Tours/Athens/Best of Athens and Cape Sounio Full Day Private Tour
Viator · Private tour

Best of Athens and Cape Sounio Full Day Private Tour

4.8(37)Athens1 hour
VIATOR5.0(11)TRIPADVISOR4.8(26)

Description

Experience the best of Athens historical city, Athenian riviera and Cape Sounio on this full day private day tour. The perfect tour for travelers with limited time as you’ll see multiple Athens and Cape Sounio highlights in a day including Acropolis Hill, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Temple of Zeus, Vouliagmeni lake and Temple Of Poseidon. - Save time and see multiple Athens and Sounio highlights in a day - Travel in a top of the line Mercedes Benz private vehicle - Enjoy a personalized experience

Tour Options

With Greek Traditional Food
  • Lunch/ Dinner: Enjoy authentic Greek cuisine and traditional foods. Pickup included
Without food
  • Pickup included

Itinerary

10 min

Pick up from your hotel, apartment, Airbnb, Athens airport, or Piraeus port

Admission not included60 min

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.

15 min

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.

30 min

On the top of this sacred hill, proudly stands the Parthenon, which is the epitome of ancient Greek architecture, where you will experience the greatness of ancient Greece captured on every piece of marble. 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.

15 min

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.

15 min

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.

15 min

The Theater 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.

15 min

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.

Admission not included60 min

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.

10 min

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.

10 min

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.

10 min

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.

20 min

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.

5 min

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.

5 min

Traveling thousands of years ahead, to the Hellenic Parliament building that houses the Greek Parliament in an impressive building in downtown Athens overseeing Syntagma Square, protected by the presidential guard that consists of two soldiers dressed in the traditional Greek combat uniform, standing stationary and guarding beside the tomb of the unknown soldier. The two guards perform the guard change ceremony every hour with impressive accuracy and agility.

15 min

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.

Pass by

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.

Pass by

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.

Pass by

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".

Pass by

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.

Pass by

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.

Pass by

Glyfada is a suburb in South Athens located in the Athens Riviera. It is situated in the southern parts of Athens' urban area. The area stretches from the foot of the Hymettus mountain to the Saronic Gulf. It is the largest of Athens' southern suburbs.

Pass by

Voula is a southern suburb of Athens.

Pass by

Vouliagmeni is a seaside suburb and former municipality 20 km south of Athens city center.

10 min

During our return to the city of Athens, we will stop at one of the most idyllic places. Vouliagmeni Lake, in the heart of the Athenian Riviera, is the hidden treasure of Attica's nature. Lake Vouliagmeni ("Sunken Lake") is a small brackish-water lake fed by underground currents seeping through the mass of Mount Hymettus located to the south of Vouliagmeni.

Pass by

Varkiza, also Alianthos, is a suburb of greater Athens forming part of the municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni in southern Attica.

Pass by

Anavyssos is a town and a former municipality in East Attica.

Admission not included60 min

Cape Sounion is the promontory at the southernmost tip of the Attic peninsula, 8 kilometers (5.0 mi) south of the town of Lavrio (ancient Thoricus), and 70 kilometers (43 mi) southeast of Athens. It is part of Lavreotiki municipality, East Attica. It is 59.6 km away from Athens. Cape Sounion is noted for its Temple of Poseidon, one of the major monuments of the Golden Age of Athens. Its remains are perched on the headland, surrounded on three sides by the sea.

Admission not included30 min

The ancient Greek temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, built during 444–440 BC, is one of the major monuments of the Golden Age of Athens. A Doric temple, overlooks the sea at the end of Cape Sounion, at a height of almost 60 meters (200 ft).

90 min

If the option "With Traditional Greek Food" is selected, we make a stop at a seaside tavern near the coastal city of Anavyssos to enjoy authentic Greek cuisine and traditional foods.

Highlights

Private transportation
Bottled water
WiFi on board
Professional drivers with deep knowledge of history (not licensed to accompany you in any site)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel/ airport/ port pickup and drop-off
Lunch/ Dinner (With Greek Traditional Food option)

What's included

Included
Private transportation
Bottled water
WiFi on board
Professional drivers with deep knowledge of history (not licensed to accompany you in any site)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel/ airport/ port pickup and drop-off
Lunch/ Dinner (With Greek Traditional Food option)
Not included
Licensed tour guide (upon request and depending on availability)
Gratuities
Acropolis (must be purchased in advance - limited availability) Yes 30
Acropolis Museum (must be purchased in advance - limited availability)
Sounio & Temple of Poseidon (can be purchased only on-site)

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

4.8
37 reviews
5
34
4
2
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Important Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • 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(37)

Z
Z5627KScaroliner
June 29, 2026
Full day, Athens and surrounding

We had a fantastic day touring Athens with Dimitris! He was punctual, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable. His vehicle was spotless and very comfortable, making the day even more enjoyable. Dimitris shared fascinating information throughout the tour while still giving us plenty of time to explore on our own. He was flexible, accommodating, and never made us feel rushed. In fact, our tour ended up lasting a couple of hours longer than planned, and he was more than happy to continue without any issues. His friendly personality and local expertise made for a wonderful experience. I would highly recommend Dimitris to anyone visiting Athens and looking for a memorable, personalized tour.

