Acropolis Walking Tour, Including Syntagma Square & City Center

Recommended by 93% of travelers

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Athens, Greece

3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Offered in: English

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Overview

Delve into the history of ancient Greece on this Athens walking tour. With an expert guide, stroll around the historic heart of Athens to see Syntagma Square, the Parliament Building, and the ancient ruins tucked around the slopes of the stunning, UNESCO-listed Acropolis. Check out fascinating archaeological exhibits in Syntagma Square and admire awesome views of the Parthenon as you view the Theater of Dionysus, Odeon of Herodes Atticus and other sights. With revealing commentary from your guide throughout, this walking tour of Athens will delight history buffs. Please note admission to the Acropolis is at your own expense.

Guided walking tour around the ancient Acropolis of Athens
See archaeological exhibits in and around Syntagma Station
Get to know Athens while exploring Syntagma Square and and other important attractions
Enjoy spectacular views from the Parthenon at the top of Athens' acropolis
Learn about each of the monuments from a professional local guide

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

Go beyond the standard Acropolis itinerary with a stop at Syntagma Square to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and more.

What's Included

Local licensed guide
Skip-the-ticket line service (if option WITH TICKET booked)
Athens guide magazine
Athens map

Entrance fees to the sites visited (can be booked as a separate option)
Gratuities (gratuity rates in Greece are around 10% of service cost)
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Food and drinks

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Syntagma
Athens 105 57, Greece
MEETING TIME:15min prior to departure time DURATION: 3h&30min MEETING POINT:INSIDE Syntagma metro station Our staff, holding an orange Athens Walking Tours sign, will be inside Syntagma Metro Station, at the big hall, next to the ticket validating machines. Please be there 15 min prior to the start

End point

Acropolis of Athens
Athens 105 58, Greece
The tour will and at the top of the Acropolis Hill were you can take your time taking pictures.

Operating hours
.9:30 am

Itinerary

Begin your Athens walking tour at Syntagma Metro Station in central Athens. Greet your guide and head inside the station museum to explore what’s on show.

View the impressive exhibits, discovered during building work on the station. See the most prized items including tombstones, remnants of a 5th-century aqueduct, pottery, and even a 2,000-year-old beehive.

Afterward, walk with your guide to the nearby Greek Parliament Building on Syntagma Square. Snap photos of the handsome building as you hear about its past as a royal palace.

Then, delve further into historical Athens. Walk along the charming streets and admire the elegant architecture and sites such as the Zeus Temple.

Continue along traffic-free Dionysiou Areopagitou Street around the Acropolis’ slopes. As you walk, absorb the breathtaking views of the Acropolis and Parthenon, and pass the ancient Theater of Dionysus and sites such as Philopappou Hill, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and Mars Hill.

Your tour ends at the Acropolis summit. Before leaving, you may wish to ask your guide for further tips for sightseeing in the city.

Syntagma Station

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Hellenic Parliament

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Change of Guards

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Monument to the Unknown Soldier (Pass By)

National Garden (Pass By)

Zappeion Conference & Exhibition Center (Pass By)

Acropolis

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Theatre of Dionysus

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Herod Atticus Odeon

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Propylaea (Pass By)

Temple of Athena Nike (Pass By)

Parthenon

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT BABY STROLLERS: Please have in mind that baby strollers are not allowed on the Acropolis, archaeological site and that there is no cloakroom at the side entrance we use to enter. For your own convenience, it is recommended to use a baby pouch instead of a baby stroller.
Comfortable walking shoes, sun-screen and a hat are recommended
Dress according to weather
Bring a bottle of water

Strict Acropolis entry times mean we can't wait for latecomers. No refunds will be given.
All visitors undergo airport-style security; expect peak season waits of up to 30+ minutes.
Cutoff times sync with Athens local time.
Tours run rain or shine.
If you selected the WITHOUT ticket option you must follow the instructions on your voucher to buy the tickets
When entrance to the Acropolis is free, the cost of the entrance fee is already deducted from the tour price
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.7

based on 405 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Great tour

tiffany_o, Dec 2025

Well worth the money. This tour was amazing and our guide was very knowledgeable. Truly a great tour.

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Thank you, Tiffany! We’re pleased to hear the tour felt truly worth it. That mix of city energy, history, and Acropolis grandeur always shines brighter with a knowledgeable guide leading the way. So glad you enjoyed it from start to finish! Warm regards, Athens Walking Tours Team

Such an amazing...

jenn_m, Jun 2025

Such an amazing experience to see all the historical beauty of Athens - I enjoyed all the history and how knowledgeable our tour guide was! Dimitri made the experience fun and enjoyable for All and was very kind to think of others throughout the tour! It was pretty hot - make sure you have plenty of water and good walking shoes!

