people of the day to the top of the Acropolis or experience the Parthenon after all the large tour groups have left. Either way, you're guaranteed an unforgettable experience at Athens' most iconic landmark.
For those who opt for the morning tour, begin the day meeting your local guide and small group of no more than 15 people near the Acropolis. You'll skip the line and head inside just as the gates are opening. Passing other Acropolis walking tours that pause to visit temples and monuments on the way up the hill, you’ll go straight to the main event. As you stand in the shadow of the Parthenon with virtually no one else around, your guide will tell you its millennia-spanning story and reveal some of its secrets, including why it has never been replicated.
Next, follow your guide back down the hill to enjoy the other attractions on the Acropolis, including the Erechtheon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Theater of Dionysus (the oldest theater in the world) and the Theater of Herodes Atticus. You’ll also enjoy stunning views over the Greek Agora, which was once the civic center of the ancient city.
At the foot of the Acropolis, you’ll enter the New Acropolis Museum with skip-the-line tickets to see a carefully selected collection of the artistic treasures that once adorned the hill. The highlights are the Caryatids, enormous statues of women what once supported the entablature of the Erechtheion (the ones you saw on the actual temple are recreations) and the Parthenon Marbles. You will also get to explore the archeological excavations with access to the underground area of the museum. Your guide, a passionate art and history expert, will tell you the stories behind the stones and help you appreciate why we still consider these to be among the greatest works of art.
If you prefer an evening tour, this is where you'll begin: the New Acropolis Museum. Follow your expert guide on a perfectly curated route of the museum to discover archeological marvels that will help you understand the next part of the tour at the Acropolis. After visiting the museum, you'll skip the line at the gates of the Acropolis and go straight to the Parthenon. At this point, the crowds have left and the sun is beginning to set so you can enjoy the temple and its views of Athens in peace. After years of perfecting our tour route, you're guaranteed a more relaxed and crowd-free experience with our morning or afternoon Acropolis tour.
Sites Visited:
If you prefer an evening tour, this is where you'll begin: the New Acropolis Museum. Follow your expert guide on a perfectly curated route of the museum to discover archeological marvels that will help you understand the next part of the tour at the Acropolis. After visiting the museum, you'll skip the line at the gates of the Acropolis and go straight to the Parthenon. At this point, the crowds have left and the sun is beginning to set so you can enjoy the temple and its views of Athens in peace. After years of perfecting our tour route, you're guaranteed a more relaxed and crowd-free experience with our morning or afternoon Acropolis tour.
Sites Visited:
- Acropolis
- Parthenon
- Erechtheum
- Monumental Gateway
- Temple of Athena Nike
- Theater of Dionysus
- Theater of Herodes Atticus
- New Acropolis Museum
- Underground excavations
- Parthenon Marbles
- Caryatids
- Finds from the sanctuaries from the slopes of Acropolis
Included / Excluded
- Skip the line tickets to the Acropolis
- Skip-the-line tickets to the New Acropolis Museum
- Headsets
- English-speaking guide
- Hotel Pick-Up / Drop-Off
- Gratuities
Meeting point
Start Location
Manga Cafe, Athanasiou Diakou 2, Athens, GR
This tour meets in front of Manga Cafe, Athanasiou Diakou 2, Athina 117 42. The cafe is located next to the Acropolis Metro (subway) stop. When exiting the subway take the exit "Maykryianni / Athanasiou Diakou".
Get directions →Important information
Know before you book
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments, or for wheelchairs or strollers. Please contact the Guest Experience team at info@walks.org or call +1-202-684-69163 (International) or 888-683-8670 (USA) to make alternative arrangements.
- Walks comply with all local government regulations. You may need to wear a mask or provide proof of vaccination to enter certain venues. Please refer to Athens government guidelines for the most up to date information
Know before you go
- Please note that the tour meeting time is 15 minutes prior to the start time. No refunds or re-bookings can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows after tour commencement or departure.
- At all archeological & museum sites: no drinks (except water) or food is allowed.
- Please note that only small backpacks and regular-size handbags are allowed inside the New Arcopolis Museum and will have to be left at the bag check desk.
- Walks comply with all local government regulations. You may need to wear a mask or provide proof of vaccination to enter certain venues. Please refer to Athens government guidelines for the most up to date information
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 72 hours before the activity starts
Cancellations received greater than 72 hours prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 72 hours of tour commencement are nonrefundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes. Late arrivals and no shows are nonrefundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive, or arrives after tour departure.
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Additional information
Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments, or for wheelchairs or strollers. Please contact the Guest Experience team at info@walks.org or call +1-202-684-69163 (International) or 888-683-8670 (USA) to make alternative arrangements.