Essential Athens and Cape Sounion, Poseidon's Temple, Private Day Tour

based on 80 reviews

Duration:8 hours to 9 hours (approx.)
Location: Athens, Greece

From $202.64

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ADULT (Age : 1 to 101)

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This tour is a perfect combination of Athens’s most important sites and the most popular excursion to the so called "Greek Riviera", Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon.

During the tour you will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch, a chilled “ouzo” and “meze” in a traditional Greek taverna, overlooking the Aegean Sea.

This tour is the ideal way to avoid noisy crowds and the bustle of the city. Travel in safety and comfort in your own luxurious private vehicle.

Your dedicated private driver will ensure a comfortable personalized experience throughout the day!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

✓ Luxurious transportation: sedan Mercedes E-Class car or taxi, Mercedes minivan or Mercedes minibus.
✓ Experienced, knowledgeable, professional English speaking driver.
✓ All vehicles are fully A/C
✓ Service animals allowed
✓ FAMILY FRIENDLY For family groups our tours can be modified to cater to the needs of the children
✓ Private tour. Personalized service adjusted to your needs and wishes.
✓ Athens & Piraeus Hotels / residence or Piraeus cruise port pickup & return
✓ Flexible pick up time on request
✓ Skip the line service to purchase the tickets
✓ All Fees and Taxes
✓ Child seats available upon request
✓ Chiled bottled water

✗ Entrance fees: 20 Euros Acropolis, 10 Euros Poseidon, 8 Euros Olympian (optional)
✗ Licensed tour guide for guiding inside the sites, upon request/availability (Additional cost 300€)
✗ Food and drinks unless specified

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Acropolis
We start the tour by visiting the so called “sacred rock”, The Acropolis. Here you will see: - Parthenon that was dedicated to goddess Athena (Parthenos) - Propylea, the monumental entrance to the sacred area - The Temple of Athena Nike which was dedicated to Athena-Nike - The Erechtheion with its famous female figures-statues - The Caryatides or Maidens dedicated to both goddess Athena and god Poseidon - The Odeum of Herodus Atticus - The the Theatre of Dionysus, the first theatre in the whole world - The Areopagus (Mars Hill)
2. Temple of Olympian Zeus
The temple of Olympian Zeus (124-132 AD) had three rows of eight columns (tripteral octastyle) on the two narrow sides and two rows of twenty columns (dipteral eikosastyle) on the long sides. It once housed the chryselephantine (gold and ivory) statue of Zeus and the statue of the emperor. Sixteen of the temple's columns survive today, thirteen of them, on the east side, intact. Of the remaining three on the west side, one collapsed in 1852.
3. Panathenaic Stadium
It was originally a natural hollow part of the ground between the two hills of Agra and Ardettos, over Ilissos river. It was transformed into a stadium by Lykourgos in 330-329 BC for the athletic competitions of the Great Panathinaea Festivities. Between 140 and 144 AD, Herodes Atticus restored the Stadium, giving it the form that was found at the 1870 excavation: the horseshoe construction with a track 204,07 meters long and 33,35 meters wide. It is believed that the Stadium had a seating capacity of 50.000 people. Separating scales were built between the tiers and on the base of the sphendone there was a portico with Doric-style columns; another portico was placed in the stadium's facade. At Roman times, the Stadium was used as an arena, with the addition of a semi-circular wall on the north that was corresponding to the splendor of the southern side.
4. Arch of Hadrian
The triumphal arch lies on an ancient street that led from the old city of Athens to the new, Roman section, built by Hadrian. It was constructed by the Athenians in A.D. 131, in honor of their benefactor emperor. Two inscriptions are carved on the architrave, one on each side: the first, on the side towards the Acropolis reads "This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus"; the second, on the other side, facing the new city reads "This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus".
5. Mount Lycabettus
Lycabettus Hill (Lykavitos) is the highest point of Athens, 277m above sea level. From Lycabettus Hill you will enjoy the best panoramic view of the Acropolis, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Ancient Agora and the whole metropolis! You will also be reminded that Athens is surrounded by sea with spectacular views across the Aegean. On the top of the hill, you will find the Greek Orthodox church of Agios Georgios (St. George).
6. Plateia Syntagmatos
Also known as Constitution Square, Syntagma Square (Plateia Syntagmatos) is a huge public plaza stretching out in front of Athens’ parliament building. Gleaming with white marble and beautiful statues, it’s a great place for people to watch. Many of the city's most important streets begin here, including Ermou Street and Vassilissis Sofias Avenue.
7. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a war memorial located in Syntagma Square in Athens, in front of the House of the Greek Parliament. It is a cenotaph dedicated to the Greek soldiers killed during war. It was sculpted between 1930 and 1932 by sculptor Fokion Rok. The tomb is guarded 24-7 by the Evzones (Presidential Guards)
8. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, usually referred to simply as the University of Athens, is a public university in Athens, Greece
9. The Academy of Athens
The Academy of Athens is Greece's national academy, and the highest research establishment in the country. It was established in 1926, and operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Education. The Academy's main building is one of the major landmarks of Athens.
10. National Library of Greece
We will pass by the National Library of Greece.
11. Glyfada
Glyfada is an upscale suburb of Athens by the seaside!
12. Vouliagmeni
Vouliagmeni is a beautifull and upscale suburb of Athens by the sea side!
13. Varkiza
Varkiza is a beautiful suburb of Athens by the seaside!
14. Lagonisi
Lagonisi is a beautiful and upscale resort area by the sea side, on the way to Cape Sounio!
15. Temple of Poseidon
The doric temple seen today was built of local marble from the Agrileza quarries on top of the destroyed archaic temple. Palmette antefixes crowned the gable roof. At least the east pediment (on the entrance side) was decorated with statues. On the same side a relief frieze was running on the top of the interior of the colonnade. On the Parian marble frieze slabs, scenes of the Centaur battle and the deeds of Theseus are sculpted, an allegory for the victory of the Greeks led by the Athenians against the Persians and for the superiority of the Athenian democracy over the eastern monarchy. The temple is attributed to the same architect with the ones of Hephaistos (Theseion) at the Athenian agora, Ares at Akharnes, and Nemesis at Ramnous.

