Best of Athens and Ancient Corinth Full Day Private Tour





Description
Explore all of Athens and Ancient Corinth historical highlights in comfort on this private, full-day tour. Get around Athens’ most-cherished attractions and then venture south of Athens to discover highlights of the Peloponnese. Visit Acropolis, where you can stroll through the Parthenon, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Propylaea, and the Erechtheum. Take views of the city from Lycabettus Hill and explore the neighborhoods of Plaka and Monastiraki. Cross the Corinth Canal to leave mainland Greece and explore the Ancient Corinth, the wealthiest city in all the ancient world, a leader amongst the powerful Greek city-states, built at the foothills of the rocky hill of Acrocorinth. • Drive to the Parthenon where you have free time to visit the Acropolis Museum • See the Hellenic Parliament guards; pass-by Panathenaic and Kalimarmaro stadiums • Explore Ancient Corinth, antiquity’s most powerful commercial crossroads
Tour Options
Itinerary
Walk on the land in which thousands of years ago some of the largest and most important parts of the global philosophy, politics, and science were born and flourished. Navigate ancient monuments of priceless cultural and historical value and experience in person the greatness and glamour of Greek ancient times. Starting off with the Acropolis, which in Greek translates to the edge of the city, the geographically and spiritually highest point according to ancient Greeks.
The Propylaea was the monumental gateway to the Acropolis of Athens and was one of several public works commissioned by the Athenian leader Pericles in order to rebuild the Acropolis a generation after the conclusion of the Persian Wars.
An architectural jewel that hosts the best of what the human spirit and genius has ever conceived, an open embrace that awaits its famed sister marbles to welcome them home again.
The Erechtheion is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens in Greece which was dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon.
The Temple of Athena Nike is a temple on the Acropolis of Athens, dedicated to the goddesses Athena and Nike. Built around 420 BC, the temple is the earliest fully Ionic temple on the Acropolis. It has a prominent position on a steep bastion at the southwest corner of the Acropolis to the right of the entrance, the Propylaea. In contrast to the Acropolis proper, a walled sanctuary entered through the Propylaea, the Victory Sanctuary was open, entered from the Propylaea's southwest wing and from a narrow stair on the north. The sheer walls of its bastion were protected on the north, west, and south by the Nike Parapet, named for its frieze of Nikai celebrating victory and sacrificing to their patroness, Athena and Nike.
The Theatre of Dionysus is an ancient Greek theatre in Athens. It is built on the south slope of the Acropolis hill, originally part of the sanctuary of Dionysus Eleuthereus. The first orchestra terrace was constructed on the site around the mid- to late-sixth century BC, where it hosted the City Dionysia. The theatre reached its fullest extent in the fourth century BC under the epistates of Lycurgus when it would have had a capacity of up to 17,000, and was in continuous use down to the Roman period. The theatre then fell into decay in the Byzantine era and was not identified, excavated, and restored to its current condition until the nineteenth century.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone Roman theater structure located on the southwest slope of the Acropolis of Athens. The building was completed in 161 AD and then renovated in 1950.
At the foot of the Acropolis Hill in the shadow of the imposing Parthenon lays a modern jewel that houses some of the most important ancient Greek statues and works of art, the Acropolis Museum.
The Arch of Hadrian, most commonly known in Greek as Hadrian's Gate, is a monumental gateway resembling a Roman triumphal arch. It spanned an ancient road from the center of Athens, Greece, to the complex of structures on the eastern side of the city that included the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Between the Acropolis and the Ilisos River are the remains of the Olympian Zeus Temple (now known as the Pillars of Olympian Zeus), one of Athens’ most important and oldest shrines. The space even today gives the visitor a sense of grandeur.
Continuing with the stunning Calimarmaro or as it is called today, the Panathenaic Stadium, the house of the first modern Olympic games, made of Pentelic marble in which the Olympic ideals are still reflected today.
After leaving the beautiful Calimarmaro behind us, we will drive up to Lycabettus hill where you will enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the city and admire the combination of ancient and modern Athens from above.
Syntagma Square (Constitution 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.[2] It is located in front of the 19th century Old Royal Palace, housing the Greek Parliament since 1934. Syntagma Square is the most important square of modern Athens from both a historical and social point of view, at the heart of commercial activity and Greek politics. The name Syntagma alone also refers to the neighbourhood surrounding the square.
