Early Access Acropolis and Museum Guided Tour
Description
Embark on an early morning, 4-hour skip-the-line tour to the most significant monument in Athens and beat the summer heat and crowds for a more pleasant experience. This informative and fun tour, led by an English-speaking field expert and licensed guide, will take you on a journey back in time. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Acropolis of Athens through captivating history, mythology, and storytelling. The tour continues at the Acropolis Museum, ranked among the top museums in the world. Here, you can admire the original surviving masterpieces from the temples of the Acropolis displayed using natural light, as well as view excavations visible under glass floors and walkways. Enjoy the added benefit of having free time after the tour to explore Athens further at your own pace.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet your guide at the Acropolis metro station 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.
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
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- In an effort to ensure that you will avoid any kind of discomfort and most importantly that you will feel comfortable, our guides may change order of the sites you may visit.
- Choose the private option for a more intimate experience at a starting time that can be arranged upon request
- 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 (around 35 euros per person). 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.
- Due to strict Acropolis entry times, punctuality is crucial. Latecomers cannot be accommodated, and no refunds will be provided.
- Entrance tickets (if you select option with entry tickets included) to be handed by the guide in paper form on date and time of the visit, at the meeting point.
- We cannot use the elevator to the Acropolis on group tours
- Strollers are not allowed in Acropolis
- The Acropolis of Athens is a citadel built on top of a relatively steep hill which can be slippery at specific spots especially when raining.
- Bring a bottle of water (no cafe-bar at the site, only a water fountain), a hat, sunglasses, and an umbrella on a rainy day.
- Audio quality may be affected by other groups' equipment during crowded times.
- 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(1)
Our guide Natasha was wonderful. The only issue was timing. I wish the tour went straight to the top at opening to avoid crowds.
Dear Lori, Thank you for sharing your feedback with us! We’re very happy to hear that Natasha made your experience wonderful with her guidance and care throughout the tour. We also truly appreciate your comments regarding the timing and crowd levels. Your suggestion about heading to the top right at opening is very valuable, and we’ll certainly take it into consideration as we continue improving the flow and experience of our tours. Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back for another experience in the future! Warm regards
