Given the complexity and significance of the Acropolis in Athens, the site itself and its history, this is definitely one of those archaeological sites that benefits from having a guided tour. With many guided tour to choose from, each with different options, it can be difficult to choose the right one. Here I recommend a handful of the better ones. Also, I offer some tips for finding a tour that suits you as well as answering some frequently asked questions about taking a tour of the Acropolis. This page only has information about choosing a guided tour, for information about visiting the Acropolis or the history of this monument, see our Guide to the Acropolis in Athens.Â
- Thomas Dowson
- Last Checked and/or Updated 17 November 2023
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- Greece Travel Ideas, Greece Travel Tips
One of the more frequent questions I get asked by people planning a trip to Athens is whether you need a guided tour of the Acropolis, and if so which is the best one? As always, the answer to both of these depends on a number of factors. These include, your budget, time available, what other sites are to be included, and even the age range of the participants.
Whether or not you need a guided tour depends on what you hope to get out of your experience. Yes, there are on-site information panels. Even if you are happy to stand around reading these, they are quite limited and a one-sided view of the history of the Acropolis is presented in these. If your expectations are limited, choose a short walking tour that gives a basic introduction to the monument. If you are looking for something more in-depth, choose a longer tour, one that includes the slopes and other locations around Athens.Â
If all you want to do is walk around and take a few photographs, then buy yourself a timed-entry ticket in advance to avoid the queues.Â
The following selection of walking tours of the Acropolis is based on my own experience and research, popularity, online reviews as well as diversity of experience offered.
Recommended Guided Tours of the Acropolis
Early Morning Walking Tour of the Acropolis
With a start at 7.45 am, this is one of the earliest tours available. Be among the first on the Acropolis – before the crowds, other tour groups and the heat. On entering the site you head straight to the top for a tour around the Parthenon and the famous Caryatids on the Erechtheion. The group exits through the South Entrance, passing the Ascklepieion, Odeon of Herodes Atticus and Dionysus Theatre. A relatively short tour for those who want a knowledgeable introduction.
Private Guided Tour of the Acropolis & Îœuseum with an Archaeologist
An ideal tour, at 3 hours, for those who are looking for a more in-depth experience that includes both the Acropolis Museum and the Acropolis. Your licensed guide, an archaeologist, will be able to give you a detailed account of the archaeology, history and mythology of the greatest sanctuary of ancient Athens. And then show you the highlights of the collection of artefacts from the ancient citadel in the Acropolis Museum. The price is per group up to six people.
Acropolis & Mythology Highlights Small Group Tour
A 4-hour small-group, walking tour of ancient Athens that focuses on the mythology and history of the ancient city, not just the Acropolis. Starting at the Temple of Olympian Zeus you will move on and explore some of the most iconic historical sites in Athens. Your licensed guide will tell you about the rise of Athens, its Golden Age, as well as its fall to the Spartan armies. Besides the Acropolis, you will also visit the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Hephaestus.
Small Group Shore Excursion of Athens, Acropolis & Acropolis Museum
With a round-trip transfer from your cruise-ship in the port of Piraeus included, this is the perfect small group tour to see the highlights of Athens in a short time. The tour proper starts at Syntagma Square, with a walk through the National Garden to the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Gate. And finally, a guided tour of both the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum before returning to your ship.
5-Hour Private Group Shore Excursion of Athens
A pricier option (the price is per group of six), but this is a private shore excursion. You will be met at your ship and enjoy a 4-hour tour of Athens in a luxury, air-conditioned mini van. The itinerary includes Neoclassical architecture, the Acropolis, the Temple Of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch as well as the Panathenaic Stadium – where the first modern Olympic Games were held.
Archaeology Travel has been recommending guided tours and walks of the Acropolis for over ten years. We have partnered with GetYourGuide because they have created a trustworthy platform that offers the widest range of activities and tours. They do not provide the tours themselves, they have created a website that allows you to find independent tour guides as well as larger companies, and then book your choice online. GetYourGuide verifies these service providers and offers a safe and secure booking process, with a favourable cancellation policy. It is a service we trust and use ourselves, and one we are confident to recommend to our readers. Also, we enjoy receiving your feedback, so let us know your experience – contact us here.
The tours listed above are not the only options from GetYourGuide. Also there are other suppliers you might wish to consult if those we recommend do not suit your requirements. For some (not all) of the products recommended on this page, Archaeology Travel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you should you decide to purchase them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Guided Tours of the Acropolis
The following are questions that relate specifically to guided tours of the Acropolis. Follow this link for detailed information about visiting the Acropolis, including ticket prices, combination tickets, opening hours, etc.
Why are entry fees not included for some tours?
Despite what you may think, it is not unusual for walking tours and such to not include the entrance fees in cost of their tour. In fact, this is to your benefit. For instance, most if not all attractions have different pricing structures for different people – adults, students, pensioners, members of specific organisations, residents of the EU, … So, if you qualify for a discounted rate, you are able to do so for your tour. The tour operator is passing on any saving they would make to you.
Is entry with a guided really 'skip-the-line'?
First, check the details to ensure that ‘skip-the-line’ entry is included. If it is, then it is. There are dedicated lines for tour groups.Â
To ease congestion, all tickets sold for the Acropolis now have a specific time for entry. So it is not possible/necessary to by ‘skip-the-line’ ticket. And it is not necessary to book a guided tour to avoid the queues, as was once common practice at the Acropolis.Â
Add the Acropolis & Tours to Your Athens Itinerary & Travel Lists
Not only can you add sites and museums to your itineraries and travel lists, you can also add the guided tours listed above to make your planning easier. You can see how this is done by watching our Using the Itinerary video on YouTube, or reading the Using the Itinerary page.
For more sites and museums in AthensGreater London, see Art, Archaeology & History Sites & Museums in Athens.
The Acropolis
Arguably one of the world’s most iconic archaeological sites, it is certainly the most popular in Athens. Although there is evidence of some 5,000 years of activity on the citadel, it is the ruins of ancient temples and sanctuaries, the most famous being the Parthenon, from the 5th century BCE to the Roman period that are highlighted, and the focus of restoration work. Anything post-Roman, including the Christian church and Ottoman mosque, has been all but obliterated, and this period of the Acropolis’ history receives only passing mention.
Archaeology Travel Writer
