Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon and Acropolis Museum Guided Tour
Description
Travel back in time on a 4 hours Skip-the-line informative and fun tour to the most significant monument in Athens. This tour is guided by an English speaking field expert and licensed tour guide. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Acropolis of Athens through a journey into history, mythology and storytelling. The tour continues with a visit to the Acropolis Museum, which has been ranked among the top Museums in the world. All the original surviving masterpieces from the temples of the Acropolis are displayed with the use of natural light. Excavations are also visible under glass floors and walkways.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet your guide at our office at Mitseon 2, Athens, 11742, at least 15 minutes before the starting time of the tour and start the tour with a visit to the Acropolis hill. On your way up, you will visit the Dionysus Theater, where all the famous ancient dramas and tragedies were first performed. You will walk around the stunning Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and the sanctuary of the healing god Asclepius. On the top of the hill you will visit the Propylea, the Temple of Nike, the Erechtheion Temple, and of course the Parthenon; the symbol of democracy and western civilization. Dating back to 5th century B.C, these monuments are testimonials of the glorious ancient Athens and the Golden Age of Pericles. Take a short break before you continue to the Acropolis Museum, during which you can use the bathroom.
Right after the Acropolis tour you will have the opportunity to visit the Acropolis Museum located just a few minutes walk from the Acropolis site. On the ground floor the exhibited artifacts reveal to you facets of the Athenian daily life; you get to know the wedding customs, the children's favorite toys, the healing techniques, the religious practices. On the first floor, you will experience standing at a breathing distance from the mysterious archaic statues of the 6th century B.C that once adorned the Acropolis. Be fascinated by walking next to the Caryatids and huge pieces of the Acropolis entrance. At the last floor, next to the breathtaking view of the Acropolis, one can admire the original unique in concept and artistic excellence Parthenon frieze.
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.
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.
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
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair and strollers accessible; not suitable for people with mobility impairments, children under 6, pregnant travelers, or those with serious medical conditions
- If you opted for the "WITHOUT tickets" choice, please bring cash to purchase your admission ticket at our check-in spot just before the tour. We can reserve tickets for your designated time as long as you let us know in advance that you will get them from us. Otherwise you must buy them on your own from the official sites at least 24 hours before the tour. When you book the option without entrance tickets, ask for instructions about the correct time slot of the tickets, before you buy them on you own.
- Elevator use to the Acropolis is not permitted on group tours
- Our guides may adjust the order of sites for your comfort
- Choose the private option for a more flexible start time
- Entrance tickets: If you booked with tickets, your guide will hand them to you at the meeting point. If you booked without tickets, please buy them online at least 24h in advance (ask us for the correct time slot), or you may purchase them from us (30€ Acropolis / 20€ Museum per person, adult tickets only) only if you notify us, at least 24h in advance, to ensure availability.
- Punctuality is crucial due to strict Acropolis entry times; latecomers cannot be accommodated and no refunds are possible
- Meeting point: Athenian Tours Office, Mitseon 2, 11742 Athens (short walk from Acropolis Metro). From the Port of Piraeus allow 30–40 minutes by taxi, longer in morning traffic
- The Acropolis is on a steep hill; some paths are slippery when wet
- Bring water, hat, sunglasses, and umbrella if it rains (no cafés on site, only a water fountain)
- Audio quality may occasionally be affected by other groups’ equipment
- Please note: On days when the Acropolis or Acropolis Museum offers free entry, our tour prices are adjusted accordingly, ensuring you are not charged for these complimentary tickets.
- ID check required upon entry for reduced/free tickets holders
- Not suitable for children under 6 years old
- Not suitable for people with mobility impairments.
Reviews(2,308)
The tour moved at a good pace. The walk to the top had several stops at interesting sites. Lydia was great!
Highly recommend. Our tour guide Angelika(Angel) was so knowledgeable and was able to answer all of the questions anyone asked. She was also credentialed as an archaeologist. Recommend the Acropolis AND the museum. You can stay longer in the museum to watch the movie about the Acropolis and have a coffee/Coke in the cafe then tour more if you are into the history and archaeology. It was pretty darn hot though.
