Things to do in Athens

Half-day private tour of Athens with Acropolis and Plaka visits

The ancient Greeks left behind a treasure trove of monuments, statues and artefacts in Athens. And on this private tour, you'll take in all the top spots with an expert guide. Exclusively for you and your party, you'll tour highlights including the Roman Agora, Hadrian's Library, the Plaka neighbourhood and the UNESCO-listed Acropolis. Vassiliki, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Acropolis means “high city” and it usually refers to any settlement built on top of a hill. You'll find many towns in Greece that have an acropolis, but the Acropolis of Athens is certainly the most famous.'You'll start with a guided tour of the Acropolis – with skip-the-line tickets, there'll be no waiting around. Soak up wow-factor views over Athens at the Areopagus – a rocky hill where legend has it the Greek gods would hold court. Let your guide bring history to life as you marvel at ancient landmarks like the Roman Agora, the Theatre of Dionysus and the still-standing columns of the Asklepieion and Parthenon. Then, it's on to the city's Instagram-worthy old quarter, Plaka – the capital's most appealing and historic neighbourhood. Always thronged with a mix of locals and visitors, the pedestrianised lanes are brimming with tavernas whose tables spill onto the streets. Vassiliki says, ‘Athenians call this area “the neighbourhood of the Gods,' as it has been inhabited since the days of ancient Greece. In fact, excavations show that the street layout has barely changed since antiquity.'

Cape Sounion Afternoon Tour

The Saronic Gulf offers up one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in Greece. Enjoy an afternoon of fresh sea air and wonderful sweeping views with this trip from Athens to Cape Sounion. With a mixture of guided and free time, you'll be able to make the most of the visit to this archaeological site and area of natural beauty.

Saronic Islands Cruise – Hydra, Poros and Aegina

The beautiful islands of the Saronic Gulf are just a short journey away from Athens. This full day island-hopping tour is a great way to explore the ‘other Greece' while immersing yourself in the country's culture and nature. You'll cruise to three islands Hydra, Poros and Aegina, and enjoy lunch on board.

Athens city tour and Acropolis Museum visit

A wealth of ancient treasures is packed into central Athens. On this guided morning tour, you'll uncover some of its megastars, including the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parthenon and Acropolis – and also enjoy a guided visit to the Acropolis Museum.

Full-day Nafplio and Mycenae sightseeing tour from Athens

This full-day tour feels tailor-made for history fans. It kicks off with a visit to Corinth Canal, for a look at the manmade waterway that links the Ionian Sea to the Aegean Sea. After you've snapped some photos, you'll head to the ruins of Mycenae for a tour. This ancient settlement is said to be where the Greeks set off for their expedition to conquer the city of Troy. From here, you'll head to Nafplio, which was the capital of the Kingdom of Greece from 1827 to 1834.

Private Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Tour

The coastline of the Saronic Gulf offers fresh sea air and wonderful sweeping views. This half-day private tour from Athens to Cape Sounion combines a mixture of nature and culture. With both guided and free time, you'll be able to make the most of your visit to this archaeological site and area of natural beauty.You'll set off early afternoon for a scenic Journey along the coastal road, passing the beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza, and arrive at the most southerly point of the Attica peninsula, Cape Sounion. Here, the white marble pillars of the Temple of Poseidon stand defiantly atop a cliff.After a guided visit of the temple – which was commissioned by Pericles in 440 BC – you'll have time to walk at leisure on the rocky promontory of Cape Sounion, a place steeped in legend. Here you can enjoy views of the sparkling Aegean Sea and islands far below you.

Private Delphi Tour

Steeped in its fair share of myths, legends and history, ancient Delphi was once considered the centre of the world. This private full day tour sees you exploring beyond the boundaries of Athens for a guided visit of the archaeological site and museum at Delphi.An early pick-up from your hotel means you'll arrive in modern Delphi by late morning. You'll be able to browse around before heading to the ancient site, located at the foot of Mount Parnassus on the side of a cliff. Its setting is just as remarkable as its honour as the centre of the ancient world.You'll look around the museum, home to masterpieces and relics such as the bronze Charioteer of Delphi and statue of athlete Agias. Get lost in time as you gaze at legendary treasures like the Sanctuary of Apollo. There'll also be some free time for a spot of lunch, and a stop at the mountainside village of Arachova – you'll want your camera for this one.

