You will be greeted at your hotel and will make your way to the very historical center of Athens and begin your tour with a visit at the Acropolis Hill (first thing in the morning to avoid heat and crowds). The visit takes you through the Propylaea, its monumental gate, to the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, to the Erechtheion, a site associated with some of the most ancient and holy relics of the Athenians, and the small temple Athena Nike protecting the gate of the citadel. From the Acropolis, you can also look down on the Ancient Agora, Tower of the Winds, Herodes Atticus Theatre, and the Theatre of Dionysos.
You will then continue on to visit the Temple of Zeus the largest in ancient Greece, taking over 700 years to build. Moving on you will proceed to the Panathenaic Olympic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. From here, you will continue on to Lycavettus Hill (the highest hill of Athens) for great photo oppurtinities. Next you will see the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknwon soldier in front of the Greek Parliament. From here, you will continue on to Cape Sounio enjoying the splendid views of the Saronic Gulf also known as the Greek Riviera.
After a stop for a traditional Greek lunch, you will visit the Temple of Poseidon before making your way back to Athens.
- Entrance fees, to the Acropolis and Temple of Zeus, are 26 Euro total pp.
- Entrance fee to the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounio is 4 Euro pp.
Free admission for:
- Journalists
- Persons under 18 (with current identification to prove age)
- University students from Greece and the E.U
Free admission (for all) on the following dates:
- 6 March
- 5 June
- 18 April
- 18 May (International Museums Day)
- The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
SUMMER PERIOD: 1 April – 31 October
WINTER PERIOD: 1 November – 31 March
Opening hours for the archeological sites of Athens including Acropolis:
- Winter period: 8:30am – 15:00
- Summer period: 8:00am – 19:30
Opening hours for Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounio:
- Winter period: 9:30am until sunset
- Summer period: 8:00am until sunset
- Last entry 20 min before closing.
Restrictions
- Please note that on this tour, your driver is not licensed to accompany you on your climb to the top of the Acropolis or inside any other site or museum. If you want a licensed guide to tour the sites with you, you can hire one at extra cost.
- The Acropolis may only be accessed by walking uphill. It is a strenuous walk and you must be in good physical condition. There is a pathway, but there are also steps near the top. Keep in mind that the weather may be very hot during the summer.
- Disabled access at the Acropolis is provided by a wheelchair stair climber lift elevator. Please do keep in mind that this is an elevator strictly available to disabled visitors only. That includes: visitors using a wheelchair or some other kinetic equipment, visitors with some kind of physiopathological situation that affects their kinetic ability either permanently or temporarily and visitors that have a certified rate of disability whether this is affecting their kinetic ability or not.
Special Notes
- Comfortable clothing and sensible, flat-soled walking shoes are recommended. Sun glasses and sun screen are suggested.
- Walking: Difficult-To climb up to the Acropolis, guests must be able to walk over paved, inclined paths, some with steps, then climb a series of steps to reach the Propylea. The walking surfaces on top of the Acropolis are uneven.
- Photography is permitted throughout the tour.
- The order of the sites may change due to crowds, traffic and demonstrations. We do our best to ensure that every stop described is available for your visit. There are some times when a site or building is closed at the last moment with little to no warning. We assume that those in charge make those decisions based on external information and for the visitors’ safety and we apologize when this causes inconvenience and disappointment.
Tips
- Our prices are much better in comparison to those of the big tour operators, because we are ourselves the tour operator and we do not use third party providers.
- It’s always a great idea to bring a bottle of water and sunscreen with you because in the warmer months it becomes quite hot and sunny.
- A hat to protect your head and shade your face is also recommended when spending a significant amount of time in the sun.
- The area around the Acropolis Hill and Syntagma Square (changing of the guards) can become quite crowded, especially during the peak travel months, so be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings close to you.
- Do not accept ‘gifts’ from street vendors approaching tourists. They may offer you roses, but if choose you accept, you will be expected to pay or give a tip for them.
