Athens sidecar tour: Acropolis, Plaka & Mount Lycabettus

A motorcycle sidecar fits through the streets where cars cannot go.

A 90-minute private sidecar tour of Athens takes two passengers on a brand-new German motorcycle through Anafiotika, Plaka and Mount Lycabettus with a bilingual English-Greek guide who is a licensed tour operator and daily rider. You sit in the sidecar or behind the driver and can swap places at stops; the route covers the oldest neighborhood in the city, the quarter that surrounds the Acropolis, and a hilltop viewpoint over all of Athens. Pickup is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Athens neighborhoods and viewpoints

• Ride through Anafiotika neighborhood
• Discover Plaka neighborhood streets
• Climb Mount Lycabettus for views

The Experience

The tour starts with Anafiotika, the oldest neighborhood in Athens, a place so narrow that only a motorcycle can thread through it. Built overnight by marble restorers who worked on the Parthenon and the Acropolis, it sits outside the common tourist map—about 65 residents live here in white houses with bougainvilleas and geraniums, a scene that resembles a Cycladic island more than central Athens. Your driver shares the neighborhood's stories and history as you ride, and you stop for photographs in the quiet alleys.

From there the route moves into Plaka, the quarter that wraps the Acropolis and takes you back 300 years into the Athens that was being built then. You pass through ancient Greek and Roman monuments on traditional streets lined with taverns and cafes, riding at the pace you choose. Plaka took its name from its Arvanite colonists during the Turkish occupation—in their language it means old city—and today it is one of the most photographed neighborhoods in Athens, but from a sidecar the angle is entirely different.

The final stop is Mount Lycabettus, where the motorcycle climbs through a pine forest to reach a viewpoint at 277 meters. From there you see all of Athens and the Acropolis spread below you, a vantage point most visitors never reach because the hill is usually crowded with tour buses and crowds. Your driver is a true Athenian, bilingual in English and Greek, licensed as a tour guide, and has been riding daily for over 10 years. Helmets and gloves are provided, and the bikes are brand-new.

What’s included

• Private transportation on a brand-new German motorcycle sidecar.
• helmets and gloves.
• a bilingual English-Greek guide who is a licensed tour operator.
• pickup included.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Hellas Vintage Tours | Motorcycle with Sidecar Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to navigate Plaka's narrow streets and hidden corners in a sidecar—the two-person format reaches alleyways that larger groups cannot access, and your bilingual Athenian driver provides local insights throughout.

Traveler reviews

4.99★★★★★★★★★★

76 verified traveler reviews

5 ★75

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is Anafiotika and why does the sidecar route go through it?

Anafiotika is the oldest neighborhood in Athens, built overnight by marble restorers who worked on the Parthenon and Acropolis. The streets are so narrow that only a motorcycle can pass through them, which is why a sidecar tour can reach it while cars cannot; the route includes stops for photographs and stories about the neighborhood's history and its 65 current residents.

Can I choose whether to sit in the sidecar or behind the driver?

Yes. One passenger sits in the sidecar and one behind the driver, and you can swap places at any of the stops along the route, so both passengers get to experience both positions.

Who is the guide on this tour?

The driver is a bilingual English-Greek speaker, a licensed tour guide, and a true Athenian who has been riding daily for over 10 years. He shares historical facts, urban legends and local anecdotes throughout the ride.

What is the view like from Mount Lycabettus?

Mount Lycabettus sits at 277 meters and offers a view of all of Athens and the Acropolis. The route climbs through a pine forest to reach the viewpoint, which is described as a real secret of Athens because it avoids the crowds that gather at more common tourist spots.

What safety gear is provided?

Helmets and gloves are included with the tour. The bikes are brand-new German vehicles, fully licensed, and designed to carry two passengers safely and comfortably.

Is this tour accessible for travelers with mobility concerns?

The tour itself involves sitting in a sidecar or behind the driver on a motorcycle, which is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers. However, the operator notes that public transportation options and wheelchair-accessible transportation are available nearby if you need an alternative way to reach the starting point.