Essential Athens Highlights Plus Cape Sounion Skip-The-Line Tour

based on 631 reviews

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

From $287.74

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ADULT (Age : 0 to 99)

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Upto 24 hours in Advance.

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Private flexible tour combining the Highlights of Athens with a coastal road trip to the Sounion peninsula & amazing clifftop Temple of Poseidon as you relax along the way in one of our new full extra Mercedes models with free WiFi & bottled water in the company of a highly experienced, knowledgeable & considerate Tour driver.

Visit the highlights including the Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, Olympic Stadium, Parliament & changing of the guards, and set off along the deep blue colours of the Aegean sea to explore the Temple of Poseidon.

A Skip-the-line Ticket service is included as well as an option to have lunch by the sea in Sounion as well as an expert Archaeological guide for all groups of 8 or more (groups of 1 to 7 by request).

With door to door return transfer to your hotel or cruise ship, this comprehensive and 'go at your own pace' tour aims to provide you with one of the most outstanding experiences of your visit.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Acropolis
Our day in Athens starts with the Acropolis, focus of life in Ancient Athens & surrounded by its amazing cyclopedian wall built by the Myceneans thousands of years ago. The Acropolis houses all of the Temples such as the Temple of Athena Nike, the huge gateway (Propylaea), the Erechtheum and of course the famous Parthenon, the main temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.
2. Theater of Dionysus
Considered to be the world’s oldest theatre and constructed in the 6th Century BC, this theater would have seen the very fist performances of ancient plays by Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus, and Aristophanes among others & was home to. an annual spring drama festival.
3. Temple of Athena Nike
Located on the top of the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena Nike (or 'Viktory') is a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena and constructed around 420 BC, the temple is the earliest fully Ionic temple on the Acropolis.
4. Herod Atticus Odeon
An impressive & fully renovated Roman theater. Completed in AD 161 and dedicated to the wife of a rich benefactor, the Theater hosts a vibrant public program each Summer.
5. Propylaea
The Propylaia is the classical Greek Doric building complex that served as the ceremonial entrance to the Acropolis and through which you will enter
6. Erechtheion
An ancient Greek Ionic temple on the north side of the Acropolis, the Erechtheion is unique in its construction and was dedicated to the goddess Athena.
7. Parthenon
Considered widely as a masterpiece of science, engineering and culture, the Parthenon was dedicated to the goddess Athena and would have originally housed her impressive statue. Its decorative sculptures are considered some of the high points of classical Greek art, some of which can be seen in the nearby Museum.
8. Acropolis Museum
Explore the New Acropolis Museum situated adjacent to the Acropolis which houses the many masterpieces from the site.
9. Panathenaic Stadium
Also called 'Kallimarmaro' stadium is one of the highlights of Athens where the classic Marathon ends & the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble
10. The Academy of Athens
Stop at Panepistimiou str, for the Athenian Trilogy – the three elegant buildings: The University, The Academy and The Library.
11. National Library of Greece
The National Library of Greece
12. Hellenic Parliament
The Parliament and center of current political life in Athens
13. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
University of Athens
14. Temple of Olympian Zeus
Colossal temple at the center of Athens dedicated to the God Zeus, head of the Olympian gods. Construction began in the 6th century BC and the temple was home to a richly adorned statue, one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World.
15. Arch of Hadrian
Classic Triumphal Arch built by the Ancient Athenians for the Roman Emperor Hadrian & seen together with the Temple of Zeus in the same location
16. Presidential Mansion
A short stop at the The Neoclassical Maximos Mansion, also called the Greek “White House”. Official residence of the Prime Minister of Greece since 1982
17. National Garden
Formally built as a Royal Gardens for queen Amalia, the National Gardens are a beautiful oasis in the city running alongside some of Athens most prominent landmarks
18. Plateia Syntagmatos
Main square of Athens housing the Parliament building & focus of much of Athenian life & Politics.
19.
Monastiraki Square at the heart of the Old-Town is a vibrant center of life in the city
20. Plaka
Leading from Monastiraki Square, the Plaka neighborhood bustles with markets, bars, Cafes & Restaurants.
21. Athens
LUNCH OPTION: (No street food) If choosing our lunch option during booking you will enjoy a Traditional 3-Course Greek Lunch. During the summer months, our default location for lunch is by the sea in Sounion and at other times in Athens. Please note that alcoholic drinks are not included.
22. Lake Vouliagmeni
Included in Greece’s NATURA 2000 Sites of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Thermal and Mineral rich waters of the lake have been a SPA retreat for centuries.
23. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
At the tomb you will see the impressive changing of the guard’s ceremony, with the iconic 'Evzone' guards in their traditional uniform.
24. Glyfada Beach
An upmarket Suburb & Start of the Athens Riviera with Wonderful Sea Views from our Coastal Route
25. Lagonisi
Simply one of the most beautiful stretches of Coastal scenery in Europe. Elevated views out to sea, the rugged coastline and the deep blue and contrasting greens of the landscape together with the small settlements along the way make this an amazing spectacle.
26. Temple of Poseidon
Located 70 meters on a clifftop at the tip of the Athens Peninsula this amazing temple was dedicated to the God Poseidon. It was the last thing Ancient sailors saw on leaving port & the first site on return with many legends to tell. It is especially beautiful at sunset & a perfect final location for your tour

