The chance for a very unique trip. The Athenian Highlights offers you the most picturesque tour around the city, combining history, magnificent views and tastes from a very delicate gastronomy center.
Highlights of the Athens Food Tour & Free Time in Plaka Walking Tour
Explore the Athens Central Market
Stroll through off-the-beaten-path areas in the city
Discover where Athenians shop and eat in a lively neighborhood
Learn about the Mediterranean diet
Sample Greek dishes and sweets
Our drivers are not official tour guides, but they are knowledgeable and can provide fascinating commentary in fluent English. Although they will not enter the archaeological sites with you, they can answer all of your questions about the places you visit with this tour.
Explore Athens’ Central Market and discover culinary masterpieces. Indulge in the sweet bougatsa, enjoy golden loukoumades, and savor the famous Greek gyros. Taste Feta cheese and Greek olives, and sip select wines.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Pick-up and drop-off service: Athens Hotel, Airbnb residence or Port
✔ Transportation via modern, first-class private vehicle or Taxis
✔ Car Seats: Book in advance if you require infant or child seats.
✔ English-speaking tour driver well-versed in Greek history (Not licensed to accompany you in any site
✔ All vehicles with WiFi, A/C, Bottled Water
✔ Fully Private Tour
✖ Entrance fees - €45 per person for all attractions (pre-purchase upon request)
✖ Gratuities& Tips
✖ Licensed Tour Guide offered upon request & availability in Additional Cost
✖ Airport Pick-Up & Drop-Off (additional cost depending on vehicle type)
✖ Food & Drinks
Pickup Locations
1. Alter Athens Hotel
2. Ruby Rooms Athens
3. Zenith Hotel
4. Athens City Plaza
5. Wyndham Athens Residence
6. Apollo Hotel
7. Titania Hotel
8. Athens Zafolia Hotel
9. Philippos Hotel
10. LUX&EASY Signature Syggrou 234
11. The Editor Athens Hotel
12. Anixis
13. Crowne Plaza Athens - City Centre, an IHG hotel
14. Novotel Athenes
15. Hotel Tier Collection
16. Hotel Bryon
17. Bob W. Eolou Athens
18. Athens City Hotel By Dionysos
19. Ambrosia Suites
20. Exarchion Hotel
Additional Info: This is a private Tour ,only your group will participate.Thyou to the pick up time is adjustable upon your request.Your Personal Driver will pick you up and return you to the same place or to the point you prefer .
In case of a hotel , he will be waiting for you in the hotel Lobby.
In Case of a Apartment ,he will be waiting at the entrance of the Building .
For AirPort pick up , he will be waiting for you at the arrival Hall , just as you disembark , holding a sighn with your name on it to spot him upon arrival .We will monitor your flight and our driver will be there on time.
For Port pick ups he will be waiting for you at the gate , just as you disembark holding a sighn with your name on it spot him upon arrival .
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Our drivers are not official tour guides, but they are knowledgeable and can provide fascinating commentary in fluent English. Although they will not enter the archaeological sites with you, they can answer all of your questions about the places you visit with this tour.
Our company complies with all the health instructions of the World Health Organization about COVID-19
Most travelers can participate
Third party activities and especially extreme sports are not allowed during the tour. This can be a cause for immediate cancellation of the tour.
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Itinerary
1
Athens
. Your personalized tour of Athens begins bright and early, departing from your accommodation or preferred location, such as your cruise terminal.The pinnacle of our tour awaits – the awe-inspiring Acropolis of Athens, with its iconic Parthenon. Here, we will marvel at the majestic Propylaea, the elegant Temple of Athena Nike, and the renowned Erechtheion, known for its infamous Caryatid statues and the exquisite Porch of Maidens.
Duration: 15 minutes
2
Propylaea
The Propylaea was the monumental gateway to the Acropolis of Athens and was one of several public works commissioned by the Athenian leader Pericles in order to rebuild the Acropolis a generation after the conclusion of the Persian Wars.
