"Athens in a Day: A Full-Day Tour of the City’s Top Highlights"

5.0 (4 reviews) 8–9 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

4 reviews

5.0

"Athens" — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

''Karyatides'' — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

A full-day tour of Athens is an unforgettable journey through history, culture, and vibrant modern life. As one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens offers visitors a unique opportunity to walk through thousands of years of civilization in just one day. From ancient monuments to lively neighborhoods, the city reveals its soul at every corner.

The most important and iconic landmark you will visit is the Acropolis, crowned by the magnificent Parthenon. Standing high above the city, the Acropolis is a powerful symbol of ancient Greek democracy, philosophy, and art.

Beyond its world-famous monuments, Athens is a magical city because of its contrasts. Ancient ruins coexist with modern cafés, colorful streets, and welcoming locals. Walking through Plaka, Monastiraki, and the historic center, you will feel the warmth, energy, and timeless charm that make Athens so special.

Athens is not just a city to see—it is a city to feel.

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At a glance

Duration: 8–9 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–13
Guide: English
Operated by: Greece Athens Taxi GAT

Ages: Adults (18–100 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Hotel/Airbnb/Port Piraeus Pick up & Drop off (Without extra charge)
Included: Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with A/C, Child Seats
Included: English speaking driver with knowledge of the history. Not licensed to accompany you in any site.
Included: Bottled water
Included: On-board WiFi: WiFi on board
Included: Mobile Chargers
Included: Assistance with purchasing Skip-the-Line tickets (customer covers ticket cost)
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Private transportation - Tour

Not included

Not included: Licensed Tour guide upon request depending on availability.
Not included: The guide driver is not a licensed tour guide to accompany you at any site/museum.
Not included: Private transportation: Airport Pick Up & drop-off
Not included: The tickets for all archeological places and museums
Not included: Entrance fees: Acropolis
Not included: Entrance fees: Acropolis Museum
Not included: Entrance fees: National Archaeological Museum

Itinerary

Acropolis

1 h 15 min Admission not included

The Acropolis of Athens is a rocky hill 156 meters above sea level and approximately 70 meters above the level of the city of Athens. The Parthenon is a temple built in honor of the goddess Athena, patroness of the city of Athens. Τhe architects who worked were Iktinos, Kallikratis, and possibly Phidias (5th century BC). Finally, we will see the Erechtheion with the famous Karyatidis and the Propylaea.
Parthenon

Passing by

The Parthenon is a temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron. Its construction began in 447 BC and was completed in 438 BC, although decorations of the Parthenon continued until 432 BC. It is the most important surviving building of Classical Greece, generally considered to be the culmination of the development of the Doric order. Its decorative sculptures are considered some of the high points of Greek art.
Erectheion

Passing by

The Erechtheion is an ancient Greek Ionic temple on the north side of the Acropolis, which was primarily dedicated to the goddess Athena.
Temple of Athena Nike

Passing by

The Temple of Athena Nike is a temple on the Acropolis of Athens, dedicated to the goddesses Athena and Nike.
Stop 5

Passing by

The Theatre of Dionysus is an ancient Greek theatre in Athens. It is built on the south slope of the Acropolis hill, originally part of the sanctuary of Dionysus Eleuthereus.
Herod Atticus Odeon

Passing by

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus also called Herodion is a stone Roman theatre structure located on the southwest slope of the Acropolis.
Acropolis Museum

one hour Admission not included

You must choise one of two museums: Acropolis Museum or National Archaeological Museum:

The Acropolis Museum is an archaeological museum focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens. The museum was built to house every artifact found on the rock and on the surrounding slopes, from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. The Acropolis Museum also lies over the ruins of part of Roman and early Byzantine Athens.