View of the national guards and the monument of the unknown soldier. Quick stop for a photo.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a war memorial located in Syntagma Square in Athens, in front of the Old Royal Palace. It is a cenotaph dedicated to the Greek soldiers killed during war. It was sculpted between 1930 and 1932 by sculptor Fokion Rok. The tomb is guarded by the Evzones of the Presidential Guard.
The Academy of Athens is Greece's national academy and the highest research establishment in the country. It was established in 1926 and operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Education. The Academy's main building is one of the major landmarks of Athens.
The National Library of Greece is situated near the center of the city of Athens. It was designed by the Danish architect Theophil Freiherr von Hansen, as part of his famous Trilogy of neo-classical buildings including the Academy of Athens and the original building of the Athens University. It was founded by Ioannis Kapodistrias.
The University of Athens has been in continuous operation since its establishment in 1837 and is the oldest higher education institution of the modern Greek state and the first contemporary university in both the Balkan Peninsula and the Eastern Mediterranean. Today it is one of the largest universities by enrollment in Europe, with over 69,000 registered students. The University of Athens was founded on 3 May 1837 by King Otto of Greece and was named in his honour Othonian University. It was the first university in the liberated Greek state and in the surrounding area of Southeast Europe as well. It was also the second academic institution after the Ionian Academy. This fledgling university consisted of four faculties; Theology, Law, Medicine and Arts (which included applied sciences and mathematics). During its first year of operation, the institution was staffed by 33 professors, while courses were attended by 52 students and 75 non-matriculated "auditors".
The Old Parliament House at Stadiou Street in Athens housed the Greek Parliament between 1875 and 1935. It now houses the country's National Historical Museum.
The old historical neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, and incorporating labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture. Plaka is built on top of the residential areas of the ancient town of Athens. It is known as the "Neighborhood of the Gods" due to its proximity to the Acropolis and its many archaeological sites.
The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, arguably making the peninsula an island. The canal was dug through the isthmus at sea level and has no locks. It is 6.4 kilometres (4 mi) in length and only 21.4 metres (70 ft) wide at its base, making it impassable for many modern ships. From high up, you can enjoy the best view of Corinth's isthmus and admire the steep limestone walls while you observe the vessels below you navigate their way through the canal.
Corinth was a city-state on the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece, roughly halfway between Athens and Sparta. The modern city of Corinth is located approximately 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) northeast of the ancient ruins. For Christians, Corinth is well known from the two letters of Saint Paul in the New Testament, First and Second Corinthians. Corinth is also mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as part of Paul the Apostle's missionary travels. In addition, the second book of Pausanias' Description of Greece is devoted to Corinth. Ancient Corinth was one of the largest and most important cities of Greece, with a population of 90,000 in 400 BC. The Romans demolished Corinth in 146 BC, built a new city in its place in 44 BC, and later made it the provincial capital of Greece.
The Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth was constructed between 1931-1932, with intentions to display the numerous recent archaeological excavations. The museum is located within the archaeological site of Ancient Corinth, Greece, and lies under the jurisdiction of the 37th Ephoreia of the Greek Archaeological Service. Key aspects of the Archaeological site of Ancient Corinth include: • Hadgimoustafa spring • Lechaion Road • Basilica • Fountain of Peirene • Stoa • Agora • Odien • Other temples • Theatre
The Temple of Apollo at Corinth was constructed in 550 BC.
Acrocorinth, "Upper Corinth", the acropolis of ancient Corinth, is a monolithic rock overseeing the ancient city of Corinth, Greece. With its secure water supply, Acrocorinth's fortress was repeatedly used as a last line of defense in southern Greece because it commanded the Isthmus of Corinth, repelling foes from entry by land into the Peloponnese peninsula.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
This private tour is exclusively for your group, ensuring a personalized and flexible experience. Pickup time can be adjusted upon request. Your driver can pick you up and drop you off either at the same location or at different locations of your choice within Athens. * Hotel pickups: Your driver will be waiting in the hotel lobby. * Apartment pickups: Your driver will be waiting outside the building entrance. * Cruise port pickups: Your driver will meet you at the disembarkation gate, holding a sign with your name for easy identification. * Airport pickups: Your driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name. We monitor all incoming flights to ensure a timely pickup, even in case of delays.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Our drivers are not official tour guides, but they are knowledgeable and can provide fascinating commentary in fluent English. Although they will not enter the archaeological sites with you, they can answer all of your questions about the places you visit with this tour.