3
Acropolis
Walk on the land in which thousands of years ago some of the largest and most important parts of the global philosophy, politics, and science were born and flourished. Navigate ancient monuments of priceless cultural and historical value and experience in person the greatness and glamour of Greek ancient times. Starting off with the Acropolis, which in Greek translates to the edge of the city, the geographically and spiritually highest point according to ancient Greeks.
Duration: 45 minutes
4
Parthenon
On the top of this sacred hill, proudly stands the Parthenon, which is the epitome of ancient Greek architecture, where you will experience the greatness of ancient Greece captured on every piece of marble. An architectural jewel that hosts the best of what the human spirit and genius has ever conceived, an open embrace that awaits its famed sister marbles to welcome them home again.
Duration: 20 minutes
5
Tempio Di Athena Nike
The Temple of Athena Nike is a temple on the Acropolis of Athens, dedicated to the goddesses Athena and Nike. Built around 420 BC, the temple is the earliest fully Ionic temple on the Acropolis. It has a prominent position on a steep bastion at the southwest corner of the Acropolis to the right of the entrance, the Propylaea. In contrast to the Acropolis proper, a walled sanctuary entered through the Propylaea, the Victory Sanctuary was open, entered from the Propylaea's southwest wing and from a narrow stair on the north.
6
Mount Temple
Between the Acropolis and the Ilisos River are the remains of the Olympian Zeus Temple (now known as the Pillars of Olympian Zeus), one of Athens’ most important and oldest shrines. The space even today gives the visitor a sense of grandeur.
Duration: 45 minutes
7
Teatro Di Dioniso
The Theatre of Dionysus is an ancient Greek theatre in Athens. It is built on the south slope of the Acropolis hill, originally part of the sanctuary of Dionysus Eleuthereus. The first orchestra terrace was constructed on the site around the mid- to late-sixth century BC, where it hosted the City Dionysia. The theatre reached its fullest extent in the fourth century BC under the epistates of Lycurgus when it would have had a capacity of up to 17,000, and was in continuous use down to the Roman period.
8
Panathenaic Stadium
The Panathenaic Stadium and Olympic History
Next, we make our way to the renowned Panathenaic Stadium, famously referred to as the Kallimarmaron Stadium.
This magnificent structure hosted the inaugural modern Olympic Games in 1896 and played a vital role in subsequent Olympic events until the 2004 Athens Games. It’s also the sacred grounds from which the Olympic Flame is ceremoniously passed on to all Olympic events.
Continuing with the stunning Calimarmaro or as it is called today, the Panathenaic Stadium, the house of the first modern Olympic games, made of Pentelic marble in which the Olympic ideals are still reflected today.
Duration: 20 minutes
9
Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum
After descending from the Acropolis, explore the Museum of the Acropolis nestled at the base of the Sacred Rock. Feast your eyes on the marble of the Parthenon and a stunning array of relics and treasures discovered during excavations on the Acropolis.
Duration: 60 minutes
10
Syntagma
Syntagma Square (Constitution Square) is the central square of Athens. The square is named after the Constitution that Otto, the first King of Greece, was obliged to grant after a popular and military uprising on 3 September 1843.[2] It is located in front of the 19th century Old Royal Palace, housing the Greek Parliament since 1934. Syntagma Square is the most important square of modern Athens from both a historical and social point of view, at the heart of commercial activity and Greek politics. The name Syntagma alone also refers to the neighbourhood surrounding the square.
11
Hellenic Parliament
Traveling thousands of years ahead, to the Hellenic Parliament building that houses the Greek Parliament in an impressive building in downtown Athens overseeing Syntagma Square, protected by the presidential guard that consists of two soldiers dressed in the traditional Greek combat uniform, standing stationary and guarding beside the tomb of the unknown soldier.
Syntagma Square and the Greek Parliament
As your expert driver navigates through the city, you’ll pass by iconic landmarks like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Greek Parliament building on Syntagma Square.
Syntagma Square, also known as Constitution Square, is a bustling hub where the historic Parliament building stands tall. This esteemed institution serves as the voice of citizens through elected Members of Parliament who convene for plenary sessions. The Parliament building itself was once the ex-Royal Palace.
