Overview
Athens city highlights and Cape Sounion private tour 8-H; Our 8 hours full-day private tour to Sounion is a combination of the half-day private tour in Athens, a tour to the Athens Riviera (Athens coastline: Glyfada, Varkiza, Lake Vouliagmeni), and Cape Sounion with the temple of Poseidon.
This tour is actually a harmonious blend of history and natural beauty, the elements that make Athens so unique throughout the centuries.
Experience the best of Athens and its unique coastline towards Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon with the full-day tour by Athens Tours Greece.
Itinerary of A brilliant Athens city & Cape Sounion 8-hour private tour
Before you visit Sounion, you will enjoy a private half-day sightseeing tour in Athens, that will take you to the most important sites in Athens:
The tomb of the Unknown Soldier – the Parliament House – Constitution Square – the Panathenian Stadium (site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896) – the Presidential Palace (ex-Royal Palace) – the Catholic Cathedral – the Academy of Athens – University, National Library and Omonia Square – the Temple of Olympian Zeus – Adrian’s arch – the Acropolis with the awesome Parthenon – the Propylaea – the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens – the Plaka (old Athens) – the ancient agora, the Roman agora, and Lycabettus hill.
The sightseeing tour in Athens lasts approximately 4,5 hours and the tour to Sounion another 3 hours.
Highlights of A brilliant Athens city & Cape Sounion 8-hour private tour
- All significant monuments and sites in Athens
- The coastline of Athens
- The Temple of Poseidon and Cape Sounion
- English-speaking tour driver
Description
Description of the brilliant Athens city & Cape Sounion 8-hour private tour
The private tour to Athens and Sounion starts with a half-day tour of Athens that will take you to the most important sites in the city. You will get to see all monuments and archaeological sites that have made Athens the cradle of civilization! The tour to Athens continues with a drive to the Temple of Zeus and the Hadrian’s Gate which blends the Ancient and Roman Era in Athens. The destination now is the crown of the city, the imposing Acropolis of Athens with its glorious Parthenon. You will get to see the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the temple of the Erectheion which is mostly known due to the statues of the Caryatides, and the Porch of Maidens.
The Acropolis of Athens
The greatest and finest sanctuary of ancient Athens, dedicated primarily to its patron, the goddess Athena, dominates the center of the modern city from the rocky crag known as the Acropolis. The most celebrated myths of ancient Athens, its greatest religious festivals, earliest cults, and several decisive events in the city’s history… Read More
The Propylaia
The Propylaia of the Athenian Acropolis was built on the west side of the hill, where the gate of the Mycenaean fortification once stood. The first propylon, or gate, was constructed in the age of Peisistratos (mid-sixth century BC), after the Acropolis had become a sanctuary dedicated to Athena… Read More
The Temple Of Athena Nike
The temple of Athena Nike stands at the southeast edge of the sacred rock atop a bastion, which in Mycenaean times protected the entrance to the Acropolis. The Classical temple, designed by architect Kallikrates and built in 426-421 BC, succeeded earlier temples also dedicated to Athena Nike… More here
The Parthenon
The Parthenon is the most characteristic example of classic architecture of the 5th century BC, constructed to house the immense statue of Goddess Athena, the protector Goddess of the city. The Parthenon, dedicated by the Athenians to Athena Parthenos, the patron of their city, is the most magnificent creation of Athenian democracy at the height of its power. It is also the finest monument on the Acropolis in terms of both conception and execution. Built between 447 and 438 BC,… Read More
The Erechtheion
The elegant building known as the Erechtheion, on the north side of the sacred rock of the Acropolis, was erected in 421-406 BC as a replacement of an earlier temple dedicated to Athena Polias, the so-called ”Old temple”. The name ”Erechtheion”, mentioned only by Pausanias (1, 26, 5),
derives from Erechtheus, the mythical king of Athens… Read More
Continue our private tour in Athens
Later on, the private tour will drive you through Plaka, the picturesque quarter of the city, where you can see lovely little shops with handmade crafts and gifts, the house of Parlament, the tomb of the unknown soldier, the Panathenic stadium.
