Greece · City Tours

Best of Athens Full Day Private Tour

9 Hours Pickup service provided in Athens. to Drop-off service provided in Athens. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Private full-day tour of Athens’ top ancient and modern landmarks
  • 02 Visit the Acropolis, including the Parthenon, Propylaea, Erechtheion, and Theatre of Dionysus
  • 03 Explore major cultural sites such as the Acropolis Museum and National Archaeological Museum
  • 04 See the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Arch of Hadrian, and Panathenaic Stadium
  • 05 Enjoy panoramic views over Athens from Lycabettus Hill
  • 06 Watch the guards at the Hellenic Parliament and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  • 07 Spend time in the historic neighborhoods of Plaka and Monastiraki
  • 08 Travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board

Discover Athens in comfort on a full-day private tour that brings together the city’s most iconic ancient landmarks, major museums, and vibrant historic neighborhoods. From the Acropolis and its masterpieces to the Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora, and the National Archaeological Museum, this experience offers a rich introduction to the history, architecture, and culture of the Greek capital.

Along the way, enjoy panoramic city views from Lycabettus Hill, see Syntagma Square and the changing of the guard at the Hellenic Parliament, and spend time in atmospheric districts such as Plaka and Monastiraki. With private transportation, pickup and drop-off in Athens, and the flexibility of a private experience, this tour is an easy and rewarding way to explore the city’s highlights in a single day.

On the top of this sacred hill, proudly stands the Parthenon, which is the epitome of ancient Greek architecture, where you will experience the greatness of ancient Greece captured on every piece of marble.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Hours
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Yes
City Athens
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Acropolis

Walk on the land in which thousands of years ago some of the largest and most important parts of the global philosophy, politics, and science were born and flourished. Navigate ancient monuments of priceless cultural and historical value and experience in person the greatness and glamour of Greek ancient times. Starting off with the Acropolis, which in Greek translates to the edge of the city, the geographically and spiritually highest point according to ancient Greeks.

Propylaea

The Propylaea was the monumental gateway to the Acropolis of Athens and was one of several public works commissioned by the Athenian leader Pericles in order to rebuild the Acropolis a generation after the conclusion of the Persian Wars.

Parthenon

On the top of this sacred hill, proudly stands the Parthenon, which is the epitome of ancient Greek architecture, where you will experience the greatness of ancient Greece captured on every piece of marble. An architectural jewel that hosts the best of what the human spirit and genius has ever conceived, an open embrace that awaits its famed sister marbles to welcome them home again.

Erechtheion

The Erechtheion is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens in Greece which was dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon.

Temple of Athena Nike

The Temple of Athena Nike is a temple on the Acropolis of Athens, dedicated to the goddesses Athena and Nike. Built around 420 BC, the temple is the earliest fully Ionic temple on the Acropolis. It has a prominent position on a steep bastion at the southwest corner of the Acropolis to the right of the entrance, the Propylaea. In contrast to the Acropolis proper, a walled sanctuary entered through the Propylaea, the Victory Sanctuary was open, entered from the Propylaea's southwest wing and from a narrow stair on the north. The sheer walls of its bastion were protected on the north, west, and south by the Nike Parapet, named for its frieze of Nikai celebrating victory and sacrificing to their patroness, Athena and Nike.

Theatre of Dionysus

The Theatre of Dionysus is an ancient Greek theatre in Athens. It is built on the south slope of the Acropolis hill, originally part of the sanctuary of Dionysus Eleuthereus. The first orchestra terrace was constructed on the site around the mid- to late-sixth century BC, where it hosted the City Dionysia. The theatre reached its fullest extent in the fourth century BC under the epistates of Lycurgus when it would have had a capacity of up to 17,000, and was in continuous use down to the Roman period. The theatre then fell into decay in the Byzantine era and was not identified, excavated, and restored to its current condition until the nineteenth century.

Odeon of Herodes Atticus

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone Roman theater structure located on the southwest slope of the Acropolis of Athens. The building was completed in 161 AD and then renovated in 1950.

Acropolis Museum

At the foot of the Acropolis Hill in the shadow of the imposing Parthenon lays a modern jewel that houses some of the most important ancient Greek statues and works of art, the Acropolis Museum.

Arch of Hadrian

The Arch of Hadrian, most commonly known in Greek as Hadrian's Gate, is a monumental gateway resembling a Roman triumphal arch. It spanned an ancient road from the center of Athens, Greece, to the complex of structures on the eastern side of the city that included the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Between the Acropolis and the Ilisos River are the remains of the Olympian Zeus Temple (now known as the Pillars of Olympian Zeus), one of Athens’ most important and oldest shrines. The space even today gives the visitor a sense of grandeur.

Panathenaic Stadium

Continuing with the stunning Calimarmaro or as it is called today, the Panathenaic Stadium, the house of the first modern Olympic games, made of Pentelic marble in which the Olympic ideals are still reflected today.

Mount Lycabettus

After leaving the beautiful Calimarmaro behind us, we will drive up to Lycabettus hill where you will enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the city and admire the combination of ancient and modern Athens from above.

Syntagma Square

Syntagma Square (Constitution Square) is the central square of Athens. 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.[2] It is located in front of the 19th century Old Royal Palace, housing the Greek Parliament since 1934. Syntagma Square is the most important square of modern Athens from both a historical and social point of view, at the heart of commercial activity and Greek politics. The name Syntagma alone also refers to the neighbourhood surrounding the square.

