Shore Excursion: Acropolis, Athens City tour and The New Acropolis Museum
Recommended by 90% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Athens, Greece
- 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Offered in: English
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Overview
If you’re short on time but want to experience the best of Athens, take this shore excursion from your cruise ship. With your guide leading the way, visit the Acropolis Museum, explore the Acropolis, watch the changing of the guards, and more. Round-trip transportation from Piraeus Port ensures that you’ll be back in time for departure. Upgrade to include entrance tickets with skip-the-line admission.
- Experience the highlights of Athens in less than a day
- Explore the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Acropolis with a licensed guide
- See the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the Greek Parliament
- Hassle-free 2-way transfers direct from Piraeus Port
What's Included
- Round trip transfer from the Port of Piraeus and back
- Acropolis guided tour with a local licensed guide in a small group
- Skip-the-ticket line service (for WITH ticket option)
- Athens Guide magazine and Athens map
- Entrance fees (depending on the option you choose)
- Food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup point
- Piraeus
Pickup details
Pick up from the cruise ship terminal
Operating hours.8:45 am
Itinerary
1
Change of Guards
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
National Garden (Pass By)
Zappeion (Pass By)
2
Temple of Olympian Zeus
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Acropolis
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Acropolis Museum
1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT BABY STROLLERS: 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
- 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 “WITH Ticket” option, everything is included.
- If you selected the "WITHOUT Ticket" option, follow the instructions on your voucher to purchase the tickets
- Not possessing a valid entrance ticket at the beginning of the tour disqualifies you from joining the tour. Remember, the tour fee is non-refundable if you fail to meet this requirement.
- 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
Reviews
4.6
based on 30 reviews
Cathy_L, Oct 2025
We really appreciated Philippia sharing her extensive knowledge of Greek ancient history. Her passion and enthusiasm made the tour an absolute pleasure. ‘To tell the truth’ Philippia was the best local tour guide we’ve had on our trip. Thank you for an informative day!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Cathy, we’re delighted to hear Philippia made such a strong impression! Her passion for Greek history truly brings the sites to life, and it’s a pleasure to know her enthusiasm made your day so enjoyable. Thank you for sharing your kind words!
Warm regards,
Athens Walking Tours Team
PamelaLouise_Z, Oct 2024
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable. She was friendly and provided great detail many people want to see the sites and get good pictures. One’s ability to absorb information may improve with some brevity as energy levels wane.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you, Pamela! We're so glad to hear you enjoyed the detailed history and context our guide shared during your tour. We always strive to provide a thorough experience while balancing the excitement of seeing the iconic sites. Your feedback is appreciated, and we’re glad you took away some great memories (and photos!) from the day!
Gigi_W, Aug 2024
Mr. Appollon is our guide and he is amazing! We walked through the city centre first , had a glimpse of changing of guards, and went into the cool and wonderful Royal garden. Mr Appollon always told us interesting stories and history whenever he could find a shade (rescue us from the fierce sun) . Our visit of Acorpolis, the Patheon and the Acorpolis museum will be less interesting if we didn’t have Mr. Appollon as our guide. Highly recommended this tour if you’re in Athens
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Gigi, it makes us smile to hear that your tour with Mr. Appollon was exceptional! The fact that he made your Athens experience so memorable with his knowledge, enthusiasm, and care for your comfort is great to know. Our guides are eager to share the rich history and culture of Athens, and we're pleased that Mr. Appollon's expertise added to your visit to the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Acropolis Museum. Thank you for your kind words and for recommending our tour. We hope to welcome you back to Athens in the future!
Angelo_G, Jul 2024
Unfortunately this experience was not as we expected. There were to many tours going on with multiple companies. We had to slow down our tour due to so much volume. We stopped frequently for the tour guide to explain the area in which we were in, however I think this was done more so that crowds could move forward.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for sharing your feedback on your recent tour. We appreciate your insights and would like to address some of your concerns.
Athens and the Acropolis are indeed among the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting visitors from all corners of the globe. Given their historical and cultural significance, it is common to encounter many tours and tourists, especially during peak travel seasons.
