Athens: Acropolis & Parthenon Guided Tour with Optional Museum
Description
Gain unique insights for the city’s past and present times from our expert English-speaking licensed tour guides, who are all locals and really passionate about what they do. Small groups guarantee a premium and entertaining experience.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Crowning Athens, the Acropolis is an ancient hilltop citadel where magnificent temples, like the Parthenon, unveil classical Greece's enduring legacy.
Breeze past the line and experience the thrill of seeing the Theater of Dionysus where many famous ancient comedies and tragedies were first performed.
Continue to the Roman Herodion theater which was built in memory of the wife of Herodes Atticus.
Climb up to the gateway of the Acropolis, the Propylaea.
Take in views of the Temple of Athena Nike.
Walk to the Parthenon which was dedicated to the goddess Athena, the patroness of the city of Athens. Admire this 5th-century zenith of the Doric order architecture.
Finally, see the Erechtheion which is a unique masterpiece of architecture mainly due to its asymmetrical composition, and its supports include 6 sculpted female figures.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- In an effort to ensure that you will avoid any kind of discomfort and most importantly that you will feel comfortable, our guides may change order of the sites you may visit.
- Choose the private option for a more intimate experience at a starting time that can be arranged upon request
- For the option without entry tickets, the activity provider will buy in advance the tickets for you so as to avoid queuing, so carry some cash with you. Otherwise you can buy the tickets yourself but please make sure to be on time at the meeting point for the tour to start as programmed
- Entrance tickets (if you select option with entry tickets included) to be handed by the guide in paper form on date and time of the visit, at the meeting point.
- We cannot use the elevator to the Acropolis on group tours
- Infants must be carried by their accompanying adult, as strollers are not permitted inside the Acropolis.
- All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult throughout the tour.
- This tour includes approximately one mile of walking over uneven terrain, with uphill and downhill sections, as well as around 200 steps.
- The Acropolis of Athens is a citadel built on top of a relatively steep hill which can be slippery at specific spots especially when raining.
- ID check required upon entry for reduced/free tickets holders
- Bring a bottle of water (no cafe-bar at the site, only a water fountain), a hat, sunglasses, and an umbrella on a rainy day.
- The Acropolis of Athens is a citadel built on top of a relatively steep hill which can be slippery at specific spots especially when raining.
- Not suitable for people with mobility impairments.
Reviews(399)
This sunday , one of my biggest dreams came true. As a Georgian, I grew up learning and listening to stories about ancient Greek mythology — the stories of Poseidon, Hades, Hermes, Zeus, their relationships, and their children. These stories have always fascinated me and have been a part of my imagination since childhood. This trip was a birthday gift because I had always dreamed of seeing the Caryatids with my own eyes. Today, that dream finally came true. I had the chance to see these magnificent women, some of the most beautiful and remarkable creations of the ancient world. At first, I thought I didn’t need a guide because I already knew so much about the history — what everything was, why it was built, and what had happened to these ancient sites over time. However, hiring a guide turned out to be the best decision I could have made. Our guide didn’t just explain the history; he brought every place to life. It felt as if I was witnessing the tragedies that happened there, seeing how patients were treated in ancient times, and standing among the great minds of history. It felt as if Aristotle and Plato were right there with us. I could almost imagine Poseidon himself demanding that a temple be built in his honor, threatening to flood the city if it wasn’t — a myth that has always made me smile and fascinated me. Our guide shared not only incredible stories but also made us laugh and truly enjoy every moment. He transformed a simple tour into an unforgettable journey through time. Thank you for taking me back to the past that I love so deeply. Thank you for introducing me to the first scientists and philosophers I have studied so much about, and for bringing to life the myths that I dreamed about as a child. This was not just a tour — it was a dream come true. With love, from Eti
I was concerned that we would not be able to fit it all into two hours but it turned out that two hours was perfect! Our guide was very knowledgable.
Dear Aaron, Thank you very much for your kind review! We are glad to hear that the two-hour format worked perfectly for you and that you were able to enjoy the experience without feeling rushed. It’s great to know your guide’s knowledge helped make the visit both smooth and enriching. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again in the future for another memorable experience in Athens. Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team Experience the Essence of Athens
The museum doesn’t need 2 hours. Neither does Acropolis . Maybe give options of quick museum or detailed museum as our WHOLE group was checked out or tired of too much talking and info. To each their own. Our guide was amazing and she was kind, friendly and thorough. We love Lydia 🥰🤗 thank you Lydia. Acropolis is beautiful and not too hard to walk up as it seems from the bottom.