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Jenn, what a joy to read your review! We're so happy you had an amazing experience exploring the historical beauty of Athens. It's fantastic that Dimitri's deep knowledge made the tour so fun and enjoyable, and that his kindness and consideration for everyone shone through. We truly appreciate you highlighting the importance of water and good walking shoes – excellent advice for fellow travelers! Warm regards, Athens Walking Tours Team

Very enjoyable and informative

Irene_P, Aug 2024

Great guide, very nice walk around town. Really interesting stop at the archeological museum. Everything was pleasant and very informative.

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Irene, what a joy to hear you enjoyed your time on our Acropolis and City Center Walking Tour! It feels good to know that our guide made the experience enjoyable and informative, as it should always be for Athens visitors. We're particularly thrilled that you appreciated the Archaeological Museum. It's a catch to delve deeper into the history of Athens. Thank you so much for choosing us to be a part of your Athenian adventure. We're truly grateful for your kind words and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Athens in the future.

Good enough but have had better tours

richard_b, Aug 2024

Good tour sites and timings. Information was useful and the guide Vicky was lovely and positive but laughed at the end of every sentence. The listening devices were distorted and actually the narration became distracting to the information being given. So whilst some facets were useful some parts became too much, the detail could have been deeper rather than more superficial information about wider issues. One guest on the tour insisted on speaking about the Roman equivalent and asked/challenged so many parts (apparently he used to be a tour guide and disrupted some of the tour) I appreciate this was not the tour guides fault.

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Thank you for sharing your feedback on your historical tour. We appreciate you taking the time to highlight the positive aspects of the tour, the itinerary, and Vicky’s enthusiasm that we strive for. We’re sorry that the listening devices and the tour dynamics impacted your overall experience. We use one of the best headsets devices, which ensures clear communication between guides and groups, even in noisy environments and over long distances. If for any reason your earset does not operate properly you can tell the guide and give you a new one on the spot. Relating to the information shared, our licensed guides try to offer a complete image and descriptive but deep context of the history behind the sites, their architecture, and their meaning. They manage to do that in a specific time while covering each aspect and avoid too much input. We understand that not all guests feel the same about the info shared, depending on different needs and preferences. Everyone can ask questions about everything during the tour. That is why we offer our small group tours max 24, average 18 participants. Your feedback about the audio equipment and the content shared is valuable as we continually seek to improve our services. We will consider your comments as we work to enhance our tours. If you would like to add any details regarding your experience, you are more than welcome to send us an email to info@athenswalkingtours.com

Highly recommend!

Anna_A, Jul 2024

Excellent guide! She was very knowledgeable and we were able to see the iconic structures of the Acropolis. Guide was considerate about the heat and made a point to be in the shade. I loved that it was a more intimate group. The meeting place was at the Syntagma Metro. Perhaps specify and be clear to mention to meet downstairs because of this, I took a star off. Otherwise tour and guide were great!

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Thank you for your kind words, Anna! We're thrilled that you enjoyed your Acropolis Walking Tour and found our guide knowledgeable and considerate. We pride ourselves on offering intimate group experiences and appreciate your feedback regarding the meeting point. We will definitely clarify this to avoid any confusion for future guests.

I learned so much, great tour!

Daniel_V, Jun 2024

Our tour guide, Sissy was incredibly knowledgeable and fascinating. I’ve done dozens of walking tours and have never been on a tour with a tour guide so knowledgeable. I initially only had the acropolis/city walking tour but when she said she was also scheduled to do the acropolis museum tour I booked that tour with her and so glad I did. Sissy was a wealth of information and learned so much about mythology and Ancient Greek life. Highly. Recommended

Fantastic tour guide!!!

Heather_L, Jun 2024

I really enjoyed the myths that Athena told and how well she could describe the significance of the monuments. She was a fantastic tour guide, very knowledgeable, and a great person overall. Highly recommend taking a tour from her.

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Dear Heather, We’re grateful for your kind words about our guide and our Acropolis and city walking tour. It’s rewarding to hear that you enjoyed the myths and the detailed descriptions of the monuments. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to provide you with more memorable tours in the future!

Excellent Tour

Wendy_A, Jun 2024

Dimetrie, is excellent tour guide and historian, we enjoyed our tour of Athens and the Acropolis very much. This is a very well organized group and I highly recommend them.

