Athens Acropolis and Parthenon Walking Tour
Description
On this Acropolis tour, your local licensed guide will guide you through the most amazing monuments of Athens in approximately 2 hours. You will visit the Acropolis of Athens and its monuments such as the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Dionysus Theatre. You will find all the myths and the stories surrounding those monuments and enjoy the views of the city of Athens from the top of the Acropolis. This tour will end on top of the Acropolis allowing you plenty of time to take more pictures or simply spend some more time on site.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Uncover the secrets of the iconic Acropolis alongside our expert licensed guides. With personal earsets providing crystal-clear commentary, you'll hear every fascinating story and historical detail about Athens' ancient landmarks, ensuring an enriching and unforgettable experience.
Step into the birthplace of theater, the Dionysus Theatre, where the immortal works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides first echoed. Imagine the ancient Athenian crowds captivated by the very dramas that laid the foundation of Western literature.
Travel back in time to the Asklepeion, a sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine. Here, you'll discover where ancient Athenians sought miraculous cures and expressed gratitude for restored health. It was a peaceful haven, a respite from the city's vibrant energy, where healing and tranquility intertwined.
Experience the awe-inspiring Odeum of Herodes Atticus, a magnificent stone theater that continues to host captivating performances to this day. Constructed in 161 AD, this cultural treasure bridges the ancient and modern worlds, offering unforgettable concerts and events in a truly historic setting.
See Philopappos Hill, also known as the Hill of the Muses, where the striking monument of Philopappos stands as a tribute to a cherished Roman benefactor. This picturesque spot offers a perfect moment of pause and reflection during your tour, with breathtaking views of the city below.
Behold the elegant Temple of Athena Nike, perched gracefully on a bastion at the southwestern edge of the Acropolis. Dedicated to Athena as the goddess of victory, this temple stands as a tribute to ancient triumphs, while also offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city below.
Pass through the awe-inspiring Propylaia, the grand marble gateway to the Acropolis. Designed by the architect Mnesikles, this monumental entrance creates a sense of anticipation for the wonders that lie ahead, transporting you back in time as an honored guest in ancient Athens.
Explore the Erechtheion, a temple celebrated for its distinctive architectural beauty and historical importance. Dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon, it showcases the iconic Caryatid Porch, where six graceful maiden statues support the structure, creating a captivating blend of art and architecture.
Stand in awe before the Parthenon, the undisputed masterpiece of the Acropolis and an enduring symbol of ancient Greek civilization. Dedicated to Athena Parthenos, this majestic temple represents the pinnacle of architectural and cultural achievement in classical Athens, leaving an unforgettable mark on every visitor.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please wear comfortable shoes and clothes
- BABY STROLLERS are not allowed on the Acropolis archaeological site and there is no cloakroom at the side entrance we use to enter. For your own convenience, it is recommended to use a baby pouch instead of a baby stroller.
- If you are entitled to a reduced entrance at the site, then a valid ID or Passport is required for verification of age and nationality at the sites.
- Comfortable walking shoes, sun-screen and a hat are recommended
- Bring a bottle of water
- Dress according to weather
- Strict Acropolis entry times mean we can't wait for latecomers. No refunds will be given.
- All visitors undergo airport-style security; expect peak season waits of up to 30+ minutes.
- Cutoff times sync with Athens local time.
- If you selected the WITHOUT Entrance Ticket, you will receive a separate email after booking with a link to purchase your Acropolis Entrance Tickets. You must complete this step within 48 hours of booking and no later than 24 hours before the tour starts. Please note: You need a valid Entrance Ticket to join the tour.
- When entrance to the Acropolis is free, the cost of the entrance fee is already deducted from the tour price
Reviews(1,390)
Our tour guide, Antonis, was well informed, entertaining, and just fantastic! The tour was easy to find/meet and a great experience overall.
Hey Daniel, We are so glad to hear that finding the meeting point was a breeze and that you had such a great experience overall! Antonis is fantastic at blending deep history with plenty of entertainment, so we will definitely pass your wonderful feedback along to him. Thank you for exploring the Acropolis with us and for taking the time to share your review! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
I would say this tour is great for learning about the history of the Acropolis (which is what I wanted) however, for the price, I am unsure it is worth it. The quality of the head set is really budget so with any kind of wind you are unable to hear the host at all. Many people were complaining amongst the group and a few even walked off. Maybe, if there was no wind this tour would be good, but given the location.. there will be wind.
100% worth it! Really makes you appreciate all the history and structures you’re viewing. Our guide was fun and knowledgeable.
