Beat the Heat Acropolis Tour - Small group
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Athens, Greece
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
The Acropolis is the most famous sight in Athens, but the crowds and heat can make visiting a chore. On this afternoon tour, take in this ancient blockbuster once most tourists have left and the temperatures are milder. Follow your guide to cover the highlights of this vast site in just two hours, with in-depth commentary about their history and architecture to help you interpret the complex ruins.
- Avoid the tourist crush and midday heat at the Acropolis with an afternoon tour
- Visit with a guide to understand the significance of the most important sites
- Wireless headset provided to follow the guide’s commentary with ease
- A small-group tour for more personal attention and a relaxed pace
What's Included
- 2-hour guided tour with an English-speaking licensed guide
- Small group for an optimal experience
- Fun map of ancient Athens
- Hotel transfer
- Food or drinks
- Entrance fee - Acropolis Entry Ticket (we can prepurchase for you)€30.00 per person
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Arch of HadrianLeof. Vasilisis Amalias 50, Athina 105 58, Greece
Your meeting point is under the Arch of Hadrian (Hadrian's Gate), on Leof. Vasilisis Amalias. The closest metro station is ACROPOLIS and then you’ll need to walk 5’ to get to the Arch of Hadrian. Your guide will be waiting for you holding a sign "ALTERNATIVE ATHENS".
End point
- Acropolis of AthensAthens 105 58, Greece
Itinerary
1
Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Temple of Athena Nike
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Erechtheion
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Propylaea
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
5
Parthenon
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- We can pre-purchase entry tickets for you, just let us know!
- Small group tour
- Strollers, backpacks and big bags are not allowed at the Acropolis and should not be taken on the tour
- ID card or passport are required for people under the age of 25 for possible discounts
- Entry fees are non-refundable, non exchangeable
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 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
Reviews
4.8
based on 162 reviews
Jim_F, Oct 2025
Excellent overview of the Acropolis and slopes. Maria was our guide and was excellent. Tour ran about 2 hours 15 minutes.
Sofia_M, Oct 2025
I would like to request a full refund for the “Beat the Heat Acropolis Tour – Small Group” (booking for 3 people, total €161).
We arrived at the meeting point on time, only to find out that entrance tickets to the Acropolis were not included—something that was not clearly stated in the advertisement. The listing was misleading, as it gave the impression that the tour included access to the Acropolis.
At the meeting point, we were told to purchase our own entrance tickets. Despite feeling deceived, we still went to the ticket booth, but the line was extremely long, and it became impossible to get tickets in time. While we were still in line, the organizer called to say the group was about to leave and gave us only 10 minutes to buy the tickets—something clearly unrealistic given the queue and the potential unavailability of tickets.
This situation was handled very poorly. The organizer should have checked earlier (and not 10 minutes before the tour started) whether participants had already purchased tickets, rather than calling us at the last moment. Furthermore, another guest ahead of us faced the same issue, confirming this was not an isolated incident.
This experience was misleading and unfair, and I believe a full refund is warranted. If this issue is not resolved, I will be filing a dispute with my credit card company and posting detailed reviews of this incident.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Sofia,
Thank you for your message. However please note that the tour description clearly states that entrance tickets to the Acropolis are not included and must be purchased separately in advance. This information is displayed prominently on the listing to ensure transparency for all guests.
Additionally, we made every effort to remind you about this requirement well ahead of time. Specifically, we sent messages via the Viator platform and SMS on August 18th (the day you booked), October 14th (one week before the tour), and October 20th (one day before the tour). We also sent a WhatsApp reminder on October 20th to ensure you had all the necessary details before arrival.
On the day of the tour, our guide waited an additional 10 minutes beyond the scheduled start time. Unfortunately, as the rest of the group already had their tickets and we must respect the schedule for all participants, it was not possible to delay the tour further.
Given that we clearly communicated the ticket policy and provided multiple reminders, we believe it is entirely your responsibility to ensure tickets were purchased in advance, and we will not be issuing a refund.
Donna_S, Oct 2025
Outstanding company and fabulous tour guide Michalis. He made the tour fun and informative with great passion, energy and enthusiasm. He made learning the history interactive and explicit.
Our flight was two hours late which made us over an hour late for our tour which we thought would be cancelled but Michalis waited and was happy to continue with our tour. This was outstanding and made a wonderful start to Greek holiday.
Joanne_W, Oct 2025
Athina was an excellent guide. While the Acropolis was very crowded, it was nice to have a small group tour.
Bridget_F, Sep 2025
The tour was very well organised and we were lucky enough to have an archaeologist accompany us. Her knowledge not only of the acropolis but of all the history connected to it by different nations etc was incredible. Her descriptions of the buildings and construction painted a very precise picture of what the place looked like in reality and this enhanced the whole experience greatly. We had an early start which was good as come lunch time it was crowded. One thing to note is that part of the terrace is in marble and can be quite slippery so wear good walking shoes
JOHN_B, Sep 2025
When you reach the Parthenon the landscape is very slippery. Wear hiking shoes or shoes with a good grip. Hills are steep. It is very crowded at the top. The temperature was perfect and sunset beautiful. The site closes at 1630. The archeologist who lead the tour was very knowledgeable but, needed a microphone as she was soft spoken.
JaniceFloyd_D, Sep 2025
Our tour guide, Calliope (Kelly), was everything you’d wish for in a tour guide. She was knowledgeable, interesting, organized and articulate.