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Dear Wendy, Thank you for your excellent review and kind words about our Walking Tour. We're delighted to receive your recommendation. At Athens Walking Tours, we take immense pride in our knowledgeable and passionate guides like Dimetrie. Hearing that he provided you with an enjoyable and informative experience while exploring the Acropolis and the city center is truly gratifying. We look forward to welcoming you back on another captivating journey to Athens!

History!!

Donald_A, Jun 2024

Being here has really brought me the history that I have read about, taught, and watched documentaries. There was so much and was so wonderful. The tour is not for the faint hearted.

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Dear Donald, We’re deeply honored by your review and delighted to know that our tour, has brought history to life for you. It’s always a pleasure to hear from guests who have such a passion for the stories and events that have shaped our city. Looking forward to your next visit!

Great Sightseeing Tour

Evelyn_S, Apr 2024

Georgia our guide was great, friendly, a lot of knowledge and the tour was well organized. We had great weather so it was more enjoyable to walk around Athens sights.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Evelyn, Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your Acropolis Walking Tour with Georgia. Her friendliness, extensive knowledge, and organizational skills truly enhance the experience for our guests. We're delighted that you had great weather to complement your exploration of Athens' sights. We hope to welcome you back for more memorable adventures in the future!

Awesome tour..

AJAY_S, Jan 2024

Great tour.. We got a bit late as I had an injured leg.. Our archeologist guide Yanis (hope I spelled that right) was more than wonderful & accommodating.. He altered his pace to match mine, took the right number of breaks to help me & presented history in a great way.. The Acropolis tour could've been longer, but it was incredibly cold & windy up there.. He answered all our questions & delivered the tour right how it was described.. Thank you !!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

It’s really heartening to hear that despite your injury, you had a good time! When selecting our guides we’re not only looking for experts in the field, but also genuinely caring and passionate people. Our guests’ safety and comfort is our utmost priority and we’re pleased that Giannis accommodated you to offer you the best experience possible! Your review is a reminder of why we do what we do. It’s all about the personal connections and the passion our guides bring to their work. There’s so much more to explore, and we truly hope that you revisit Athens in better health and weather. Take care and see you soon!

Totally enjoyable day.

Linda_T, Dec 2023

Can’t say enough about Olesya’s Athens walking and Acropolis tours. Highlights of the walking tour included the changing of the guards at the Parliament building. I’ve watched my videos repeatedly with awe and respect for the guards. Strolling the National Garden brought a sense of quiet and calmness to the bustling city. Acropolis tour was teeming with information from mythology to architectural facts. Her details aided in imagining the lives of the people who walked the paths before present time. Highly recommend her.

Great city intro

Carole_G, Oct 2023

Great intro to the city, the acropolis and historical Athens. Our guide was very knowledgeable making the tour an interesting introduction to Greek history.

Magnificent Athens, we love you

Shawn_W, Oct 2023

Our first ever visit to Athens and this tour was quite magnificent, from starting off at Syntagma Metro museum to finishing on top of Acropolis. Memories of this beautiful ancient city will live with us always ❤ Our tour guide Margarita was incredible, her knowledge and ability to pick out the best vantage positions, we can't thank you enough 😊 Thank you 😊

An information packed tour with a very knowledgeable guide

Brian_M, Sep 2023

Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and went to a lot of trouble to explain the things we visited,

Guide very knowledgeable

Mark_H, Sep 2023

The guide was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed the tour. We got to hear historical facts about the City and the Acropolis.

Great experience!

Andrew_J, Sep 2023

Our tour guide was amazing. Her knowledge and presentation of the Acropolis, Syntagma Square and city center were great! The climb to the top of the Acropolis was awesome!

Walking tour of Athens

Nicola_H, Sep 2023

We enjoyed our tour! Our tour guide was an archeologist and very knowledgeable. We appreciate him finding shady as often as possible. He also made several stops as we climbed the Acropolis which resulted in us getting to the top before we knew it. Great tour and would definitely recommend.

Informative

Christopher_T, Sep 2023

Very nice tour, we had plenty of rest breaks, Dimitri was a great guide and filled us with great information. Highly recommend

Must do tour of ancient Athens

Martin_P, Aug 2023

Beautiful sites to be seen. Vicky our guide was fantastic, super dynamic, very friendly and full of knowledge. Great tour!

Perfect Athens Tour!

