The highlights & footsteps of Democracy in Athens 8-h

The exquisite footsteps of Athens Democracy 8-h private tour

Overview

The exquisite highlights & footsteps of Democracy in Athens 8-h; Join this tour to discover the best of Athens, the essence, and the development of the Athenian Democracy!

Explore Athens, the city that gave birth to democracy

King Cleisthenes of Athens
Archon Cleisthenes

Athens the capital of Greece! If you are eager to follow the trails of democracy, then your journey starts here in Athens, where it all began, back in the 6th Century BC.

Chief magistrate Cleisthenes (Archon), was the first who set the foundations of the regime that would become the dominant regime for the vast majority of countries all over the world.

Democracy was born in Athens; philosophy flourished, as well as the sciences, arts, and letters, and over the years here is where the state that would expand to become the Greece of today was formed.

The city of Athens…

… got its name from Athena, goddess of wisdom; hence it comes as no surprise that the first complete legal system and the first comprehensive democratic policies were formed in this city. The high durability of the Athenian democracy is attributed by scholars not only to the right institutions but mostly to the great adaptability and ability to evolve. The institutions were born of the necessities of life and that is why they are easily adapted to the changing circumstances.

Explore Athens and follow the trail of the world’s first democracy. Find out why the Greek Constitution was the basis for all modern democracies, at the exact place where all the policies and theories on human rights were born.

Itinerary of  The exquisite footsteps of Athens Democracy 8-h private tour

This tour includes a visit to the following sites in Athens: Pnyx, the Acropolis, the Parthenon, Propylaea gate, Erechthion, Temple of Athens Niki, the Odeon Theater, the Dionysus Theater, Mars Hill / Areopagus, Panathenean stadium (first modern Olympic Games in 1896), Change of the Guards, Greek Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Ancient Greek Agora, Plaka (the old city of Athens) with time for lunch and leisure, Lycabettus Hill with its breathtaking panoramic view of the city.

Also, you will have a Panoramic tour from the car: 

Adrian’s Arch (Athens Gate), Syntagma Square (Constitution Square), National Garden, Catholic Cathedral, Academy of Arts, University of Athens, the temple of Zeus, National Library, the presidential megaron (ex-Royal Palace), the Acropolis Museum, the Roman agora, the tower of the winds, Hadrian Library, Kapnikarea Byzantine church, Monastiraki (also known as the flea market), Theisio, Central Orthodox Church, Kolonaki, the prestige area of Athens

Highlights of The exquisite footsteps of Athens Democracy 8-h private tour

  • 8-hour, morning or afternoon, a private archaeological tour of Athens
  • Explore the best of Athens and follow the trails of the World’s First Democracy
  • Explore the Acropolis, Pnyx, the Theater of Dionysus, and the Ancient Agora
  • A professional English-speaking tour driver
  • An experienced English-speaking tour guide (Optional)
  • Pickup and drop-off from/to your hotel, cruise terminal, or cruise ship

Description

A detailed description of our tour “Following the Footsteps of Democracy in Athens”

The Pnyx

pnyx in athens
The Pnyx

Starting the tour, you will visit the Pnyx, the wide hill that overlooks the Acropolis.

The Pnyx is a sacred area on which great politicians, generals, and orators forbade such as Themistocles, Pericles, and Demosthenes. That was also the meeting place of the Ecclesia to Dimou, the famous Athenian assembly of citizens, where important decisions were made for the City.

During your visit to the Pnyx, you will have the chance to listen to the narration of your guide, who will provide you with significant information on the birth and evolution of the Athenian Constitution, and the development of the first direct democracy in the world.

The Acropolis

Leaving the Pnyx, you will ascend the most famous hill of the world; the Acropolis of Athens, the sacred sanctuary of the city, where you can admire the miracle made of Marble, called the Parthenon.

propylaea in athens
Propylaea Gate

You will also see a number, of marble-made buildings that were all made during Pericles’ time, including the Propylaea gate and the Erechtheion.

The Parthenon, the great temple of Athena Parthenos (Virgin Athena), the patron of Athens, dominates the hilltop of the Acropolis.

The Parthenon was constructed entirely of white Pentelic marble, with a foundation of limestone and a wooden ceiling with a marble roof. It was built during the supremacy of the Athenian democracy, to remind the leading role of the Athenians in the Persian wars.

The Parthenon was the first and most important of the buildings that the Athenians rebuilt after the devastating consequences of the Persian invasion of 480 BC in Athens and was the symbolic and substantive focus of the ambitious building program that was implemented in the city at the initiative of Pericles.

The construction of the temple began in 447 BC by architects Iktinos and Kallikrates under the general supervision of Phidias. The temple with the cult statue of Athena was inaugurated nine years later, in 448 BC, while work on the sculptural decoration continued until 432 BC

Theater of Dionysus

the agora in athens
The Ancient Agora in Athens

You will also visit the Theater of Dionysus, the most ancient theater in the world; it is the theater where the first tragedies and comedies of the ancient world were presented to the people.

