Athens for CRUISE SHIPS with opt. Acropolis from Piraeus Port
Recommended by 94% 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 2 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
4.7
based on 64 reviews
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
Joanne_D, Sep 2025
Our tour of was Athens great. We saw the highlights of the city with the best being the Acropolis. We opted to go to the top of it and it was not as hard as I anticipated. It was absolutely amazing. Truly worth it. We then had a quick lunch and a short time for some shopping. The pick up and drop off were a piece of cake. Right outside our ship!
Janine_Q, Sep 2025
Great tour. Our tour guide was very informative. Felt we had enough time in each place we stopped to take pictures, explore and eat.
Kim_H, Sep 2025
Viaitor was very flexible and notified us when the quota wasn’t met for our group tour. Instead they changed it to a private tour for the same cost. Dimitris was our driver and he was excellent. Very kind and an excellent driver. He knew where he was going and was extremely considerate.
Jack_H, Aug 2025
Very worthwhile. Guides were the best. So knowledgeable and helpful. Went out of their way to help us complete our trip.
Sarah_P, Aug 2025
Loved our guide, very accommodating, and informative (and fun!) would definitely recommend. Lots of walking uphill and steps so plan ahead.
Susan_C, Aug 2025
Thanassis was an excellent tour guide. We thoroughly enjoyed our day in Athens. We wish we could have spent more time in Athens. We had the best gyros in Greece.
Veronica_S, Aug 2025
Thanasis, our Athens tour guide, and Vangelis, our Driver, with Karavas Travel were amazing, courteous, professional and had a great sense of humour. Thanasis had a deep knowledge of Athens and made each site we visited more enjoyable. He and Vangelis gave us ample time at each site to tour, take photos and shop. The tour didn’t feel rushed as many do. Additionally, they were easy to locate coming off of my NCL cruise at Piraeus port. It truly was enjoyable and stress free. I highly recommend this tour!
Manda_H, Jul 2025
Our guide Vassilis was terrific! He was charismatic and very knowledgeable. We enjoyed our tour very much. The weather was extremely hot, so having the A/C transportation and he provided cold water which was great! The Acropolis was closed due to heat advisory, which was unfortunate, but he made the best of it and we were able to still get some photos from afar.
Gennaro_R, Jul 2025
it was very informative and the tour guide was very knowledgeable and shared many interesting facts.
Peter_D, Jul 2025
Pick up and drop off worked well
Guide was knowledgeable however his ability to organize anything was very poor.
He wasted much of our time doing something however know one new what. We just stood around and waited for him to come back to us. We lost about 1 hour standing on a corner in no man's land. Although it was not in the published tour, it is clear that the guide had pre booked a restaurant in The Plaka for us to have lunch (very good I might add) at our own cost. His disorganization and scheme to have us all eat at his preferred restaurant meant that we had no time at all in the Plaka. Very disappointing.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear Peter,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that your experience didn’t fully meet your expectations.
Please know that our guides in Santorini always have their GPS turned on, so from the office we can monitor the tour’s progress and address any issues promptly. On the date of your tour, the guide’s movements showed no prolonged stops in one place or street.
If you could provide more details about where and when this waiting occurred, it would help us investigate further.
Regarding the restaurant you mentioned, it is actually the oldest gyros place on the island. Our guide typically offers guests the option to visit this popular spot and assists with reservations due to its high demand, especially during busy times. This is always optional, and guests are free to choose where and how they spend their lunch break.
We appreciate your understanding and hope to have the opportunity to provide a better experience in the future.
Best regards,
Natalia
Vexperio
Liz_N, Jul 2025
Thanasis was great. I genuinely felt like he loved showing us around. He made sure we understood, made sure we were hydrated, and made sure that we got to see what we wanted to see.
KARAVAS TRAVEL
Patricia_P, Jul 2025
We had a great time! Thanasis Karavas was funny, knowledgeable about history and Greek mythology. At first, I was worried the tour might feel rushed or overwhelming, but thankfully that wasn’t the case. Thanasis was patient with us, managed the timing perfectly, and everything ran smoothly. Definitely recommend!
CheryllMay_I, Jul 2025
We had an amazing time at Athens with Viator and Vexperio. Prior to the tour, Kinga and Zuzanna were easy to communicate with and helpful to book our entry to Acropolis. On the day of the trip, we were met by our humourous and very knowledgeable guide, Thanasis. The itinerary brought us to key areas in Athens and culminated at Athen’s first greek tavern - Bairaktaris Taverna 😋 Thank you all for making our trip a memorable one! 😎
Miranda_L, Jul 2025
Our guide Mr T and driver Demetrius are very professional and punctual. Mr T checked firing the morning to make sure our meeting was smooth. Itinerary was followed to cover all the spots. Weather is extremely hot and they supplied us complimentary water to help is cool off. They also surprised us by gifting us an iconic magnet to end the tour on high note. Even better if we can shorten the 30 minutes at the National Botanical Garden and extend our stay at Plaka instead.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear Miranda,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your Athens shore tour with us.
We also truly appreciate your helpful suggestion regarding the time spent at the National Botanical Garden versus Plaka. Guest insights like yours help us fine-tune our tours to better match expectations and interests, and we’ll certainly take this into account for future itineraries.
We hope to welcome you again on another adventure soon!
Warm regards,
Natalia
Vexperio
Andrea_B, Jul 2025
Did this excursions from cruise port and it was great. Lots of sites with time to shop and eat and back to the cruise port in a timely manner.
Peter_C, Jul 2025
There is a considerable amount of walking. Especially when you factor in the Acropolis. There a couple hundred yard walk up an incline just to get to the entrance. It is not advisable to do so on a hot day.
On the other hand, transportation in the van was over the top outstanding. Our guide was even better! His knowledge and insight could not have been better.
Idelsis_T, Jul 2025
Amazing experience in Athens. Wonderful tour guide very knowledgeable, personable.Our Athens experience is one for the books. We were given a little gift from our tour guide, so special and memorable.Transportation in luxury mini bus with water and Comfort.
Austin_P, Jul 2025
Drop off / pick-up at Acropolis site was good with a bit of info prior to arrival. Guide does not accompany in. Otherwise it is a driving tour of the city for a few hours, with about 45 min. on your own at the Market Street area to grab a quick bite and souvenir. Would have preferred less driving around / city sights / sitting in traffic, and maybe a visit to the Acropolis Museum or other historical area of town to fill the time.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear Austin,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We're sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations, but we would like to clarify a few important details for the benefit of other travelers.
As stated clearly in the tour description, this is not a guided visit inside the Acropolis. The guide does not accompany guests inside the site, which we communicate ahead of time both in writing and directly to each guest before their tour date. We personally ask every participant whether they wish to explore the Acropolis on their own or prefer to follow the guide to the Areopagus Hill and Herodion nearby. On your tour, some guests chose the latter, and naturally, the guide could not abandon them mid-tour.
Regarding your comments about too much driving, city sights, and traffic: Athens is a large and historically layered city, with major landmarks spread out over different districts. These sights are not within walking distance, and driving is necessary to reach them within the time frame. As for traffic, July is peak tourist season in Greece, and heavy congestion is unfortunately beyond our control. We do our best to manage timing and routes, and we also inform guests in advance about possible delays and traffic conditions.
We always strive to deliver clear information and a smooth experience. We regret that this tour format wasn’t the right fit for your expectations.
Sincerely,
Natalia
Vexperio Team
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per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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