First Access Acropolis Tour, Beat the Crowds, Enjoy the Parthenon
Description
Join our Early Bird Acropolis Tour and beat the heat and crowds! Starting from the main entrance, we'll head straight to the Parthenon and see the famous Caryatids at the Erechteion. Our licensed guide will share fascinating myths and historical facts about these iconic monuments as you enjoy panoramic 360 views of Athens. We'll then head towards the south entrance, passing by the Asklepeion, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and Dionysus Theatre. Capture more stunning views and delve deeper into the Acropolis's rich history. Please note, even in the morning, it can still be hot and crowded and that even with our skip-the-ticket-line service, there might be some waiting time required for security checks. This is because visitor numbers can fluctuate unpredictably at the sites throughout the day. The typical waiting time falls within 0 to 10 or 30 minutes, though on rare occasions, it might be longer.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Perched majestically above Athens, the Acropolis is an ancient citadel on a rocky hill, inviting visitors to explore iconic temples like the Parthenon and discover the birthplace of Western civilization.
The Propylaea serves as the entrance gate to the Acropolis, impressively framed by a marble structure that adds to the grandeur of this sacred monument. With the guidance of your expert tour guide, you'll gain insight into how the Propylaea may have appeared in ancient times, allowing you to visualize the splendor and significance of this iconic gateway.
Positioned prominently to the right of the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike stands as a captivating monument with equally intriguing myths surrounding its creation. On our tour, you'll have the opportunity to learn about the fascinating history and significance of this temple.
Named after the mythical king of Athens, Erechtheus, the Erechtheion is a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. This significant temple holds many secrets and is home to some of the most well-known myths about Athens.
The Parthenon, an unparalleled masterpiece of beauty and unique architecture that has dominated the center of Athens for over 2,000 years. During the tour, our knowledgeable guides will share captivating myths, stories, and historical facts about this amazing building, providing insight into the cultural and architectural significance of the Parthenon.
A Roman theater constructed by Herodes Atticus as a tribute to his beloved wife, Wide Aspasia. But was it solely an act of love or something more? Join us on our tour to uncover the secrets behind this stunning monument
Dedicated to the god of wine and fertility, Dionysus, it holds the honor of being the birthplace of theater. Athenians flocked to this open-air amphitheater to witness plays by renowned Greek playwrights, including Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Strict Acropolis entry times mean we can't wait for latecomers. No refunds will be given.
- All visitors undergo airport-style security; expect peak season waits of up to 30+ minutes.
- Cutoff times sync with Athens local time.
- Tours run rain or shine.
- If you selected the WITHOUT ticket option follow the instructions on your voucher to purchase the tickets
- When entrance to the Acropolis is free, the cost of the entrance fee is already deducted from the tour price
Reviews(174)
This tour was fantastic! The early morning entrance is the way to go. We got to see the Acropolis without any crowds. Our tour guide Andrea was phenomenal and had such great knowledge!
Hello, "Go early!" is the best advice anyone can give for visiting the Acropolis! We are so glad you got to experience the site completely crowd-free. Andrea is absolutely phenomenal, and we feel happy to know her knowledge made your tour so fantastic. Thank you for sharing your feedback! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Great history lesson with great photo opportunities. No long lines to get in so was able to enjoy the first part with not too many people
Hey Dee, Skipping those long lines and enjoying the site before the big crowds arrive is exactly why we love the first-access tour! We are happy that you got some great photos and enjoyed a fantastic history lesson along the way. Thank you so much for exploring the Acropolis with us and for taking the time to share your experience! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
An amazing tour. Our guide, Niobe, was very knowledgeable and you could tell she enjoyed her job very much. She even went so far as to ensure us great pictures of the sacred olive tree before it became too crowded. We were able to see not only the Parthenon, but also one of the two theaters on the hill, and she talked about both theaters in great detail. She also found spots for us to sit, which was appreciated as we had been walking around a lot. Overall this was one of the best tours I have been on and I am very glad we had such a caring and intelligent guide.
Hey Sara, What a beautiful review! Niobe really is a gem, and we love that her passion for her job and her caring nature shone through during your time together. Securing those crowd-free pictures by the sacred olive tree and taking the extra time to deep-dive into both historic theaters are exactly the kinds of details that make the first-access tour so special. We're also so glad she found those comfortable spots for you to sit and rest those feet! Hearing that this was one of the best tours you've ever been on truly makes our day. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Getting early entry was very valuable! It became so crowded and hot within 20-30 minutes. We were able to get pictures without the crowds of people. Our tour guide was very knowledgable and kind. She tried to find us shady spots to discuss the history and context of what we were looking at. Highly recommend!