Plaka
Plaka, ‘The Neighborhood of the Gods’; Plaka is the oldest historical neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, and incorporating labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture… Read More
Your driver will drive you towards Queen Amalia Avenue by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the House of the Parliament located at the famous Syntagma Square (Constitution Square). The Parliament house used to be the ex-Royal Palace.
The House of the Parliament
What Is The Parliament; the Parliament is the supreme democratic institution that represents the citizens through an elected body of Members of Parliament (MPs). Plenum And Recess Section; The Plenum consists of all MPs elected in the same general election. General elections are normally held every four years unless Parliament is dissolved earlier. The interval between two elections is a ‘parliamentary term’. Consecutive parliamentary terms have been numbered in sequence since 1974…Read More
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
What Is The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier; The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located in Syntagma Square in Athens by the Hellenic Parliament building. The tomb honors all those Greek soldiers who were ever killed in war and each day, there is a special ceremony performed here that further honors the following…Read More
Then the private tour continues toward the Panathenaic Stadium, which is also known as the Kallimarmaron Stadium, the site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens.
The Panathenaic Stadium
The Panathenaic Stadium is a classical cultural monument of Greece. Its history is directly connected to the Modern Olympic Games, from their revival in 1896 until the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. It is also the place from which the Olympic Flame is delivered to all the Olympic Games, Winter, Summer, and Youth, as well as the Athens Authentic Marathon…Read More
The tour continues towards Panepistimiou Avenue where you can see the Catholic Cathedral of Athens and the Trilogy of Neoclassical Buildings of Athens.
The Academy of Athens, Athens University, and the National Library will definitely impress you with their aesthetics and architectural design.
The Academy of Athens
The Academy of Athens forms part of the so-called “Neoclassical Trilogy” of the City of Athens: Academy – University – Library. The Academy was founded by Plato in the 4th century – exactly in 387 BC in Athens. Aristotle studied there for twenty years (367–347 BC) before founding his own school, the Lyceum… Read More
The Athens University
The idea of establishing a University in Greece emerged alongside the Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution. The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, officially founded on April 14th, 1837, is the first University not only of Greece but both the Balkan peninsula and the Eastern Mediterranean region… Read More
The National Library of Greece
The National Library of Greece is the guardian of the national publishing collections. The collection of 5,400 manuscripts (dated from the 9th to the 19th century), is one of the largest collections worldwide. The National Library aims to serve as an international center of Greek studies and as a pillar of the conservation and dissemination of Greek civilization… Read More
At the end of Panepistimiou Avenue, you will see Omonoia Square, which is the second-largest square in Athens after Syntagma.
Time for lunch
However, a visit to Athens is never complete if you do not get to taste the famous Greek cuisine; 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 – Mediterranean Diet).
The Greek Cuisine And Local Flavors Of Greece
“Greek Cuisine And Local Flavors Of Greece; Greece has long been a holiday favorite destination with its beautiful blue waters, tourist-friendly beaches, and an abundance of delicious food made with fresh ingredients… Read More
Travel now to cape Sounion and the temple of Poseidon
After your lunch, the private tour to the Athens Riviera and Cape Sounion starts. The tour will drive you along the impressive coastal road of Athens towards the southern suburbs and you will soon be getting to Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, where you will see the lake of Vouliagmeni, an impressive lake that stands hidden from the bypassers but gathers numerous visitors and bathers each summer.
Later on, you will be reaching Varkiza, one of the modern south suburbs of Athens that stands out due to its amazing coffee shops and restaurants, but also due to the amazing views of offers to the Saronic Gulf.
Athens Riviera
Enjoy a city break in Athens for its ancient sights and Mediterranean gastronomy. Things to see and do in Athens are numerous, yet as the city center is hectic and hot in the summer months, most people spend a short time here then head to the islands for the beauty and quieter pace of life.
But you’ve never experienced the Athens Riviera. A region close enough to the city to be considered a part of it, yet a world away, time spent here proves you don’t need to head to an island to experience island lifestyle…Read more
After an hour’s drive…
you will get to Cape Sounion, with the crowning feature of the Temple of Poseidon which overlooks the Aegean Sea in dramatic scenery that will definitely take your breath away.
