If you do make it to a live performace, you may want to bring a coat or a jumper to sit on – the ancient Greeks may not have minded, but two hours on stone seating can be trying for the modern visitor!
On the western end of the Acropolis’ southern slope lies the impressively renovated Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Capable of seating a crowd of 5,000, it was built in 161 AD by the Athenian aristocrat who gave his name to the building. Originally it had an expensive cedar of Lebanon roof, but this was destroyed when the Germanic Heruli tribe attacked Athens in 267 and destroyed many of its great buildings, including the Odeon. The damage done to the amphitheatre was not repaired as quickly as elsewhere, and it was only after a painstaking renovation in the 1950s that the Odeon was finally restored to its former glory.
An Ancient Stage
These days, the gleaming rock-cut steps descend spectacularly in front of you as you stand at the amphitheatre’s rim. From here you also have a great view out over the city itself, before wandering down to tread in the footsteps of the actors and musicians who once played here nearly 2000 years ago.
The Modern Venue
The Odeon is still used for performances today, with Frank Sinatra, Sting and Elton John all having played here at various times. If you are lucky enough to attend, the feeling of watching the spectacle on a warm evening in this ancient place will give you a more evocative experience of the ancient Greek lifestyle than can be found anywhere else on the Acropolis.
If you only have a short amount of time in Athens and want to see as much as possible in one day, this full-day private tour is the perfect option for you! You will visit the Greek Essentials, including the Parthenon, Acropolis Hill, New Acropolis Museum, the Plaka neighbourhood, the Ancient Greek Agora and the Olympic Stadium.
On your all-inclusive, private full-day tour of Athens, you will:
With your expert guide, you will discover the city’s most important cultural sites, including the colossal remains of the Temple of Zeus and the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. On the plateau of the Acropolis, you will find the awe-inspiring heights of the Parthenon pillars, gaze on the beautiful female forms of the Caryatid columns, discover some of the earliest theatres known to man and enjoy panoramic views over the city.
Your guide will explain the central role these monuments, and more, played in classical society and immerse you in the myths and legends of Ancient Greece. You will also wander through the Agora, the heart of classical Athens. Once a bustling marketplace, in these now peaceful ruins, you’ll walk in Socrates’ footsteps amongst classic temples and Byzantine churches, learning how Athens became the birthplace of democracy
On your way to lunch at a place recommended by your local guide, explore bustling Plaka, the oldest district in the city. Sometimes called “the neighbourhood of the gods”, Plaka is known for its winding alleyways and scenic shopping.
After finishing lunch, escape the heat of the day with a visit to the spectacular (and air-conditioned) New Acropolis Museum. Here you will learn firsthand the artistic wonders that once adorned the monuments of the Acropolis.
Finally, you will also visit the stunningly marbled Panathenaic Stadium. Constructed for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, this immense structure is a strong reminder of the continuing legacy of ancient Athens in the modern day.
This tour includes the "combo ticket" that will give you skip-the-line access to the Roman Agora, Kerameikos site & Museum, Lykeion Gymnasium, Hadrian's Library and the Temple of Olympian Zeus during the 4 days following your tour.
Immerse yourself in the Acropolis of Athens on this private half-day walking tour, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the city's most important cultural site. On the plateau of the Acropolis, you’ll find the awe-inspiring heights of the Parthenon pillars, gaze on the beautiful female forms of the Caryatid columns, discover some of the earliest theatres known to man and enjoy panoramic views over the city.
On your private walking tour, you will:
Come explore the Acropolis of Athens, the ancient Greek citadel that dominates the skyline of Athens.
Built on a rocky outcrop above the city, it contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance, the most famous being the Parthenon.
This private tour offers you access to one of the most important historical sites in Europe with a private tour guide, where you will visit all major monuments and learn about their rich history where democracy was born.
Your guide will explain the central role these monuments, and more, played in classical society, and immerse you in the myths and legends of Ancient Greece.
