Athens for CRUISE SHIPS with opt. Acropolis from Piraeus Port
Recommended by 96% of travelers
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Athens, Greece
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Whether you have one day in port or are disembarking in Athens, this shore excursion ensures you make the most of your time. Choose between private and group excursions, available for visitors who are at the port for the day. Visit the Plaka district, Monastiraki, and Syntagma Square, with the option to include tickets to the Acropolis for a self-guided visit.
- Ideal for cruise visitors: you’ll picked up directly from Piraeus Port
- See the top attractions and enjoy free time for shopping and lunch
- Travel by air-conditioned minibus or private vehicle.
- Upgrade to a private tour with a guide.
What's Included
- Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned minibus
- Professional local English-speaking tour guide
- Small Groups: 19 guests per guide
- Guaranteed return to ship on time
- Full refund if your ship cannot dock
- Free time for fast meal & souvenir shopping
- Tour options 'with Acropolis' include a ticket to the Acropolis
- After your tour, return to the port or choose to stay in Monastiraki before the bus heads back
- For private tours Acropolis entry ticket is not included, it is an optional visit€30.00 per person
- Private Tour (if option not selected)
- Gratuities (Recommend 10% for guides, and 5% for bus drivers)
- Food and drinks
- Please note the options 'without Acropolis' do not include an Acropolis ticket
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Cruise Terminal B - PiraeusPiraeus 185 38, Greece
Your ship will dock at Terminal A, B, or C. Please remain at the entrance of your designated terminal after disembarking. Look for our team holding signs that read 'VEXPERIO'.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Port of Piraeus
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Pasalimani (Pass By)
Mikrolimano (Pass By)
Temple of Olympian Zeus (Pass By)
Arch of Hadrian (Pass By)
2
Panathenaic Stadium
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Acropolis
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Areopagus Hill
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Syntagma Square
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Academy of Athens
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
8
Monastiraki
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
9
Plaka
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Port of Piraeus (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 9 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- IMPORTANT ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: Please note that visiting the Acropolis requires extensive walking, including climbing 75 steps at the entrance and navigating uneven, slippery marble paths. This can be physically demanding, especially during summer when crowds are large, and temperatures can be high. For those with limited mobility, we recommend following the guide and exploring Areopagus and Herodion instead.
- This tour begins and ends at Piraeus Port. If you're disembarking from your cruise and staying in Athens, you may bring your luggage on the bus. You can end the tour at our final stop in Monastiraki, before the bus returns to the port. Please inform us in advance so we can accommodate your plans.
- Please note that the Acropolis may close due to extreme heat for safety reasons. If this happens and you've booked entry tickets, you will be able to get a full refund. We will notify you accordingly.
- Please note that this tour involves walking, including on uneven surfaces, and is not suitable for individuals with mobility limitations. Wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, or similar mobility aids cannot be accommodated. We kindly ask you to assess your ability to participate before booking, as refunds cannot be issued if, on the day of the tour, you are unable to join due to mobility-related concerns.
- Meeting point: Your ship will dock at Terminal A, B, or C. Please remain at the entrance of your designated terminal after disembarking. Look for our team holding signs that read 'VEXPERIO'.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 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 90 reviews
Todd_K, Jun 2026
Nice tour - well organized- knowledgeable tour operator. Comfortable van. Great for my group of 5 with teenage boys.
Jason_C, Jun 2026
Tour guide Gina and the driver were punctual. Gina offered great information along the way. Never felt rushed but accomplished a lot in the days tour.
Anita_P, Jun 2026
Stephanie was a great guide; She gave a lot of history of Athens without being too long. There was time for just enjoying the scenery and stops for photos. She kept the group moving at a pleasant pace to ensure we were able to see the changing of the guard and timed entry to Acropolis. We enjoyed the entire tour !
Lisa_S, Jun 2026
We had Vacious as our you guide. What he didn’t know about Athens is not worth knowing. It was a fantastic tour and included the acropolis and many other sights in Athens plus free time as well
The sprinter bus was super as well
I wound highly recommend this tour so well organised and professional
We got back to the shop with time to spare and right on the door step of the ship
Raymond_R, Jun 2026
Our tour guide, Vassiliz was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic. He has a bit of an accent that occasionally makes it difficult to understand what he was talking about.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Dear Raymond,
Thank you for your feedback.
