Best of Athens in one day private tour & Acropolis skip the line

Meeting point

Departure

08:00, 08:30, 09:00 daily; scheduled year-round (operator schedule, seats confirmed at checkout)

Pickup

Hotel pickup included

Operator

Bucket List Tours; booking and payment are completed on Viator

1. 1
   Acropolis

   First stop the Acropolis hill. A bucket list visit for milions around the globe. Witness from up and close the most perfectly designed building in history and the most copied one. The Parthenon, or in Greek Parthenonas meaning the temple of the virgin goddess Athena, the daughter of Zeus the god of the Gods. This is the cradle of the Western civilization, where the foundation were put and where democracy was born. Learn the fascinating history behind the Acropolis and the ancient myths related to it. Admire also the temple of Athena Nike, the Propylea, and last but not least the Erechtheon with its beatiful 6 maidens statues. On the slopes of the Acropolis there is probably the oldest theater in the world from 600 BCE and also a Roman odeon used to this day.

   1h 30m · Admission not included
2. 2
   Ancient Agora of Athens

   Next stop the ancient Agora of Athens. The center of political, financial and social life. A site brought to light by the American school of classical studies. A beatiful site where you can admire probably the most well preserved ancient Greek temple dedicated to Efestos, the blacksmith god that makes all the weapons of the gods, the son of Zeus and Hera. On site there is also a beautiful reconstruction of an ancient 2 storey shopping mall. Today the ground floor houses the museum with the findings of the agora excavation which is still going on. Beautiful pottery, ancient coins, ballots, water clocks and a lot more. Yes, there was a shopping mall with 42 shops 2500 years ago. Apart from that the site has many ruins of goverment buildings, temples, court houses, parliament, theater, statues. Socrates the famous philosopher stepped on this ground. Mostly flat and covered in trees. A must visit site after the Acropolis.

   1h · Admission not included
3. Monastiraki

   Pass by the very busy square of Monastiraki with the flea market, the antique market, shops, restaurants and also some archaeological sites. Your driver will help you navigate and provide tips for each area.

   Pass by, no stop
4. Central Market

   Pass by the central meat and fish market of Athens. Smell all the herbs and spices sold in the cute small shops in the front of the market. If you desire and it's possible for the driver to safely park the car so you can hop off and get a look inside this loud and busy market. Get the feeling of every day Athenian life.

   Pass by, no stop
5. Academy of Athens

   Pass by the most beautiful neoclassical building in the world. Amazing design reminding ancient temples. Beautiful statues of Greek gods and philosophers. Next the first univercity of Greece and the old national library. This is called the trilogy and all where built around late 19th century.

   Pass by, no stop
6. 6
   Plateia Syntagmatos

   Witness the changing of the president's guards. A ceremony taking place every hour on the hour in front of the tomb of the unknown soldier where we pay respect to all the Greek soldiers lost in battle and their bodies never returned home. Their traditional uniform is full of symbolisms behind them, related to our recent history. A very important thing to see to understand the pride and discipline of the young Greek soldiers doing their duty for 1 year like every other Greek male over 18 years old.

   20 min
7. The temple of the Olympian Zeus

   The largest temple in antiquity completed finally by the Roman emperor Hadrian in the second century AD. Look at the size of these enormous columns and the famous Hadrian's arch at the far end of the site.

   Pass by, no stop
8. 8
   Kallimarmaro

   The olympic stadium, built for the 1896 first modern Olympic games. Unique because it is all built by beautiful pure white marble from Pendeli mountain as the Acropolis, 10 miles from the city. Every year this is the finishing line of the authentic Marathon run where it was born.

   10 min
9. 9
   Mount Lycabettus

   Now the million dollar view. Admire the city from the best view point up in Lycabetus hill. Get a real sence of the size of this big city.

   15 min
10. 10
    Acropolis Museum

    Built in 2009 and voted among the best museums in the world several times. On the foundation of the building a real excavation of an ancient Athenian neighborhood found during the construction, incorporated with the building. Amazing collection of findings from the Acropolis. Many replicas of artifacts stolen by Europeans few centuries back. Not to be missed while in Athens to have a complete experience of the Acropolis. Full of glass that illuminates the sculptures and also you are able to see the Acropolis high up.

    1h 30m · Admission not included
11. 11
    Plaka

    An alternative for the Acropolis museum. The old part of the city on the foothill of the Acropolis. Beatiful historical neighborhood of Athens. Picturesque alleys, nice shops, cafes, restaurants. Good option for lunch also. Always very vibrant day and night.

    1h
12. 12
    National Archaeological Museum

    The most incredible museum that covers 8 milleniums of history. Golden treasures, statues, murals, pottery and many more. A trip back in time. This can be an option instead of the Acropolis museum or Plaka.

    1h · Admission not included
13. Microlimano

    If you feel you saw enough and don't want the museum choice or Plaka and want a break from the busy city you can spend some time in this beautiful small port and have a nice ice cream by the blue water. All your available choices will be discussed with your driver. This is a private tour and there is flexibility but within the tour duration.

    Pass by, no stop

About this tour, from the operator