Ancient Agora & Temple of Hephaestus: Self-guided audio tour

The Temple of Hephaestus is the world's best-preserved ancient Greek Doric temple.

This is an entry ticket to the Ancient Agora of Athens, including access to the Temple of Hephaestus and the Church of the Holy Apostles, with a timed slot and self-guided audio tour. You scan your ticket at the gate and either wander the archaeological site at your own pace or use headphones to listen to professional guides narrate the history and original stories as you walk. The audio guide is available in English, and the ticket is for travelers 25 and older.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ancient Agora and Temple of Hephaestus

• Enter Ancient Agora archaeological site
• Visit Temple of Hephaestus
• See Church of the Holy Apostles
• Walk around and explore monuments
• Listen to self-guided audio tour

The experience

The Ancient Agora was the center of political, social, religious and commercial life in ancient Athens: a gathering place where merchants sold goods, philosophers like Socrates and Plato exchanged ideas, and citizens debated the latest political matters. Your ticket gives you access to walk through this archaeological site and stand in front of its most important monuments: the Temple of Hephaestus, the Altar of the Twelve Gods, the Apollon Patroos, and the Church of the Holy Apostles, where St. Paul once preached.

You choose your entry time slot when you book, then scan your ticket at the validating machines and explore on your own terms. The self-guided audio tour is optional. You can wander in silence or put on headphones and listen to professional, licensed guides present historical information and handpicked stories while you walk uphill through the site. The audio is in English and designed to travel with you at whatever pace you set.

Public transportation options are available nearby if you need them. The site suits all physical fitness levels, though the terrain does include uphill walking. Note that this ticket is for travelers 25 and older. Reduced-price tickets are not available online.

What’s included

• Entry ticket to the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Hephaestus for your chosen date and time slot.
• self-guided audio tour in English (the specific audio option depends on which ticket you select at checkout).

Options for this experience

2 options

Entry ticket with an audio guide for Plaka9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 16:00Self-guided audio tour of Athens Old Town and Plaka (not for the Ancient Agora)

Entry ticket plus two self-guided audio tours9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 16:00Choose this option to get the most from your visit with two self-guided audio tours covering the Ancient Agora and Plaka, the Old Town of Athens

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 16:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (25 and older) · Under 25: can't be booked

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by KeyTickets

Is this one for you?Choose the audio option if you want the history and stories of the site narrated as you walk. Pick the entry-only option if you prefer to explore in silence at your own pace. Either way, you control the speed and the route through the monuments.

Traveler reviews

3.23★★★★★★★★★★

26 verified traveler reviews

5 ★10

4 ★3

3 ★4

2 ★1

1 ★8

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is the Temple of Hephaestus?

The Temple of Hephaestus is the world's best-preserved ancient Greek Doric temple. It stands within the Ancient Agora and is one of the most notable monuments you'll encounter on the site.

Can I explore the Ancient Agora without the audio guide?

Yes. You can wander the archaeological site at your own pace without the audio tour, or you can choose to use the self-guided audio option depending on which ticket option you select at checkout.

What does the Church of the Holy Apostles have to do with the Ancient Agora?

The Church of the Holy Apostles is located within the Ancient Agora archaeological site. St. Paul, one of Jesus's twelve apostles, used to visit and preach there, making it one of the area's most historically significant monuments.

Do I need to be a certain age to visit?

This ticket is for travelers 25 years and older. Reduced-price tickets are not available online.

How do I get to the Ancient Agora?

Public transportation options are available nearby. Once you arrive, you go directly to the entrance of the archaeological site, scan your ticket at the ticket-validating machines, and begin exploring.