Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon and Acropolis Museum Guided Tour
Description
Travel back in time on a 4 hours Skip-the-line informative and fun tour to the most significant monument in Athens. This tour is guided by an English speaking field expert and licensed tour guide. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Acropolis of Athens through a journey into history, mythology and storytelling. The tour continues with a visit to the Acropolis Museum, which has been ranked among the top Museums in the world. All the original surviving masterpieces from the temples of the Acropolis are displayed with the use of natural light. Excavations are also visible under glass floors and walkways.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet your guide at our office at Mitseon 2, Athens, 11742, at least 15 minutes before the starting time of the tour and start the tour with a visit to the Acropolis hill. On your way up, you will visit the Dionysus Theater, where all the famous ancient dramas and tragedies were first performed. You will walk around the stunning Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and the sanctuary of the healing god Asclepius. On the top of the hill you will visit the Propylea, the Temple of Nike, the Erechtheion Temple, and of course the Parthenon; the symbol of democracy and western civilization. Dating back to 5th century B.C, these monuments are testimonials of the glorious ancient Athens and the Golden Age of Pericles. Take a short break before you continue to the Acropolis Museum, during which you can use the bathroom.
Right after the Acropolis tour you will have the opportunity to visit the Acropolis Museum located just a few minutes walk from the Acropolis site. On the ground floor the exhibited artifacts reveal to you facets of the Athenian daily life; you get to know the wedding customs, the children's favorite toys, the healing techniques, the religious practices. On the first floor, you will experience standing at a breathing distance from the mysterious archaic statues of the 6th century B.C that once adorned the Acropolis. Be fascinated by walking next to the Caryatids and huge pieces of the Acropolis entrance. At the last floor, next to the breathtaking view of the Acropolis, one can admire the original unique in concept and artistic excellence Parthenon frieze.
Walk to the Parthenon which was dedicated to the goddess Athena, the patroness of the city of Athens. Admire this 5th-century zenith of the Doric order architecture.
Breeze past the line and experience the thrill of seeing the Theater of Dionysus where many famous ancient comedies and tragedies were first performed.
Continue to the Roman Herodion theater which was built in memory of the wife of Herodes Atticus.
Climb up to the gateway of the Acropolis, the Propylaea.
Take in views of the Temple of Athena Nike.
Finally, see the Erechtheion which is a unique masterpiece of architecture mainly due to its asymmetrical composition, and its supports include 6 sculpted female figures.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair and strollers accessible; not suitable for people with mobility impairments, children under 6, pregnant travelers, or those with serious medical conditions
- If you opted for the "WITHOUT tickets" choice, please bring cash to purchase your admission ticket at our check-in spot just before the tour. We can reserve tickets for your designated time as long as you let us know in advance that you will get them from us. Otherwise you must buy them on your own from the official sites at least 24 hours before the tour. When you book the option without entrance tickets, ask for instructions about the correct time slot of the tickets, before you buy them on you own.
- Elevator use to the Acropolis is not permitted on group tours
- Our guides may adjust the order of sites for your comfort
- Choose the private option for a more flexible start time
- Entrance tickets: If you booked with tickets, your guide will hand them to you at the meeting point. If you booked without tickets, please buy them online at least 24h in advance (ask us for the correct time slot), or you may purchase them from us (30€ Acropolis / 20€ Museum per person, adult tickets only) only if you notify us, at least 24h in advance, to ensure availability.
- Punctuality is crucial due to strict Acropolis entry times; latecomers cannot be accommodated and no refunds are possible
- Meeting point: Athenian Tours Office, Mitseon 2, 11742 Athens (short walk from Acropolis Metro). From the Port of Piraeus allow 30–40 minutes by taxi, longer in morning traffic
- The Acropolis is on a steep hill; some paths are slippery when wet
- Bring water, hat, sunglasses, and umbrella if it rains (no cafés on site, only a water fountain)
- Audio quality may occasionally be affected by other groups’ equipment
- Please note: On days when the Acropolis or Acropolis Museum offers free entry, our tour prices are adjusted accordingly, ensuring you are not charged for these complimentary tickets.
- ID check required upon entry for reduced/free tickets holders
- Not suitable for children under 6 years old
- Not suitable for people with mobility impairments.
Reviews(2,280)
Mari was an awesome knowledgeable tour guide! She had great energy and was frequently checking in to see if we had any questions or comments. I would recommend this tour guide excursion for anyone visiting Athens for the first time! The museum add-on was a huge plus.
Lydia was the best. We really enjoyed her insight on everything.
