Classic Athens Private Full Day Tour

We will transport you directly to the Acropolis, a cultural UNESCO World Heritage site and the greatest architectural and artistic achievement of the ancient Greeks. Explore at your own pace, taking in the breathtaking sights, including the Parthenon temple, built by Ictinus; the Erechtheon; the Propylaea or the monumental entrance to the Acropolis, designed by Mnesicles; and the small temple to Athena Nike.

Our next stop is the Temple of Olympian Zeus, a 10 minute drive away from the Acropolis. Here you will be able to walk around the unusually tall pillars and ambitious layout that made this temple one of the largest ever built in the ancient world. Work started in the 6th century BC and was only finally completed by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in AD 131. Viewing these marble columns, one can only wonder at the greatness of these ancient monuments that have stood through time.

(Time typically spent here includes travel time to attraction.)

After a 5 minute drive, we will stop for a photo opportunity at an iconic Athenian spot, the Panathenaic Stadium. Also known as Kallimarmaro (meaning 'made of beautiful marble’), this stadium was built in 1893 on the ruins of an ancient one. The site of the first modern Olympic games of 1896, it is still the biggest marble stadium in the world, with a capacity of around 70,000. Jog around it to uniquely combine cardio and history.

(Time typically spent here includes travel time to attraction.)

After a 10-15 minute drive from the stadium, you will stroll 277 metres above sea level to the very summit of Lycabettus Hill. This is the highest point of Athens, giving you the chance to enjoy a breathtaking view of the city. With the telescope from the top, you can see from the Acropolis to Pireaus and, weather permitting, as far afield as the island of Aegina.

(Time typically spent here includes travel time to attraction, plus time taken to walk up and down the hill.)

After descending Lykabettus Hill, we will drive 10 minutes to one of Athens' historic districts, in the neighbourhood below Syntagma Square. As we pass through this area, which looks like an outdoor museum, we will stop to see the traditional, Insta-worthy ritual of the change of presidential guard in front of the Parliament building, and a ‘Ηoly Τrinity’ of buildings from the neoclassical era: the Academy, the University of Athens and the National Library.

(Time typically spent here includes travel time to attraction.)

The next stop is the Ancient Agora of Athens, to the northwest of the Acropolis. After exploring this centre of Athens in antiquity, where political gatherings and trials took place centuries ago, you can meander around the foothills of the Acropolis, through the narrow streets of two of Athens' oldest neighbourhoods: Monastiraki and Thission. In refreshing greenery next to ancient ruins, perfect for lounging, we will have a traditional Greek lunch to recharge our batteries.

(Time typically spent here includes travel time to attraction - 5 minutes - plus time for lunch.)

Stay in museum mode if you have found your groove and visit the magnificent new Acropolis Museum. This crown jewel of Greek museums was introduced to the world in 2008. Covering an area of 14,000 square metres, it was designed by the architect Bernard Tschumi specially to house the more than 4,000 objects in its permanent collection dating back to the Greek Bronze Age, Roman and Byzantine periods. Depending on the group, the tour can be modified into a treat for those looking for something more outdoorsy yet still with a cultural edge, by continuing the exploration of the alleys around the Athenian flea market: the grand bazaar of Plaka. This is the most beautiful part of the city to enjoy while in Athens.