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us. Your kind words truly mean a lot to our team and motivate us to continue providing the best possible service to our guests. It was our pleasure to be part of your trip to Greece, and we hope to welcome you again in the future! Thank you once again for choosing us.

S
Susan_P
May 25, 2026
Excellent way to see Athens in 1 Day

Michael was on time to pick us up and was a wonderful driver with excellent knowledge of the area and history.

Operator response

Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us. Your kind words truly mean a lot to our team and motivate us to continue providing the best possible service to our guests. It was our pleasure to be part of your trip to Greece, and we hope to welcome you again in the future! Thank you once again for choosing us.

C
colew832
May 16, 2026
The Perfect Day Trip in Athens!

We only had one day in Athens, so we booked this tour in hopes of seeing as much as possible in a limited time. It exceeded our expectations! Our driver, Michael, was amazing. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the city and he gave us a rundown on each of the sites we were visiting in between stops. He was also flexible and we adjusted our schedule throughout the day based on what we really wanted to see and how much time we spent at each stop.

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us. Your kind words truly mean a lot to our team and motivate us to continue providing the best possible service to our guests. It was our pleasure to be part of your trip to Greece, and we hope to welcome you again in the future! Thank you once again for choosing us.

N
N5132QChannahb
October 22, 2025
Best tour - excellent communication and professionalism!

From start to finish our tour was incredible! Alex not only caught that our flight had changed and let us know so we wouldn’t miss the tour, but provided incredible skills throughout the day. He was professional, knowledgeable, funny and an excellent driver. We got to see things we didn’t even plan on seeing, with a history lesson added in! We had the best day - did not feel rushed at all visiting any of the sights and really enjoyed learning about the region. Bonus was that Alex timed everything perfectly so we were ahead of the crowds at the most popular places. Perfect day!

Operator response

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!

B
Barry_C
October 21, 2025
Total satisfaction

John was great Informed , knowledgeable patient and flexible. Very people friendly Highest recommendation

Operator response

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!

G
GianPaoloImberti
September 5, 2025
Admission costs 20€ each and it's money wasted

We went in the day by car and arrived at the entrance they asked us 20 € to take a walk of 100 meters and to see a dozen columns above a rock. Wasted money. You can still see it from the outside. Besides the columns there is nothing. The same sea view can be admired from a bar that is there before the entrance. In Athens much larger and more beautiful sites are free. AVOID

Operator response

Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are truly sorry to hear that the visit did not meet your expectations. However, we would like to clarify that the entrance fee is not determined or collected by our company. It is set by the Greek Ministry of Culture and applies equally to all visitors, with the purpose of supporting the preservation and protection of the archaeological site. The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion is considered one of Greece’s most iconic landmarks, both for its historical significance and for its breathtaking location overlooking the Aegean Sea, especially at sunset. Of course, experiences may vary from person to person, but for many visitors, it is one of the highlights of their trip to Greece. We sincerely appreciate your comments, as they help us better understand the different expectations of our guests.

K
katepD9838FA
August 26, 2025
Outstanding day out …. Great value for money

We had an absolutely fantastic day on this full-day tour. The itinerary was well planned, covering all the highlights without ever feeling rushed. Each stop gave us plenty of time to explore, take photos, and really enjoy the experience. What made the day truly special, though, was our driver, Alex. From the moment we were picked up, he was warm, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable about the region. He shared fascinating insights along the way, making the journey between stops just as enjoyable as the destinations themselves. His driving was smooth and safe, and he went above and beyond to make sure everyone in the group was comfortable and happy. Alex’s enthusiasm and genuine care made the tour feel personal and memorable. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and driver. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting – and if you’re lucky enough to have Alex as your driver, you’re in for a wonderful experience!

Operator response

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We truly appreciate your kind words and are delighted to hear that you had such a great experience with us. Your satisfaction means the world to our team, and it motivates us to keep providing the highest level of service. We hope to welcome you again in the future!

Y
Yuen_A
July 9, 2025
A+ tour

Yiannis our guide was fabulous. He was really knowledgeable and informative and a pleasure to spend time with. I would recommend this Tours to anyone visiting Athens!!!!

Operator response

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are truly delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience with us. Your kind words motivate our team to continue providing the highest level of service. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on your next visit!

R
Razaan_V
July 9, 2025
Exploring Athens

Alex was very informative and always showed us when and what needed to do. The restaurant he arranged for lunch was good. They were extremely friendly and service was quite quick. Would definitely recommend him for any future travellers.

Operator response

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are truly delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience with us. Your kind words motivate our team to continue providing the highest level of service. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on your next visit!

G
Gerard_B
May 31, 2025
Great Athens Private Tour

We were scheduled for a 11am tour but due to the taxi strike in Athens our taxi driver canceled the airport pickup to hotel transport. I contacted Viator and asked if they could pick us up at the airport and they were able to accommodate us. We had a full day private tour with Nick P and started our tour earlier. He stores our luggage and was a perfect gentlemen. He gave us a complete tour of Athens and arranged a late lunch at a nice family seaside seafood restaurant with beautiful ocean views. We were exhausted from the overnight flight by then end of the tour but were so pleased of our first day in Athens

Operator response

Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time with us and that everything met your expectations. It was a pleasure to have you as our guest, and we hope to welcome you again in the future for another memorable experience in Greece!

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