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour. All of our guides speak English fluently; however, as many are native speakers of other languages, an accent may occasionally make parts of the commentary more difficult to understand.
We appreciate your comments and will continue working with our guides to ensure the best possible experience for our guests.
Thank you for joining our Athens tour, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
Warm regards,
Natalia
Vexperio
Tracey_W, May 2026
We very much enjoyed our tour with Samantha. She provided us historical information regarding Athens as we were going from site to site. We saw so many different things that we really got a great overview of Athens. We also enjoyed that the tour only had 13 people which was a nice bonus.
Lindsay_H, May 2026
Coming from a country about to celebrate it's 250th birthday, words cannot define how incredible the sites are in country's like Greece. Athens certainly didn't disappoint. The Acropolis was incredible and our guide made the day even better.
Andrea_M, May 2026
As long as you have the tickets to the Acropolis, the tour is fantastic. We chose not to purchase the tickets due to my husband’s limited mobility. My understanding was that there were alternative activities for us. Instead, we sat in the cafe near the parking lot and were told to stay there. Our guide said she would be back in an hour but it was actually longer than that. I’m slightly frustrated by the lack of communication about that and also, that we could have gotten lift tickets so we could have at least gone up to see it.
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear Andrea,
Thank you for your feedback and for your kind words about the tour itself.
We are very sorry for the frustration caused by the waiting time and the lack of clearer communication from our side. While the rest of the group continued to nearby areas such as Areopagus and Herodion, which involve additional walking and uneven terrain, our guide wanted to ensure you could rest comfortably and enjoy some free time at a nearby café instead. We will certainly review the delay with our guide team, as our goal is always to make every guest feel comfortable and included throughout the experience.
Regarding the lift, its operation is managed directly by the Acropolis site, subject to availability and eligibility requirements, so unfortunately it cannot always be guaranteed.
We truly appreciate your comments, as they help us continue improving the experience for all future guests.
Warm regards,
Magdalena
Vexperio
Andrew_E, May 2026
Excellent tour! Very knowledgeable tourguide who also shared personal insights about the local scene. He also had amazing command of the history of the region - and a sense of humor!
Jack_J, May 2026
The guide was phenomenal! Very informative and interesting. We got a wonderful 6 hour sampler tour of Athens! Everything from the ancient acropolis, to the new Athens city. Also time to enjoy a bus shopping district and enjoy a wonderful Greek lunch! Very
Comfortable Mercedes sprinter van with a group of about 12. Picked us up promptly in front of the cruise terminal and even texted us to Make sure we connected with the guide: I
Highly recommend!
LaTonya_A, May 2026
Cruise Friendly! Guide met us at port holding signage per email instructions. She was friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. Small intimate group of 8-10 ppl. and guide made sure everyone had time for restroom breaks, and personal time. English-speaking was very clear. The driver was helpful off the tour bus and friendly. Tour guide took a group pic - I'm still waiting on it through email. :-)
Richard_M, May 2026
We particularly enjoyed our guide, Vassals, taking us off the beaten path so we experienced a number of sites where we were the only tourists gaining a unique perspective. We also enjoyed his recommendation for a lunch restaurant which was off the main square and served delicious, authentic Greek food.
Barbara_S, May 2026
The tour guide was good, very knowledgeable, but a little difficult to understand. He needed to speak more slowly so we could understand him. We were surprised at the little bit of time we had for lunch and shopping. It was one or the other. We didn't need to be back on the ship for several hours. We did see a lot though.
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear Barbara,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We’re very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour overall and found your guide knowledgeable and informative.
We also appreciate your comments regarding the pace and clarity of the guide’s speech, as well as the limited time for lunch and shopping. Guest feedback like yours is extremely valuable and helps us continue improving the experience we provide.
Athens is such a historic and vibrant city, and while we do our best to include as many highlights as possible within cruise schedules, we understand wanting a bit more free time to explore at a relaxed pace.
Thank you again for choosing to tour with us, and we truly hope to welcome you on another adventure in the future!
Vexperio Team
Joy_B, May 2026
Best guide of our whole trip he was so informative and very helpful with some of the people that needed to help. I don’t know what else to say.
