Athens & Acropolis Highlights: Greek Mythology Small-Group Tour
Description
**Smallest group size in Athens!** History & Myth meet in Athens! Discover the greatest landmarks of Athens & their surrounding myths! Enjoy a unique mythological tour, suitable for all ages, that will help you understand how Athens became the mythical city we know today. Learn about Greek gods and heroes and discover what really hides behind the universal myths. At the same time visit the best landmarks and sites in Athens, such as: The Acropolis (Parthenon, theater of Dionysus, temple of Athena Nike, temple of Erechtheion, sanctuary of Asclepius), the Ancient Agora and the temple of Hephaestus and the Olympian Zeus’ temple!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Located between the Acropolis and the Ilissos river, the colossal Olympeion was one of the greatest ancient temples of Zeus and one of the most famous marble buildings in the ancient World. We will talk about the Temple and its stories from the outside.
The greatest and finest sanctuary of ancient Athens, dedicated primarily to its patron, the goddess Athena, has been dominating the centre of the city for millenia. The monuments of the Acropolis (the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechteion, the Propylae, the Theater of Dionysus,...), all unique masterpieces of ancient architecture, have influenced art and culture for many centuries and stand in harmony with their natural setting.
Dionysus was the god of wine and grape harvest. The theatre of Dionysus was the oldest to be founded in Athens; it was in this theatre that the unsurpassed works by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes were performed for the first time.
The Temple of Athena Nike was dedicated to the goddesses Athena and Nike. Nike was the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, and Athena was worshipped in this form, representative of being victorious in war. It is said that the cult statue of the goddess at the temple had no wings so that she would never leave Athens.
The Erechtheion is an ancient Greek temple constructed on the Acropolis of Athens in order to house the ancient wooden cult statue of Athena and generally glorify the great city at the height of its power and influence.
The Parthenon is temple that dominates the hill of the Acropolis at Athens. It was built in the mid-5th century BCE and dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena Parthenos (“Athena the Virgin”). The temple is generally considered to be the culmination of the development of the Doric order, the simplest of the three Classical Greek architectural orders.
The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens, the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social activity, the religious and cultural centre, and the seat of justice.
The magnificent temple of Hephaestus, one of the best preserved ancient temples in the world, was the place of worship for two important deities for many merchants and shop owners of the Ancient Agora: god Hephaestus, protector of all metallurgists, and goddess Athena Ergani, protecting all potters and the cottage industries.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We can pre-purchase entry tickets for you, just let us know!
- Small group tour
- ID card or passport are required for people under the age of 25 for possible discounts
- Strollers, backpacks and big bags are not allowed at the Acropolis and should not be taken on the tour
- Entry fees are non-refundable, non-exchangeable
Reviews(2,471)
Ismini was great, found shady spots for us to sit before telling us historic details and Greek stories.
Beautiful guided tour of the main mythological sites of Athens, allowing for a good immersion. Tour done as a family (10 people). Adapted for everyone, even if the interaction with the children could be even greater (use of the provided map, treasure hunt-style search?). Price a bit high.
Phevos was a wonderful tour guide! He was so knowledgeable, entertaining and kind. Our family of adults and teens thoroughly enjoyed everything that we learned and seeing all of the amazing sites in Athens. Don’t miss this tour!
Our guide, Dora, captivated the imagination of our six grandchildren and held their attention for nearly three hours—a remarkable accomplishment. Through her engaging storytelling, she brought the mythology, history, and significance of the Acropolis and the Parthenon to life, making the experience fascinating for every member of our group, from the youngest to the oldest. Dora is an exceptional storyteller, an outstanding teacher, and a gifted guide. We highly recommend her
Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. She took care to make sure we happy and got to focus on the things we cared most about.
This was a great experience! Our tour guide Vikki was very knowledgeable and experienced. This tour was a great way to see the connection of the gods and goddesses and the places created for them. I would highly recommend this experience if you are interested in mythology! Make sure to take water with you!
This is a good excursion for a morning visiting the most fabulous ancient place of Athens. We had a great guide and the time for the activities is well coordinated
We had a great experience with Michael on this tour! He was great at pacing through all of the many sights, so we never felt rushed or like we were waiting. He was great at telling all the stories and making them come alive. It was so helpful to be able to pre purchase entry tickets as well. This tour will let you see all the main historic sights with entertaining background. Highly recommended!
This was an amazing tour and the tour guide was extremely knowledgeable of the historical significance of each site. This is a tour we definitely recommend.
**Athens, a city where history meets modernity!** I was pleasantly surprised by Athens. The city offers a unique blend of incredible historical sites, such as the Acropolis and the Pláka neighborhood, and a modern vibe with numerous cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. The locals are welcoming, the Greek cuisine is excellent, and the sunsets from the heights of the city are magnificent. Walking through the streets allows you to discover both iconic monuments and lively, charming neighborhoods. I recommend planning at least 2 to 3 days to enjoy the main sites while taking the time to savor the local atmosphere. Despite the tourist crowds in high season, Athens remains an authentic destination that is well worth the detour. An experience that I recommend to anyone who wishes to combine culture, gastronomy, and sunshine.
