Meaning “high city” the Acropolis of Athens was constructed as a fortress and military base, consisting of various ancient buildings that you’re sure to have heard of.
The most famous of them is the Parthenon, though the entire acropolis is striking and absolutely something you have to see to believe.
This emblem of the glorious Athenian history still plays a part today, once serving as a home to royalty, as a citadel, a mythical home of the gods, religious center, and more.
If you want to get the most of the experience, we highly recommend checking out one of these top tours of the Acropolis .
Best Guided Tours of the Acropolis
| Acropolis of Athens, New Acropolis Museum and Greek Dinner | The Acropolis, Athens Walking City Tour and Acropolis Museum | Acropolis Of Athens & Acropolis Museum Skip The Line Private Guided Tour | |
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| Departure Point: | Vertical Communications , Misaraliotou 2, Athina 117 42 | Syntagma Square , Pl. Sintagmatos, Athina 105 63 | Dionysos Zonar's , Rovertou Galli 43, Athina 117 42 |
| Departure Time: | Variety Available | 9:30 am | 9:00 am |
| Duration: | 5 hours | 5.5 hours | 4 hours |
| Includes: | Dinner (optional), entrance fees to Acropolis and New Acropolis Museum, one glass of wine per person, private tour, professional licensed archaeologist guide | English speaking professional guide, Athens guide magazine, Athens map, Skip-the-line service | Private experienced & licensed tour guide, Skip-The-Line-Service, entrance tickets For archaeological sites & Acropolis Museum, Greek culinary welcome gift |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Acropolis Skip-The-Line Guided Tours
- Acropolis of Athens, New Acropolis Museum and Greek Dinner
- The Acropolis, Athens Walking City Tour and Acropolis Museum
- Private Tour: Athens City Highlights Including the Acropolis of Athens
- Acropolis Of Athens & Acropolis Museum Skip The Line Private Guided Tour
- Athens Tour-Skip the line: Acropolis, Acropolis museum, Plaka and Greek lunch
Acropolis Tour Reviews
1. Acropolis of Athens, New Acropolis Museum and Greek Dinner
- Duration: 5 hours
- Departure: Vertical Communications , Misaraliotou 2, Athina 117 42
- Departure Time: Variety Available
- Includes: Dinner (optional), entrance fees to Acropolis and New Acropolis Museum, one glass of wine per person, private tour, professional licensed archaeologist guide
Let’s start things off on the right foot with the Acropolis of Athens, New Acropolis Museum and Greek Dinner Tour. This 5-hour tour is one of the best ways to go if you’re looking to dive straight in to Greek history.
With pickup offered from select hotels, you won’t have to waste any time arranging separate transportation and can simply enjoy the experience of some of history’s greatest creations.
Make sure you lace up your best pair of walking shoes, because you’re going to be doing a lot of it! If you decide not to be picked up at the hotel, you’ll meet your guide at the Athens Red Line ticket station.
As your guide is a professional archaeologist, you can expect some incomparable insight into the Acropolis. Start out by walking the south slope, which is simply magnificent. This ancient citadel sits on the top of a hill, making for an excellent lookout point.
The ruins of various iconic buildings lie here, and you’re about to become an expert on them all with the assistance of your archaeologist guide.
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One of our favorites is the Theatre of Dionysus amphitheater widely regarded as the “birthplace of performing arts”. Sit down on the stone seats while you listen to the fascinating commentary about the history of the area.
Of course, you’re also going to love the Parthenon which is the star of the show. Designed to honor Athena, you’ll take extra time here to appreciate and learn about this wonder.
After, head over to the New Acropolis Museum, which is contrastingly very modern, and features all kinds of archaeological artifacts discovered at Acropolis. Statues, friezes, and much more are displayed here. The glass floors even show where they were discovered!
After all that walking, you definitely deserve some refueling so head to a nearby restaurant with classic Greek dishes, wine, and a fantastic view of the Parthenon.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. The Acropolis, Athens Walking City Tour and Acropolis Museum
- Duration: 5.5 hours
- Departure: Syntagma Square , Pl. Sintagmatos, Athina 105 63
- Departure Time: 9:30 am
- Includes: English speaking professional guide, Athens guide magazine, Athens map, Skip-the-line service
Next up, we bring you The Acropolis, Athens Walking City Tour and Acropolis Museum tour. If you’re looking for a fantastic way to see Athens and the Acropolis but are on a budget, we can’t recommend this option enough.