Angie_S, May 2026
We were on cruise and this was a perfect day trip. Great communication and easy to find the transportation. It was great to see more of the city on the tour.
Macarena_M, Apr 2026
Helena, our guide was great. You get to see a lot of places, including of course the Acropolis. Tour was not so big, so very manageable to get around fast.
David_W, Apr 2026
Well organised & professional. Vicki was very knowledgable & clear. Athens traffic was crazy but can’t be helped.
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear David,
Thank you very much for your kind review.
We are very pleased to hear that you found the tour well organised and professional, and that Vicki’s knowledge and clear guidance contributed positively to your experience. We will be happy to pass along your kind words to her.
We also appreciate your understanding regarding the traffic conditions in Athens, which can indeed be unpredictable at times.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your feedback. We hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future.
Warm regards,
Zuzanna
Vexperio
Sebastien_D, Apr 2026
Gina was a very friendly and helpful guide. We have a wonderful time. The bus was very comfortable and they even had water bottles available. The guide gave us very clear directions and instructions.
Kate_S, Jan 2026
It was very hot but the tour company made sure we saw everything without risking a heat stroke ;-)! Pick up and drop off was directly at the cruise port and they used a brand new air conditioned mini bus. Our guide Athena was amazing!! She was super knowledgeable and accommodating. Got us everywhere bypassing the crowds, recommended an incredible restaurant for lunch and even treated us to some Greek sweets. We also really appreciated the small group size vs the gigantic cruise tours or hop on hop off buses. Felt very VIP for a really low price compared to ships.
Janine_P, Jan 2026
We had a great experience on this tour. It was exactly as described. We booked the private option and didn’t regret it! They perfectly personalized it to our wishes. ThanSis and Demetris were fantastic! Thank you Viator and Vexperio!
Raquel_S, Jan 2026
Our tour of Athens was a true highlight thanks to our guide. I forget her name but she was an absolute star- made sure we saw everything in the short time we had, recommended her favorite places to eat, o took great pictures of us and even brought us some Greek treats. New comfortable bus to top it all off. We felt like royalty!
Min_L, Jan 2026
We had a perfect tour of Athens. It only really scratched the surface of this amazing city, there is so much to see, but for a one day tour it was ideal - good combination of driving, walking around and free time without overheating or overdoing it. Álex is a treasure!!! Arrangements wit pick up and drop off directly at our ship were very convenient. All in all good organization and execution - well done!
Steve_J, Dec 2025
This was perfect --- they pick you up directly at the port, and take you to the main sights of the city, including Acropolis. You will also have some time for lunch. Our guide and driver were the best!!! Will definitely be coming back to Athens!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Steve,
We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your Athens tour! Thank you for sharing your experience and for your kind words about our guide and driver.
We look forward to welcoming you back to Athens on a future visit!
Warm regards,
Natalia
Vexperio
Amelie_L, Dec 2025
This was such a wonderful experience, and probably one of the top 3 tours we ever took in our lives! Our guide, Alex, was the most knowledgable guide I ever met. He took us to all of the city's highlights, provided free time for shopping, helped us find a great and affordable place to grab a bite and even assisted with photo taking. I could not have asked for a better companion to explore the capital of Greece. The tour company was super responsive and helpful. WE will definitely book with Viator and Vexperio again on our next trip!
DoriA_P, Nov 2025
This tour was ok, guide was nice and informative with good English skills. The biggest thing is she and the driver were in a hurry to drop us off back at the port so we had two hours with nothing to do since there is nothing near where our cruise ship was docked. it would have been nice to know what we were doing. We would have loved more time where we had lunch for shopping and time on our own, but wasn’t given the option
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear Doria,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed your guide and found the tour informative!
To clarify, the tour ran exactly as advertised. Some ships are docked for longer periods than others, but the tour always lasts the full number of hours as stated. If you booked a shared tour, our guests are welcome to explore the city for longer if they wish — you can simply let your guide know that you’d like to stay after the tour and return to the port on your own. For more flexibility and comfort, we also offer private tours.
We appreciate your suggestions and will continue to look for ways to make timing and options clearer for future guests, ensuring a smooth experience for everyone.
