Tours/Athens/Athens Highlights Half Day Private Tour
Viator · Private tour

Athens Highlights Half Day Private Tour

5.0(416)Athens1 hour
VIATOR4.9(113)TRIPADVISOR5.0(303)

Description

If you want to visit Athens but have only 5 hours, this is your best option. See the highlights of Athens skipping traffic on a private tour, feeling like a traveler.

Tour Options

ADD ON: 2 HOURS ISLAND CRUISE
  • Athens Half Day Private Tour: & 2- Hour private Cruise Duration: 7 hours UPGRADE WITH: A private cruise to nearby island, enjoying crystal-clear waters, stunning views, and total relaxation aboard a luxury boat Pickup included
Athens Half Day Private tour
  • Monuments: Acropolis Panathenaic Stadium Monument to the Unknown Soldier Hellenic Parliament Mount Lycabettus Ancient Agora of Athens Duration: 5 hours Pickup included
BEST OFFER: 2 Tours Discount
  • Athens Half Day Private Tour Sunset Sounio or Corinth: •Sunset Sounio- Temple of Poseidon or •Ancient Corinth Afternoon Visit Pickup included

Itinerary

20 min

Explore the best of Athens in just a few hours—marvel at the Acropolis and Parthenon, visit the Temple of Zeus and Panathenaic Stadium, witness the changing of the guard, and enjoy sweeping city views from Lycabettus Hill. Finish at either the Ancient Agora or the acclaimed Acropolis Museum for a perfect taste of ancient and modern Athens.

Admission included90 min

Sightseeing in Athens starts with the hill of Acropolis which will make your day. On the historical hill, you will have the opportunity to see the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Temple of the Athena Nike, the monumental gateway (Propylaea), the Erechtheum and of course the famous Parthenon, the main temple dedicated to the virgin goddess Athena.

Pass by

Parthenon, the main temple dedicated to the virgin goddess Athena. The eternal symbol of the Athenian Democracy and the Western Civilization.

Pass by

The Propylaea is the monumental entrances to the sacred area dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of the city. Built by the architect Mnesicles with Pentelic marble, their design was avant-garde. To the south-west of the Propylaea, on a rampart protecting the main entrance to the Acropolis, is the Ionian temple of Apteros Nike.

Pass by

Temple of Poseidon and Athena, the strangest and most sacred place in ancient Athens.

Pass by

Temple dedicated to the goddess Athena Nike or Wingless Victory.

Pass by

The Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus is a major theatre in Athens, considered to be the world's first theatre, built at the foot of the Athenian Acropolis.

Pass by

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone Roman theater structure located on the southwest slope of the Acropolis of Athens, Greece. The building was completed in 161 AD and then renovated in 1950.

Pass by

After the Acropolis, we will head towards the Temple of Zeus, the biggest temple in antiquity, devoted to the King of the Gods, by way of Hadrian's Arch.

20 min

We will visit Panathenaic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896.

10 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.

5 min

The Hellenic Parliament, in Greek known as Voulí ton Ellínon is the parliament of Greece, located in the Old Royal Palace, overlooking Syntagma Square in Athens. The Parliament is the supreme democratic institution that represents the citizens through an elected body of Members of Parliament.

Pass 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.

Pass by

The Academy Building constitutes one of three parts in an “architectural trilogy”. It was founded with the Constitutional Decree of March 18th, 1926, as an Academy of Sciences, Humanities and Fine Arts.

Pass by

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens is the largest state institution of higher learning in Greece, and among the largest universities in Europe. The splendid Athens University was designed by the Danish architect Christian Hansen and completed in 1864.

Pass by

The National Library of Greece was built at the end of the 19th century, as the last of the Architectural Trilogy of Athens, a group of three neoclassical buildings which also includes the Academy and the University. The building was designed by Theophil Hansen.

15 min

Then moving into the historical center of the city we will drive up the highest hill of Athens, Lycabettus Hill, where you’ll have the best panoramic view of the city, from the hill of Acropolis to the Aegean Sea.

Admission included60 min

You will visit the Ancient Agora, which is considered the birthplace of democracy, philosophy and free speech.

Admission not included60 min

Instead of visiting the Ancient Agora, you can choose to visit the new Acropolis Museum. As you enter the museum grounds, look through the plexiglass floor to see the ruins of an ancient Athenian neighborhood, which were artfully incorporated into the museum design after being uncovered during excavations. This dazzling modernist museum at the foot of the Acropolis’ southern slope showcases its surviving treasures still in Greek possession. While the collection covers the Archaic and Roman periods, the emphasis is on the Acropolis of the 5th century BCE, considered the apotheosis of Greece’s artistic achievement. Built in 2009, this museum was voted as the best mono-thematic museum for 2019.

