Tours/Athens/Best of Athens in one day private tour & Acropolis skip the line
Viator · Private tour

Best of Athens in one day private tour & Acropolis skip the line

5.0(51)Athens1 hour
VIATOR5.0(29)TRIPADVISOR5.0(22)

Description

Dear travellers welcome to Athens! This is the best selling option so you can get a full taste of the city of Athens, guided by an expert, fluent in English Athenian driver. He CANNOT enter the sites with you. You will be provided with insightful commentary along the way. Learn the history of ancient and modern Athens and the fascinating mythology behind it. Start with going 2500 years back in history by visiting the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora. Explore the different neighborhoods of Athens and all the points of interest. Your driver can give you many useful tips. Visit one of the best museums in the world, the Acropolis museum or the Archeological museum. Explore Plaka, the neighborhood of the Gods. Eat the best fresh local Greek food after discussing your choices with your driver. This tour is PRIVATE so there is flexibility if you desire to remove or add something as long as it doesn't exceed the duration of the tour. We will make sure you will have the most amazing day!

Tour Options

Best of Athens in one day private sightseeing tour
  • Pickup included

Itinerary

Admission not included90 min

First stop the Acropolis hill. A bucket list visit for milions around the globe. Witness from up and close the most perfectly designed building in history and the most copied one. The Parthenon, or in Greek Parthenonas meaning the temple of the virgin goddess Athena, the daughter of Zeus the god of the Gods. This is the cradle of the Western civilization, where the foundation were put and where democracy was born. Learn the fascinating history behind the Acropolis and the ancient myths related to it. Admire also the temple of Athena Nike, the Propylea, and last but not least the Erechtheon with its beatiful 6 maidens statues. On the slopes of the Acropolis there is probably the oldest theater in the world from 600 BCE and also a Roman odeon used to this day.

Admission not included60 min

Next stop the ancient Agora of Athens. The center of political, financial and social life. A site brought to light by the American school of classical studies. A beatiful site where you can admire probably the most well preserved ancient Greek temple dedicated to Efestos, the blacksmith god that makes all the weapons of the gods, the son of Zeus and Hera. On site there is also a beautiful reconstruction of an ancient 2 storey shopping mall. Today the ground floor houses the museum with the findings of the agora excavation which is still going on. Beautiful pottery, ancient coins, ballots, water clocks and a lot more. Yes, there was a shopping mall with 42 shops 2500 years ago. Apart from that the site has many ruins of goverment buildings, temples, court houses, parliament, theater, statues. Socrates the famous philosopher stepped on this ground. Mostly flat and covered in trees. A must visit site after the Acropolis.

Pass by

Pass by the very busy square of Monastiraki with the flea market, the antique market, shops, restaurants and also some archaeological sites. Your driver will help you navigate and provide tips for each area.

Pass by

Pass by the central meat and fish market of Athens. Smell all the herbs and spices sold in the cute small shops in the front of the market. If you desire and it's possible for the driver to safely park the car so you can hop off and get a look inside this loud and busy market. Get the feeling of every day Athenian life.

Pass by

Pass by the most beautiful neoclassical building in the world. Amazing design reminding ancient temples. Beautiful statues of Greek gods and philosophers. Next the first univercity of Greece and the old national library. This is called the trilogy and all where built around late 19th century.

20 min

Witness the changing of the president's guards. A ceremony taking place every hour on the hour in front of the tomb of the unknown soldier where we pay respect to all the Greek soldiers lost in battle and their bodies never returned home. Their traditional uniform is full of symbolisms behind them, related to our recent history. A very important thing to see to understand the pride and discipline of the young Greek soldiers doing their duty for 1 year like every other Greek male over 18 years old.

Pass by

The temple of the Olympian Zeus. The largest temple in antiquity completed finally by the Roman emperor Hadrian in the second century AD. Look at the size of these enormous columns and the famous Hadrian's arch at the far end of the site.

10 min

The olympic stadium, built for the 1896 first modern Olympic games. Unique because it is all built by beautiful pure white marble from Pendeli mountain as the Acropolis, 10 miles from the city. Every year this is the finishing line of the authentic Marathon run where it was born.

15 min

Now the million dollar view. Admire the city from the best view point up in Lycabetus hill. Get a real sence of the size of this big city.

Admission not included90 min

Built in 2009 and voted among the best museums in the world several times. On the foundation of the building a real excavation of an ancient Athenian neighborhood found during the construction, incorporated with the building. Amazing collection of findings from the Acropolis. Many replicas of artifacts stolen by Europeans few centuries back. Not to be missed while in Athens to have a complete experience of the Acropolis. Full of glass that illuminates the sculptures and also you are able to see the Acropolis high up.

60 min

An alternative for the Acropolis museum. The old part of the city on the foothill of the Acropolis. Beatiful historical neighborhood of Athens. Picturesque alleys, nice shops, cafes, restaurants. Good option for lunch also. Always very vibrant day and night.