Dear Allison, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and recommendation! We’re delighted to hear that Angelika (Angel) made your experience so enjoyable with her extensive knowledge and ability to answer everyone’s questions. We’re especially pleased that her background in archaeology added an extra dimension to your visit. We also appreciate your helpful tips about taking time to explore the Acropolis Museum, enjoy the film, and relax at the café. The summer heat can certainly be intense, so we hope you were able to stay comfortable and hydrated throughout your visit. Thank you for choosing us and for sharing such useful advice with future travellers! Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
A fantastic tour due to the outstanding tour guide Dimitris. His knowledge of the area, tying in past and present was amazing. This tour took in all the Acropolis sites and the museum. Dimitri made strategic stops, explaining little and well-known facts. He was especially skillfull at handling in a good way the 3 kids who initially were disruptive when the parents weren't doing anything. We saw so much. A great value and fantastic customer service from start to finish. One of the best tours in our 3 weeks in Greece and Italy.
Dear Robert, Thank you sincerely for such a wonderful and detailed review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that Dimitris made your experience so memorable. His ability to connect the history of the Acropolis with the present, while sharing both fascinating and lesser-known stories, is exactly what makes a guided visit truly special. We’re also pleased that his thoughtful approach helped keep the whole family engaged and comfortable throughout the tour. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed both the Acropolis sites and the Museum and felt well cared for from start to finish. Being described as one of the best tours of your three weeks in Greece and Italy is a fantastic compliment! Thank you for choosing us and for sharing your experience. Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
Great experience very informative. Our guide was wonderful
Dear Traveller, Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you had a great experience and found the tour informative and enjoyable. We’re especially happy that our guide made such a positive impression and helped make your visit to the Acropolis memorable. Our goal is always to share the history and stories of this incredible landmark in an engaging and welcoming way. We truly appreciate you choosing The Athenian Tours and taking the time to share your experience with us. It was a pleasure having you on the tour, and we hope to welcome you back to Athens for another wonderful experience in the future! Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
Our guide Gari was amazing! She was so knowledgeable and explained everything so well. It is a tough climb to the top but she waited for everyone and didn’t rush us through. Our advice would be to wear comfortable shoes that are good on uneven surfaces, bring water, wear a hat, wear a neck fan if you plan to visit in the summer. It’s very hot with minimal shade.
Dear Kelly, Thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear that Gari made your Acropolis experience so enjoyable with her knowledge, clear explanations, and friendly approach. We’re especially happy that you appreciated her patience throughout the climb and that she took the time to ensure everyone could enjoy the visit at their own pace. Your practical advice about comfortable footwear, water, and sun protection is also very helpful for future travellers, especially during the summer months. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and helpful recommendations. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Athens one day! Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
Highly recommend. A must see in Athens of course. Our tour guide Gari was extremely knowledgeable and ran a friendly and informative tour. Meeting place was easy to find and pleasant.
Dear Traveller, Thank you very much for your wonderful review and for recommending our tour! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your visit to the Acropolis and that Gari made the experience both friendly and informative. We’re especially happy that his knowledge and enthusiasm helped make your tour memorable. It’s also great to know that you found the meeting point convenient and pleasant. We truly appreciate you choosing The Athenian Tours and taking the time to share your experience. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Athens for another unforgettable experience! Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
Had a great tour with Petros…he was very informative and keep us engaged the entire 3.5 hours during the tour.
Dear Mark, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great experience with Petros. We’re especially happy that his knowledge and engaging style kept you interested throughout the tour. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience! Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
We loved the tour and our guide Lydia! Very kind, thoughtful and with lots of knowledge! She was the best!
Dear Luisa, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you loved the tour and that Lydia made your experience so special with her kindness, thoughtfulness, and knowledge. We’ll be happy to share your lovely words with her. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to welcome you again in Athens! Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
The tour was very interesting and our guide was very knowledgeable. It lasted 3 hours instead of 4, but that's not a complaint. It would have been nice to have more time at the museum, it felt like we were rushing through it, but understand that it had to be timed to meet the prescribed time for entry into the Acropolis.
Dear Michael, Thank you for your thoughtful feedback! We’re delighted that you found the tour interesting and appreciated your guide’s knowledge. We completely understand your wish for more time at the museum. The timing can vary depending on entry schedules and visitor flow, and we appreciate your understanding. It was a pleasure having you with us! Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
Tour goes very fast I felt I could have spent a lot more time looking at everything. Guide was very friendly though.
Dear Evan, Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re glad to hear that you found your guide friendly and enjoyed the experience. We completely understand that you may have wished for more time to explore and take in everything at your own pace. Every traveller has different preferences when it comes to pace, and we truly appreciate you sharing yours with us. Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