Private Argolis Tour

This private trip takes you out of Athens and into the open countryside to explore. Beyond the hustle and bustle of the big city, you'll find an array of ancient sites and lesser-known treasures including the Homeric city of Mycenae, the charming seaside town of Nauplion and the remarkable ancient theatre at Epidauros.Start the day with a wonderfully scenic coastal drive along the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean and Ionian seas. Then, it's on to Mycenae – the Homeric city of Atreides – described by the ancient poets as the city 'rich in gold'. Here you'll be guided around its treasures, such as the Lion's Gate, the Cyclopean Wall and the Royal Tombs.After lunch, we'll journey through the fertile plain of Argolis, headed for Nauplion – a picturesque town nestled at the foot of a cliff and crowned by the ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress. Last up is a trip to Epidauros to visit the fourth-century BC theatre, famous for its astonishing acoustics.

Private Athens City Tour with Skip-the-line Entry to Acropolis

Few places in the world boast more landmarks and historical sites than Athens. And on this private tour, you'll uncover some of its highlights alongside one of our local experts. The Panathenian Stadium, Presidential Palace and the Temple of Olympian Zeus are all on the agenda, as well as a guided walk around the Acropolis.Your journey through time kicks off with a guided tour through central Athens, passing an array of cultural gems along the way. You'll drive by the Greek Parliament and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Syntagma Square, the Panathenaic Stadium – site of the first modern Olympics – as well as the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Panepistimiou Avenue.Then, it's off to the Acropolis. And with exclusive skip-the-line tickets, there'll be no waiting around. Soak up wow-factor views over Athens and snap a few photos of the Roman Agora, the Theatre of Dionysus and the still-standing columns of The Temple of Asklepieion.

Private Ancient Corinth Tour

This private half day trip from Athens gives you plenty of time to explore the many treasures around Corinth. Exclusively for you and your party, you'll spend the morning uncovering the ruins of the city of Corinth and also enjoy short stops at the Corinth Canal and the port town of Kechries.You'll head southwest through pretty countryside to the steep-walled Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean and Ionian seas. Grab your Insta-perfect selfies overlooking the waterway, before we continue onto ancient Corinth. The former stomping ground of the mythical Jason of the Argonauts is one of the Peloponnese's most underrated classical archaeological sites.Let your guide bring the past to life as you discover the city on a walking tour. You'll pass highlights such as the Agora, Pirene fountain and Doric Temple of Apollo, which dates from the fifth century BC. Then, finish the morning at the seaside town of Kechries, where St Paul is said to have disembarked from his ship before making the overland journey to Corinth.

Private Athens City Tour with Acropolis and Acropolis Museum

A wealth of ancient treasures is packed into central Athens. Over the course of a morning, you'll uncover some of its megastars with this private tour. Highlights include the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parthenon and Acropolis – and you'll also enjoy a guided visit to the Acropolis Museum.Kick off with a sightseeing tour of the city's historic core. See the Panathenaic Stadium, site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, Panepistimiou Avenue and much more. Follow a route steeped in legend, taking in landmarks such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the National Library and Syntagma Square – where the Greek parliament is located.Then it's on to the Acropolis, where your guide will bring to life the history behind such seminal structures as the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike – and, of course, the Parthenon. Finish the morning with a guided visit to the award-winning Acropolis Museum. It's built over an archaeological site, which can be surveyed as you enter.

Athens Walking Tour

The compact layout of Athens makes it perfect to explore on foot. Join this guided walking tour of Athens to uncover such landmarks as the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch, stroll through the historic Plaka district, and receive expert insight into the mysteries of the Acropolis and the Parthenon.The tour kicks off front of the House of Parliament in Syntagma Square, where you'll take in the Monument of the Unknown Soldier and the change of the famous and colourful Euzony Guards. Then it's a pleasant stroll through the National Gardens and on to the Zappeion Hall, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Hadrian's Arch.Follow the charming cobbled streets of the Plaka district, heading towards the Acropolis. Here your expert guide will bring to life the Propylaia, the Temple of Nike and the Parthenon, the Athenian Agora, the Observatories, the Hill of Democracy, Mars and Philoppapos Hill, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and the Theatre of Dionysis.