We booked the full guided tour of the Acropolis and the Acropolis museum. Lydia, our guide from Athena Tours, was fantastic and did a wonderful job of sharing historical details and anecdotes behind the places we visited and saw. Lydia kept us all engaged and entertained the whole time, all 4 hours, 2hrs while climbing up the hill and another 1.5hrs in the museum! I would highly recommend her and the tour.
Fabulous guide. You can walk around on your own, but it was great to get the history lesson. Would caution it is a bit of a climb, and the heat is tough. Wear good shoes!
It’s a difficult walk up the acropolis but well worth it!! Our guide, Marina was absolutely wonderful. She was extremely knowledgeable always had our well-being in the front of her mind. Her manner was very upbeat and engaging. There wasn’t anything she didn’t know. She was absolutely fabulous.
Dear Nancy, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you found the visit to the Acropolis well worth the effort and that Marina made such a positive difference to your experience. Her knowledge, engaging personality, and genuine care for the group are qualities we truly value. We’ll be very happy to share your kind words with Marina, as we’re sure they will mean a lot to her. Thank you for choosing us and for your lovely recommendation. We hope to welcome you again in Athens! Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
Natalie our guide was very knowledgeable and took time to make sure our group stayed together safely. Steps can become slippery at times and you need to be cautious climbing up to the Acropolis.. Well worth the effort. Bring plenty of water. It can get very hot..
Dear Daniel, Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that Natalie’s knowledge and attentive approach helped make your experience enjoyable and comfortable. We’re especially pleased that you appreciated the care she took to keep the group together and ensure everyone’s safety throughout the visit. The Acropolis involves uneven and sometimes slippery surfaces, particularly during the summer months, so comfortable footwear, plenty of water, and caution are always important. We’re glad you found the experience well worth the effort! Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you again in Athens. Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
The welcome staff were lovely. The instructions about where to find the tour office were helpful. The tour guide gave detailed information and kept a very patient pace. They distribute ear pieces so that you can hear the tour guide no matter where in the group you are standing. This also helped keep us together as a group. It was extremely hot weather (Greece in August) and it was windy on top of the Acropolis. They recommended to wear a sun-hat, which was *vital* to keep the sun at bay, but I recommend one that ties under the neck so you don’t worry about losing it to the wind!
Dear Julia, Thank you for your detailed and thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear that you found our welcome team helpful and the meeting instructions clear. It’s also wonderful to know that you appreciated your guide’s detailed explanations and patient pace, as well as the audio system that helps everyone stay connected with the group. August in Athens can certainly be very hot, and we’re glad our recommendation to bring a sun hat helped you stay more comfortable. Your tip about choosing one that secures well in the wind is certainly useful for future travellers! Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you again in Athens! Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
If you book this tour ask for Lydia! She was knowledgeable and gave us details on other things to do after the tour. We took her recommendations and they were amazing!
Dear Traveller, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that Lydia made your experience so enjoyable with her knowledge and thoughtful recommendations. It’s especially lovely to know that you followed her suggestions and had such a great time discovering more of Athens afterwards. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Lydia, as we know she’ll be very happy to hear them. Thank you for choosing us and for recommending our tour. We hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Athens! Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
If you only take one tour in Athens, it’s this one. The experience was amazing, the guide was so knowledgeable, and the logistics were easy. Don’t skip the museum.
Dear Traveller, Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for taking the time to share your experience with us! Your kind words truly mean a great deal to our entire team. We are delighted to hear that you found the tour to be such a memorable part of your visit to Athens and that our guide's knowledge and passion helped bring the history of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum to life. It is also fantastic to know that the organization and logistics made your experience smooth and enjoyable from start to finish. We couldn't agree more that the Acropolis Museum is an essential part of understanding the incredible story of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. We sincerely appreciate your recommendation and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back on another one of our tours the next time you visit Athens. Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
It was really expensive for what the tour was. My main concern was the guide. Alexander has very soft spoken and mumbled. It was quite difficult to understand what he meant saying. His tone was not engaging and it did not keep me interested. We paid around $265 for 2 with entries and museum included and we regretted it. I didn’t learn anything and would have rather done it on my own. The tour guide should be good at speaking to groups, clear and engaging. It ruined the experience for us.
Dear Traveller, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are genuinely sorry to hear that the experience did not meet your personal expectations. We understand that every traveller has a different learning style, preferred pace, and expectations when joining a guided tour, and that the guide's presentation style can have a significant impact on the overall experience. Our guides are licensed professionals who are passionate about sharing the history and heritage of Athens, and many guests appreciate their individual approach to storytelling. We also strive to offer a comprehensive experience that includes both the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum, together with carefully planned logistics and included entrance tickets. Your comments are appreciated, as they help us better understand the different expectations of our guests. We sincerely hope you enjoyed the beauty of these remarkable sites and wish you many wonderful travels ahead. Warm regards, The Athenian Tours Team