Our tour is designed with a moderate pace to ensure that everyone can comfortably follow along. We make several stops, not to avoid crowds, but to provide our guests with ample time to take photos, absorb the rich historical context from our guide, and avoid feeling rushed. These pauses allow our guests to fully appreciate the significance of each location and enjoy their experience to the fullest.
We strive to offer a balanced and enriching experience despite the challenges posed by the popularity of these iconic sites. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve our services, and we hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a more satisfying experience in the future.
Debbie_R, Jun 2024
This was a very informative and well run tour! Our guide was wonderful and so knowledgeable! The Acropolis is incredible but an extremely strenuous climb. I would recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Dear Debbie,
Thank you for the excellent review of your experience with Athens Walking Tours! Our guides are wonderful at sharing their vast knowledge about iconic sites like the Acropolis. We are delighted you had a great time overall. Thank you for your valuable feedback!
Roy_J, May 2024
Arrival at the Acropolis was a very memorable moment! The guide had great stories and was very informative!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Dear Roy,
Thank you for sharing your unforgettable experience with us! Our guides love to bring the rich history of Athens to life with their stories and insights, and we’re glad you found our tour informative. We hope to have the pleasure of hosting you again on your next adventure in Greece.
Alisa_F, May 2024
We saw amazing things but this tour needs a longer break for lunch in the middle. We came on a cruise ship, we met our transport around 8:30 am to meet at the Kolomaki train station around 9:30 am. We began the walking tour through the train station with amazing artifacts, walked to watch the changing of the guard at the Hellenic Parliament (very interesting), and then walked through the National Gardens towards the Acropolis. Prior to heading to the Acropolis, we we stopped for just a 20 minute break at around 11:10 which included a long line for bathroom, thus no time for food nor was it explained that there would not be another opportunity to eat. At 11:30am or so we headed up to the Acropolis on foot (long lines). After the Acropolis tour which is a 1 and 1/2 hour walk up hill with little shade, we went straight to the museum, at that point it was close to 2pm. We were tired hungry and unfocused and could barely appreciate the museum. We then finished the museum tour around 3:30 to rush back to ship transport by 3:45pm. We were starving and had no time to eat at the restaurants and shops in the area around the Acropolis and museum. Perhaps start the tour directly at the Acropolis earlier in the morning when it is cooler, allow about hour or so for lunch and then hit the museum at 2pm. Or explain that when we buy the tickets for these things there will be no time allocated for an appropriate lunch. Although it was hot, mid 80s and sunny, it was the hot summer days of June, July and August. Please make it more clear to people, especially those coming from cruise ships, of the structure of the day.
Response from Host, May 2024
Dear Alisa,
Thank you for taking the time to provide such detailed feedback on your recent tour experience. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the sights and found the tour content enriching, especially the amazing artifacts and the changing of the guard.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the lack of time for a proper lunch break. While we do inform our guests beforehand that the tour schedule is quite packed and recommend grabbing a snack during the short break, we understand that this information might not have been sufficiently highlighted.
Based on your valuable feedback, we will ensure that this information is made more prominent and clear, particularly for our guests coming from cruise ships. We will also review our tour schedule to see if any adjustments can be made to allow more time for breaks.
Thank you again for your suggestions, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for a more comfortable experience in the future.
Best regards,
Athens Walking Tours
Pedro_C, Mar 2024
It was a fantastic tour with Marguerite our guide. I felt I’m back in school learning history. So much information!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Dear Pedro,
We love hearing tours feel like a fun history lesson. Sounds like Margarita packed in tons of info for you! Thanks for choosing Athens Walking Tours and we welcome you back again!
Paul_M, Nov 2023
It was a busy day and a little strenuous walking up to the ruins. One needs to have good footwear and be very cautious. We had a beautiful day. It would be have been treacherous if there was any dampness on the ground. Very informative and helpful Guide.
rjma001, Nov 2023
Our Guide - Margarite was absolutely outstanding!!! Her knowledge & expertise in maintaining control of our large group was exceptional! She is a true professional & a credit to the tourism industry.