Hellenic Parliament

Traveling thousands of years ahead, to the Hellenic Parliament building that houses the Greek Parliament in an impressive building in downtown Athens overseeing Syntagma Square, protected by the presidential guard that consists of two soldiers dressed in the traditional Greek combat uniform, standing stationary and guarding beside the tomb of the unknown soldier. The two guards perform the guard change ceremony every hour with impressive accuracy and agility. 

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a war memorial located in Syntagma Square in Athens, in front of the Old Royal Palace. It is a cenotaph dedicated to the Greek soldiers killed during war. It was sculpted between 1930 and 1932 by sculptor Fokion Rok. The tomb is guarded by the Evzones of the Presidential Guard.

Academy of Athens

The Academy of Athens is Greece's national academy and the highest research establishment in the country. It was established in 1926 and operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Education. The Academy's main building is one of the major landmarks of Athens.

National Library of Greece

The National Library of Greece is situated near the center of the city of Athens. It was designed by the Danish architect Theophil Freiherr von Hansen, as part of his famous Trilogy of neo-classical buildings including the Academy of Athens and the original building of the Athens University. It was founded by Ioannis Kapodistrias.

National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum in Athens 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.

Old Parliament House

The Old Parliament House at Stadiou Street in Athens housed the Greek Parliament between 1875 and 1935. It now houses the country's National Historical Museum.

Plaka

The old historical neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, and incorporating labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture. Plaka is built on top of the residential areas of the ancient town of Athens. It is known as the "Neighborhood of the Gods" due to its proximity to the Acropolis and its many archaeological sites.

Monastiraki

Free time for lunch at a traditional Greek tavern with your friends and family or shopping.

Ancient Agora of Athens

The ancient Agora of Athens is the best-known example of an ancient Greek agora, located to the northwest of the Acropolis and bounded on the south by the hill of the Areopagus and on the west by the hill known as the Agoraios Kolonos, also called Market Hill. The Agora's initial use was for a commercial, assembly, or residential gathering place and is considered the birthplace of democracy, philosophy and free speech.

Museum of the Ancient Agora

A small museum where you can see findings from Ancient Athenians' daily life.

Temple of Hephaestus

The Temple of Hephaestus or Hephaisteion is a well-preserved Greek temple as it remains standing largely intact. It is a Doric peripteral temple and is located at the northwest side of the Agora of Athens, on top of the Agoraios Kolonos hill. From the 7th century until 1834, it served as the Greek Orthodox church of Saint George Akamates.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Pickup service provided in Athens. to Drop-off service provided in Athens. 1 city · 9 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Professional drivers with deep knowledge of history (Not licensed to accompany you in any site)
  • Private transportation
  • Hotel/ port pickup and drop-off
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • WiFi on board
  • Bottled water
  • Lunch (With Greek Traditional Food option)

What's Not Included

  • Licensed tour guide - upon request and depending on availability
  • Acropolis of Athens (must be purchased in advance due to limited availability - available upon request or can be pre-booked using the links provided on your ticket/ voucher)
  • Acropolis Museum (available upon request or can be pre-booked using the links provided on your ticket/ voucher)
  • Ancient Agora of Athens (available upon request or can be pre-booked using the links provided on your ticket/ voucher or purchased directly on-site)
  • Archaeological Museum (available upon request or can be pre-booked using the links provided on your ticket/ voucher or purchased directly on-site)

Know before you go

  • WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
  • STROLLER OR PRAM ACCESSIBLE
  • ANIMALS OR PETS ALLOWED
  • INFANTS MUST SIT ON LAPS
  • INFANT SEATS AVAILABLE
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Our drivers are not official tour guides, but they are knowledgeable and can provide fascinating commentary in fluent English. Although they will not enter the archaeological sites with you, they can answer all of your questions about the places you visit with this tour.
  • Third party activities and especially extreme sports are not allowed during the tour. This can be a cause for immediate cancellation of the tour.
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off upon request (Additional cost)
  • We can provide you with the skip-the-line tickets upon request or you can pre-purchase them by following the links on your ticket/ voucher. The availability is limited and the tickets must be pre-purchased timely.
  • LINKS FOR THE TICKETS
    Acropolis of Athens
    This is the most important ticket to purchase in advance, as availability is limited. Please select the time slot that follows the start time of your tour.
    Acropolis Museum
    This is also important to be purchased in advance, as availability is limited. Please select the time slot that follows the Acropolis of Athens time slot.
    Ancient Agora of Athens
    This ticket can be purchased on-site, as lines are typically short.
    National Archaeological Museum
    This ticket can be purchased on-site, as lines are typically short.
  • This is a private tour. Only your group will participate. The pick-up time is adjustable upon your request.
    Your driver will pick you up and return you to the same place or to the point you prefer.
    In case of a hotel, he will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby.
    In case of an apartment, he will be waiting for you at the entrance of the building.
    For port pick-up, he will be waiting for you at the gate, just as you disembark, holding a sign with your name on it to spot him upon arrival.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Athens.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Athens.
Tour end
Drop-off service provided in Athens.
End of the journey

Your 9 hours run from Pickup service provided in Athens. to Drop-off service provided in Athens..

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