Athens: Acropolis & Parthenon Private Tour with Hotel Pickup

The Parthenon has stood for 2,500 years: see it without the crowds

You get hotel pickup, a private sedan for up to four people, and a driver who knows Athens' history well enough to answer questions at each stop. The tour covers the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Evzone ceremony, Lycabettus Hill views, and a walk through Plaka and Monastiraki, with the option to add museum time. No entry fees are included, so book your Acropolis tickets online a few days ahead.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each7 stops

1. Acropolis1h
2. Parthenon20m
3. Temple of Olympian Zeuspassing by
4. Academy of Athenspassing by
5. Plakapassing by
6. Acropolis Museum1h
7. Ancient Agora of Athens1h

Explore Athens ancient and modern highlights

• Visit Acropolis including Erectheion
• See Parthenon temple
• Pass by Temple of Olympian Zeus
• Stop at Panathenaic Stadium
• Watch Changing of the Guard ceremony
• Photo stop at Lycabettus Hill
• Pass by Greek Parliament and National Garden
• Pass by Presidential Mansion
• Pass by Academy of Athens
• Drive through Plaka neighborhood
• Free time in Monastiraki Square

The experience

The Parthenon rises above Athens the moment you step out of your hotel. On a private Acropolis tour, you skip the entry-line chaos and move at your own pace through the temples, theaters and sanctuaries that built Western civilization. Your driver picks you up, handles the route, and waits while you stand in front of the Erectheion or the Temple of Athena Nike: no schedule pushing you along, no group of forty people blocking the view.

After the Acropolis, the tour swings past the Panathenaic Stadium, the only all-marble Olympic stadium on earth. It hosted the opening ceremony of the first modern Olympics in 1896, and the marble still catches the light the same way it did then. Then comes the Evzone Changing of the Guard at the Presidential Mansion: the ceremonial soldiers in their traditional uniforms perform the same precise routine every hour, and it's one of those moments that photographs tell the story better than words do. From there, Lycabettus Hill gives you a 277-meter vantage point over the whole city, the Acropolis, and the sea beyond.

The route also takes you through Plaka's narrow streets, past the Academy of Athens with its statues of Plato and Socrates, and ends in Monastiraki Square, where you can spend free time at a café, browse the flea market, or grab a souvenir. The driver stays with you the whole time: water and WiFi included, air conditioning in the car, and someone who knows the history of each stop without needing to be a licensed guide. You can add the Acropolis Museum or the Ancient Agora if you want to go deeper, or keep it simple and just move between the open-air sites at whatever pace feels right.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned sedan, an English-speaking driver with historical knowledge of each site, bottled water, and WiFi on board.
• The tour covers the Acropolis (Parthenon, Erectheion, Temple of Athena Nike, Theatre of Dionysus), the Panathenaic Stadium, the Evzone Changing of the Guard ceremony, Lycabettus Hill for panoramic views, the Academy of Athens, a drive through Plaka, and free time in Monastiraki Square.
• You can add optional visits to the Acropolis Museum (approximately one hour) or the Ancient Agora (Stoa of Attalos, Temple of Hephaestus, and other ruins).
• Entry fees to all sites are not included and must be purchased separately.

Options for this experience

3 options

Classic 4 HoursGuide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 11:00includes pickup

Ancient Agora, 5 hoursGuide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 11:00Ancient Agora: Explore the Ancient Agora, the center of ancient Athens and the cradle of democracy and philosophy. Includes pickup

Acropolis Museum, 5 hoursGuide in English · 8 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 11:00Acropolis Museum: Explore Athens' premier ancient artifacts, with roughly one hour to wander at your own pace. Includes pickup

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

Information

Lasts 4h–5h, runs every day, 8 start times, from € 120 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: 07:30, 08:00, 08:30, 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 10:30 and 11:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate1 group tour ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessible

Operated by Colours of Greece

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to see Athens' main ancient sites in one outing without arranging transport, timing your own entry, or navigating crowds: the private vehicle and your own pace mean you control how long you spend at each stop and which optional sites to add.

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Top questions

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.

Do I need to book Acropolis tickets in advance?

Yes. The tour does not include entry fees. Pre-order your tickets online a few days before your visit to avoid delays.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, and a child seat is available upon request. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat and sunscreen, and plan for walking at each site.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned sedan, English-speaking driver with historical knowledge, bottled water, and WiFi on board. Entry fees to sites are not included.

Can I add the Acropolis Museum or Ancient Agora to the tour?

Yes. Both are optional add-ons. The museum offers about one hour to explore at your own pace. The Agora includes the Stoa of Attalos, Temple of Hephaestus, and other ruins.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is marked as wheelchair accessible. However, the Acropolis itself involves walking on uneven ancient stone surfaces. Confirm accessibility details with the operator before booking.

What if I want to spend more time at one site?

Since it's a private tour, you set the pace. Your driver waits while you explore, so you can linger at the Acropolis, Monastiraki, or any other stop as long as you need.