Admission not included60 min

The most incredible museum that covers 8 milleniums of history. Golden treasures, statues, murals, pottery and many more. A trip back in time. This can be an option instead of the Acropolis museum or Plaka.

Pass by

If you feel you saw enough and don't want the museum choice or Plaka and want a break from the busy city you can spend some time in this beautiful small port and have a nice ice cream by the blue water. All your available choices will be discussed with your driver. This is a private tour and there is flexibility but within the tour duration.

Highlights

Acropolis skip the ticket line service—tickets pre-bought, reimbursed to the driver on the tour day.
Pick up from your Athens Hotel, Airbnb or Cruise ship.
Expert Athenian driver fluent in English, insightful commentary. CANNOT enter the sites with you.
Comfortable transportation. A/C, Bottled Water

What's included

Included
Acropolis skip the ticket line service—tickets pre-bought, reimbursed to the driver on the tour day.
Pick up from your Athens Hotel, Airbnb or Cruise ship.
Expert Athenian driver fluent in English, insightful commentary. CANNOT enter the sites with you.
Comfortable transportation. A/C, Bottled Water
Not included
Licensed Tour guide upon request, depending on availability. Extra cost ~300 euros paid to the guide
Gratuities (At your discretion)
Lunch
Tickets to the sites

Pickup Locations & Times

Pick up and drop off included from your accomodation. However please note that pick up and drop off from and to the Airport and areas far away from Athens will have an additional cost.

Traveller Ratings

5.0
51 reviews
5
51
4
0
3
0
2
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1
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Important Information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Travel time is already included to the total duration.
  • Tour start time can be customized to suit your schedule – contact us after booking.
  • Skip-the-Line Service for the Acropolis: We pre-purchase the Acropolis and ancient agora tickets on your behalf so you don’t wait at the ticket office, and you simply reimburse the ticket cost to the driver in euros cash on the day of the tour.
  • FREE admission for EU citizens up to 25 years old and FREE admission for non-EU visitors up to 18 years old
  • Please confirm if you would like us to proceed with purchasing the tickets for you, and let us know the ages and nationalities of the participants if applicable, so we apply any free admissions correctly.
  • Acropolis 30€ pp Ancient Agora 20€ pp Acropolis museum 20€ National archaeological museum 20€ pp

Reviews(51)

L
L7916JUkevinw
July 8, 2026
A solid dose of Athens

We arrived in Athens on a cruise and had one day to get a flavor of the city and experience the main sights. Our guide Evangelos was wonderful and tailored the day to prioritize our key desired sights and mix in active, hot activities like the Acropolis and the Agora with activities done in the comfort of the air-conditioned van, like the amazing view from Mount Lycabettus. He suggested a wonderful Greek restaurant for lunch and an amazing bakery to stock up on Baklava. With such a short time to spend in Athens, this tour gave us a great way to soak in as much as possible.

2 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful review! We're thrilled that your day in Athens struck the right balance between history, comfort, and authentic local experiences. Evangelos always enjoys tailoring each tour to his guests' interests, so it's wonderful to hear you were able to see the highlights, enjoy a delicious Greek lunch, and even take some baklava home with you. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope this solid first taste of Athens is just the beginning of many more adventures in Greece. We would be delighted to welcome you back! Thank you for trusting us with your day! Warm regards, Alexander Papageorgiou

L
Laura_P
July 6, 2026
Wow!!! What a great tour!

What a great day!!! Alex was a wealth of information, explaining each stop on the drive to it. We heard battle, social, and political history. I highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to learn more about the rich history of Greece and the sites that accompany it.

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Dear Laura! Thank you for your wonderful review! It was a pleasure spending the day with you and sharing the history that make Greece so unique. I'm delighted you enjoyed the experience and the commentary. Your recommendation is truly appreciated, and I hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Greece for another memorable tour in the future. Until then happy and safe travels! Warm regards, Alexander Papageorgiou

A
A2929KHmattp
July 5, 2026
Great Athens tour

Alex met us right at the cruise terminal and took our luggage to the van. Very nice new vehicle with plenty of room. Alex gave us a wonderful historical review of Athens. He is very knowledgeable and passionate about sharing what he knows about the city and Greece. He made pick up’s and drop offs easy and convenient. He gave us plenty of time to explore the areas on our own. Top rate guide. We will ask for him again if/when we return

3 people found this helpful
Operator response

Dear Matt! Thank you very much for your wonderful review! I'm very happy to hear that you enjoyed your time in Athens and the experience. It was a pleasure meeting you and sharing the history and culture of the city with you. I hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back to Greece in the future! Warm regards, Alexander Papageorgiou

R
Romeo_L
July 1, 2026
Awesome one day in Athens

Great one day in Athens with my family. Our driver George was kind, helpful and knowledgeable about the city. My family had a great time. Because it’s private, we were consulted on our itinerary and able to modify it as the day went on.

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Dear Romeo! Thank you so much for your kind review! It was a pleasure showing you and your family around Athens. I'm delighted you enjoyed the flexibility of the private tour and that George helped make your day enjoyable. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back to Greece again soon! Best regards, Alexander Papageorgiou

T
Todd3544
June 30, 2026
Best of Athens - with the best tour guide in Athens

Alexander was outstanding — clearly knew Athens inside and out and dropped a ton of history at every stop. The tour covered the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Ancient Agora, Monastiraki, the Central Market, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the changing of the guard at Syntagma Square, Kallimarmaro (the original Olympic stadium), the view from Mount Lycabettus, and the Acropolis Museum. He had real depth on each site, not just recycled guidebook lines. Best excursion we’ve had on this Greece & Croatia cruise. He also took us to a great local lunch spot off the tourist track. Small operator, but don’t hesitate — book this one.

3 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thank you so much for this wonderful review! It was a pleasure exploring Athens with you and sharing the stories behind these incredible places. Your recommendation truly means a lot to me. I hope you left Greece with unforgettable memories, and it would be a great pleasure to see you again on a future visit! Warm regards, Alexander Papageorgiou

J
Jason_J
June 30, 2026
The best of Athens with the best in Athens.

Absolutely loved this tour. Our guide Alexander was top notch from start to finish, first class all the way. He made the Acropolis and the rest of Athens come alive with real knowledge and genuine passion, not just a script. The pre bought tickets saved us so much time and let us actually enjoy the experience instead of standing in heat and crowds. This was a private tour for our group of six and Alexander handled it perfectly, pacing everything well and making sure everyone got what they wanted out of the day. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Athens, especially if you want a guide who actually cares about giving you a great experience. Would book with Alexander again in a heartbeat.

Operator response

Dear Jason! (ΙΑΣΟΝΑΣ) In Greek... Thank you so much for writing this amazing review! It was great meeting you all, and I'm really happy you enjoyed your day in Athens. I always feel a great sense of responsibility to offer my guests an experience that they will always remember, so thank you for trusting me with your day! I hope our paths cross again on a future trip to Greece! Warm regards to everyone, Alexander Papageorgiou

S
shelleyd328
June 30, 2026
Best way to see Athens

Alexander is friendly and knowledgeable. He personalized our day trip. We learned so much about the history and culture of Athens. We made many stops along the way and saw so much of Athens in one day. I highly recommend this tour.

3 people found this helpful
Operator response

Dear Shelley! Thank you so much for taking the time to recommend the tour to other travellers! I always adjust the tour to meet my guests interests and show as much of Athens as I can! It was a pleasure spending the day with you! Thank you for trusting me with your day! Warm regards, Alexander Papageorgiou

M
Michael_B
June 26, 2026
Amazing tour & Alex is #1

Alex was excellent!!! He helped accommodate our last minute booking and was able to acquire a guide for the Acropolis for us last minute as well. He provided a lot of great insight and information along the way. He was kind and patient. The tour did not seem rushed at all. I would highly recommend Alex to anyone!!

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Dear Michael! Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was a pleasure meeting you, and I'm really glad you enjoyed the tour. I truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation. Wishing you all the best, and I hope to welcome you back to Greece someday! Warm regards to everyone!

A
Anonymous
June 21, 2026
Best of Athens Private Tour

Our “Best of Athens Tour” exceeded our expectations! Alexander was a wonderful host for eight hours. His enthusiasm, knowledge of Greek history and excellent driving skills made for an enjoyable day. Alexander started our excursion with all the “bucket list” sites in Athens. He dropped us off at the nearest possible site and gave us tips on how to best use our time. After we toured the site at our own pace, he gave us what would soon be familiar directions, “Call my number, hang up and I will pick you up in two minutes.” Lunch could be anywhere we selected. We requested a true Greek restaurant outside the tourist area. He delivered with a place perfect where he knew the owner who personally explained our dining options. Since this was a private tour Alexander helped us plan the afternoon. We requested going to sites we would need to drive to so we could explore walkable sites on our own the next day in the Plaka area. He delivered with sites only accessible by car - not a group tour bus. Alexander then gave us many ideas on how to spend the next day on our own. Alexander and Viator provided an experience far more valuable than a group tour at approximately half the cost of our cruise lines group tour bus.

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this wonderful review and for your patience at the start of the day. I'm glad that you enjoyed discovering Athens! It was really a pleasure meeting you all, and I hope to welcome you back to Greece in the future! Thank you for recommending the tour to other travellers! Warm regards to everyone! Alexander Papageorgiou

A
Alicia_D
June 17, 2026
Amazing tour and experience!

Our tour and driver, Alexander, was amazing. He knew so much about the city, it was like having a private tour guide also. He was very kind and accommodating. My family and I recommend Alexandar and this tour 100%.

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Dear Alicia! Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was my pleasure showing you Athens and it's rich history. I'm delighted you enjoyed the experience. Thank you for recommending the tour to other travellers! I truly appreciate your kind words. Wishing you and your family all the best, and I hope to welcome you back to Athens someday! Best regards to everyone! Alexander Papageorgiou

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