Hey Jennifer, That 20-to-30-minute window makes all the difference in the world! We are so glad the early entry got you those perfect, crowd-free photos before the morning rush and the heat kicked in. It sounds like your guide was a total pro at scouting out those rare shady spots to keep everyone comfortable while diving into the history. Thank you so much for the high recommendation and for sharing your experience! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Unfortunately, we did not make it to the tour. It was completely our fault because we went to the wrong location. The reason I am giving this a 5 star is due to the customer service we received when we contacted the tour company and realized we were in the wrong location. They did everything they could to ensure our entry tickets were available for us to enter on our own and meet up with the group. We were too far behind and never found them but we appreciate that they made our entry tickets available. They were very kind and resourceful all the way through. I highly recommend this company.
Hey Getsemani, Thank you so much for this incredibly kind review, you warmed our hearts and valued our effort - big shout out for that! While we are also genuinely heartbroken that you missed the tour and weren't able to catch up with the group, your recognition of our customer service means the world to us. Things happen when traveling, and our top priority in those stressful moments is always to pivot quickly and save your day however we can. We are so glad we could at least get your entry tickets into your hands so you didn't miss out on seeing the Acropolis! Thank you for recommending us based on our team's support—you are a fantastic traveler, and we hope we get the chance to actually show you around Athens next time! Though, if you are still in Athens, please contact us to see what else we can do for you! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
On a warm day, earliest access is KEY! Guide with headset is so helpful. Wear tennis shoes, 20,000 pairs of feet per day make the marble and limestone surfaces very slick
Hey Ginger, You nailed it—earliest access is absolutely key, especially on those warm days when the Greek sun starts to heat up! Thank you so much for sharing that fantastic tip about the tennis shoes. You are completely right; centuries of history and thousands of daily visitors have worn those marble and limestone surfaces down until they are incredibly slick! We are also glad to hear that the headsets were helpful in making sure you didn't miss a single word of the history. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and your great advice with future travelers! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
It really is the very best way to see the Acropolis!! Our guide was amazing! 💯 we learned way more than if we had walked it ourselves and it really was less crowded than what we saw as we were leaving!
Hey Jennifer, Seeing the difference in the crowds as you were leaving really shows how much that early start pays off! We are so glad you got to experience the Acropolis at its absolute best. It is wonderful to hear that your guide was amazing and that you walked away with a deep appreciation for the history that you might have missed on your own. Thank you so much for the recommendation and for sharing your experience! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
My husband and I booked this tour to avoid the crowds and to also learn more history about the Acropolis. It was easy to locate our tour guide and group upon arrival and was a smooth experience throughout. This worked great as we were one of the first groups to enter the Acropolis on a Monday morning. Although it got busier towards the end of our tour, we are so glad we took this route instead. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and provided information we most likely would have missed if we were to visit on our own. We highly recommend this tour and especially if you want to be one of the first groups to enter to avoid large crowds.
Hey Anna, Thank you so much for the fantastic recommendation! We are pleased to hear that you and your husband had such a smooth and successful experience with us. Starting your week as one of the very first groups to enter the Acropolis on a Monday morning is truly the best way to do it. While the crowds definitely build up later in the day, getting that early head start makes all the difference! We are also so glad our guide’s deep knowledge provided those hidden historical details you might have missed on your own. Thank you for choosing us for your visit to Athens! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
A lot of walking up and down stone stairs, but seeing the actual Parthenon was worth the climb. Guide Eudora was lively and informative.
Hi Carol, Those ancient paths are definitely a workout, but we are so glad that seeing the Parthenon in person made the hike completely worth it! Theodora (her actual beautiful name) is indeed wonderful, and we are so happy that her lively energy and great information helped keep you motivated and engaged all the way to the top. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Worth it to be the earliest people up to the acropolis! Our guide only provided very surface-level information, and I would have preferred a more in-depth explanation. But, still was the best way to visit.
Hey Anne, You are so right—being among the very first people up on the Acropolis is an unforgettable experience and truly the best way to visit. We appreciate your honest feedback regarding the depth of the history provided. On this early tour, we always try to balance in-depth information with engaging storytelling so our guests aren't overwhelmed, while also maintaining an efficient pace to maximize that crowd-free window at the top. We will certainly share your comments with our guide team to help us perfect that balance.Thank you so much for joining us! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
