Essential Athens Highlights Full-Day Private Tour with Flexible Options
Description
From pick up at your Cruise ship, Hotel, or Athens residence sit back in the comfort of one of our new Luxury Class Mercedes Vehicles as your experienced informative professional tour driver takes you on a private tour of all the Athens Highlights including the Acropolis, New Acropolis Museum, Arch of Hadrian, Temple of Zeus, Olympic Stadium, Parliament & Traditional National Guards, and National Archaeological Museum, so you won't miss anything during your visit. Our Flexible Booking Options allow you to include a wonderful Traditional Lunch (Silver Package), Expert guiding with a Licensed Professional Guide who will be with you for 3 hours to cover the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum (Gold Package), or both Lunch plus Guide (Platinum Package); whilst a Family & Discount Option is also available, as well as a Half-Day Option including an expert guide for those preferring a shorter tour. Please note that for bookings of 8 or more persons, a private guide is automatically included.
Tour Options
Itinerary
PICKUP IN ATHENS. Your friendly Private Tour Driver will be at your Hotel, Cruise Ship or Athens Residence ready to meet you at the agreed time and outline the tour ahead as you make yourself comfortable in one of our new Mercedes Models with complimentary chilled bottled water and Wifi.
Our day starts with the Acropolis, focus of life in Ancient Athens & surrounded by its amazing cyclopean' wall, ' wall, wall built by the Myceneans thousands of years ago. The Acropolis is home to the Parthenon, but also many other amazing monuments. You will first enter through the giant ‘Propylaia’ behind which once stood a gold encrusted statue of the Goddess Athena. You will also see the Temple of Athena Nike (or 'Viktory') from 420 BC before other important sites such as the mythical Erechtheion, unique in its construction with its iconic statues of the Caryatids, and the World’s oldest Theatre of Dionysus from the 6th Century BC, which would have seen the very first performances of ancient plays by Sophocles and Euripides among others. The impressive & fully renovated Roman theater, Herodius Atticus, completed in AD 161, also in the site, was dedicated to the wife of a rich benefactor and still hosts a vibrant public summer program.
Considered widely as a masterpiece of science, engineering and culture, the Parthenon was dedicated to the goddess Athena and would have originally housed her impressive statue. Its decorative sculptures are considered some of the high points of classical Greek art, some of which can be seen in the nearby Museum.
Explore the New Acropolis Museum situated adjacent to the Acropolis which houses the many masterpieces from the site. If you prefer you can continue without entering also.
This Colossal temple at the center of Athens was dedicated to the God Zeus, head of the Olympian gods. Construction began in the 6th century BC and the temple was home to a richly adorned statue, one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World.
Classic Triumphal Arch built by the Ancient Athenians for the Roman Emperor Hadrian & seen together with the Temple of Zeus in the same location
Also called 'Kallimarmaro' stadium is one of the highlights of Athens where the classic Marathon ends & the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble
Main square of Athens housing the Hellenic Parliament building & focus of much of Athenian life & Politics. At the square you will also see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and impressive Changing Of The Guard’s ceremony, with the iconic 'Evzone’s' in their traditional uniform.
Monastiraki Square at the heart of the Old-Town is a vibrant center of life in the city
LUNCH OPTION: (No street food) If choosing our lunch option during booking you will enjoy a Traditional 3-Course Greek Lunch in one of the best local family restaurants. Fish, Meat or Vegetarian options are available together with Greek Salad and Starter or Dessert (daily menu's may vary). If you do not choose the lunch option your driver will still make time for you for a lunch break
ON REQUEST. We can add this site to your itinerary on request, and as a replacement of one or two of the others on our existing schedule. The Agora was the marketplace of the Ancient Greeks & centre of political & social life in Athens. A significant site home to the philosophers, craftsmen & housing the remains of many important buildings including an on-site museum in a recreation of an ancient market and the Temple of Hephaestus, best preserved ancient temple in existence.
Recognized as one of the greatest of the world’s museums its exhibits contain the largest collection from Greek antiquity with unmissable and seminal pieces from the Gold 'Deathmask of Agamemnon', leader of the Greeks in the Trojan war, to the 2000-year-old 'Antikithera mechanism' and worlds first computer; the Cup of Nestor referred to in Homer's Iliad, to the 'Ring of Theseus' to Masterpieces of sculpture such as the statues of Aphrodite & Poseidon. Please note that we are able to add a private expert guide for this site on request (additional cost).
DROP OFF. Finally, your driver will see you back safely & directly to your Athens Residence or Cruise Ship before wishing you a fond farewell and hope to see you back soon again!
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
o Pick up time flexible on request o For Airbnb's please provide the exact address o If you have luggage please provide details of quantity so we may provide the appropriate vehicle. A supplement may apply for a larger vehicle. o Pick up from Athens Airport & areas outside of central Athens on request. A supplement may apply
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- LUNCH OPTION: You may add this later on request or choose either Silver or Platinum Package during booking. Vegetarian dishes available. Please inform us of any allergies
- GUIDING/LICENSED GUIDES: Please note your knowledgeable tour driver can inform you thoroughly en-route but can not enter Archaeological sites. You can add an expert Guide for the Acropolis & Museum by selecting either the Gold or Platinum Package.
- EXTENDED EXPERT GUIDING TIME: If you prefer a guide to be with you for the other sites, please ask for details.