The Dionysus Theater is located in the South Slope of the Acropolis, north of the temple of Dionysus Eleuthereus at a level higher by 3 m. approximately. Its construction is connected directly with the Dionysian cult

The Agora

The Ancient Agora of Athens was the center of the economic, social, and political life of the city.

If the Acropolis and its monuments were the faces of the city, the Agora was its heart and her mind. Here were located the city authorities, and parliamentarians, the orators and generals frequented.

Here was awarded the popular justice. Here the Athenian came every day, not only to participate in public affairs but also to do his shopping, see friends and acquaintances, to criticize, to gossip.

It’s time now to experience the old and modern part of Athens. Drive through Plaka, the picturesque quarter of the city, where you can see lovely little shops with handmade crafts and gifts, restaurants, and cafes.

monastiraki flea market in athens
Monastiraki flea market in Athens

The full-day tour to Athens will also give you the chance to get a glimpse of modern Athens as well, visiting the Monastiraki market, which is the famous flea market of the city.

However, a visit to Athens is never complete if you do not get to taste the famous Greek cuisine; (optional) the tour will take you to a traditional Athenian restaurant or tavern, where you can indulge in the colors and flavors of the most known Greek dishes (home-cooked food).

After this tasty exciting experience of home-cooked Greek food, enjoy the breathtaking views from Lycabettus Hill. It’s the highest hill in the city as it’s the perfect spot to take some spectacular pictures and an image of the entire city in your hearts and minds.

Next, your tour driver will drop you off at your hotel, your cruise terminal, or any other place you want in Athens.

End of our services.

“Following the footsteps of the first democracy in Athens” is a guiding experience designed by our specialized historian licensed tour guides. We highly recommend, during this tour to be accompanied by a professional tour guide, who will help you understand more about the actual places where the Democracy of Athens was born (Optional).

Details


Tour Type

Included in the tour

  • Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz vehicle or similar appropriate for the size of your group
  • Your tour will be accompanied by a professional English-speaking driver or escort possessing in-depth knowledge of Greece’s history and culture. They will provide insightful commentary throughout the journey, guiding you until the entrance of archaeological sites and museums. However, please note that drivers are not licensed to accompany you inside these venues.
  • If you desire a licensed state tour guide to escort you within the archaeological sites and museums, providing comprehensive insights and explanations, we can gladly arrange one for an additional cost. These licensed guides are freelance professionals, and their availability is subject to your tour date.
  • When a licensed tour guide or English-speaking tour escort accompanies a group, the professional driver may not necessarily speak English fluently. Their role is focused on providing safe transportation.
  • Pick up and drop off at your hotel in Athens. Extra charge for hotels outside Athens.
  • Pick up and drop off at Piraeus Port or Athens Airport.
  • Pick up and drop off at our terminal: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 37, 117 43 Athens, Greece.
  • Accommodation is based according to availability (for multiple-day tours only)
  • Road tolls and all local taxes

Excluded from the tour

  • Wine tasting fee (for wine tours)
  • Olive oil tasting fee (for olive oil tasting tours)
  • Optional Gratuities
  • Food and beverage
  • Your private chauffeur/guide will discuss a program best suited to your interest and mobile abilities. Option for a professional tour guide with a state license at an extra cost. Read more for the Differences between a Tour Guide and a Tour Driver

Cancellation Policy

Read our cancellation policy

Additional info

  • Dress Code: When visiting religious sites, shoulders and knees must be covered out of respect for the cultural norms.
  • Please review our Terms & Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions
  • Upon booking, an electronic voucher will be emailed to you containing our contact information, tour details, and all necessary instructions. This voucher serves as your ticket and proof of purchase. Please present a printed or digital copy of the voucher on the day of your tour to redeem your activity.
  • City Tax for Hotel Stays: Effective from January 1st, 2018, a City Tax for hotel overnights is applicable and not included in our excursion rates. Clients will need to pay this tax directly at their hotel upon check-out. The amount per room is as follows: 5-star hotel: €4/overnight || 4-star hotel: €3/overnight || 3-star hotel: €1.50/overnight
  • Opening Hours and Entrance Fees for Archaeological Sites and Museums in Greece
  • Entrance Fees for Children from Non-EU Countries: Starting November 1st, 2019, children aged 6 and above from non-European Union (non-EU) countries will be required to pay the full entrance fee for Museums and Archaeological sites. For children from EU countries, the existing rates remain in effect. However, it is crucial to have their passports readily available to prove their nationality.

Persons with Disabilities

  • Due to uneven surfaces, certain sites are not recommended for persons with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair. Such sites are the Acropolis, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, Mycenae, Delphi and Meteora
  • In all cases, we recommend comfortable flat-solid walking shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen.


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Tour Details

Any bag or item with a single side longer than 50 inches (120 cm), including wheels, handles and packaging is an oversized item.

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