Highlights

Private transportation
Bottled water
Professional Drivers with Deep knowledge of history [Not licensed to accompany you in any site]
Hotel/ AirBnb/ Port pick up & drop-off
Skip the line Tickets [Acropolis, Ancient Agora]

What's included

Included
Private transportation
Bottled water
Professional Drivers with Deep knowledge of history [Not licensed to accompany you in any site]
Hotel/ AirBnb/ Port pick up & drop-off
Skip the line Tickets [Acropolis, Ancient Agora]
Not included
Licensed Tour guide upon request depending on availability [Additional cost - 280 €]
Lunch
Acropolis Museum [If chosen visited instead of Ancient Agora]

Pickup Locations & Times

Pick up time adjustable upon your request.

Traveller Ratings

5.0
416 reviews
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Important Information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The drivers are not licensed to accompany you inside any site or museum. If you require a licensed guide to tour the sites with you, you need to hire one additionally. If you have any questions you can contact us on the phone number provided by Viator.
  • Please contact us after your booking if you are using a wheelchair or if you are travelling with infants
  • Tickets Included in the bookings made after 6/11/2023

Reviews(416)

S
subynn
June 11, 2026
Half day Athens

Excellent way to maximize time and see everything significant in Athens

8
864cn
May 30, 2026
Half Day Athens Adventure!

Amazing day... Terry provided great insight in all the locations we visited. Early at pickup from hotel and wonderful spot for lunch and then took us to the airport for our Island hoping adventure to begin. He was funny... answered every question the kids or adults asked. Thank you to both Terry and the Olive Sea Tour Company making everything smooth and stress free. Opa!

3
333travelguru
May 28, 2026
Excellent tour and guide!!!!

Had the most incredible tour with Manos! His English is very good and he is very informative and patient!!! It’s evident he’s passionate about what he does! I would highly recommend him and Olive Sea Travel

1 people found this helpful
2
279mindyh
May 27, 2026
10/10

Tolis was an incredible guide and we loved this experience. He answered all our questions and we learned so much! I would absolutely recommend this tour. 10/10 fabulous.

O
OnAir624830
May 26, 2026
Athens half day tour

Our guide, Tolis, was phenomenal! He was super nice, informative, and accommodating. I absolutely loved every aspect of the experience. I highly recommend it!

S
sandiegos2026
May 15, 2026
Exceptional driver/host Stefanos packed with Athens History

Experienced driver Stefanos was just fabulous. We received history along with the experience and Stefanos seemlessly guided us through Greek history and we took in the sights leaving us with a new found appreciation of the culture and origins of many European educational foundations as well as the arts. This one is sure to be a favorite with history buffs married with a knowledge and appreciation of Greek mythology. Stefanos provided the ultimate experience for those with just a couple days in Athens. Don’t miss out on this experience. Air conditioned vehicle was a nice plus.

C
Charles_W
May 7, 2026
Athens highlights

This 5 hour tour was the perfect length after coming off a cruise ship in Athens. Our Guide Manos was accommodating and welcoming. He was knowledgeable about the sites visited and easy to talk with. He gave us a good insight to Greek culture and how it influences the preservation of Athens. The skip the line tickets provided were very helpful at the acropolis. The van was new, clean and comfortable. I would recommend the tour to any of my friends or family.

S
Sunshine66881164160
April 29, 2026
Very comfortable private tour without stress ;)

We had an amazing tour with Pantenis (we don't remember the exact name :)). We will spend just 3 days in athens and wanted to visit the "must have seen" places in athens. He drove us to different spots we really liked and he told us about very interesting facts about their history. The driving was very safe and we enjoyed the day a lot, thank you!

M
merileeb2026
February 26, 2026
Great 1/2 private tour of Athens

Manos was incredible. He gave us a glimpse of the Greek culture with a personal touch. He made each stop interesting. We would highly recommend him!

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled that Manos could make your journey memorable and cultural. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to host you again on another adventure.

M
Mimiinthecity0407
February 6, 2026
Adventures in Athens with Andreas

This 4 hour private tour of Athens hit all our expectations and more. Andreas was an awesome guide and as a local took us through parts of Athens that I’m sure you would not see. We thought his sense of humor, kindness and attention to our comfort was amazing. The Acropolis is MUST see and everything we learned at Athens was so enlightening. Don’t hesitate to book this. Olive Travel is a superb tour operation.

Operator response

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled Andreas and the tour exceeded your expectations, showing you Athens' unique sides with his excellent guidance. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to assist you again.

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