Your tour will also take you to the spectacular New Acropolis Museum where you’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with the artistic wonders that once adorned the monuments of the Acropolis.
When your tour ends, you can stay in the museum to explore at your leisure.
Experience the magic and mystery of the Acropolis and Parthenon of Athens, the stunning hilltop citadel of Ancient Greece on this 2-hour private walking tour. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from the plateau of the Acropolis, and admire the spectacular Parthenon temple. Learn all about the Ancient Greek civilization of the 5th Century BC as you explore the many buildings, theatres, and temples that make up one of the most famous, fascinating, and enduring wonders of the world.
On your private 2-hour tour, you will:
Discover the majestic ruins of the Acropolis and Parthenon of Athens on a fascinating two-hour private tour through this ancient citadel, the birthplace of European civilization and democracy!
The word Acropolis means “highest point of a city”. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Acropolis is perched up on a craggy hill, its buildings occupy a flat plateau about 156 metres high, with stunning views overlooking the modern city of Athens
On your private tour, your expert guide will transport you back to the golden age of Greek civilization, as you wander through the magnificent monuments of this ancient citadel. You'll learn all about daily life in Ancient Athens, a city dedicated to and named for the goddess Athena. Daughter of Zeus she was the powerful goddess of war and wisdom. You'll see her image and symbolism everywhere!
Waking among the ruins of this ancient civilization, you'll learn of a world of gods and goddesses, myths and legends of heroes like Odysseus; a culture of poets and politicians, dramatists, mathematicians, and philosophers, whose names and works have echoed down through the ages as the ‘School of Athens’; names such as Homer, Plato, Pythagoras, Ovid, Aeschylus, Euripides and Sophocles – to name but a few!
On your private tour, you will see some of the oldest theatres in the world – and take your seats as spectators would have done over 2500 years ago. You will see astonishing feats of classical engineering, learn about the classical styles of Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and more… and of course, have time to marvel at the Parthenon.
The most famous temple on the Acropolis was built in the 5th century BC. It remains famous for its jaw-dropping optical illusions and architectural magnificence, including the beautiful and imposing female forms of the Caryatids holding up the monument.
Your guide will take you to the best viewing points on the Acropolis for the panoramic vistas over the Athenian basin, and finally leave you to enjoy exploring this evocative citadel at your leisure.
Your half-day guided tour of Athens is the best way to check everything off your to-do list while enjoying the undivided attention of a private guide, who will tailor the experience to your interests.
On your private half-day tour of Ancient Athens, you will:
On your private half-day tour, you will start by exploring the three temples from the Acropolis complex, the Parthenon, the Erechtheum and the temple dedicated to Athena Parthenos (Athena the Virgin). Today, the Acropolis (meaning “hill city'') is Athens’ crowning glory: a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most important cultural monuments as the celebrated birthplace of democracy.
Incredible human endeavour built the Acropolis 2,500 years ago as thousands of tons of marble quarried at Mount Pentelicus 10 miles northeast of the city, were lugged up steep steps to the Attica plateau by vast legions of manual labour. Hand-hewn using mallets, foundations were built using great blocks of limestone dating back to the Late Cretaceous period.
Next, wander through the city’s historic centre, Plaka, where your guide will give you recommendations for finding the best real local fare and artisanal shops for you to return to during your trip.
After exploring Plaka, you will visit the Greek Agora, where you can see the Temple of Hephaestus, believed to be the best-preserved ancient Greek temple in the world –older even than the Parthenon. Your tour will end in the agora, where you can continue to explore at your leisure.
Your tour includes the "combo ticket", which will give you access to the Roman Agora, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Library, archaeological site, and Museum of Kerameikos, Lykeion Gymnasium for 4 days following your tour.
Join the fastest growing community of professional tour guides.
Use our easy to integrate toolset to include Tours & Attractions in your customer journey.