Half-Day Private Tour of Athens

On this tour we are going to visit the Acropolis and see the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechteion and the Nike temple as well as the temple of Zeus in the background. Then walking down the Acropolis hill we will walk past the ancient Dionysos theatre.

Parthenon. It was the great temple dedicated to Virgin Athena. It was built almost entirely of the famous local pentelic marble and decorated with numerous marble relieves and sculptures. It housed both the huge gold-and-ivory statue of Athena and the treasure of the city -state of Athens. One of the most admirable buildings of the world due to its beauty, harmony and material.

Propylaia. It is the monumental entrance to the sanctuary of Athena on the Acropolis. Built of marble it represented the limit between the worldly and the sacred precinct, which contributed to the psychological preparation of the worshipper, and at the same time it offered the best view of the Parthenon. From the Propylaia one can enjoy a splendid view of Athens and Piraeus.

Erechteion. A very elegant and at the same time unusual temple. It was built across the Parthenon in order to house the most important statue of the patron goddess of the city, Athena. Its complicated lay out is due to the fact that it also housed the cult of the most important local gods and heroes of the city of Athens.

Nike temple. A small but very cute temple dedicated to Athena Nike, which was the personification of goddess Athena who offered the victory to the Athenians over their enemies. The temple was therefore very important to the citizens of the city. It is an excellent example of the ionic order built of marble and preserved in a very good state of preservation.

Dionysos theater. It is the famous ancient theatre of Athens built at the site where the theatre was born, that is at the foot of the Acropolis hill. It was dedicated to the god of wine Dionysos, since the theatre was born through the hymns chanted in his honor. After having undergone a lot of reconstructions throughout the centuries it still preserves its elegance and constitutes one of the most historic sites of the world.

Plaka. It is the old town of Athens located at the foot of the Acropolis hill, a pedestrian area with narrow streets and small squares. This is where the local people of Athens have always lived from ancient till modern times. At Plaka there are the most important archaeological sites and monuments associating with the political, social and commercial life of Athens throughout the centuries. So next to sites such as the Ancient Agora, the Roman Forum or the Library of Hadrian there are ottoman mosques and neoclassic mansions. Furthermore, its numerous shops, cafes, restaurants and traditional greek taverns make it an ideal place for shopping, enjoying Greek specialties and relaxing.

Roman Forum. A venue which goes back to Roman times. It was a marketplace built in the 1st century B.C. and included a lot of shops around a central courtyard entered by two monumental entrances. Nearby there were public latrines and also the exceptionally well-preserved Tower of the Winds, which served as a weather vane, solar and hydraulic clock, a unique structure in ancient architecture.

The Acropolis. It is a rocky hill rising in the centre of Athens. It was inhabited in prehistoric times. Later on it was converted into a fortress and, finally, in the classical period it became the major city sanctuary dedicated to the patron goddess Athena, who also gave her name to the city.

We walk past the Ancient Agora, which was the administrative, social and commercial centre of the city.

It was built in the 1st century B.C. as a commercial centre. It was a building complex with a lot of stores. Next to it we can also admire the Tower of the winds, an advanced meteorological station built at the same time.

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A donation of Roman emperor Hadrian to the city of Athens that he greatly loved and admired.

The most picturesque and vibrant square of Athens at the foothills of the Acropolis

The most central square and of modern Athens

A neoclassical edifice which houses the Greek Parliament and also famous for the Monument to the Unknown Soldier guarded by the Evzones soldiers.