- PICKUP FROM ATHENS AIRPORT & LOCATIONS OUTSIDE CENTRAL ATHENS: May require a supplement. Please inquire for details.
Reviews(22)
Great experience with Alex as our driver and guide for the day and Marina as our expert guide at the acropolis. Highly recommend having the dedicated guide. Marina’s knowledge and expertise made all the difference. We had the included lunch option which had a great view over the Aegean with just ok food.
Dear Jill Your wonderful review was really nice for all of us to read. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour! We hope to see you back again in the future. Best Wishes from all of us at Warmpenguin Tours
We had such a fantastic time! It was very hot but went early and managed! Vicki, our guide was amazing! A wealth of knowledge. We visited the Acropolis & museum as well as the Archaeological museum. Highly recommend getting a guide, you learn so much more! Well worth it! Can’t say enough about Bill, our driver! Very friendly & personable as well as a book of knowledge! He made the trip & site seeing extra special for all of us! Will miss seeing him everyday!!
Dear Pamela Your wonderful review was really nice for all of us to read. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour! We hope to see you back again in the future. Best Wishes from all of us at Warmpenguin Tours
We did the full day tour in Athens. We visited the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora, the Archaeological Museum, drove past many other sites such as the Academy, National Library, Parliament and others. Really enjoyed the day especially with Thenia who guided us to Mycenae, Nafplio, Epidaurus and Corinth last year. She was our guide for the Agora and Archaeological Museum. Thenia is wonderful! Our Driver Nikos was tremendous. The best ever! WarmPenguin Tours are great.
Your wonderful review was really nice for all of us to read. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour! We hope to see you back again in the future. Best Wishes from all of us at Warmpenguin Tours
This fantastic tour was just what we were hoping for with only 1 day to visit all the major sites in Athens. They even managed to fit in Poseidon's Temple with a lovely seaside lunch. If your time is limited, you want to skip the lines, and have an amazing private guide to all the sites, you can't do better than this tour! Thank you!!!
Nice tour, but choose the guide and premium option if you’re interested. Anything less when on your own and it’s difficult to navigate the sites due to the massive crowds. Do yourself a favor and get the guide.
Very professional, reliable service and excellent tour guide! We had a great time in Athens and learned a lot. We would really recommend this tour. We have booked the gold package.
We are so glad that you enjoyed your tour with us and taking the time to write. Warmest Wishes & hope to see you return soon!
Very happy we booked the Platinum option, with a private driver, tour guide and delicious lunch. It was the best way to see Athens in 8 hours and totally worth every euro. Our driver/guide Dem was prompt, courteous, friendly, and knowledgeable. He answered all of questions and kept us on schedule. We really learned a lot about Athenian and Greek history. Our tour guide for the Acropolis and the Acropolis was EVERYTHING! Valia made our time easy and gave us an in-depth lesson on Athenian history. Usually, I breeze through monuments and museums reading only the first couple of sentences, or taking pictures and say, I’ll read it later. We didn’t have to worry about missing anything (at least that’s how we felt) with her. She was passionate about her job as a guide and excited to share her knowledge. Oh, the lunch….you don’t order because everything is fixed. Make sure you let the company know in advance if you have dietary restrictions. There’s so much food, and I promise, you’ll have an appetite by the time you eat lunch. You’re going to leave with a full stomach. Hands down, highly recommended option, especially if you’re time in Athens is short. Hints: Wear a hat (that won’t blow away cause it’s windy at the top of the Acropolis) and bring plenty of sunscreen. If you have a small blowing fan, that’ll be useful as you’re walking up to the top.
Your wonderful review was really nice for all of us to read. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour! We hope to see you back again in the future. Best Wishes from all of us at Warmpenguin Tours
What a truly exceptional experience! We booked a tour of Athens totaling 8 hours, including pickup by our driver and tour guide Dimitris from the cruise port for our party of 7. The tour Included a personalized tour of the acropolis and the museum arranged by WarmPenguin with an exceptional guide Marina, a drive through Athens with stops at multiple sites of interest, including time for lunch and shopping. We highly recommend using their professional, experienced and friendly services!
Your wonderful review was really nice for all of us to read. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour! We hope to see you back again in the future. Best Wishes from all of us at Warmpenguin Tours
I've used Viator several times now and have never been disappointed. Our driver and guide (Betty) for the Athens tour were both terrific. Both were so knowledgeable and friendly. Doing a private tour is the way to go. It is much more relaxing and enjoyable than traveling around with a group. We visited many sites in the comfort of the Mercedes vehicle, and surely a highlight of the day was a terrific seaside lunch in a restaurant at Sounion. It was as if the restaurant opened just for us! There was noone else there except for the guide and driver. The very leisurely lunch of local specialties was more than we had hoped for, and then after that we managed to get back into Athens in time to see the changing of the guards. It was a most enjoyable (though VERY cold) day. I cannont recommend this tour enough. Thanks for making our Greece experience so meaningful. I would gladly use Viator and Warmpenguin again.
Dear Keith Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your tour with us. As a past or existing guest we are happy to say that you also qualify for a minimum 15-20% discount on almost all tours booked with us in the future. We hope to see you again soon. Warmest wishes from all the team at Warmpenguin Tours
The guide/ driver accompanying us Mr. Demo was helpful and tour organiser was punctual. We never felt that it is a foreign country
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your tour with us. We hope to meet you again in the future. Warm wishes from all the team at Warmpenguin Tours