Touring Athens & Beyond, A Guide

When you’re visiting Athens, there are an abundance of travel options for all types of traveller, from children to adults, discerning travellers to not-so-fussy options. Whether you want to explore the city itself or the region, here are some of our favourite options:

Early Morning Athens

Explore Athens like a local during this early morning tour with stops at the Acropolis and Parthenon. Avoid the crowds by starting early and wander the famous Varvakios Market, where locals pick up their daily goods. Visit the iconic Acropolis and watch the city come to life as the day warms up. End the morning at a traditional pastry shop on Syntagma Square, where you can enjoy a delicious cheese or spinach pie and a coffee.

Attica Zoo and McArthur Glenn Shopping

Drive to Athens on this private tour while passing some of the famous sites such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the National Gardens, the National Library and the Parliament Building. The highlight is the Attica Zoological Park that includes the third largest bird collection in the world, farm animals and three walk-in aviaries with birds from three continents.

Loutraki – Corinth Canal – Acrokorinthos and Casino

A semi private tour taking you along the coastal road towards the Corinth canal. Afterwards, it is onwards to Loutraki, a beautiful beach resort located approximately 84Kms from Athens and famous for its casino! Upon arrival at Loutraki we will enter the Club Hotel Casino Loutraki, Europe’s greatest and foremost casino and this is where the fun begins.

Food Private Walking Tour

Seize the opportunity to taste a wide variety of Greek delicacies ranging from the mouthwatering sweet and syrupy “loukoumades” to traditional “bougatsa” or the savoury “pastourma”, Feta cheese and famous Greek olives. Join us to embark on a gastronomical journey through some of the original and historical neighborhoods of Athens.

Epidaurus and Mycenae

This full-day private tour from Athens to Argolis area takes you to some of the major sites of Greek antiquity on the outskirts of the city. Traveling by luxury air-conditioned bus, you will enjoy a short stop at the strategically important Corinth Canal. Continue to Mycenae, the historical setting for much of ancient Greek literature, then on to the beautiful sea port of Nauplio, the first capital of modern Greece and home to the fortress of Palamidi. The final stop of the tour is the city of Epidaurus.

Dance with the Greeks

This entertaining evening will start with a pick up from your hotel, where we you will drive you to the Plaka area. We take a brief walk through Plaka until we reach a traditional place situated in the heart of Plaka (the oldest part of Athens under the Acropolis). This place combines Greek cuisine and entertainment and our ensemble of folk dancers will perform the most popular Greek dances while you try delicious Greek food.

Ancient Cprinth and Dafni Monastery

If you are interested in religious tours, this tour is the perfect choice for you. You will have the opportunity to discover two must-see sights on this memorable half day trip from Athens. Enjoy also a photo stop at Corinth Canal before visiting the Ancient Corinth & Daphni’s Monastery with its 11th-century Byzantine mosaics.

Bar Hopping with Greek Cocktail Workshop

Athens is the city that never sleeps and this is not an urban myth! Bring your best mood and some comfy shoes and get ready for an unforgettable Greek Style bar hopping! Alone or with your friends, the only sure thing is that it will be a night to remember! Highlights include 4-hour bar-hopping experience in Athens, live the Greek Nightlife like a local, visit two famous districts and 3 well-known bars.

Attica Zoological Park – Private Visit

Drive to Athens while passing some of the famous sites such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the National Gardens, the National Library and the Parliament Building. The highlight is the Attica Zoological Park that includes the third largest bird collection in the world, farm animals and three walk-in aviaries with birds from three continents.

1 Day Cruise 4 ISLANDS – Hydra, Poros, Moni and Aegina

This semi private cruise will take you sailing with motor yacht “Pnoe”: Departure 8am/ Return 7pm. • Relaxing day on board a luxury yacht • Approx. 5 hours sailing and up to 6 hours sightseeing • Explore 3 beautiful islands: Hydra, Poros & Aegina • Swim stop: Jump off the boat in Moni’s translucent waters • Lunch with traditional Greek dishes at a local taverna in Poros

One Day Tour: Naplio, Mycenae and Epidaurus

Explore with your professional and passionate guide the remains of the ancient city of Mycenae, a major centre of Greek civilization from 1600BC to 1100BC and the archaeological treasure of Epidaurus.

One Day Delphi

Follow in the footsteps of kings and make a pilgrimage to discover your destiny with this day trip to Delphi.  Highlights include seeing the best of Delphi in a day from Athens, an exciting journey to the old “navel” of the world which allows you to stop in the beautiful cities of Arachova and Lebadea.

Meteora Day Trip from Athens by Train

Don’t miss the opportunity during your stay in Athens to visit the breathtaking Meteora Monasteries with this amazing full day rail tour! Countless panoramic images will remain etched in your memory with the opportunity for video and photos along the way.