The Significance Of Cape Sounion For The City-State Of Athens
Cape Sounion, the southernmost tip of Attica, is a significant strategic point, whence the city-state of Athens controlled the sea passage to the Aegean Sea and Piraeus, the central port, as well as the Lavrion peninsula, comprising the rich silver mines thanks to which Athens emerged as a leading power in the 5th century BC…Read more
Poseidon’ Temple
The Temple of Poseidon is of Doric Style and was built in the 5th century BC is one of the most spectacular sites in the world, offering panoramic views not only to the sea but also to the southern part of Attica and Athens.
According to the myth, King Aegeas of Athens stood there to see whether the ship bringing his son Theseus from Crete would have white or black sails, that would inform him of the potential death of his son. Aegeas saw the mistakenly forgotten black sails of the ship in the sea and dropped himself to the waters that took his name ever since and are called “The Aegean Sea”… Read more
The private tour to the Athenian Riviera and Cape Sounion is truly remarkable and you cannot miss it if you want to see something more than downtown Athens. It is highly recommended for cruise passengers visiting Athens for a few hours.
Details
Important notes
Tour Type
- Shore Excursion - Private tour
- Activity level: Moderate
Included in the tour
- Car and Driver
- A professional English-speaking driver or escort with good knowledge of the history and culture of Greece, to guide you till you enter archaeological sites and museums. Tour drivers are not licensed to companion you inside the archaeological sites and museums. If you'd like to have a licensed state tour guide to escort you inside the sites and museums, we can arrange it for you at an additional cost. Licensed by the state tour guides are freelance and it is subject to availability on bookings day!
- Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz vehicle or similar appropriate for the size of your group
- Accommodation is based according to availability (for multiple-day tours only)
- Pick-up from and return to your hotel
- Pick-up from the Port of Piraeus
- Private tour, Road tolls and local taxes
- Our terminal: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 37, 117 43 Athina, Greece.
Excluded from the tour
- Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museum
- Wine tasting fee (wine tours)
- Olive oil tasting fee (olive oil tasting tours)
- Gratuities (optional)
- 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 difference between a STATE LICENSED TOUR GUIDE and a TOUR DRIVER GUIDE in Greece!
Additional info
- Dress: religious and marmoreal sites: shoulders and knee must be covered
- Terms & Conditions and Frequent Questions
- Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
- A voucher will be emailed to you with our contact numbers and all necessary information for your tour.
- This is your ticket and proof of purchase. On the day of the tour please present a paper voucher in order to redeem your tour/activity.
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.
Restrictions:
- Please note that on this tour, your tour driver is not licensed to accompany you on your climb. If you want this service you may book a licensed by-state tour guide for an extra cost.
- In case a group is followed by a licensed tour guide or an English speaking tour-escort the professional driver is not obliged to speak English!
Opening hours & Admission fees
- Opening Hours:Summer April 1st to October 31st from 08:00 AM to 07:30 PM
- Winter: November 1st to March 31st from 08:30 AM to 03:00 PM
- Free admission fees: Children under 18 & Students from E.U.
- Reduced admission fees: Citizens of the E.U. aged over 65 & Students from countries outside the E.U.
Free admission days
- March 6: In memory of deceased Minister of Tourism & visionary Melina Mercouri
- June 5: Environment international day
- April 18 : International monuments day
- May 18: International museums day
- September 27: International tourism day
- The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
- National Holidays
- Sundays in the period between 1 November and 31 March
- The first Sunday of every month, except for July, August, and September
- NOTE: If the first Sunday is a holiday then the second is the free admission day
Holidays in Greece
- January 1: closed
- January 6: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- Shrove Monday: 08:30AM - 03:00 PM
- March 25: closed
- Good Friday: 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM
- Holy Saturday: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- Easter Sunday: closed
- Easter Monday: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- May 1: closed
- Holy Spirit Day: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- 15 August 15: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
- October 28: 08:30 AM- 03:00 PM
- December 25 & 26: closed