- Third party activities and especially extreme sports are not allowed during the tour. This can be a cause for immediate cancellation of the tour.
- We can provide you with the skip-the-line tickets for the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum upon request or you can pre-purchase them by following the links on your ticket/ voucher. The availability is limited and these tickets must be pre-purchased timely.
Reviews(14)
Our driver, Mike, was amazing! He was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and always happy to share helpful recommendations, especially for places to eat and shopping. We also really appreciated that he was flexible and allowed us to take breaks whenever we wanted, which made the trip much more comfortable and enjoyable. Thank you, Mike, for making our experience so memorable.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are truly delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience with us. Your kind words are greatly appreciated and serve as a wonderful motivation for our entire team to continue delivering exceptional service. It was our pleasure to be part of your visit to Greece, and we sincerely hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again on a future trip. We wish you all the best and hope to see you again soon!
My experience was above and beyond my expectations. Spyros our tour guide went above and beyond to ensure we did not miss any exciting spots in Athens and Korinthos. The drive in the city and to Korinthos was joyful with detailed insights of sites shown and visited. Spyros was punctual picking us up at the hotel and on sites after visiting. He is extremely knowledgeable of Greece history and the sites which makes it very interesting. I am looking forward coming back but this time with a bigger group of friends and family. I will totally recommend My Athens Transfers and Spyros if you want value for your money 💰
Thank you very much for your excellent review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us. It was a pleasure having you, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
Our driver / Tour guide - Mr Spyros - is simply amazing. He connects, he educates and he cares. He made the tour worth every effort put into it. Thanks so much Spyros.
Thank you very much for your excellent review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us. It was a pleasure having you, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
Nikos took us around Athens, and then to Corinth, stopping to allow us to take pictures wherever we wanted. We finished the day with a snack at the top near Corinth. Nikos was very knowledgeable and friendly, and considered our needs completely. I would recommend him to anyone wanting to tour and learn about the area. We really enjoyed the day with Nikos!
Thank you so much for your excellent 5-star review! We’re truly delighted to know you enjoyed your experience with us. Your kind words mean a lot to our team — we always strive to provide professional, friendly service and memorable moments during every tour and transfer. We hope to welcome you again soon on your next visit to Greece!
What an amazing day! So glad that we chose this tour - especially for our first time in Athens. Our guide - Spiros - was wonderful. He was very flexible with us on timing at different spots but still made sure we got to see everything on time - especially the changing of the guards. He was very knowledgeable about the area and was patient with all the questions we had for him. We would strongly suggest this tour - and ask for Spiros!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're truly glad to hear that you had a great experience with us. Your kind words mean a lot to our team and motivate us to continue providing the highest level of service. We hope to welcome you again in the future!
What a day Spyros pick us up at our hotel right on time and off we went for our tour of the highlights of Athens and off to Corinth stopping to see the Corinth Canal on the way: we ended the day with a wonderful lunch at a traditional Greek restaurant with a wonderful view and great food!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with our service. Your kind words mean a lot to us, and we're delighted that we could contribute to making your trip memorable. We look forward to welcoming you back on your next adventure. Safe travels until then! Greetings from Spyros!
This tour was one of the most memorable of our family vacation. There were many beautiful places to visit, especially the fortress on top of the mountain, and the canal, where you will be able to see a spectacular view of the river and people bungee jumping every few minutes. Our tour guide, George is very knowledgeable, friendly, and is willing to answer any questions.
We are so grateful for your review! Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community. Greetings from George!
Very good experience indeed. We saw the historical facts of what has written in the new testament about the work of St.Paul in the area in 55AD. We can also imagined the hardship he experienced. We were very happy with the tour guide cum chaffeur, Mr. Constantine. He drove well and safe with good explanstion. Good car also. Fantastic tour.
We are so grateful for your review, although we do not understand the reason we lost the fifth star. Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community. Greetings from Constantine.
Excellent tour. George was one of the best tour guides we have ever had. We saw everything we wanted to see and George’s knowledge of the area is outstanding. It was a pleasure to spend the day on this excursion with this guide.
We are so grateful for your review. Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community. Greetings from George.
Our tour guide Panos was fantastic. He arranged travel around crowds and got to places perfectly like the changing of Kings guard. Panos knowledge was excellent and he happily told about his country, reg ions and interesting sites. A great day out with local.
We are so grateful for your review. Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community. Greetings from Panos.