JakePalmer, Jun 2023

Wow! I never imagined a nearly 6.5 hour walking tour could be so enjoyable. The tour flew by with our amazing guide, Fotini. She gave plenty of breaks on our walk up to the Acropolis and was extremely knowledgeable about all things Greek history. Her passion for Greek culture seeped into all parts of our tour. Although spanning the entire day, we felt like we saw all the major sights in Athens. I can’t recommend this tour enough!

A must do in Athens

JACQUELINE_W, Jun 2023

We loved the stories associated with each of the structures, the guide was amazing and so knowledgeable

Would definitely recommend!

Nectaria_P, Jun 2023

The excursion was overall amazing. Sissy was so knowledgeable and thoroughly explained the history. From the Syntagma archeological discoveries to the changing of the guards to the Acropolis tour, it’s an experience that we will never forget.

Our guide Helena was...

Elise_W, May 2023

Our guide Helena was informative and a wealth of information. A great intro to the city and some of the major sites, of course including the Acropolis. We liked that it ended on top of the Acropolis allowing us to explore more as needed. We also really appreciated the headphone sets as it allowed us to hear all the information from our guide.

Great tour, I recommend

Thalia_E, May 2023

A good paced walk past a few significant sites to the acropolis. Great knowledge and delivery. Well organised.

Would not use southern entrance

ken_c, May 2023

Southern approach to Acropolis was dusty and extremely rocky, almost dangerous at times. Much better to use western gate which is paved and smooth. Visitors from both entrances converged at major bottleneck at noon, which barely moved for a long time, but was not a problem at 2 pm.

Response from Host, May 2023

Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding your experience on our Acropolis Walking Tour. We appreciate your perspective and would like to address your concerns. At Athens Walking Tours, we carefully choose the routes for our tours to provide the most comprehensive and enjoyable experience for our guests. While we understand your preference for the western gate due to its paved and smooth path, we believe that utilizing the side entrance offers distinct advantages. By using the side entrance, we are able to showcase a different perspective of the Acropolis and its surrounding area. This approach allows our knowledgeable guides to share fascinating insights and point out important monuments like Theatre of Dionysus, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Sanctuary of Asclepius, Stoa of Eumenes, that you would otherwise miss by using the main entrance. We believe in providing a richer guided tour that encompasses not only the iconic sites but also the hidden gems of Athens. Regarding the congestion issue at the noon bottleneck, we apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced. While some days it can be busy due to the large number of visitors, our experienced guides using ear sets do their best to navigate through the crowds and ensure a smooth flow of the tour. We take your feedback seriously and will continue to monitor and evaluate the conditions of different entrances to provide the best possible experience for our guests. Your satisfaction is of utmost importance to us, and we hope that you will consider joining us again in the future to discover more of Athens' rich cultural heritage. Thank you for choosing Athens Walking Tours, and we wish you many more memorable travels. Best regards, The Athens Walking Tours Team

Book this tour

Alicia_G, May 2023

Appolon was wonderful! His experience and knowledge made for a delightful day. Over and above! Kindness and hospitality!

Great way to get a feel for the city & Acropolis

David_R, May 2023

Really enjoyed this tour - the guide was friendly and full of interesting insights that added to the experience. It was my first time in the city so the first part of the tour was useful to get a feel for some different parts of the city - but the Acropolis was obviously the highlight. It's a long walk up, but broken up with stops to explain some of the different ruins on the south slope (which was quieter than the main entrance)

Best walking tour!

Thomas_M, Mar 2023

Love the way Elias handled the group…he was good. The ruins are amazing but was able to be covered by short and sweet walking tour! Good coverage of all we want to know!

A very enjoyable walking tour!

Karen_J, Dec 2022

We had a very short visit in Athens this time before embarking on our cruise. This walking tour led by Helena was just what we wanted for an overview of the old city’s history below the Acropolis, including the changing of the guards at Parliament, the imperial gardens, etc. We really enjoyed hearing her wealth of knowledge about the 3,000 year history of the Parthenon and Temple of Athena. Helena was very charming, her love and pride of country was very evident. She was also very helpful at the end of the tour when we realized we were short on time getting back to our hotel to catch our transfer to our ship. She was able to make the the needed phone calls for us enabling us to get back in time. Epharisto, Helena!

Response from Host, Jan 2023

We would not be able to grow and develop without feedback like yours, dear Karen; thank you so much! We are thrilled you had a truly meaningful and fruitful experience with us, and we appreciate all the warm comments more than you know. Do visit us again soon, and have an amazing day!