Private Athens Historical Walking Tour: Changing of the Guard

Ancient ruins, a ceremonial guard change, and the neighborhoods where Athenians actually live

A private 3-hour walking tour of Athens led by a local English-speaking guide, starting at Syntagma Square and moving through the city's ancient and modern layers. You watch the hourly Changing of the Guard ceremony, walk the perimeter of the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora, pass Hadrian's Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, see the Panathenaic Stadium, browse Adrianou Street for local goods, and finish in Kolonaki. The neighborhood where contemporary Athens happens. The guide handles the route and the stories. You just show up and walk.

Step-by-step itinerary

Athens historical walking tour highlights

• Meet guide at Syntagma Square
• Watch Changing of the Guard ceremony
• Take metro to Acropolis station
• Walk around Acropolis perimeter
• Pass through Ancient Agora
• Shop on Adrianou Street
• Visit Diogenis Square and Hadrian’s Arch
• See Temple of Olympian Zeus ruins
• Explore Panathenaic Stadium
• Walk through Kolonaki area
• End tour at Academy of Athens

Stops and time spent at each 9 stops

1. Syntagma Square 10m
2. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 10m
3. Herakleidon Museum 40m
4. Adrianou Street 15m
5. Hadrian’s Arch 10m
6. Temple of Olympian Zeus passing by
7. Olympic Stadium 15m
8. Kolonaki Square 30m
9. Academy of Athens passing by

What’s included

• Local English-speaking guide leading the entire walk.
• the Changing of the Guard ceremony explained as it happens.
• Greek coffee.
• tips on what else to see, do and eat in Athens.
• a route through both ancient monuments and modern neighborhoods where locals live.

Times

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• Monday to Saturday 09:30

Information

Private 3-hour walking tour of Athens with a local English-speaking guide: watch the Changing of the Guard at Syntagma Square.

Group Private 2 similar group tours ›

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts. See the exact address

Book up to 1d before

Ages Adult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Wheelchair accessible Accessible transport Stroller-friendly Pets welcome Public transport nearby Not recommended with heart problems Infants must sit on laps

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

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The experience

Start in Syntagma Square, Athens's most important plaza, surrounded by neoclassical buildings including the Grande Bretagne, once a royal palace, now a luxury hotel. At the upper end of the square stand the Evzones, the guards of the Constitution, dressed in 17th and 18th century clothes: white skirt, red hat, old rifle. The Changing of the Guard happens every hour, and your guide will explain the tradition as you watch the ceremony unfold.

From there you take the metro to Acropolis station and walk around the walls of the famous Acropolis, passing the Ancient Agora along ancient roads. You'll see Hadrian's Arch, built to honor one of Rome's most celebrated emperors, and the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The Panathenaic Stadium appears next: white marble, the site of the first Olympic Games and where the 2004 Olympic marathon ended. Your guide provides the stories behind these monuments. If you want to tour inside the Acropolis itself, that's a separate visit on your own time.

Adrianou Street gives you a chance to browse local products: ouzo, olive oil, sponges, leather sandals, bags. The kind of shopping you won't find on other Athens tours. Then the walk moves through Diogenis Square and into Kolonaki, the heart of modern Athens, where you see where locals wander, shop, and gather. The tour ends at the Academy of Athens. Along the way you'll sip Greek coffee, get tips on what else to see and eat during your stay, and hear about the customs and traditions that still exist today: all from someone who lives here.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6).

What is the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Syntagma Square?

The Evzones are the guards of the Constitution, traditionally dressed in 17th and 18th century clothes: a white skirt, red hat, and old rifle. They perform an hourly changing of the guard ceremony that your guide will explain as you watch it happen.

Do I need to buy a metro ticket separately for this tour?

Metro travel is part of the tour route (you'll take it from Syntagma to Acropolis station), but the ticket is not included, so you'll purchase it when you board.

Can I go inside the Acropolis on this tour?

No, this tour walks around the perimeter of the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora. If you want to tour inside the Acropolis itself, you'll need to arrange that separately on your own time.

What neighborhoods do I see on this tour?

You walk through ancient Athens around the Acropolis and Ancient Agora, then move into Plaka (Athens Old Town) and Kolonaki, the modern heart of the city where locals live and gather today.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed.

How long does the tour take?

The tour is 3 hours long, covering Syntagma Square, the Acropolis perimeter, the Ancient Agora, Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium, Adrianou Street, and Kolonaki.

Operated by Intrepid Urban Adventures - Greece. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated today