Essential Athens Highlights Plus Cape Sounion Skip-The-Line Tour
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Athens, Greece
- 8 to 9 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Make the most of your time in Greece on this full-day privately chauffeured tour of Athens. Get a true insider's view of this bustling Mediterranean metropolis and learn the history and culture of the city along the way. Explore the city while visiting such sites: Olympic Stadium, the Acropolis, Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Zeus, and the New Acropolis Museum. Watch the changing of the guard at the parliament and then take a coastal road trip to the dramatic clifftop Temple of Poseidon. This tour is flexible and allows you to go at your own pace.
- See all the main sites in Athens, including the Acropolis
- Enjoy coastal views with a visit to the Temple of Poseidon
- Get picked up and dropped off at your hotel or cruise ship
- Private tour ensures plenty of personalized attention
What's Included
- Professional Experienced Tour Driver with thorough Historical Knowledge (can not enter sites)
- First class transport: Mercedes EClass Sedan; Luxury Class Mercedes. Free WiFi Chilled Bottled Water
- Athens Hotel, Airbnb Residence or Cruise ship pickup & return
- Expert Licensed Guide at the Acropolis for Groups of 8+
- Skip the line tickets for the Acropolis & Museum can be purchased on request (extra charge)
- Athens Airport transfers or pickup locations outside Athens. Arranged on request [Additional cost]
- Expert Guide for Groups of 1 - 7; Extended Guiding time. Available on request [Additional cost]
- Food (unless selecting the Lunch Option)
- Entrance fee - Acropolis Entry Ticket (unless option is selected)€30.00 per person
- Entrance fee - Acropolis Museum Entry Ticket (unless option is selected)€20.00 per person
- Entrance fee - Temple of Poseidon Entry Ticket€20.00 per person
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
We pickup from all Central Athens Locations and the Cruise port at your convenience. If your location in not listed we will be in touch with you after booking to confirm it with you. AIRBNB'S: For Airbnb's please provide the exact address. Please be outside your residence for pickup in case of limited parking or waiting time for your driver. LUGGAGE: If you have luggage please provide details of quantity so we may provide the appropriate vehicle AIRPORT PICKUP: For the Airport and locations outside of Athens there may be a supplement. We will advise on booking.
Itinerary
Your tour begins with pickup at your city hotel, airport, or port and transport on board an air-conditioned Mercedes to the Acropolis, where you’ll bypass the crowds with skip-the-line admission tickets and head directly inside. Explore the Parthenon, Temple of Nike, Temple of Erechtheion, Herodes Atticus Theatre, and Acropolis Museum at your own pace before continuing on with your driver to the city center.
Stop at the Plateia Syntagmatos to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and take in the Academy of Athens, Maximos Mansion, Panathenaic Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Arch of Hadrian from the comfort of your vehicle.
After a pause for lunch (opt for included lunch or free time to dine on your own), set off with your driver to Cape Sounion to visit the Temple of Poseidon, taking in views of Lake Vouliagmeni and the Lagonisi coastline along the way. End with drop-off directly at your hotel or other Athens location.
Stop at the Plateia Syntagmatos to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and take in the Academy of Athens, Maximos Mansion, Panathenaic Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Arch of Hadrian from the comfort of your vehicle.
After a pause for lunch (opt for included lunch or free time to dine on your own), set off with your driver to Cape Sounion to visit the Temple of Poseidon, taking in views of Lake Vouliagmeni and the Lagonisi coastline along the way. End with drop-off directly at your hotel or other Athens location.
1
Athens
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Acropolis
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Parthenon
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Acropolis Museum
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
5
Temple of Olympian Zeus
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
6
Arch of Hadrian
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Panathenaic Stadium
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
8
Syntagma Square
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Monastiraki (Pass By)
9
Athens
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Lake Vouliagmeni (Pass By)
Glyfada Beach (Pass By)
Lagonisi (Pass By)
10
Temple of Poseidon
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
11
Athens
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- 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. Acropolis Museum is not visited with groups of 8 or more unless by 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. For persons returning to Cruise ships, we recommend start times of 07:30 or 08:30 to avoid time pressure.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 705 reviews
Bryant_H, Oct 2025
Alex our driver and guide was fantastic, super helpful and very attentive. He met us at the cruise port right on time, answered all questions, even the silly ones and was so eager to share his knowledge of Athens, the sights and history. We saw so many sights, beat the bulk of the lines at the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum and then had a lovely and super tasty lunch at a little coastal restaurant near Poseidon's Temple. If you want to make the most of a day in Athens, this tour will make that happen.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Bryant
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. We are really glad that our tour helped you make the most of your time here & hope to see you back again soon.