Argolis

Travel back through the mists of time and visit the most magical archaeological sites in Greece with this tour of stunning Argolis.  Highlights include panoramic views over the Saronic Gulf; meandering the ancient pathways at Mycenae; and the fantastic acoustics at the Epidaurus amphitheatre

The Athens Pass – Hop On Hop Off and Acropolis Museum Skip The Line

Visit Athens’ world famous sights with this unique attractions pass. Gain free entry to more than 30 attractions and skip the long lines to the most important sights and museums. Check out the Acropolis, Benaki Museum and receive skip-the-line access to must-see attractions such as the Acropolis Museum. Explore the city with our get on get off bus and enjoy discounts to several shops and restaurants. You might also wish to visit the historic site of Delphi or enjoy a one day cruise to the three islands of Poros, Aegina & Hydra.

ATHENS FESTIVAL: Theater Night

Book this once-in-a-lifetime experience and attend some of the greatest actors in the world perform in ancient Greek dramas and comedies, or famous singers in concerts! The performance takes place at Epidaurus theater which is marveled for its exceptional acoustics and permits almost perfect intelligibility of unamplified spoken word from the stage to all 15,000 spectators, regardless of their seating.

To find out about, or book, any of the above tours, get in touch today!

Must See Attractions In Athens

If you’ve got a few days to spare in Athens and you have already visited all the main tourist attractions, there are a few places you really should add to your must-see list.

Monastiraki

This is one of Athens’ busiest areas – it’s also one of the oldest. It’s packed with great bars and markets and is a great place to stop off if you need to get some souvenirs to take home with you. There are plenty of Greek handicrafts, jewellery and antiques for sale.

National Gardens

Formerly the royal gardens, the National Gardens were designed by Queen Amalia back in the early 1800s. You can enjoy a walk around the gardens, drink a coffee or enjoy some treats at the gardens’ café, and if you’re travelling with kids – they will love the playground. It’s a great place to go if you need a time-out from the crowds.

Night Clubs

Depending on the type of night out you want to experience, there are plenty of options in Athens. Exarchia is great for younger generations and is a mix of hipster and urban Athenian atmosphere. Gazi is great for super-blub lovers, while Koukaki is ideal for fancy bar hopping. Metaxourgeio and Keramikos have an all night party scene and if you’re after the best cocktails in town, head to Kolonaki.

Anafiotika

Having been described as an “island oasis in the middle of Athens”, Anafiotika is a small neighbourhood that really takes you on a journey back in time. It was first built in the era of Otto of Greece and is filled with white washed cubic houses with flat roofs that have been built from stone. Take a walk through the area and enjoy the amazing colours.

Restaurants

If you truly want to experience Athens, a visit to some of the city’s best restaurants is a must. There are an abundance of choice, from dining under the roof of bougainvillea-drenched buildings, to enjoying a feast in the sunshine a-la-carte on the cobbled alleyways. Psyrri is definitely the place to go for authentic, local cuisine.

Cine Paris

If you are visiting during the summer months, you must take the time out to visit Cine Paris. Cine Paris is an open-air theatre which brings the present and the past together. Enjoy some films, while you also relish in the views of the Acropolis. It’s one of the oldest open-air cinemas in Athens and is an ideal way to enjoy the warmer nights.

Museums

There are so many museums in Athens, you’ll never have the chance to see them all. Do your research first, and decide which ones are of most interest before you plan your trip. If we have to recommend a few, the Acropolis Museum, National Archaeological Museum, Goulandris National History Museum and the Museum of Cycladic Art are certainly some of the best. Visit any of these near closing time to avoid lines and crowds. And if you’re looking to experience history without too many people, try the Museum of the Ancient Agora.

Shopping

When it’s shopping you want, aside from the markets we mentioned earlier, there are plenty of opportunities to stock up on local supplies and souvenirs. Ermou has plenty of well-known stores and franchises, the Central Market is full of spices and meat products, and there is a flea market in Monastiraki, just down from Ermou. Here you can get everything from old coins and records, to sandals and accessories.

Outside The City

If you want to take yourself outside the city, there is also plenty to see and do. From exploring Nafplio and Epidaurus/Epidavros, to an island cruise (Hydra Aegina Poros) or a day trip to Delphi. Exploring Sounio and the Corinth canal, or travel to Mycenae, Vouliagmeni/Glyfada, and many more. There are an abundance of tours available from Athens – just ask our team for the options and we’ll point you in the right direction.

The best thing about travelling to a new country or city, is experiencing everything it has to offer. Don’t be afraid to head off the beaten track, and spend your time exploring some of the lesser known (or lesser published) areas.