Caroline_F, Sep 2025
I don't know if we beat the heat, but I would say we sure got there during golden hour. It was a photographer's elysium, and the giide took several beautiful shots of me.
Tana_G, Sep 2025
The host was very knowledgeable and friendly. Great small tour and personalized experience. I recommend a 5 PM time slot as you can see the sunset.
Kevin_C, Sep 2025
Just do it. It was an excellent tour. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and very friendly. Would recommend to everyone! Just be aware that the walk to the top of the acropolis is a bit of a hike, but it’s very fun!
Chris_M, Sep 2025
Maria was our guide. She was a master of Greek history and made the stories come to life. She would also connect the history to modern events, which was fascinating. One of the very best tours I have been on. Oh, and the acropolis itself was breathtaking!
Timothy_G, Sep 2025
Expertly guided and thoroughly knowledgeable about the ancient Greeks. Also loads of fun, fascinating sights
Arpita_B, Sep 2025
it was fast and short . it covered the needed details I think for acropolis. I liked it specially with kid. With such a hot weather it was perfect, The guide was polite and covered key details of history. helped with pics too.
Danielle_K, Sep 2025
Maria was an excellent tour guide! Very informative and knew everything about the tour. Would do it ten times again with her! Tip: go in the afternoon to beat the heat and the crowds!
clipper_e, Aug 2025
Extremely knowledgeable guide - so much information and history. Beautiful sites - somewhat strenuous walk but well paced.
lisa_m, Aug 2025
The perfect time of day tour for a 3 hour in a smaller group. Our tour guide Christia was amazing, she made the expertise relatable and fun to hear all the history and myths behind the sites.
Chelsea_M, Aug 2025
Our guide Maria, was very knowledgeable & kind! She did a great job telling us the history & stories! Everything was great!
KIM_S, Aug 2025
It was a perfect length of 2 hours.
Our guide Michael was funny extremely knowledgeable and friendly.
rachael_w, Jul 2025
A great way to see the Acropolis and much better for being in a small group as the site is very busy and it was easy to hear and navigate the crowds. The guide was knowledgeable and was able to keep the children / teens in the group engaged as well as the adults even in the July heat! The 5 pm tour was great to avoid the heat of the day and this tour takes in all the main parts of the Acropolis without being too long. Would recommend.
Jennifer_J, Jul 2025
We took the 5pm tour to clear some of the crowds- note the Acropolis is still super crowded at that time, but not as bad. Our guide was quite lovely and knowledgeable. While I enjoyed the tour, we found it very hard to understand and hear her in the crowds. It was a hot July day at 98 degrees and crowded- and she tried her best to talk above the crowds but between that and the heat, we had trouble paying attention. You had to stand very close to her to hear and then couldn’t explore while she was talking.. At one point, we moved away from the tour just to keep moving. Highly recommend but I wish they had those audio headsets so we could hear her better.
Carmen_M, Jun 2025
Loved the experience! Had a great time and learned a great deal. The guide was very knowledgeable and helpful.
Faith_L, Jun 2025
Our tour guide was great! Stelios was super knowledgeable and open to our questions. I would highly recommend this tour :)
Dawn_R, Jun 2025
We’ve been to this beautiful place before but came during the day. It was hot and there were an incredible number of people.
We brought friends this time and decided to try a small group evening tour - MUCH BETTER!
We met our guide Maria at Hadrian’s Arch and our group of 11 had a wonderful time. There were a lot of people of course, but nothing like during the day and it was much cooler. Our guide was very kind, welcoming and gave us a lot of information about the site. She answered all of our questions and took photos for all of us.
If you’re coming to Athens, book this tour!
Thank you Maria!
Janine_H, May 2025
This was a great tour with so much information provided as we walked the vast Acropolis. I do not recommend it for children as there was alot of stops to hear details of what we were observing and definitely geared to adults.
ali, Apr 2025
Must do if you are visiting the Acropolis. The guide goes at a nice pace and is filled with knowledge.
Kasey_E, Jan 2025
This was such an informative tour! So much information and history! Our guide (Alex? sorry I don't quite remember) was amazing and so attentive. My only complaint is that we spent a lot of time in the meeting area and was very rushed at the Acropolis since it closes at 5pm. We didn't get any free time and the staff was asking everyone to leave. Seeing the views at sunset was worth it tho!
William_K, Jan 2025
Sensational tour guide that is also a working archeologist. Extremely knowledgeable and informative. Concluded the tour standing at dusk besides the Parthenon overlooking a spectacular sunset view of Athens and the port of Piraeus.
JoAnne_V, Dec 2024
The tour is a must do. Great to learn so much while experiencing the ancient ruins. Vicky was a superb guide. Engaging, thoughtful, patient and informative. She loves her job and it shows. Don’t hesitate to book this tour.
Sandy_L, Oct 2024
Nikki was a wonderful guide who took 7 of us up to see the Acropolis. He gave us excellent explanations about the gods and mythological stories and the history of Greece in the Age of Pericles. He told us stories about the theater of Dionysus, the Parthenon, and the Erechtheion. We all agreed that he was a wonderful guide, and we thoroughly enjoyed his tour of the Acropolis.
MariaElisa_M, Sep 2024
Eleni was an amazing guide, our group was small, just 8 people and she filled us with interesting facts and stories. She made our visit unforgettable!!
From $53.96
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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