Athens Full Day Private Tour: Acropolis & Ancient Sites

See Athens at your own pace with a private driver and eight hours of stops

A private full-day tour of Athens with an English-speaking driver and air-conditioned vehicle, covering the Acropolis, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Panathenaic Stadium, Parliament Building, Mount Lycabettus, Plaka and the Ancient Agora. You decide which sites to visit and how long to spend at each. The driver does not escort through the sites themselves, leaving you free to explore or skip attractions as you prefer. Pickup is included. Entry fees to the Acropolis and Ancient Agora are optional and paid separately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Acropolis1h
2. Temple of Olympian Zeuspassing by
3. Olympic Stadium5m
4. Parliament Building10m
5. Athens Presidential Mansion15m
6. Mount Lycabettus20m
7. Plaka1h
8. Ancient Agora of Athens1h

Explore Athens major archaeological sites

• Visit Acropolis plateau and temples
• Explore Amphitheater of Dionysos and Herodion
• Pass by Temple of Olympian Zeus and Arch of Hadrian
• Visit Panathenaic Stadium
• Watch change of National Guard at Parliament
• Drive past Catholic Cathedral, National Bank, Old Parliament, and Trilogy of Athens
• Visit Presidential Palace and see Evzones guards
• Drive to Mount Lycabettus for city views
• Shop and try local delicacies in Plaka
• Explore Ancient Greek Agora and flea market

The experience

You arrive in Athens with a free afternoon or a full day ahead, and eight hours is enough to see the city's major archaeological sites without the rush of a group tour. The driver picks you up and takes you to the Acropolis first: the 5th-century plateau 150 meters above sea level where you'll see the Propylea, Temple of Wingless Nike, Parthenon, and Erechtheion with its Karyatid statues. On the way down, you pass the Amphitheater of Dionysos and the Herodion, the intact music school built in the 2nd century.

From there, the route moves through the city's other major monuments: the Temple of Olympian Zeus (mainland Europe's largest temple) and the Arch of Hadrian that divides the old city from the new; the Panathenaic Stadium, which held 60,000 spectators and hosted the first modern Olympics in 1896; Parliament Building, where you can watch the change of the National Guard (10 minutes on most days, 40 minutes on Sundays at 10:20); and the Presidential Palace near the National Garden. You drive past the Trilogy of Athens (the Academy of Science, University of Athens and National Library), and up Mount Lycabettus at 280 meters for views across the Attiki region and the Aegean Sea.

The Ancient Agora in Plaka is where you have time to explore freely. This was the heart of ancient Athens: the center of democracy, commerce, education and philosophy. You can walk through the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos, see the ruined marketplace and the intact Temple of Hephaestus, browse the flea market for antiques, or sit down for local food. The driver stays with the vehicle. You move through the sites on your own schedule. Bottled water is provided, and the air-conditioned van means you're comfortable between stops.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• English-speaking driver with commentary during the ride.
• bottled water.
• pickup included.
• flexibility to choose which sites to visit and how long to spend at each.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 08:00, 08:30, 09:00 and 09:30

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Athens Tour Driver

Is this one for you?The English-speaking driver delivers commentary during the drive but does not escort you through the sites, so you explore the Acropolis, Agora and other attractions independently at whatever pace suits you. This works well if you want to linger at certain stops or skip others entirely without holding up a group.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can I skip sites I'm not interested in and spend more time at others?

Yes. The tour is built around your preferences. You decide which attractions to enter and how long to spend at each. The driver takes you to every major site, but you choose whether to stop, explore or simply enjoy the ride and views.

Do I need to pay for entry to the Acropolis and Ancient Agora?

Entry to the Acropolis is 30€ per person and requires advance booking (a link is provided after you book the tour). Entry to the Ancient Agora is 20€ per person and can be paid on site. Both are optional.

What is the Temple of Olympian Zeus and why is it significant?

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is the largest temple in mainland Europe and the oldest dedication to Zeus in the ancient world. The Arch of Hadrian stands in front of it, historically dividing the city into two parts: the old city and the new.

Does the driver escort me through the archaeological sites?

No. The driver is English-speaking and provides commentary during the ride, but does not accompany you through the sites themselves. You explore at your own pace and return to the vehicle when you're ready to move to the next stop.

What is included in the tour price?

Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, pickup, an English-speaking driver, bottled water, and flexibility to set your own pace and stops are all included. Entry fees to attractions, meals and airport transfers (if needed) are separate.

Is airport pickup available?

Yes, airport pickup and drop-off are available for 50€ for up to three people or 80€ for up to eight people, payable at the end of the tour. This is optional and can be added at checkout.