Acropolis and Agora Tour: The Rise & Fall of Democracy
Description
**Smallest group size in Athens!** For centuries, ancient Athenians experimented with a variety of political regimes until they invented the one that suited them best... or so they thought! Visit the Acropolis & the Ancient Agora, learn the backstory on how democracy was born, and understand its principles, its values, the purposes it served, and, ultimately, the reasons for its failure. Walk in the footsteps of the great minds that established Democracy: Socrates, Pericles, Solon, and Cleisthenes. Explore the Ancient Agora, the heart of ancient Athens, where democracy was first born. Understand why democracy was an experiment, the values and principles it served, and the reasons for its failure. Discover how contemporary democracy compares to Ancient Greek Democracy
Tour Options
Itinerary
The greatest and finest sanctuary of ancient Athens, dedicated primarily to its patron, the goddess Athena, has been dominating the center of the City for Millenia. The monuments of the Acropolis (the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechteion, the Propylae, the Theater of Dionysus), all unique masterpieces of ancient architecture, have influenced art and culture for many centuries and stand in harmony with their natural setting.
Dionysus was the god of wine and grape harvest. The theatre of Dionysus was the oldest to be founded in Athens; it was in this theatre that the unsurpassed works by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes were performed for the first time.
The Temple of Athena Nike was dedicated to the goddesses Athena and Nike. Nike was the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, and Athena was worshipped in this form, representative of being victorious in war. It is said that the cult statue of the goddess at the temple had no wings so that she would never leave Athens.
The Erechtheion is an ancient Greek temple constructed on the Acropolis of Athens in order to house the ancient wooden cult statue of Athena and generally glorify the great city at the height of its power and influence.
The Parthenon is temple that dominates the hill of the Acropolis at Athens. It was built in the mid-5th century BCE and dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena Parthenos (“Athena the Virgin”). The temple is generally considered to be the culmination of the development of the Doric order, the simplest of the three Classical Greek architectural orders.
The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens, the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social activity, the religious and cultural centre, and the seat of justice.
The magnificent temple of Hephaestus, one of the best preserved ancient temples in the world, was the place of worship for two important deities for many merchants and shop owners of the Ancient Agora: god Hephaestus, protector of all metallurgists, and goddess Athena Ergani, protecting all potters and the cottage industries.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Entry fees are non-refundable, non-exchangeable
- ID card or passport are required for people under the age of 25 for possible discounts
- Strollers, backpacks and big bags are not allowed at the Acropolis and should not be taken on the tour
- Premium, small group tour
- We can pre-purchase entry tickets for you, just let us know!
Reviews(12)
Wonderful Vassia, who was able to share her love of Athens and her passion for sharing her culture... a magnificent visit in a small group of the Acropolis and the Agora... anecdotes, mythical tales... a 4-hour visit that felt far too short... so intense... thank you, Vassia
Tour guide was knowledgeable. Did not use headsets🙂 She walked slowly and genuinely made you feel a part of history and mythology.
Everything was perfect from first meeting till bidding adieu. Athena of Alternative Athens was very knowledgeable and patient with us answering all of our questions and going above and beyond. Our recommendation; Book with Alternative Athens if you want a perfect tour tailored to and for you.
Small group of 13 people around our historian guide, unique experience of 4 hours from Hadrian's Arch through the Parthenon to the Agora. We begin at the origin of the world until today, friendly and accessible immersion in Greek mythology.
Very good guide! We recommend! We have learned a lot. The explanations are clear and precise.
Excellent tour guide and a highly informative tour. My family and I loved it. Highly recommended! And we started and finished on time.
A great tour of the Acropolis and Agora that integrated mythology, archeology, and history regarding Athenian democracy. The guide was very knowledgeable, good-natured, and great at adapting to the different types of people in the small group. If the tour were a bit longer that would have enabled the guide to go into a little more depth, show more of the Acropolis, and discuss the fall of democracy, as advertised in the tour description.
We had a very pleasant guide, Christina. She has delivered the 4-hour tour very pleasant and engaging. Nice stories and lots of background information.
Great tour-saw everything, informative, and well run…Tour operator Demi extremely knowledgable & professional. Liked the remote headsets. I used to give volunteer tours in my hometown historic district and compliment with enthusiasm. !
Exciting and highly educated guide. It adapts to its audience. She is very kind and attentive to our questions Two small flats: – we have too often stood listening to him quickly causing back pain and foot pain; it would have been better to walk more or sit more frequently - no earphones to listen to the guide; so you have to listen when there is a lot of ambient noise
