Athens Full Day Private Tour

The Full Day Tour of Athens begins with a scenic seaside drive along the Coast of Poseidon, following the Aegean Sea, which surrounds the Attica Region from the southwest to the southeast. Along the way, you’ll pass Salamis Island, the site of the famous Naval Battle of Salamis between the Greeks and Persians, a victory that ushered in Athens' Golden Age. The drive continues to the Marina of Zea, once the main grain supply port for ancient Athens (known for Zea bread) and now one of the most exclusive yacht marinas in the world.

The first stop is a brief pause in the upscale residential area of Piraeus, Kastella, known for its castle-like apartments and stunning coastal views. From here, you can also see the picturesque leisure port of Microlimano ("Small Port") below. As you travel from Piraeus to Athens, you’ll pass several notable landmarks, including basketball and soccer stadiums, the 2004 Olympic facilities, the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center, and the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center.

The tour's next major stop is the Acropolis, the iconic symbol of Greece. This 5th-century BC plateau rises 150 meters above sea level and was once protected by an impenetrable wall. You'll have 60-90 minutes to explore the Acropolis, starting with its grand entrance, the Propylaea, and the Temple of Athena Nike. At the top, you'll visit the Erechtheion with its famous Caryatid statues and the Parthenon, made from Pentelic marble. On your way down, you'll pass the ruins of the Theater of Dionysus, the god of wine and entertainment, and the well-preserved Odeon of Herodes Atticus, still used for performances today.

After the Acropolis, the tour continues to Philopappos Hill, where you’ll visit the Pnyx, the ancient site of Athens' parliament and a key location in the history of democracy, with stunning views of the Acropolis.

Next, the tour heads to the Greek Parliament, where you’ll witness the changing of the National Guard in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This brief ceremony takes place every day, with an extended 40-minute parade every Sunday at 10:20 am.

From there, the drive takes you past key landmarks including the Catholic Cathedral of St. Paul, the National Bank of Greece, the Old Parliament (now the National Historical Museum), and the "Trilogy of Athens" — the Academy of Sciences, the University of Athens, and the National Library.

The tour then stops at the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the largest temple in mainland Europe, dedicated to the king of the ancient gods. Nearby is Hadrian’s Arch, which symbolically divided ancient Athens into two parts. This stop requires about 15-20 minutes to explore.

Next is a brief visit to the Panathenaic Stadium (Kalimarmaro), a marble structure that can hold 60,000 spectators and was the site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. This stadium also hosted the first marathon race.

The tour continues with a drive past the embassy district to Lycabettus Hill, the highest point in Athens at 280 meters, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and the Aegean Sea.

The second major stop (60-90 minutes) is the Ancient Agora in the Plaka district, the heart of ancient Athens. Here, you are free to explore the center of Athenian democracy, commerce, philosophy, and education. Visit the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos, the ruins of the ancient marketplace, and the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus. This area also offers the opportunity to experience local culture, sample traditional food, and shop at the flea market.

The tour concludes with a relaxing drive back to your hotel, the airport, or the cruise ship terminal in Athens.