The museum was founded in 2003 while the Organization of the Museum was established in 2008. It opened to the public on 20 June 2009. More than 4,250 objects are exhibited over an area of 14,000 square metres.
Panathenaic Stadium

15 min Admission not included

Panathenaic Stadium or else known as Kallimarmaro stadium – the oldest in operation stadium of the world, where the Olympics Games have been held three times. It is the only major stadium in the world built entirely of white marble.
Temple of Olympian Zeus

10 min Admission not included

Like the Acropolis, the temple of Olympian Zeus has been a distinctive Athenian landmark since time immemorial. The Pillars of Olympian Zeus, the outdoor ancient temple of Athena. The Temple of Olympian Zeus is a half-complete temple dedicated to Zeus, chief of Olympian Gods. It’s impressive history and destruction make the site interesting to study and its size a popular tourist attraction. It’s surrounded by other monuments, such as the Kallimarmaro stadium, the Hadrian’s Arch, and Zappeion Megaron. It’s within walking distance from the Athens center, 500 m east of the Acropolis and south from the Syntagma Square.
Arch of Hadrian

Passing by

The Arch of Hadrian, most commonly known in Greek as Hadrian's Gate, is a monumental gateway resembling—in some respects—a Roman triumphal arch. It spanned an ancient road from the center of Athens, Greece, to the complex of structures on the eastern side of the city that included the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Zappeion

Passing by

The Zappeion is a large, palatial building next to the National Gardens of Athens in the heart of Athens, Greece. It is generally used for meetings and ceremonies, both official and private and is one of the city's most renowned modern landmarks.
National Garden

Passing by

The National Garden or Royal Garden is a public park (38 acres) in the center of the Greek capital. It is located directly behind the Greek Parliament building (The Old Palace) and continues to the South to the area where the Zappeion is located, across from the Kalimarmaro. The Garden also encloses some ancient ruins, side are the busts of Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of Greece, and of the Philhellene Jean-Gabriel Eynard, of the celebrated Greek poets Dionysios Solomos, author of the Greek National Hymn, and Aristotelis Valaoritis.
Hellenic Parliament

Passing by

The Hellenic Parliament is the Parliament of Greece, an imposing building located in the Parliament House (Old Royal Palace), overlooking Constitution Square in Athens. The Greek Parliament, the old Palace of king Othon which is located in Syntagma Square and the Unknown Soldier Monument which is guarded 24 hours a day by the Presidential Guard.
Syntagma

Passing by

Syntagma Square is the central square of Athens. The square is named after the Constitution that Otto, the first King of Greece, was obliged to grant after a popular and military uprising on 3 September 1843. It is located in front of the 19th-century Old Royal Palace, housing the Greek Parliament since 1934. Syntagma Square is the most important square of modern Athens from both a historical and social point of view, at the heart of commercial activity and Greek politics.
Monument to the Unknown Soldier

15 min

We will see the changing of the guard (Euzones) in front of the old palace, which is today Parliament House, above the central square of Athens.
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Passing by

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) is an integral part of the modern Greek intellectual tradition, life, and international presence. It successfully combines an old established name and authority with dynamic development and creative participation in modern letters and science. It is the oldest University in the country, founded by the Royal Decree of 22 April 1837 under the name “Othonian University”, as the first king of modern Greece, Otto of Bavaria, was its founder. Initially, it consisted of four Schools (of Theology, Law, Medicine, and Philosophy, the latter still comprising at that time Mathematics and Applied Sciences) with a total of 52 students. Its first seat was a neo-classical house on the north slope of the Akropolis hill, originally the home of the architect Stamatis Kleanthis (today the Museum of the University’s History is housed there).
Academy of Athens

Passing by

The Academy of Athens is Greece's national academy, and the highest research establishment in the country. It was established in 1926, with its founding principle traces back to the historical Academy of Plato, and operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Education. The Academy's main building is one of the major landmarks of Athens.
National Library of Greece

Passing by

National Library (Vallianeion)