Dear Traveler, Thank you very much for sharing your detailed feedback. We are truly glad to hear that you enjoyed your time with Lydia. She will be very happy to know that her kindness, friendliness, and thorough explanations made such a positive impression on your experience. We also appreciate your comments regarding the pacing of the Acropolis and Museum visit. Guest preferences can vary, and feedback like yours is very valuable as it helps us continually review how we structure our tours to better accommodate different comfort levels and interests. We are delighted that you found the Acropolis beautiful and more accessible than expected, and we hope the overall experience was still a memorable part of your time in Athens. Thank you again for your insights and for choosing to explore with us. Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team Experience the Essence of Athens
Chrysa led a great tour of the Acropolis! We did not do the museum, but we got a really good understanding of the history and architecture of Athens’s hilltop.
Dear Traveler, Thank you very much for your kind review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour of the Acropolis with Chrysa. She will be very happy to know that her explanations helped you gain a strong understanding of the history and architecture of this remarkable site. Even without the museum visit, it’s wonderful that you were still able to fully appreciate the significance of the Acropolis and its hilltop setting. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again in the future for more memorable experiences in Athens. Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team Experience the Essence of Athens
We enjoyed the tour with Jordan. He gave us context on everything and we left with knowledge that otherwise we would never know.
Dear Traveler, Thank you very much for your kind review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Jordan. Providing meaningful context and helping our guests truly understand what they are seeing is exactly what we aim for, and it’s wonderful to know that this made such a difference to your experience. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again in the future for more enriching moments in Athens. Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team Experience the Essence of Athens
Alexia was an excellent guide, attentive, friendly, and smiling; she immersed us in the world of ancient Greece with great enthusiasm, all beautifully accented by her Greek-Venetian accent. Highly recommended
Dear Traveler, Thank you so much for your lovely review! We are delighted to hear that Alexia made your experience so special. Her attentiveness, warmth, and enthusiasm for ancient Greek history truly shine through in every tour, and it’s wonderful to know she helped bring the world of Ancient Greece to life for you in such an engaging way. We also appreciate your kind mention of her unique Greek–Venetian accent—it certainly adds a charming touch to the storytelling! Thank you for your high recommendation. We hope to welcome you again for another memorable experience in Athens. Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team Experience the Essence of Athens
This tour was filled with excellent information, and our guide, Chrysa, was awesome. Not only was she knowledgeable, friendly, and personable, she also cared about the well-being of her tourists. She would find shade and seating for us whenever possible. I would wholeheartedly recommend this tour, and if you get Chrysa, you are in for a treat!
Dear Traveler, Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found the information excellent. It’s especially wonderful to know that Chrysa made such a positive impression—her knowledge, friendliness, and genuine care for guests’ comfort are qualities we truly value. We’re glad she ensured everyone stayed comfortable by finding shade and seating whenever possible, especially on warmer days. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with her. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you again for another great experience in the future! 😊🏛️ Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team, The Essence of Athens
Natasha was an amazing guide and made the experience even more worth it for our first time in Athens, I would 110% recommend this for anyone unsure (like I was previously) on whether a tour is the write choice for Acropolis but it is a must!
Dear Traveler, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that Natasha helped make your first visit to Athens such a memorable experience. It's especially rewarding to know that the tour exceeded your expectations and helped confirm that a guided visit to the Acropolis was the right choice. Natasha is passionate about bringing the history and stories of Athens to life, and we're delighted that her enthusiasm made such a positive impact. Thank you for your recommendation—it means a lot to us. We hope to welcome you back to Athens for another unforgettable experience in the future! 😊🏛️✨ Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team The essence of Greece
Lydia made the tour unforgettable- she was personable and highly knowledgeable throughout. I had just one afternoon free in Athens and this was fantastic
Dear Traveler, Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that Lydia made your tour unforgettable with her knowledge and personable approach. It's especially rewarding to know that we could help make the most of your limited time in Athens. We'll be sure to share your kind words with Lydia. We hope to welcome you back for a longer visit in the future! Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
Natasha was an amazing tour guide. She was full of knowledge and kindness. A little humor too! Today's tour was a wonderful learning experience about the history of Athens and Greece. Highly recommend this tour.
Dear Traveler, Thank you for your kind review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful experience with Natasha. Her knowledge, warmth, and sense of humor truly make every tour special. We're delighted you enjoyed learning about the rich history of Athens and Greece, and we greatly appreciate your recommendation. We hope to welcome you back on another tour in the future! Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