Lasting 5.5 hours, they make sure to fit in interesting sights and stories into every minute so you’re not waiting around! Meet up with your guide at 9:30 am so you can set off immediately on to your adventure throughout Greek history!
You’ll start out by watching the Change of Guards ceremony which takes place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Located in front of the Old Royal Palace, it’s dedicated to the Greek soldiers killed during war and was created almost 100 years ago.
You’ll then have some time for a serene stroll in the massive, 15.5-hectare National Garden, located behind the Greek Parliament Building.
This tropical paradise perfectly contrasts the concrete and stone Athens constructions, filled with streams and ponds.
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Pass by and learn about the Zappeion, which is a palace-like building used for many important ceremonies and meetings.
Keep walking to encounter the Temple of Olympian Zeus which as we mentioned before, is an iconic construction you just have to see if you’re going to be in Athens.
The former colossal temple was constructed around 740 BC when the Olympic Games were at their peak! Built to honor the King of Olympus, it’s enormous and mind-blowing to see in person!
If this weren’t impressive enough, you’ll then get to see all of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. Your guide will offer educational commentary on the history of the hilltop center and why each of the buildings are important in their own regard.
Then, check out the Acropolis Museum which is full of artifacts recovered from the area!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Private Tour: Athens City Highlights Including the Acropolis of Athens
- Duration: 4 hours
- Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Departure Time: Variety Available
- Includes: Private guide, transport by air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only), entrance fees Acropolis, entrance fees to the Acropolis museum
Our next tour offers a bit more insight into the city of Athens, rather than just focusing on the Acropolis. If you’re interested in learning more about the entire city’s history, we highly recommend this tour.
The Private Tour: Athens City Highlights Including the Acropolis of Athens is a must for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of this legendary city.
Lasting 4 hours, it’s a great was to spend a morning or afternoon without blocking off your entire day. Hotel pickup and drop-off is available, so you can just focus on having fun at your tour instead of worrying about arranging separate transportation.
Make your first stop at the Acropolis, which comes with a private guide who will take you throughout the landmark. This sight is best seen early in the morning to avoid the crowds and the potentially very sunny weather.
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You’ll get plenty of time to walk around and learn about each building, including the Parthenon. Then, you get to see inside the New Acropolis Museum, which shows off tons of Greek artifacts found around the area.
You’re going to enjoy seeing the Temple of Olympian Zeus as well, and while the entrance ticket is not included, seeing it from the outside is still fantastic! This is one of the most iconic ruins in Greece, and took over several centuries to build, starting in 174 BCE!
You’ll also get to see the Panathenaic Stadium from the outside, which is the only stadium in the world made of just marble and has quite the history dating to before the 4th century.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Acropolis Of Athens & Acropolis Museum Skip The Line Private Guided Tour
- Duration: 4 hours
- Departure: Dionysos Zonar’s , Rovertou Galli 43, Athina 117 42
- Departure Time: 9:00 am
- Includes: Private experienced & licensed tour guide, Skip-The-Line-Service, entrance tickets For archaeological sites & Acropolis Museum, Greek culinary welcome gift
This tour is very similar to our first, however, with a couple of differences. The Acropolis, as you can imagine, can get incredibly busy so to be able to have personalized attention with a professional guide is invaluable.
You’ll get all that and more with the Acropolis of Athens & Acropolis Museum Skip The Line Private Guided Tour. Waste no time by arriving to the Acropolis at 9:00 am so you can experience the least amount of crowds and hopefully have the place to yourself.
Thanks to the Skip-The-Line tickets that are included with your tour, you never have to worry about wasting valuable time waiting around to enter the hilltop site. As one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, there’s a ton to see and learn about.
Your guide is a field expert and incredibly well-versed in the subject, and will share with you tons of stories about its history, mythology, religion, storytelling, and personal anecdotes.
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As one of the most recognizable, iconic landmarks in the world, you’ll also have plenty of time to take some photos. Make sure to also enjoy the picturesque views from the Acropolis, overlooking the modern-day city.
After exploring outdoors, head inside to the fascinating Acropolis Museum again with Skip-the-Line service so you are never waiting around.