Safe travels,
Natalia
Vexperio
Ginger_R, Oct 2025
I felt like the entire tour was rushed. We were able to stop for some great views of the city. We were at the Acropolis and Parthenon the appropriate time, but a lot of time was lost with our tour guide what appeared to be bickering with other individuals not in our group. Once she finally got through all her scripts, we were seriously rushed to be able to see the actual structures. Felt like I couldn’t take it all in or I would get the wrath or left behind. There was confusion on a meeting place after getting out which only caused frustration. Our next stop was eating/free time. We opted to eat but sadly had no time to walk in even one store. Straight back to the boat that offers no shopping. We kept being told how busy it wasn’t. I can’t imagine if it had been busy! What else would have been cut? Also the big, long conversation over pickpocketing when we stated the day put us all edge. I get the warning but the non-stop did not instill any security as a tourist in your country.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Ginger,
Thank you for sharing your feedback, and we’re truly sorry to hear that the tour did not fully meet your expectations. We always strive to provide a well-balanced experience that allows guests to see the highlights of Athens comfortably and on time for their ship’s departure.
We regret that you felt the pace was too fast and that there was confusion at one of the meeting points. Your comments have been shared with our operations team and guide management to ensure we improve communication and timing for future guests.
We also appreciate your note about the safety briefing — it’s meant to help travelers feel prepared, but we’ll review how we can communicate this information in a more reassuring way.
We sincerely value your input, as it helps us continue improving the quality of our experiences.
Warm regards,
Natalia
Vexperio
Sherry_S, Oct 2025
This tour was extremely well organized from the cruise port. Our guide was right on time just outside the ship, entertaining and very knowledgeable. He (three syllable name starting with V, and meaning king, and sorry, still can't pronounce) kept us informed of the historical relevance of everything we were seeing.
Our driver (Dimitri?) was a very good driver and we were all able to focus on the sights and not worry about the road.
The bus was clean and comfortable, with two seats on one side and one seat on the other side of the isle.
The highlights for me were the changing of the guard and Acropolis.
I thought there would be no way I could climb the Acropolis and, though I didn't make it all the way to the top, I'm very happy to say I almost made it before I found a nice, marble step calling my name. Even at my age and poor fitness level, I was able to enjoy the experience.
But prior to the climb, I loved seeing their changing of the guard. When we've seen this in London, even with the very high priced tour guides, we couldn't really feel it, as the crowds were awful and it would have been a great production if we weren't all struggling to get a spot in front. This changing was not crowded nor a big production, but the unexpected method of the changing was so unusual that I enjoyed it much more than any I've ever witnessed.
Toward the end, we went to an area where we could shop, eat, or just wander. The last hour was spent there, and that was just about right. After buying a few souvenirs there, I had a super reasonably priced strawberry pie and he had what looked like a calzone. I'm pretty sure the bill was total of like $7 including a can of soda.
The vendors were in no way pushy and I was able to enter and exit anywhere comfortably.
I would recommend this tour to anyone.
Terry_T, Oct 2025
We needed a post cruise tour in Athens and this did not disappoint we got to see a lot in a short amount of time I would recommend this tour
Misty_M, Oct 2025
Athens had a transportation strike so our excursion had to be altered, which actually turned out better!
Communication was excellent and they worked hard to make the day happen! We were very impressed with our driver and overall experience, in fact, we booked for the next day!
Deborah_C, Sep 2025
We saw many interesting sites in Athens in a clean, air conditioned Minibus with lovely travellers, a friendly guide, and a helpful driver who offered his hand when I stepped off the bus. It was not hurried, but we stopped for quite a while at some places when we could have seen more. Our guide did not share the information I like to learn about cities I visit, but don’t know much about. Eg. There is a lot of talk about Gods and myths, but not about Athens - population, average wage, house costs, favourite sport etc. But, overall, lovely people and a wonderful day.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Deborah,
Thank you for sharing your feedback about your Athens tour. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed traveling with our friendly guide and driver, and that you found the experience relaxed and enjoyable.
Our tours of Athens focus primarily on its rich history and mythology, as these are the aspects that most visitors come to the city to experience. While we don’t cover modern-day statistics such as wages, housing costs, or current sports trends, we always aim to provide engaging historical and cultural context to make your visit memorable.
We appreciate your comments and are happy to hear that overall you had a wonderful day exploring Athens with us.
Warm regards,
Natalia
Vexperio
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