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Gary_R
Great trip full of interesting history and present day information. Expert driving in comfort seeing the touristy and not so touristy parts of Athens and the southern area.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 16:44:56

Posted By : zim1104
This is our second time to Athens and second time using Private Greece Tours for shuttle transfers (airport/hotel and hotel/cruise ship) but also for tours around the city and outside the city. These guys, led by the owner Nikos are absolutely excellent. Great people, very knowledgeable, excellent communicators, and super friendly people. We made up our own tour and they delivered. It’s like driving around with family members. They also have nice comfortable vans to transport your group. We had 8 on one trip and 5 on the other, with lots of luggage of course. Highly recommend.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-06 22:41:28

Posted By : mevoon
Our guide Tolis is very insightful and professional. Pickup on time & smooth driving … fun and informative narrations provided throughout the tour. Wifi provided throughout the transit. Excellent tour and service.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-24 15:22:04

Posted By : I440SWpaulw
We were met at the cruise terminal in Athens by Dominic, in a clean air conditioned minivan. We were able to spend some time in the city before driving down to Cape Souinon. A beautiful coastal route with a stop for a good Greek lunch and then dropped off at the airport. Highly recommended, even with his bad jokes!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-11-04 13:16:00

Posted By : BenG2205
Private Greece Tours, especially Tolis, we’re one of the best private tour companies I’ve ever participated with. Tolis is attention to detail and knowledge of Greek mythology in history was second to none. He was an amazing host with compassion and joy. He made the trip special for our family and allowed us the opportunity to see many unique sites and enjoy an amazing meal with him. It was our honor to meet him and his amazing company. Nikos set us up with one of the best drivers for a multi generational family. From the kindness, he showed my in-laws to the kindness. He showed my daughter. This is what you should expect from any private tour company. I would 100% use them again.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-07 12:08:05

Posted By : mrgccheng
PGT made it happen! Long before our trip to Greece, my husband and I have been coordinating with this company so we could do the Athens & Sounion Tour on top of a 6 day customized tour.

Unlike the typical, run of the milll tour company who would ask for a down payment prior to confirming any booking, this company did not. Something we found out, that they’ve done for years. And that was novel.

All the travel preparations : itinerary, airport transfers, visit to tour sites, hotel accommodations and everything else in between were arranged precisely the way we wanted it custom-tailored to our liking.

Our driver/guide and body guard all rolled into one - Spyros was perfect for the job!
He was a safe and punctual driver, a knowledgeable tour guide and a great traveling companion for the one week that he was with us. He rolled out for us the beauty and charm of Greece whether it be the history, the scenery or the one of a kind Greek cuisine.
He knew where to go and shared a lot of travel tips that only a local and a seasoned guide for so many years would know.

We are now off to Santorini! Keeping in tow beautiful memories of Athens and it’s neighboring cities and villages.

Thank you Spyros! Thank you PGT!

Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-05 10:12:40

Posted By : Destination668957
This tour was amazing. Communication ahead of time was quick and helpful. Our guide Anna and driver Harry were so wonderful and fun and informative. They went above and beyond to make sure we had a great time. They even stopped by a pastry shop so we could try the pastries! They made our time in Athens so memorable. We wanted to bring them home with us! Wonderful people. I cannot say enough about the tour and company. 1st class all the way. You wont be sorry to use them for tours !
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-29 19:29:17

Posted By : jimgR7658XB
The BEST guide for any US citizen to comfortably enjoy A spectacular experience and tour of Athens and surrounding areas! Highly recommend using this service! Enjoyed every moment, and our Driver went out of his way to treat us to iced coffee’s and recommendations for dinners. Couldn’t have been better! We were in Athens in mid-September 2023. Cheers to this company and our Driver “Tolis” the Greatest, friendliest man whom we would welcome into our home, when his travels take him to the USA
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-22 18:48:20

Posted By : Getaway764172
The tour was incredible and our tour guide was knowledgeable and such a pleasure to spend the day with! You will learn so much and see all the top sites during this tour. I would highly recommend this company. They were responsive and very easy to work with.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-20 10:21:19

Posted By : hrhanover
Amazing day tour of the Acropolis, highlights of Athens, including being lucky enough to see Changing of the Guard ceremony on a Sunday, and then wonderful trip down coast to see Poseidon Temple and delicious freshly caught fish for lunch.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-14 22:25:04