Duration: 15 minutes
12
Changing of the Guard Ceremony
The Evzones execute the renowned "changing of guard" on Syntagma,in front of the Unknown Soldier monument,every hour.Two Evzones come in front of the monument of the Unknown Soldier to take the place of their colleagues.The Evzones who until then stood motionless guarding the monument,start an impressive gait by stretching their limbs which is a great spectacle.The same steps are followed by the Evzones who are going to replace them.When the show,which lasts about 15 minutes,is over,the Evzones stand still to guard the monument while their tired colleagues return to their barracks to rest.
Duration: 15 minutes
13
National Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum in Athens houses some of the most important artifacts from a variety of archaeological locations around Greece from prehistory to late antiquity. It is considered one of the greatest museums in the world and contains the richest collection of artifacts from Greek antiquity worldwide.
Duration: 60 minutes
14
The Academy of Athens
The country's most prestigious research institute was created in 1926 and is supervised by the Ministry of Education.The main building of the Academy is a notable landmark in 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.
15
National Library of Greece
The National Library of Greece is situated near the center of the city of Athens. It was designed by the Danish architect Theophil Freiherr von Hansen, as part of his famous Trilogy of neo-classical buildings including the Academy of Athens and the original building of the Athens University.
16
Temple of Hephaestus
The Temple of Hephaestus or Hephaisteion is a well-preserved Greek temple as it remains standing largely intact. It is a Doric peripteral temple and is located at the northwest side of the Agora of Athens, on top of the Agoraios Kolonos hill. From the 7th century until 1834, it served as the Greek Orthodox church of Saint George Akamates.
Duration: 25 minutes
17
Plaka
The old historical neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, and incorporating labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture. Plaka is built on top of the residential areas of the ancient town of Athens. It is known as the "Neighborhood of the Gods" due to its proximity to the Acropolis and its many archaeological sites.
18
Roman Agora
Ancient Greek and Roman Landmarks
Reaching the end of Panepistimiou Avenue, your eyes will be drawn to Omonoia Square, Athens’ second-largest square. Our journey continues with a scenic drive to the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Gate, where the ancient Greek and Roman eras beautifully merge.
Duration: 30 minutes
19
Ancient Agora of Athens
The ancient Agora of Athens is the best-known example of an ancient Greek agora, located to the northwest of the Acropolis and bounded on the south by the hill of the Areopagus and on the west by the hill known as the Agoraios Kolonos, also called Market Hill. The Agora's initial use was for a commercial, assembly, or residential gathering place and is considered the birthplace of democracy, philosophy and free speech.
Plaka and Ancient Agoras
Continue our private tour in Plaka, the charming neighborhood of Athens, where you’ll witness quaint boutiques filled with handcrafted treasures and souvenirs.
Immerse yourself in history as we visit the Ancient Greek Agora of Athens, where great philosophers and orators once shared their wisdom, and the Roman Agora, a glimpse into the city’s bustling market scene.
Duration: 45 minutes
20
Monastiraki Flea Market
Monastiraki Flea Market and Greek Cuisine
Get a taste of modern Athens by visiting the fish and meat markets downtown and the famous Monastiraki flea market.
Would you like to go out for a Culinary walk in the town? Or are you more the type who explores city’s dining scene themself? Athens has everything one needs; so, in terms of eating out, many choices are available at Plaka and Monastiraki.
However, no visit to Athens is complete without indulging in the flavors of traditional Greek cuisine. We’ll take you to an authentic Athenian restaurant or tavern to savor the colors and flavors of the renowned Greek dishes and Mediterranean Diet.
Duration: 40 minutes
21
Lykavittos (Mount Lycabettus)
After leaving the beautiful Calimarmaro behind us, we will drive up to Lycabettus hill where you will enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the city and admire the combination of ancient and modern Athens from above.
Duration: 15 minutes
Additional info
• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Please note that if you select airport pickup, you will be charged an extra 45€.
