Athens City Tour from Piraeus: Acropolis & Plaka

Five hours to walk the Acropolis and wander Plaka between ship and shore

A five-hour guided tour from Piraeus Cruise Port takes you through central Athens by air-conditioned bus, with stops at the Acropolis, the Panathenaic Stadium (site of the first modern Olympic Games), the Greek Parliament, and the Old City of Plaka. You choose whether to enter the Acropolis or spend the time exploring Plaka's streets instead. An English-speaking escort and a multilingual audio guide in ten languages accompany the group throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each5 stops

1. AcropolisEntry included1h
2. Olympic Stadiumpassing by
3. Herakleidon Museumpassing by
4. Parliament Buildingpassing by
5. Plaka1h 30m

Athens city tour and Acropolis visit

• Step off cruise ship
• Board air-conditioned bus to Athens
• Explore the Acropolis and Parthenon
• Enjoy panoramic city tour of landmarks
• See Panathenaic Stadium and Parliament
• Photo stop at Hellenic Parliament guards
• Admire the Temple of Zeus
• Free time in Old City (Plaka) for shopping and dining
• Return to cruise ship

The experience

The bus picks you up at Piraeus Cruise Port and heads straight into Athens. You'll pass the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games took place, and stop for photos at the Greek Parliament to see the Evzones guards. The route also takes in the Temple of Zeus before you reach the heart of the city.

At the Acropolis, you decide how to spend your time. If you've added the entry ticket, you skip the lines and walk up to the Parthenon and the ancient structures on the summit. If you prefer to skip it, you get extra free time in Plaka instead: the narrow, winding streets of the Old City where you can shop for souvenirs and eat local food at your own pace. Either way, an English-speaking escort stays with the group, and the multilingual audio guide works throughout the day.

The return journey brings you back to the cruise port in time to board your ship. The whole tour runs five hours, which means you're not racing against the clock if your ship departs in the late afternoon.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from Piraeus Cruise Port.
• an English-speaking escort on the bus.
• a multilingual audio guide in ten languages.
• the Acropolis and Parthenon if you select the entry ticket option.

Options for this experience

3 options

Without Acropolis ticketGuide in English · 10:00Includes a panoramic city tour and free time in the old town of Plaka, but not Acropolis tickets. Pickup is included.

With Acropolis ticketsGuide in English · 10:00Includes a panoramic city tour, free time in the old town of Plaka, and tickets to enter the Acropolis

Comes with an entry ticket and a licensed guide at the AcropolisGuide in English · Available from 1 Apr 2027Get the most from your Acropolis visit with a licensed professional tour guide who accompanies you throughout. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Lasts 5h, runs every day at 10:00, from € 25 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Polish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Open Top Bus hellas M.E.P.E.

Is this one for you?Choose the Acropolis entry ticket if you want to walk the ancient site without waiting in line. Pick the free-time option if you'd rather spend the afternoon in Plaka's streets and shops. Either way, the five-hour window fits between typical cruise ship departure times.

Traveler reviews

4.02★★★★★★★★★★

81 verified traveler reviews

5 ★44

4 ★17

3 ★7

2 ★4

1 ★9

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years); Infant (under 5): free.

Can I visit the Acropolis and still have time to walk around Plaka?

The Acropolis entry ticket option lets you skip the lines, which saves time at the gate. How much time you spend inside depends on your pace. Many visitors spend an hour or two on the summit. Free time in Plaka is built into the tour, and if you choose to enter the Acropolis, you'll still have some time to walk the Old City streets before returning to the port.

What happens if I don't want to go inside the Acropolis?

You can skip the Acropolis entry entirely and spend the time exploring Plaka or the nearby CCO neighborhood instead. The tour includes both options, so you pick at checkout which suits your interests.

Is there a guide who speaks English?

An English-speaking escort travels with the bus throughout the tour. You also have access to a multilingual audio guide available in ten languages, so you can listen at your own pace during the stops.

What is the Panathenaic Stadium?

The Panathenaic Stadium is the site where the first modern Olympic Games were held. It's one of the panoramic stops on the tour, and you'll see it from the bus as part of the city overview.

How much free time do I get in Plaka?

Plaka is built into the tour itinerary, and you'll have time to walk the Old City streets, shop, and eat. The exact amount depends on whether you choose to enter the Acropolis. If you skip the entry, you get additional free time to explore at your own pace.