Their use of natural light and glass is ingenious, displaying ancient Greek artifacts that were found in the area in the way they deserve. We can’t say enough good things about the guides, who simply make this place come to life!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Athens Tour-Skip the line: Acropolis, Acropolis museum, Plaka and Greek lunch
- Duration: 5.5 hours
- Departure: Athanasiou Diakou 16 , Athanasiou Diakou 16, Athina 117 42
- Departure Time: 9:00 am
- Includes: All entrance tickets of Acropolis and Acropolis museum, Greek lunch in a local restaurant, licensed tour guide
No Acropolis guide would be complete without the Athens Tour-Skip the Line: Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Plaka and Greek Lunch Tour. This tour is a little more full-fledged for those who have more time to spend out and about.
You’ll not only get to see and learn about Athens and the Acropolis, you’ll also get to enjoy some delicious Athenian food! Meet up with your guide near the Acropolis and start heading to the gate to tour this beautiful place and its buildings dating from around the 5th century BC!
Your professional, expert guide will tell you all about buildings you see, including: Temple of Athena Nike, Propylaea, Caryatid Porch, the Parthenon, Theater of Dionysus, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and the Temple of Asclepius.
Next, head down into the Plaka district, which is known as the original part of Athens. Cobbled streets, Byzantine churches, and more are still hanging around, transporting you to a different time.
Picturesque white houses, beautiful stairways, flowers, and more are present here so take plenty of photos. This is known to be the most gorgeous neighborhood in the entire city, and is a bit secluded from the rest.
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Head into some of Athens’ best food markets, making sure you grab some of their locally-made olive oils, wines, herbs, and veggies. Then, enjoy some delicious koulóuria at a centuries-old café, along with some loukoumades donuts and filo parcels!
Leave some space because you’re then going to head to a meat and fish market, grabbing some freshly-roasted coffee along the way.
Overall, if you want a tour that covers a good portion of Athens’ highlights, this one should be at the top of your list!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Why You Should Visit The Acropolis
The Acropolis is one of the most famous and historical landmarks in the world, located in Athens, Greece. Here are four reasons why you should take a tour of it:
- Historical Significance: The Acropolis is home to some of the most significant ancient Greek structures, such as the Parthenon, the Propylaea, and the Erechtheion. These structures were built thousands of years ago and have survived the test of time, making them a remarkable testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the ancient Greeks.
- Architectural Marvel: The Acropolis is a stunning example of classical Greek architecture. The temples, statues, and columns are intricately designed and perfectly symmetrical, making them a sight to behold.
- Cultural Experience: Visiting the Acropolis can provide a unique insight into Greek culture and history. You will learn about the religious beliefs, artistic expressions, and political ideologies of the ancient Greeks and how they have influenced modern Western culture.
- Scenic Views: The Acropolis offers amazing views of Athens, the surrounding mountains, and the Aegean Sea. Climbing to the top of the Acropolis can be a challenging but rewarding experience, providing you with a panoramic views you wont soon forget.
Overall, we would say the Acropolis is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, architecture, and culture.
Tips For Visiting The Acropolis
- Plan ahead: The Acropolis is a VERY popular tourist destination and will get crowded, so it’s best to plan your visit in advance. You should purchase your tickets online ahead of time to avoid long lines.
- Wear comfortable shoes: The Acropolis is situated on a large hill and there are many stairs to climb, so comfortable shoes are a must!
- Dress appropriately: As the Acropolis is a historic site, it’s important to dress appropriately. Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, and don’t wear a hat or sunglasses inside the temples.
- Bring water and snacks: There are no food or drink vendors within the Acropolis complex, so bring your own water and snacks.
- Visit early or late in the day: The Acropolis can get quite hot and crowded during the day, so try to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon when the temperatures are cooler and the crowds are thinner.
- Take a tour: Hiring a tour guide will help you appreciate what you are seeing and provide you with a deeper understanding of the history and significance of the site.
- Respect the site: The Acropolis is a UNESCO World Heritage site and should be treated with respect. Do not touch the ancient structures or remove any artifacts, and be mindful of your surroundings.
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The Acropolis of Athens, New Acropolis Museum and Greek Dinner is our Editors Choice for the best Acropolis tour.
