Athens Shore Excursion: Athens and Piraeus Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Athens , Greece

Athens Shore Excursion: Athens and Piraeus Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

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(616 reviews)

1h - 1h

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Instant confirmation

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

No matter what cruise ship you arrive on, discover the very best of Athens with a 24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass. Athens is an incredibly ancient city, and on this double-decker bus tour you'll see all of the key sights, including the Temple of Zeus, the Acropolis & Parthenon, the National Library, the Ancient Olympic Stadium, the National Gardens and much more! Learn all about ancient Greek mythology and philosophy, thanks to the informative on-board audio commentary. Hop on and off as many times as you please within the chosen time period, getting a closer look at the Athenian history on show. This sightseeing tour provides access to up to 3 bus routes depending on the ticket chosen.

Available options

48-Hour Ticket - Athens Line

48 Hour - Athens Line: Explore the Athens Line with our 48-hour hop on hop off bus ticket.

24-Hour Ticket - Athens Line

48-Hour All Lines

Explore the Athens, Piraeus & Beach Riviera lines with our 48-hour hop on hop off bus ticket.

What's included

Free glass of Greek bar

Free Wi-Fi

Stops near the major sights

Access to up to 3 bus routes depending on ticket selected

Audio guide commentary in 13 languages + headphones

24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass depending on ticket selected

What's not included

Food and drinks, unless specified

Gratuities

Entry to attractions

Hotel pick-up and drop-off

Available languages

Audio guide

DE RU PT CMN JA EL EN IT FR HE TR NL ES

Reviews breakdown

Viator 4.1

494 reviews

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Tripadvisor 3.9

122 reviews

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Important information

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For cruise passengers arriving at the Cruise Terminal, bus stops 4, 5 & 6 on the Piraeus route will be the nearest stops at which to join the tour (if ticket including Piraeus route is selected).

Athens route operates all year round, excluding 17th November, 25th December and 1st January.

Piraeus, Beach & Riviera routes operates April - October only.

Piraeus Route (from Interchange: A4 - Acropolis / Parthenon): First departure at 11am. Last departure at 5pm. Tour duration - 80 minutes. Frequency - every 60 minutes

Athens Route (from Terminal: A1 - Syntagma Square): First departure at 8:30am. Last departure at 6:30pm. Duration - 90 minutes. Frequency - every 15 minutes

Beach Riviera Route (from Interchange: A2 - Acropolis / PLAKA): First departure at 9am. Last departure at 5pm. Duration - 110 minutes. Frequency - every 60 minutes

With your voucher, enjoy flexible access for up to 12 months from the travel date you select at check-out.

Mobile and printed paper vouchers accepted for this tour

The electronic voucher is not a ticket. The voucher must be redeemed by one of the agents at the stop or on the bus before passengers board

Once the electronic voucher has been redeemed and exchange for a printed paper ticket, passengers are required to keep the printed ticket with them for the whole duration of their journey, as electronic vouchers cannot be used after redemption

Please note, this tour will not operate on Monday 1st December

Important notes

- Mobile and printed paper vouchers are both accepted on this tour
- With your voucher, enjoy flexible access for up to 12 months from the travel date you select at check-out.
- The electronic voucher is not a ticket. The voucher must be redeemed by one of the agents at the stop or on the bus before passengers board
- Once the electronic voucher has been redeemed and exchange for a printed paper ticket, passengers are required to keep the printed ticket with them for the whole duration of their journey, as electronic vouchers cannot be used after redemption

Departure point: For the full tour, hop-on at Syntagma Square for the Athens Route or Panton University for the Piraeus Route. However, customers can join the tour at any of the tour stops along the routes.

About Athens

Athens, the capital of Greece, is a city rich in history and culture, often considered the cradle of Western civilization. It is home to iconic ancient landmarks, vibrant neighborhoods, and a thriving modern scene.

Top Attractions

Acropolis of Athens

The Acropolis is the most iconic landmark in Athens, featuring ancient ruins and temples, including the Parthenon.

Historical 2-3 hours €20 (combined ticket for multiple sites)

Ancient Agora of Athens

The heart of ancient Athens, featuring the Temple of Hephaestus and the Stoa of Attalos.

Historical 1-2 hours €8 (included in the combined ticket)

Plaka

A charming, historic neighborhood with narrow streets, neoclassical houses, and vibrant nightlife.

Cultural 2-3 hours Free to explore

Acropolis Museum

A modern museum showcasing artifacts from the Acropolis and its surroundings.

Museum 1-2 hours €10

Temple of Olympian Zeus

An ancient temple dedicated to Zeus, once the largest temple in Greece.

Historical 30 minutes to 1 hour €6 (included in the combined ticket)

Must-Try Local Dishes

Moussaka

A baked dish with layers of eggplant, minced meat, and béchamel sauce.

Dinner Vegetarian versions available

Souvlaki

Grilled meat skewers, often served with pita bread and tzatziki.

Snack Can be made with chicken, pork, or vegetarian options

Tzatziki

A yogurt-based dip with cucumber, garlic, and herbs.

Snack Vegetarian and vegan options available

Baklava

A sweet pastry made with layers of filo, nuts, and honey syrup.

Dessert Vegetarian

Popular Activities

Hiking in the mountains Rock climbing Scuba diving Beach visits Spa treatments Café hopping Museum visits Theater performances

Best Time to Visit

April to June, September to October

The best time to visit Athens is during the spring and autumn months when the weather is pleasant and the tourist crowds are smaller.

18°C to 32°C 64°F to 90°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: Greek
Widely spoken: English, French, German
English: Moderately spoken

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Time Zone

GMT+2 (EET)

Electricity

230VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Athens is generally safe for travelers, but petty crime and pickpocketing can occur in tourist areas. Be cautious with your belongings and avoid poorly lit areas at night.

Important Precautions:

• Keep valuables secure
• Use licensed taxis or ride-sharing apps
• Be cautious with ATMs and credit cards

Getting there

By air

Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport • 30 km from city center

By train

Athens Central Railway Station

By bus

KTEL Bus Station

Getting around

Public transport

Clean, efficient, and air-conditioned. Easy to navigate with clear signage in English.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Beat, Uber

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Plaka Monastiraki Psiri Koukaki Kolonaki

Day trips

Cape Sounion

65 km from Athens • Half day to full day

A scenic coastal area featuring the Temple of Poseidon with stunning views of the Aegean Sea.

Delphi

180 km from Athens • Full day

An ancient archaeological site and home to the famous Oracle of Delphi.

Meteora

350 km from Athens • Overnight

A unique landscape featuring rock formations and medieval monasteries perched atop cliffs.

Festivals

Athens Festival • May to October Athens Epidaurus Festival • June to August Athens International Film Festival • October

Pro tips

Visit major attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and heat
Use the metro for easy and efficient travel around the city
Explore local neighborhoods for an authentic Greek experience
Try local street food for a quick and delicious meal
Learn a few basic Greek phrases to enhance your experience and connect with locals