Kat_B, Nov 2023
Amazing tour. Started off learning about Athens subway and how it is truly a museum. Watched the changing of the guards. Very cool. Then stroll through royal gardens. Quick snack break and on to the main attraction. Margaret was the best tour guide we have had this trip. She is well educated, so energetic about Greek history and an amazing communication style and voice. Learned so much. The tour of Acropolis was a bucket list we learned every step from the bottom to the top. Stunning place to visit. I am not a museum person the Acropolis museum has converted me. So well designed. Transport was easy. Be aware you are walking for 6 hours with steps and inclines. Margaret gave us various time to break. Margaret’s knowledge and excitement made for a very memorable tour
Bruce_G, Nov 2023
Excellent tour guide and itinerary. It was a grueling day but worth every minute of it. The guide was very knowledgeable and thorough.
Dilip_P, Oct 2023
This tour was very memorable. The bus ride to the meeting point was comfortable. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the history of all sites. She spoke English very well. Walking up to the Acropolis was challenging. With a few stops on the way up there helped to keep going. The views of Athens city are just amazing from the top. Highly recommended.
Diane_C, Sep 2023
Very intense excursion that covered everything. More intense than I planned, however due to the large crowds and heat, it was enjoyable.
Ann_H, Sep 2023
Our guide was very knowledgeable!
He gave us enough background and history of Athens to make the experience of seeing ancient Athens more enjoyable. We loved the museum where we had a welcome time to sit while he expanded on the history of the artifacts.
Samantha_J, Sep 2023
Good tour. 4 solid hours of Greek history while walking. Informative. Taxi transfer was flawless. Some confusion with missing entrance tickets but was eventually resolved by the time we got to Acropolis and museum. Wear good footwear!
Kristin_N, Sep 2023
During the start of our walking tour we experienced torrential rain for almost an hour. The Acropolis was temporarily shut down due to the rain and chance for slipping/injury. Our guide Margarita was phenomenal in being patient, listening to the frustrations of those who were expecting not to be able to see it. In the end, we were able to make it up there and also time for the museum. We can’t say enough about Margarita’s warmth, deep knowledge of history, and her passion for sharing about the country she loves so dearly. Highly recommend!
Patricia_T, Jul 2023
Out taxi driver G was the absolute best, informative and great fun , would highly recommend him to all.
Ann_M, Jul 2023
Our driver, Geramismo and guide, Tina were great! Very organized and informative. G gave us lots of great Greek tips and info
Maureen_H, Jun 2023
The host was so knowledgeable and easy to understand. You can feel the passion she has for the past and how her country can to be.
Mary_R, May 2023
Our guide Charoula was wonderful. Very knowledgeable. The tour of Athens was great. The Acropolis and museum was fascinating and our guide provided us with many facts and stories to keep the excursion all the more interesting.
Cheryl_H, Jul 2022
Other than it being a crazy hot day, this was an excellent tour with a very knowledgeable guide. I highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Glad to hear it, dear Cheryl Thank you so much for the feedback. We look forward to hosting you again in Athens!
Nicola_P, Oct 2021
We had a great time on this trip, it was one of the highlights of our holiday. Our taxi driver was very friendly and helpful; the transfer to and from the cruise terminal was very smooth. Our tour guide Eli was fantastic, very knowledgeable and had a real passion for the acropolis which shone through. I would definitely recommend this trip.
Miki_C, Oct 2019
He was incredibly well educated on the history and motivations that drove these monuments, very witty and personable. We feel very fortunate to have been guided through this tour by Hermes and very much appreciate his professionalism and genuine efforts to represent Greece culture honestly and with great pride in his heritage.
Laura F, Nov 2018
Bus picked us up at cruise port just outside of front door of cruise terminal. Our guide Constantine is an archeologist and was very kind and knowledgeable. It is a steep uneven climb up the steps to the top of acropolis and would not recommend for anyone with a cane. Wear tennis shoes and bring a bottle of water. The museum tied it all together and worth seeing. They returned us to the cruise port terminal at end of tour.
Joseph_L, Oct 2018
Our guide was Costas, He was amazing. Very informative, answered everyone's question and was very patience. Be in mind this is a walking tour. You walk about 5 or more miles. He keeps a good pace. TheAcropolis and the museum were overwhelming and amazing and everything I wanted. Dream come true!!
Shawn_L, Oct 2018
We had the best tour guide! He was informative and easy to understand. I highly recommend this Athens tour.
From $130.22
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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