Acropolis and Ancient Agora Walking Tour: Parthenon with guide

Stand before the Parthenon and walk where Socrates debated in the Agora

This guided walking tour of Athens covers two major archaeological sites (the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora) with a licensed guide and all entrance fees included. You'll see the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike, Temple of Hephaestus, and the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos, with hearing devices provided so you can hear the guide clearly throughout both sites. The tour requires moderate physical fitness due to steep terrain and uneven ground on the Acropolis.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Acropolis30m · entry included
2. Odeon of Herodes Atticus10m · entry included
3. Theatre of Dionysus15m · entry included
4. Parthenon30m · entry included
5. Temple of Hephaestus15m · entry included

Explore Acropolis and Ancient Agora

• Visit the Acropolis of Athens
• View the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
• Explore the Theatre of Dionysus
• See the Parthenon temple
• Visit the Temple of Hephaestus
• See the Stoa of Attalos
• Walk through the Ancient Agora of Athens

The experience

The Parthenon dominates the first part of the day. Your guide leads you up the Acropolis to stand before this former temple to Athena, whose sculptures are counted among the finest works of classical Greek art. You'll also see the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike on the same rocky outcrop, with the guide explaining the myths and history woven through each structure. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, still used for performances today, and the Theatre of Dionysus sit on the slopes below.

After the Acropolis, the route descends to the Ancient Agora: the marketplace and assembly ground where Athenian democracy and philosophy took root. Here you walk through the Stoa of Attalos, a two-story colonnaded building restored in the 1950s that is now home to the Museum of the Ancient Agora, and stand before the Temple of Hephaestus, among the best-kept temples of ancient Greece, built around 449 BC. The guide walks you through the space where Socrates once moved among the crowds, making the scale and purpose of this gathering place concrete.

Hearing devices connected to your guide's microphone mean you won't strain to listen across the open sites or in crowds. All entrance fees to both the Acropolis monuments and the Ancient Agora are included, so there's no separate ticket line to navigate. The terrain is uneven and includes steep sections on the Acropolis, so the tour suits travelers with at least moderate fitness. It's not recommended for those with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns, or pregnancy.

What’s included

• Your tour includes entrance fees to both the Acropolis monuments and the Ancient Agora.
• a licensed guide speaking English throughout.
• and hearing devices so you can hear clearly at both open-air sites.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00 and 11:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Athens Walks Tour Company

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want both the iconic Acropolis temples and the Ancient Agora in a single visit, with a guide explaining the connection between sacred and civic Athens. The hearing devices and included entrance fees mean you move between sites without stopping for tickets or straining to listen.

Traveler reviews

4.87★★★★★★★★★★

255 verified traveler reviews

5 ★231

4 ★17

3 ★5

2 ★1

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Temple of Hephaestus and why is it worth seeing?

The Temple of Hephaestus, located in the Ancient Agora, ranks among the best-kept temples of ancient Greece. It dates to around 449 BC and honors the god of fire and craftsmanship. Its classical Doric architecture offers a rare, intact glimpse into ancient Greek religion and construction from the height of the Athenian Empire.

Can I hear the guide clearly at both the Acropolis and the Agora?

Yes. Hearing devices connected to your guide's microphone are provided for the entire tour, so you'll hear clearly even in open-air sites or when the group spreads across a large area.

How much walking and climbing is involved in this tour?

The tour covers two archaeological sites with uneven terrain and steep sections, particularly on the Acropolis. You'll need at least moderate physical fitness. The tour isn't advised for anyone with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.

What exactly is the Ancient Agora and what will I see there?

The Ancient Agora was the commercial, assembly and gathering place of classical Athens, located northwest of the Acropolis. You'll see the Temple of Hephaestus, walk through the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos (a two-story covered walkway that now houses a museum), and stand in the space where Socrates and other philosophers once debated.

Are entrance fees included in the tour price?

Yes. Entrance fees to both the Acropolis monuments and the Ancient Agora are included, so you don't need to buy separate tickets at either site.

What's the difference between the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora?

The Acropolis is the rocky hilltop citadel containing temples like the Parthenon, built as a sacred sanctuary. The Ancient Agora is the marketplace and civic center at ground level to the northwest, where commerce, assembly and philosophy happened: the everyday heart of Athenian life.