Best of Athens Half Day Private Tour





Description
Explore the timeless wonders of Athens and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history and culture as we journey through iconic landmarks. From the majestic Acropolis, where the Parthenon stands as a testament to ancient civilization, to the historic Plaka district with its charming streets and vibrant atmosphere, this tour encapsulates the essence of Athens. Marvel at the intricate craftsmanship of the Erechtheion and delve into the heart of ancient Athens at the Agora, once the bustling marketplace and agora of Athenian democracy. With personalized attention from your expert guide, uncover hidden gems and fascinating anecdotes that bring each site to life. • Take the hassle out of seeing Athens with the freedom of a private tour • Get the personalized experience of a private tour • Customize the itinerary to suit your interests and preferences • Gain a thorough perspective of Athens' key landmarks • Enjoy the comfort of an air-conditioned private car with WiFi available onboard
Tour Options
Itinerary
Pick up from your hotel, apartment, Airbnb in Athens or Piraeus port
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 (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.
View of the national guards and the monument of the unknown soldier. Quick stop for a photo.
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.
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.
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.
The University of Athens has been in continuous operation since its establishment in 1837 and is the oldest higher education institution of the modern Greek state and the first contemporary university in both the Balkan Peninsula and the Eastern Mediterranean. Today it is one of the largest universities by enrollment in Europe, with over 69,000 registered students. The University of Athens was founded on 3 May 1837 by King Otto of Greece and was named in his honour Othonian University. It was the first university in the liberated Greek state and in the surrounding area of Southeast Europe as well. It was also the second academic institution after the Ionian Academy. This fledgling university consisted of four faculties; Theology, Law, Medicine and Arts (which included applied sciences and mathematics). During its first year of operation, the institution was staffed by 33 professors, while courses were attended by 52 students and 75 non-matriculated "auditors".
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.
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.
Optional visit for 1 hour by selecting the "Best of + Acropolis Museum 5H" or the "Best of + Museum + Agora 6H" option of this tour. The entrance tickets are not included. After exploring the Acropolis, visit the Acropolis Museum nearby. Discover a vast collection of artifacts and sculptures from the Acropolis, including the original Caryatids, Parthenon friezes, and other treasures of ancient Greece.
Optional visit for 30 minutes at the Ancient Agora by selecting the "Best of + Anc. Agora 5H" or the "Best of + Museum + Agora 6H" option of this tour. The Ancient Agora was the heart of public life in ancient Athens. It served as a marketplace and a civic center where people gathered for social, political, and commercial activities. Here, you can see the remains of various buildings, including the Stoa of Attalos, the Temple of Hephaestus, and the Bouleuterion (Council House). The entrance tickets are not included.
Optional visit for 30 minutes at the Temple of Hephaestus by selecting the "Best of + Anc. Agora 5H" or the "Best of + Museum + Agora 6H" option of this tour. This beautifully preserved temple is situated on the west side of the Ancient Agora in Athens. Built in the 5th century BC, it is dedicated to Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths and craftsmanship. The temple's excellent condition allows visitors to get a glimpse of ancient Greek architectural style. The entrance tickets are not included.
Optional visit for 1 hour at the National Archaeological Museum by selecting the "Best of + Arch. Museum 5H" option of this tour. The total duration of the tour by selecting this option is about 5 hours. The entrance tickets are not included. Explore the vast collection of ancient artifacts and treasures at the National Archaeological Museum, one of the most important museums in the world.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
This private tour is exclusively for your group, ensuring a personalized and flexible experience. Pickup time can be adjusted upon request. Your driver can pick you up and drop you off either at the same location or at different locations of your choice within Athens. * Hotel pickups: Your driver will be waiting in the hotel lobby. * Apartment pickups: Your driver will be waiting outside the building entrance. * Cruise port pickups: Your driver will meet you at the disembarkation gate, holding a sign with your name for easy identification.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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.
Reviews(449)
It was a very nice morning activity, it gave me a good orientation of the city. A perfect introduction to the city!
The tour gave us a fantastic overview of everything we should see while staying in Athens but what made really made the day was our tour guide, Costa. He was an absolute encyclopedia of knowledge, which only added to our excitement and awe of this amazing city. This is a great option to get you started and Costa should be your first choice to guide you on this journey. Thank you Costa from the bottom of our hearts…Rachel, Carolyn and Liam.