Hey Aleksandra, "Do it! Trust me." — now that is the ultimate recommendation! We love hearing that the tour made all those ancient structures and history truly come alive for you. It's exactly why we do what we do. We're delighted that our guide made the experience both fun and deeply knowledgeable! Thank you so much for the enthusiastic shout-out! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Guided tour for this is totally worth it. We had an amazing tour guide who was definitely passionate about the history of Acropolis and Athens. Logistics were fine. Everything got started on time and we had a great tour.
Hey Tanya, Starting on time, smooth logistics, and a passionate guide are the exact ingredients for a perfect tour! We are absolutely happy to hear that the experience was totally worth it and that our guide's love for Athenian history made your visit so amazing. Thank you so much for choosing us to explore the Acropolis and for sharing your great experience! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Obviously a must see in Athens to go see the Acropolis! It was a hot and windy mid-day, so it was a little exhausting. It was fun to see everything, but we did feel like even 2 hours got a little long and the tour would be perfect to be condensed a bit to about 1.5 hours or allow the last 20-30 minutes for pictures. It was interesting though!
Hey there, The Acropolis is definitely an absolute must-see, but that midday heat and wind can certainly take a lot out of you! We really appreciate your honest feedback about the timing. Balancing all the incredible history with the elements can be a challenge, so your suggestion about condensing the talking points or structuring more designated photo time at the end is super helpful for us to keep in mind. We're glad that you still found the history interesting and had fun exploring everything with us! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
A food walking tour is a great way to learn about food and the culture of the place you are visiting. We had a great evening with Naya, our tour guide. Do a small group or private tour.
Hey David, A food tour really is the ultimate window into a city's culture and heart! We are so glad you had such a great evening exploring and tasting Athens with Naya. Opting for a private or small group tour is the absolute best way to keep things intimate and personalized. Thank you for the amazing recommendation and for taking the time to share your experience on Tripadvisor! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Had a great tour with Magna :) wanted a walking guide at the acropolis before our flight & it was perfect and about 2 hours. She was very knowledgeable and kept us engaged. Otherwise we would’ve been walking around years of history without knowing. We skipped the museum section since we had to leave for flight and we still felt like it was enough. Saw everything and kept us at a pace that everyone could keep up.
Hey Olivia, Thank you for the great review! We are so glad that our guide provided the perfect, engaging 2-hour tour before your flight. Walking around thousands of years of history without a guide just isn't the same, and we're so happy she kept everyone at a great pace and made the history come alive. Safe travels, and thank you for making us your final stop in Athens! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Anne was great. Very knowledgeable, answered all our questions, made sure we had a great time. Best way to see the acropolis
Hey Sara, Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that you had the best Athens tour with us. Anne is fantastic, and we will definitely pass along your kind words to her. She loves answering questions and sharing her passion for history, so she'll be delighted to know she helped make this the best way for you to see the Acropolis! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Our tour guide skipped several places that she explained, but we didn't see. She was not very tall, but didn't carry a flag or anything for us to follow. So with as many people as were at the Acropolis it was incredibly difficult to stay with her. She didn't give us time to take pictures, but we had to keep up with her as to not lose her in the chaos. We actually had a couple people in our group get lost for a time. On the positive side, our tour guide had a lot of interesting information to share. I just would not recommend this particular tour to anyone.
Hey Timothy, We really appreciate you taking the time to share this feedback, and we apologize to hear that the experience turned into a stressful race through the crowds instead of an enjoyable tour. While we’re glad our guide's insights and information were interesting, getting separated in the Acropolis chaos is indeed frustrating. Our guides aim to be easy to spot—whether with a sign, a bright accessory, or a clear focal point—especially when navigating heavy crowds, and pacing should always allow a moment for photos. We are also looking directly into why portions of the itinerary felt skipped rather than properly guided. We take this seriously and are addressing your notes with our team to ensure our pacing, visibility, and crowd management keep everyone safely together and relaxed. Thank you for helping us look at what we need to sharpen. Please, feel free to contact us at info@athenswalkingtours.gr and share with us which spots on the itinerary got missed. We would like to look straight into what happened, so any extra details you can share would be incredibly helpful! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Tour guide was great, very knowledgeable and personable. But be prepared to climb and stand in a crazy, scary line to arrive at the top. No fault of the tour guide, just the nature of so.many people visiting the site..FYI do not take any artifacts from the site! When entering the museum you will go through security and xray, and they will find what you took just like the woman in front of me!
Hey Shann, Thank you for your review! We are glad to hear your guide was knowledgeable and personable, and we appreciate you reminding future travelers that packing your patience is a must for the heavy crowds. Of course it's very important to notice and be aware that taking any stones or artifacts from ancient sites is strictly forbidden by law, while security is very tight as needed for the site's preservation and protection. Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
