Those looking to take a deep dive into Athens’ ancient past will be pleased to hear that there are now dozens of guided tours of the Acropolis taking place every day.
The Acropolis looms high over the city (Photo: Get Your Guide)
Widely considered to be the most important site in the Western World, the Acropolis is a complete ancient Greek monumental complex that dates back nearly 2,500 years. It was crowned by the Parthenon and over the years served as a home to kings, a citadel, a home of the gods and a religious centre. Today, it’s Greece’s most famous tourist attraction. You could purchase tickets and explore the site alone, but to fully appreciate the history of this ancient citadel we recommend using a reputable tour guide. With so many to choose from, we’ve cherry-picked five of the best Acropolis guided tours based on price, itinerary and customer reviews.
Acropolis Guided Walking Tour without Entry Ticket
If you’ve already booked your ticket to the Acropolis but want to guarantee that a guide will be available when you arrive, this walking tour is the best option. Led by a licensed tour guide, the 1.5-hour tour offers a thorough insight into the ancient citadel. As you stroll around the gleaming white marble monuments and sanctuaries, your guide will share fascinating insights into the history of the ruins, from an early settlement to the second world war. From £21.49
Acropolis monuments and Parthenon Walking Tour with Optional Acropolis
This brilliant tour combines trips to a handful of ancient sites (Photo: Get Your Guide)
This day trip is ideal for those looking to take a deep dive into ancient Greek history, with tours of the Acropolis, Parthenon and a handful of other famous sites. The tour price does not include transportation or admission, but it does include a two-hour tour around the Acropolis, a one-hour tour around the Parthenon and two hours at the Acropolis Museum. Customers will also get to explore the Theatre of Dionysus, Temple of Athena Nike, Propylaea, Herod Atticus Odeon and Plaka, the historic neighbourhood that sits in the shadow of the Acropolis. From £28.03
Early Morning Acropolis & Plaka Guided Walking Tour
This 3.5-hour experience offers excellent bang for your buck, with skip-the-line admission fees and a tour included in the price. Best suited to early risers, the tour sets off early in the morning to beat the heat (and the crowds). The day begins with a tour around the Acropolis, Theatre of Dionysus and Parthenon, followed by a stroll downhill to the cobbled streets of Plaka. Tours are led by knowledgeable, licensed guides and accompanied by audio devices to ensure you don’t miss anything along the way. From £32.67
Acropolis & Acropolis Museum Tour with Entry Tickets
This experience includes a guided tour around the Acropolis Museum, as well as the Acropolis (Photo: Get Your Guide)
This half-day tour combines skip-the-line tickets and tours around two showstopping sights: the Acropolis and the all-new Acropolis Museum. Tours generally begin at 9:00 am with a tour of the Acropolis, led by a field expert and licensed tour guide. After this, travellers continue to the Acropolis Museum, recently ranked one of the best museums in the world. As well as providing additional context, visitors can get up close to original surviving masterpieces and excavations beneath glass floors and walkways. From £85.12 per person
Private Acropolis and Athens City Tour
This 3.5-hour private tour is one of the most affordable we’ve come across online. The tour price does not include entrance tickets, but customers can pay the tour operator directly to skip ahead of the long lines for no extra cost. The experience includes a whole morning or afternoon with a private licensed guide, starting at Syntagma. From here, the tour winds past the Greek Parliament and Monument to the Unknown Soldier, the National Gardens of Athens and Hadrian’s Arch to the Acropolis. From £165.93 per person