ATHENS TOUR

Your Athens tour encapsulates intriguing history and modern Greece. If this is your first visit to Athens, begin with this unpressured tour designed to introduce you to the history and culture of Greece.

First stop is the Philopappos hill for a breathtaking overview of Athens and the Acropolis. Bring your camera because this is definitely a place for great photos. You’ll get your first sense of the olive trees abundant in Greece. The hillside is covered in their silvery green grace.

Once you’ve finished your view, we’ll be off to the entrance to the Acropolis. Take your time touring the Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, the Temple of Athena Nike and other sites on the 'Sacred Rock' overlooking the city of Athens. The entrance fee to the Acropolis is 12 euros per person. The fee includes five other archaeological sites: the Theater of Dionysus, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Roman Agora, the Greek Agora and the Keramikos. Our driver will help you sort out your priorities according to your personal interests.

Another option for your tour is the National Archaeological Museum which is the largest archaeological museum in Greece and one of the most important museums in the world devoted to ancient Greek art. When you get in touch, let us know if you want to include this in your private tour.

Depending on your schedule and preferences we will also visit corresponding important museums the museum of Cycladic art and the Benaki museum.

The national Panathenaic stadium (330 B.C.) is constructed entirely of marble. It is the sole marble stadium still in existence. It was the finish point of the 2004 Olympic Marathon.

As your tour goes through Athens you will see many remarkable monuments: the Academy, the University, and the National Library. Another monument along the way is the fiberglass 'Marathon man' across from the Hilton Hotel. Dedicated to the Greek soldier Phidippides who ran from the town of Marathon to Athens (approximately 42.2km or 26.2 miles) to announce the defeat of the Persians. (490 B.C.) He shouted “Ninikikamen!” (We Won!) then collapsed and died of exhaustion.

At the Presidential Palace we’ll stop to see the highly disciplined and colorful changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. On Sunday mornings the changing of the guard is more elaborate. 52 national guards (in their white uniform) accompanied by a band march down from their house and complete the change in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Across from the Presidential Palace are the National Gardens where Athenians walk and relax during hot summer days. This area is one of the most expensive real estate areas in Athens called Herodou Atticou.

Next your tour continues to mount Lycabettus passing through Kolonaki area, the Soho area of Athens. The Athenians gather in Kolonaki Square to have Greek coffee and chat at the cafes. Here you will see the real Greek culture. Kolonaki also has some of the best shopping stores of known fashion designers. Through the narrow streets of Kolonaki we drive up to mount Lycabettus, the tallest hill in Athens (277m). At the top, is the church of St. George (1852), a small white Greek Orthodox church. The view is spectacular, all of Athens below you. Another fantastic spot for photos.

Then we head to the Plaka area for some Greek shopping. According to a recent theory, Plaka owes its name to a large stone slab found in the area of the church of St. George of Alexandria.

During our tour we will have lunch at a local Greek taverna. At the end of the tour we will drop you off at your destination. Like all of our private tours, the schedule is flexible and can be adjusted according to your taste. We’ll concentrate on your personal interests and preferences.