Best Wishes for all your future travels
Cathy_B, Oct 2025
We had one full day to see all the important sites in Athens and this was the way to go! Andreas was professional, interesting, educated, and we got a real sense of day to day life in Athens, not to mention a good historical perspective. He drove safely in a beautiful comfortable car, stopped for lunch at a place he spent his youth near, and was prompt and responsive to any other questions or times we wanted to stop for a viewpoint. I misunderstood the quality and dollar amount "stipend" that lunch included, I would have tried more things on the menu. Also it appeared that this was a place that a bus tour could and did stop, and we would have appreciated and paid for something more private and upscale. Nevertheless, it was a great sunny day and wonderful way to see Athens. Good communication before the excursion also, which always helps. Would recommend!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Cathy
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. We are really glad that our tour helped you make the most of your time here & hope to see you back again soon.
Best Wishes for all your future travels
Tanya_B, Oct 2025
Alex was an excellent guide and driver for our day in Athens. He was courteous, knowledgeable and made our experience in Athens memorable.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Tanya
Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your tour with us.
It was great to host you in Athens & we all wish you a safe return home
Warmest wishes
All at Warmpenguin Tours
Val_H, Oct 2025
Alex was a fun and knowledgeable guide. I am so glad we booked this tour. We learned and saw so much.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Val
Your wonderful review was really nice for all of us to read. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour!
We hope to see you back again in the future.
Best Wishes from all of us at Warmpenguin Tours
Jim_S, Oct 2025
Pedros was one of the nest tourguides we have ever had. We saw a great deal. He was personable, knowledgeble, a a joyto spend a day with
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Jim
Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your tour with us.
It was great to host you in Athens & we all wish you a safe return home
Warmest wishes
All at Warmpenguin Tours
Nicole_J, Sep 2025
This was a great way to see Athens, and our driver, Alex was very friendly and knowledgeable. He gave us great history before each stop. Betty was the private guide at the Acropolis and she was fantastic!! But the drive to Sounion was too much. 4.5 hours extra in the car just to see Poseidon didn’t seem necessary, after doing it. That’s no one’s fault. , but it was a lot of boring time driving home with nothing to see.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Nicole,
We are very happy you enjoyed your tour with us. Regards the trip to the Temple of Poseidon, the drive there of around an hour is usually seen as a nice balance after all of the Athens sites and can easily be described as one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Europe with time for your driver to explain a lot of the local mythology of the Temple. The temple itself can also be easily described as a jaw dropping site with many coming from across the world for only this site. Of course this is always a subjective opinion and we understand that not everyone may enjoy the drive, although we do consider it a highlight of the tour overall.
We wish that you enjoy the rest of your time here in Greece and thank you again so much for booking with us :)
Patricia_B, Jul 2025
Excellent sights and tour guide was knowledgeable, fun, informative and absolutely made the day very enjoyable for all
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear Patricia
Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your tour with us.
It was great to host you in Athens & we all wish you a safe return home
Warmest wishes
All at Warmpenguin Tours
Amy_T, Jul 2025
Petros was the absolute best guide. My husband is an architect and Athens has been his dream trip. We celebrated our 25th anniversary and Petros was able to somehow squeeze everything into one day without us feeling rushed. He recommended the best lunch for us and it ended up being our favorite meal of the entire trip. We can’t wait to come back again someday and we will definitely be back asking for Petros to guide us around.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear Amy
Your wonderful review was really nice for all of us to read. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour!
We hope to see you back again in the future.
Best Wishes from all of us at Warmpenguin Tours
Nancy_F, Jun 2025
This was a wonderful tour! Our favorite of our entire trip! Very friendly and knowledgeable guides. Thank you!!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Nancy
Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your tour with us.
It was great to host you in Athens & we all wish you a safe return home
Warmest wishes'
All at Warmpenguin Tours
Kavitha_B, Jun 2025
Wonderful experience. Above and beyond our expectations. Highly recommend this experience to view Athens with limited time. Our guide made this a memorable experience and answered all our questions and beyond.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your tour with us.