ADDITIONAL INFO

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Groups of 1 to 7. ADDING AN EXPERT LICENSED GUIDE: Your knowledgeable tour driver will inform you en-route but can not enter archaeological sites. On request we can add a Licensed Archaeological Expert Guide to accompany you through the Acropolis and other Athens sites. Contact us by meessage after booking if you would like this addition
• Groups of 8+. AN EXPERT LICENSED GUIDE: is included at the Acropolis only. Extended guiding to the other Athens sites on request.
• TAILOR YOUR TOUR: If you would like to add a further site, such as the National Archaeological Museum, Omit one of the existing sites, or need an airport transfer for example then please let us know directly.
• ROUTE. In order to provide the best experience for your day we reserve the right to alter the tour route or omit sites in the case of issues such as time constraints or local factors such as site closing times & road closures.
• TOUR UPDATES BETWEEN MARCH 11th to 19th: Tour inclusions and exclusions were updated. For bookings made before this date your previous conditions apply at the time of your original booking.
• SKIP THE LINE SERVICE. We purchase tickets in advance so you do not need to queue. Tickets are non refundable and for designated entrance times according to the policy of the Archaeological sites. Tickets are not included in the tour price, and the additonal cost per person of 40 Euro plus the administration fee of 15 Euro per group is payable to your driver in cash on the day of your tour. If you already have tickets, please inform us at least two days prior to your tour.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : JeenahS
On May 6, we had an exclusive tour of Athens city. Our guide was Bill who was great. There were many queues in the Acropolis but Warmpenguin made reservations in advance, so we went sightseeing without waiting. We visited the Acropolis, Zeus Temple, the museum, Poseidon Temple, and so on, and we could see everything in one day with the right time arrangement. It was a perfect tour for a trip without time like my family. Thank you!

5월 6일에는 아테네 시내 단독투어를 하였습니다. 이번에도 가이드 Bill 과 함께하였습니다. 아크로폴리스에 많은 대기줄이 있었지만. warmpenguin에서 미리 예약을 해주어 기다리지않고 관광을 하였습니다. 아크로폴리스 및 제우스 신전, 박물관, 포세이돈 신전 등을 방문하였으며 시간을 적절하게 배치하여 하루만에 모든것을 볼 수 있었습니다. 우리 가족처럼 시간이 없는 여행에 적합한 투어였습니다. 감사합니다!

Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-08 18:16:13

Posted By : Lisa_R
What an amazing tour! Our guide even added seeing the changing of the guards! The drive along the coast to the Temple of Poseidon was beautiful. Well worth the extra travel time!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-04 04:44:59

Posted By : Kathryn_H
This tour was better than advertised! If you have only 1 day in Athens, book this tour. We asked for the extra guide to take us thru the essential sites and that was an exceptional experience. The driver/guide was also very knowledgeable making for a great day! Thank you!!!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-01 16:46:44

Posted By : Tami_J
I highly recommend this tour.

Everybody went above and beyond to make this an incredible experience for me and my family.
Drivers were absolutely wonderful, and lunch was stellar!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-19 15:49:16

Posted By : 789roystons
This was my first time in Athens and I only had one day to see as much as possible. This tour seemed to fit the bill. Let me first say that everyone at warm penguin was extremely helpful. My Guide for the day was Petros. From start to finish he was great. Always checking to make sure I was enjoying and the tour was meeting my needs. The amount of detailed knowledge he had regarding the locations and area were quite astounding. I honestly don't know how he retains it all. I would highly recommend Warm Penguins Tours to anyone visiting Athens.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-12 22:33:30

Posted By : courtneykH2944KW
Absolutely amazing experience! Our tour guide and driver made our visit to Athens enjoyable and informative. Highly recommend!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-03-24 12:35:40

Posted By : PATRI_P
We had exceptionally good time with the tour guide Mr. Will. He was very knowledgeable and explained to us about the various locations we visited with the help of Ipad and other illustrations. Excellent conversationalist and has been very patient with our inquiries. He understood our requirements as senior citizens and did all he could do to make us comfortable. We had a very enjoyable drive with him at the wheel as he was a very safe driver. We are so grateful to the tour operator for making him available to us whole day. With him, we are sure the operator is in good hands. We wish him the very best and the tour operator with all the success going forward. God be with you all.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-02-25 11:08:35

Posted By : lincolnmk8
Our guide today was Yannis, and I cannot think of anything that would have made this experience better. He arrived promptly on time, was extremely professional and courteous and made us feel like celebrities. We arrived at all destinations quickly, thankfully right before hords of tourists arrived via the big tour busses. This allowed us to avoid all lines at the Acropolis and museum. We also got a nice tour of the city with added extras. He was very knowledgeable about ancient Greece and surrounding civilizations, and as a lifelong resident of Athens was able to give us personal insights and local history. He brought us to a great local restaurant for lunch (I recommend the lemon chicken dish). Driving through the country to Temple of Poseidon and Sounion was very enjoyable and he takes an alternate route to return which gives more depth to the true Athens.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-02-10 12:25:08

Posted By : Ashley_S
Had a great time with our driver, Dimitri, and our guide, Eva!

My travel companion uses a wheelchair, and Dimitri and Eva were very knowledgeable about how to access the accessible parts of the sites. Full disclosure: the acropolis and temple of Poseidon were only partially accessible. The acropolis museum and other sites on the tour were fully accessible.

Lunch on the water was excellent! The fish tasted as if it was caught that morning.

If you're interested in ancient Greece, I'd recommend this tour and hiring the professionals guide. Eva's depth of knowledge was awe inspiring, and she was very gracious in answering all of our questions.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-30 19:36:25

Posted By : Yvonne_L
Demetrius was outstanding and exceptional! He was very professional, punctual and knowledgeable with a friendly and kind heart. Made us feel welcome and comfortable ✨️ Best tour in Athens for sure!! Only Gratitude ☀️🇬🇷
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-12-30 02:06:21