This glorious neoclassical reading room once housed over 2 million books and manuscripts, among them 5.200 manuscripts that include over 300 Greek New Testament manuscripts and hand-written renditions of works by Aristotle, Plato and Homer.
Plaka

one hour

Plaka is a district in the center of Athens under the Acropolis. It has been described as a traditional settlement , with traditional shops and tanerns. We can also wander around the ancient market, a picture of the city as it was one hundred years ago. There you can buy souvenirs and you can taste traditional food as well. It is also known as the "Quarter of the Gods".
Monastiraki

Passing by

Lively Monastiraki is known for iconic landmarks including the ruins of Hadrian’s Library, the Ancient Agora and the rebuilt Stoa of Attalos, with a museum exhibiting Athenian artifacts.
Hadrian's Library

Passing by

Once the most luxurious public building in the city, Hadrian’s Library was erected around AD 132. It has an internal courtyard and pool bordered by 100 columns.
Stoa of Attalos

Passing by

The Stoa of Attalos was a stoa in the Agora of Athens, Greece. It was built by and named after King Attalos II of Pergamon, who ruled between 159 BC and 138 BC.
Ancient Agora of Athens

Passing by

The agora was a central public space in ancient Greek city-states. It is the best representation of a city-state's response to accommodate the social and political order of the polis. The literal meaning of the word "agora" is "gathering place" or "assembly".
Mount Lycabettus

20 min

Lycabettus is a hill of Athens . It has the small church of Agios Georgios at its top and a cable car also operates . Lykavittos is the second highest point of the Attica basin after Turkovunia and rises to 277 meters above sea level and 227 meters above the city.
National Archaeological Museum

one hour Admission not included

You must choise one of two museums: National Archaeological Museum or Acropolis Museum :

The National Archaeological Museum in Athens houses some of the most important artifacts from a variety of archaeological locations around Greece from prehistory to late antiquity. It is considered one of the greatest museums in the world and contains the richest collection of Greek Antiquity artifacts worldwide.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Foivos Hotel Athens
Alter Athens Hotel
Aether Athens Urban Hotel
The Square Hotel by X&N
Zenith Hotel
Athens City Plaza
ZEUS Essence Wyndham Athens Residence
Apollo Hotel
Titania Hotel
Athens Zafolia Hotel
Athens Ivy Suites
Philippos Hotel

and 430 more pickup points

The guide driver will be happy to pick you up from any location you prefer — whether it is a hotel (where they will be waiting for you at the reception), an Airbnb, the Port of Piraeus (meeting you right outside your cruise ship with a sign displaying your name), or a metro or bus station. Simply provide us with the exact address or meeting point when you make your booking.

If, for any reason, you are unable to locate your driver, please contact the emergency number shown on your voucher.

Additionally, one day before your tour, we will send you the driver’s full contact details so you can reach them directly if needed.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Additional fees if the tour concludes at a location other than the designated meeting point.
Flexible Pick-Up Times - Customize pick-up times to suit your schedule.
Hourly Extensions - Extend your tour for a fee, adaptable to your needs.
You must choise one of two museums: Acropolis Museum or National Archaeological Museum
Ticket prices for archaeological sites vary depending on the season, either winter or summer
The Acropolis is closed on January 1st, March 25th, May 1st, Easter Sunday, and December 25th and 26th.

Options

"By MiniBus up to 12pax"

Private tour in 8hours

Luxurius Mercedes Benz

Skip line Tickets: We will purchase the tickets and you can pay the driver directly in cash. (by card-additional charge to cover the bank fees

Pickup included
"By Sedan up to 3pax"

Private tour in 8hours

Luxurious Mercedes Benz Sedan

Skip line Tickets: We will purchase the tickets and you can pay the driver directly in cash. (by card-additional charge to cover the bank fees

Pickup included
"By MiniVan up to 8pax"

Private tour in 8hours

Luxurius Mercedes Benz

Skip line Tickets: We will purchase the tickets and you can pay the driver directly in cash. (by card-additional charge to cover the bank fees

Pickup included