It was great to host you in Athens & we all wish you a safe return home
Warmest wishes
All at Warmpenguin Tours
Douglas_H, Jun 2025
Alex our guide was very knowledgeable and informative. We saw a lot in one day but were never rushed.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Douglas
Your wonderful review was really nice for all of us to read. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour!
We hope to see you back again in the future.
Best Wishes from all of us at Warmpenguin Tours
Michelle_M, Jun 2025
We thoroughly enjoyed this tour of Athens! Our driver and tour guide, Petros, was well-informed not only on every sight, but also gave us substantial background of Greek history and historical figures. Our lunch spot by the water was one of our favorite meals of the trip. We learned so much on this day!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Michelle
Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your tour with us.
It was great to host you in Athens & we all wish you a safe return home
Warmest wishes
All at Warmpenguin Tours
Carolyn_C, May 2025
Driver Vesilios and guide, Eva were amazing. 5 star tour. Had the best day seeing all of the sites in Athens. Would highly recommend this tour. My parents are on a trip with my 14 year old and said this is one of the best experiences they have ever had.
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear Carolyn,
Your wonderful review was really nice for all of us to read. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour!
We hope to see you back again in the future.
Best Wishes from all of us at Warmpenguin Tours
Robin_H, May 2025
Andreas was an incredible guide. We saw everything we expected to see and more. He was very accommodating to our needs, stopping for a to-go lunch which we ate in the car on the way to Sounion , to taking us up to a taxi/shared ride drop off point to make the assent to the Acropolis easier. We stayed in touch during our tours of various sites on WhatsApp and let him know when we were ready to be picked up. Simply outstanding service! I highly recommend him.
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear Robin
Your wonderful review was really nice for all of us to read. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour!
We hope to see you back again in the future.
Best Wishes from all of us at Warmpenguin Tours
Sheilah_Z, May 2025
Cape Sounion was beautiful! Loved the gorgeous ocean views. Our driver Andreas was on time and knowledgeable. Loved the Acropolis! Athens was a lot of fun.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your tour with us.
It was great to host you in Athens & we all wish you a safe return home
Warmest wishes
All at Warmpenguin Tours
Dawn_D, May 2025
I booked this tour as a part of my husband's birthday trip to Greece. Our guide and driver was friendly and we always felt safe. After picking us up from our hotel, we started at the Acropolis. Next, we went to Hadrian's Gate, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Panthenaic Stadium, and the Governor's Mansion. We saw the Changing of the Guards ceremony there as it was less busy. Then, we traveled to the Temple of Poseidon. The views are incredible and I recommend you add this portion to the tour. We stopped to eat on the way back to Athens. We ended the tour at the Acropolis Museum. We said farewell as this point as I knew my husband would want to spend a long time at the museum. It was a great overview of the sights and we are so happy we took this tour.
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear Dawn
Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your tour with us.
It was great to host you in Athens & we all wish you a safe return home
Warmest wishes
All at Warmpenguin Tours
Lora_D, Apr 2025
Our guide and driver Andreas was delightful, so knowledgeable and enthusiastic to share the very best of Athens. He summarized and organized Greek history in useful chunks, giving us a solid foundation for the other activities of our trip. We saw so much, learned so much - with so much fun. Well worth the time and cost. Thank you Andreas and Biator.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Dear Lora
Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your tour with us.
It was great to host you in Athens & we all wish you a safe return home
Warmest wishes
All at Warmpenguin Tours
Karen_S, Nov 2024
Ellis our driver was excellent! Very knowledgeable and interesting! We loved the experience…………………..
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Dear Karen
Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your tour with us.
It was great to host you in Athens & we all wish you a safe return home
Warmest wishes
All at Warmpenguin Tours
Helena_H, Oct 2024
We had a wonderful time on our tour (with two teenagers 13 and 16). Petros was a fantastic guide. He was a walking guidebook and we also had an opportunity to chat about every day life in Greece. We never felt rushed at any of the sites and had our best day in Athens.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Dear Helena
Your wonderful review was really nice for all of us to read. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour!
We hope to see you back again in the future.
Best Wishes from all of us at Warmpenguin Tours
Kristopher_Y, Oct 2024
Andreas showed us a great time. Safe driver. Had our tickets ready and escorted us to a great restaurant.
Long but productive day. Saw all the sights and got great photos. Never rushed at all.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Your wonderful review was really nice for all of us to read. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour!
We hope to see you back again in the future.
