First Access Acropolis Tour, Beat the Crowds, Enjoy the Parthenon
Description
Join our Early Bird Acropolis Tour and beat the heat and crowds! Starting from the main entrance, we'll head straight to the Parthenon and see the famous Caryatids at the Erechteion. Our licensed guide will share fascinating myths and historical facts about these iconic monuments as you enjoy panoramic 360 views of Athens. We'll then head towards the south entrance, passing by the Asklepeion, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and Dionysus Theatre. Capture more stunning views and delve deeper into the Acropolis's rich history. Please note, even in the morning, it can still be hot and crowded and that even with our skip-the-ticket-line service, there might be some waiting time required for security checks. This is because visitor numbers can fluctuate unpredictably at the sites throughout the day. The typical waiting time falls within 0 to 10 or 30 minutes, though on rare occasions, it might be longer.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Perched majestically above Athens, the Acropolis is an ancient citadel on a rocky hill, inviting visitors to explore iconic temples like the Parthenon and discover the birthplace of Western civilization.
The Propylaea serves as the entrance gate to the Acropolis, impressively framed by a marble structure that adds to the grandeur of this sacred monument. With the guidance of your expert tour guide, you'll gain insight into how the Propylaea may have appeared in ancient times, allowing you to visualize the splendor and significance of this iconic gateway.
Positioned prominently to the right of the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike stands as a captivating monument with equally intriguing myths surrounding its creation. On our tour, you'll have the opportunity to learn about the fascinating history and significance of this temple.
Named after the mythical king of Athens, Erechtheus, the Erechtheion is a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. This significant temple holds many secrets and is home to some of the most well-known myths about Athens.
The Parthenon, an unparalleled masterpiece of beauty and unique architecture that has dominated the center of Athens for over 2,000 years. During the tour, our knowledgeable guides will share captivating myths, stories, and historical facts about this amazing building, providing insight into the cultural and architectural significance of the Parthenon.
A Roman theater constructed by Herodes Atticus as a tribute to his beloved wife, Wide Aspasia. But was it solely an act of love or something more? Join us on our tour to uncover the secrets behind this stunning monument
Dedicated to the god of wine and fertility, Dionysus, it holds the honor of being the birthplace of theater. Athenians flocked to this open-air amphitheater to witness plays by renowned Greek playwrights, including Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Strict Acropolis entry times mean we can't wait for latecomers. No refunds will be given.
- All visitors undergo airport-style security; expect peak season waits of up to 30+ minutes.
- Cutoff times sync with Athens local time.
- Tours run rain or shine.
- If you selected the WITHOUT ticket option follow the instructions on your voucher to purchase the tickets
- When entrance to the Acropolis is free, the cost of the entrance fee is already deducted from the tour price
Reviews(214)
Margarita was friendly and very Knowledgable. 1st tour of the day was great cause it was cooler and less crowded . Highly recommend this tour
Get there on time! 7:45am. Use the bathroom before you enter. Entry starts at 8 but the company arrives very early and secures the first spot in line for your group. Bring a small water and phone to take pictures. Don’t bring a big bag and you will get through security quick. Early is better. Beat heat and crowds. Better pics!!
This was misleading the way it was advertised. This tour was $90 which I thought included a museum ticket. Of course if I’m doing a Parthenon tour it should include a ticket to that! Not sure why it was 60$ more! Should have just done the regular tour for $30!
Dear Jennifer, Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing confusion. We strive to be as clear as possible about our offerings: the tour provides different options, which are clearly stated and detailed in the inclusions descriptions. Guests have the option to book either with or without the site entrance ticket, as some may have already purchased their tickets. When selected, our pricing covers the expert-guided tour and the site entrance ticket (30 euros), which directly supports the preservation of these ancient landmarks (some guests, such as EU youth or seniors, may also be eligible for reduced site tickets independently). It is not possible that the single price of the tour includes the cost of the site entrance. We appreciate your feedback as we continuously work to make our tour listings as straightforward as possible. Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Strong walkers suggested but the guide, Apollon did take some shade breaks. He was very knowledgeable and nice to my son :)
Hi Alex, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! Apollon is fantastic, and we're so glad his depth of knowledge—and thoughtful shade breaks—made the hike enjoyable for both you and your son. Keeping everyone cool, comfortable, and engaged is definitely key on that tour! Thank you for exploring with us, and we wish you and your family safe and happy travels ahead! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Hermes made this one of the best guided tours I’ve ever taken. He has an incredible ability to bring the history of the Acropolis to life with fascinating stories, while keeping the tour engaging and easy to follow. His sense of humor made the experience even more enjoyable—we were laughing throughout, but also learned so much. You can tell he’s deeply knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about Greek history. He answered every question with enthusiasm and made even complex topics accessible. The pacing was perfect, and I left with a much deeper appreciation of the Acropolis than I would have had exploring it on my own. If you’re visiting Athens, I highly recommend choosing a tour with Hermes. He’s funny, charismatic, and an exceptional guide who turns a great site into an unforgettable experience.
Hey Anya, Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a glowing review! Hermes really has a magical way of blending rich history with sharp humor, and we are happy to hear he made this one of the best guided tours you've ever taken! Bringing ancient Greece to life with great storytelling and lots of laughs is his specialty, and we're so glad you left with such a deep appreciation for the Acropolis. Thank you for the high recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
This was the best way to visit the Acropolis - we beat the heat and the crowds and it was very enjoyable. Being able to watch the Greek Army march down the Acropolis after raising the Greek Flag was a highlight! Our guide was very knowledgeable and considerate of our group - allowing us to roam and explore, but getting us back together (in the shade) to learn more.
Hello Christine, What a fantastic experience! Catching that morning flag-raising ceremony with the Greek Guard is such a special, memorable moment to witness at the Acropolis. We’re so glad you enjoyed beating the heat and crowds, and that our guide hit that perfect balance between shaded learning and free exploration time. Thank you so much for the wonderful review! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
We had Effie as our tour guide and it was 100 percent worth it. We went for 8 am tour, we got in without waiting in a line and she was very knowledgeable on everything. Would highly recommend this.
Hi Lena, Now that's the kind of endorsement we love to see! "Don't even think, just book it" might just have to become our new official slogan. We are so excited to hear Effie's knowledge made the early wake-up and tour 100 percent worth it for you. Skipping those long lines is definitely the way to go! Thank you so much for the glowing recommendation and for exploring with us. Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Theodora was an awesome tour guide. We learned a lot on this trip! Thank you! Skip the line early morning is the only way to go. By 10am the place was packed!
Hello Heidi, That early morning slot before the 10am crowds roll in is absolute perfection! We are so excited to hear that you loved the tour and learned so much with Theodora. Thank you for the great advice to fellow travelers and for exploring the Acropolis with us! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
When you book a beat the line experience you are are often still in the line - but we were first up. It felt like we were on our own and the tour guide was stellar. Right pace, great humour and check ins throughout. A stunning place to visit and one of the best starts to a holiday I’ve had in some time.
Hey Andrew, Now that is how you start a holiday in style! Being first at the top and feeling like you have the Parthenon all to yourselves is magic, and we're so happy our guide nailed the pacing, humor, and check-ins to make it seamless. Thank you so much for the fantastic review—we hope the rest of your trip was just as incredible! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Annie is a good guide. Recommended to get the early tour, so the Acropolis is not too crowded and you can get good photos.
Hi Piotr, Spot on advice! Catching that early slot with Annie is the absolute secret to getting those crowd-free Parthenon photos and beating the Greek sun. Annie will be so glad to hear you enjoyed your time with her. Thanks a lot for taking the time to leave a review and for touring with us! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