This was the perfect tour. We were picked up and dropped up on time and Nick was the perfect guide. He was flexible and very relaxed with what we wanted to do. Highly recommended!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great experience and that everything went smoothly from pick-up to drop-off. We’re especially happy to hear that Nick made your tour so enjoyable. His flexibility, relaxed approach, and willingness to tailor the experience to your preferences are exactly what we want our guests to experience. Thank you for your recommendation and for choosing us for your Athens tour. We truly appreciate it and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Athens again in the future!
We had a wonderful time with Dimitris on our Athens tour. He was very knowledgeable and extremely pleasant. I couldn't imagine doing this sightseeing with 2 teens and a toddler without such a guide. The vehicle was comfortable and we appreciated the water. When visitng Athens, this tour is a must do!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a great time exploring Athens with Dimitris. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with him — his knowledge, friendly personality, and ability to make the experience enjoyable for the whole family are exactly what we aim for. We’re especially happy to hear that the tour worked so well for your family with two teenagers and a toddler. Exploring Athens with children can be challenging, and having a comfortable vehicle, a flexible approach, and a knowledgeable guide makes all the difference. We’re also glad you appreciated the water and comfort of the vehicle, especially while sightseeing in Athens. Thank you for recommending our tour and for choosing us to be part of your Athens experience. We hope to welcome you and your family back to Greece again in the future!
We had a wonderful half day with Thananis. He was very friendly and was more than happy to go at our own pace whilst we picked off my list of places to see. He recommended a fantastic place for lunch and was a great driver. He gave us lots of interesting information and history about Athens with some personal insight of family life in the city. A great trip, thank you Thananis!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great half day with Thananis. It’s fantastic to know that he was able to tailor the tour to your pace and help you make the most of your list of places to see. We’re also glad you enjoyed his local insights, stories about life in Athens, and the lunch recommendation! We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Thananis. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back to Athens again soon!
Great experience felt like a VIP everywhere we went. Our tour guide Spyros was amazing, he explained everything as we went along, took us to all the best spots and made the tour so much better.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you felt like a VIP throughout the experience and that Spyros made your tour so enjoyable with his knowledge, explanations, and local insights. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Spyros. It means a lot to our team to know that he helped make your visit to Athens so memorable. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back to Greece again soon!
Alex was amazing! He was very knowledgeable about the history of Athens. It was a good mix of driving and walking and provided us with plenty of water to cool off from the heat. I highly recommend Alex for his personable, professional, and caring personality.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a great experience on your Best of Athens Half Day Private Tour with Alex. It’s fantastic to know that his knowledge of Athens’ history, along with the balance of driving and walking, made your tour both enjoyable and informative. We’re also glad the chilled water helped keep you comfortable in the summer heat. Your kind words about Alex’s personable, professional, and caring approach mean a great deal to us. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back to Greece for another memorable experience!
Our driver and guide, Alex, was the absolute best. He called, picked us (a family of six) up at the Ferry and took us on a half day tour of Athens. He kept us hydrated with chilled waters throughout the afternoon and delivered us right to the sights we needed to see, gave us background and history and truly welcomed us to Athens. Alex made sure we felt taken care of throughout the tour. He made our afternoon in Athens amazing. I’m booking this service for transfer to the airport tomorrow.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that Alex made your family's time in Athens so memorable. It’s great to know you enjoyed the personalized service, local insights, and comfortable experience throughout the tour. Your kind words mean a lot to us, and we truly appreciate you choosing us again for your airport transfer. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow and wish you a fantastic trip!
Great tour. Informative and Demiti was easy to understand.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are truly delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience with us. Your kind words are greatly appreciated and serve as a wonderful motivation for our entire team to continue delivering exceptional service. It was our pleasure to be part of your visit to Greece, and we sincerely hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again on a future trip. We wish you all the best and hope to see you again soon!
Michael was always prompt and informative. We had a great time!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are truly delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience with us. Your kind words are greatly appreciated and serve as a wonderful motivation for our entire team to continue delivering exceptional service. It was our pleasure to be part of your visit to Greece, and we sincerely hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again on a future trip. We wish you all the best and hope to see you again soon!