Best Wishes from all of us at Warmpenguin Tours
Theresa_N, Oct 2024
The knowledge and history imparted by our driver Andreas were fantastic. However, we felt that for the price paid, we spent an inordinate amount of time driving and guide should have accompanied us throughout sites.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review and your lovely comments for your driver Andreas. Our drivers are unable to enter the sites with you but please note we do offer the option, at an additional cost, to add a Professional Licensed Guide to your tour that can enter the sites and provide expert knowledge.
We are really glad that our tour helped you make the most of your time here & hope to see you back again soon.
Best Wishes for all your future travels
All the team at Warmpenguin Tours!
Tom_P, Oct 2024
We were had the opportunity to spend a day which was well planned and included all of the necessary stops in Athens and Sounion. Our driver was very knowledgeable and was well versed in every aspect of the places we visited. We did not feel rushed at any stop nor were we taken to any place that wasn't of interest. Our driver was very friendly, spoke good English and was helpful in every aspect. Great Job!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Dear Tom
Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your tour with us.
It was great to host you in Athens & we all wish you a safe return home
Warmest wishes
All at Warmpenguin Tours
Freda_C, Sep 2024
If you want to do Athens in one day, this is your best bet. Pedro was friendly, funny, organized, accommodating, clear on the why, and provided just enough details for us to navigate and understand each site and yet could visit at our own pace. The drive down to Cape Sounion was breathtaking. Highly recommend it!
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. We are really glad that our tour helped you make the most of your time here & hope to see you back again soon.
Carrie_B, Sep 2024
Our driver was the best!!! Very informative, professional and friendly!
We highly recommend and request our driver!
Saw so much and had a great time!!
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Dear Carrie
Your wonderful review was really nice for all of us to read. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour!
We hope to see you back again in the future.
Best Wishes from all of us at Warmpenguin Tours
Colleen_J, Aug 2024
Our tour guide was wonderful. He was knowledgeable and his English was good. He answered all our questions and took his time with us.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Dear Colleen
Thank you for your lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your tour with us.
It was great to host you in Athens & we all wish you a safe return home
Vicky_U, Aug 2024
I have mobility issues and I loved how I was treated by the workers during my visit to the Partenón.
I felt emotional and grateful that these temples are being protected for the enjoyment of new generations.
Our guide was very good in explaining facts and legends about the places we visited. Thank you for this unforgettable experience.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Dear Vicky
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. We are really glad that our tour helped you make the most of your time here & hope to see you back again soon.
Best Wishes for all your future travels
All the team at Warmpenguin Tours!
kerseyb, Aug 2024
Our driver and guide were dynamite! I highly recommend the separate guide to take you through the Acropolis, museum and city! She added so much more than if we’d done it ourselves! Our driver was fantastic too! A great way to cover a lot of Athens in a day! Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. We are really glad that our tour helped you make the most of your time here & hope to see you back again soon.
Best Wishes for all your future travels
All the team at Warmpenguin Tours!
Nicole_T, Aug 2024
Andreas made our trip spectacular! He always had cold waters for us & really spent the time giving us a colorful & thorough account of Greek history! We couldn’t have been happier with our experience!
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Dear Nicole
Your wonderful review was really nice for all of us to read. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour!
We hope to see you back again in the future.
Best Wishes from all of us at Warmpenguin Tours
Mark_H, Aug 2024
Great tour, we got to see and wander around so many beautiful and historic sites. It was a very warm day Andreas was proactive directing us in ways that tended to keep us cooler and hydrated. The temple of Poseidon was a stand out site and it was not crowded and the views were outstanding.
I would highly recommend this tour as an excellent way to see a lot and the skip the line service is highly recommended. Also, Andreas was great, very knowledgeable and excellent to have as a guide.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Dear Mark
Your wonderful review was really nice for all of us to read. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour!
We hope to see you back again in the future.
Best Wishes from all of us at Warmpenguin Tours
Anna_Z, Jul 2024
This is a fantastic tour for any family visiting Athens. We had Yannis as our driver and Vicky as our guide. Everything was perfect and I will recommend this tour to all our friends and family. Please get all the upgrades; mercedes van, lunch by the sea, etc.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear Anna
Your wonderful review was really nice for all of us to read. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour!
We hope to see you back again in the future.
Best Wishes from all of us at Warmpenguin Tours
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Essential Athens Highlights Plus Cape Sounion Skip-The-Line Tour
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