Overview
Christian 8-h tour in Athens following the greatness of St Paul; The full-day Christian tour in the footsteps of St Paul in Athens is a tour designed for the visitors of Athens, who wish to see the parts of the city where St Paul preached the word of the Christian religion. If you want to admire the Orthodox mosaics that rival the beauty of those in Constantinople visits the Monastery of Daphni.
Itinerary of the full-day Christian tour in the footsteps of St Paul in Athens
The Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Mars Hill (Areopagus), the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Parliament House, Panathenaic Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Dionysius the Areopagite, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, the Academy, the University and the National Library, Monastiraki, Plaka, Ancient Agora, Byzantine Museum, Lycabettus Hill, Piraeus, the Byzantine Monastery of Daphni
The highlight of the Christian 8-h tour in Athens following the greatness of St Paul
- The Acropolis and the Parthenon of Athens
- Follow the footsteps of St Paul in Athens
- The Mars hill
- Ancient Agora (market)
- The Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles, Athens
- The Cathedral Basilica of St. Dionysius the Areopagite
- The Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens
- The Byzantine Monastery of Daphni or The Byzantine museum
- English-speaking tour driver
Description
Description of the full-day Christian tour in Athens
The full-day Christian tour in the footsteps of St Paul in Athens starts in the morning from your hotel or cruise ship. Athens Tour Greece will take you to a private city tour you will definitely enjoy.
The tour starts from the trademark of the city of Athens, which is of course the Acropolis of Athens.
The entrance to the Holy Rock will lead you to the imposing Propylaea, and the temple of Erectheion with the Porch of Maidens. The highlight of this visit is the Parthenon, the Temple that overshadows Athens and is the perfect example of Classic architecture from the 5th century BC.
The full-day private tour will continue with a visit to the nearby Mars Hill (Areopagus) (Acts 17:22), where Apostle Paul delivered one of the most known sermons.
The tour will also take you to see the most important sites of the city of Athens that combine the classic and ancient style with the modern elements: The Constitution (Syntagma) Square with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games took place, the Temple of the Olympian Zeus, the Hadrian’s Arch, the National Academy of Arts, the National University of Athens and the National Library of the city and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Dionysius the Areopagite!
St. Dionysius the Areopagite Catholic Cathedral…
… is the seat of the Catholic Archbishop of Athens and is dedicated to Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, a student of Apostle Paul and the first bishop of Athens. The Cathedral of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite was built in 1853 by the renowned German architect Leo von Klenze, who designed a grand three-aisled basilica of neo-Renaissance. The four evangelists are depicted in the natural size of the pillars supporting the triumphal arch. On the façade of the Triumphal Arch is depicted Christ Pantocrator with the Gospel in his hand. In the lower corners, to the right is Moses holding the parchment text of the Law, to the left the Prophet David playing the harp. Below, Saint Gregory the Great and Saint Augustine.
The tour will take you to Monastiraki and Plaka, two picturesque quarters of Athens which are known for their little shops and the flea market. On our way to the ancient agora, you will have the chance to see the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens. The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation popularly known as the “Mētrópolis”, is the cathedral church of the Archbishopric of Athens and all of Greece.
The Ancient Agora…
… located in the heart of Plaka is one of the main meeting places of St Paul as well. According to the historical facts known to us today, St Paul saw an inscription on the Unknown God, and spoke to the Athenians about this God, preaching about the Christian God and the newly born religion. Some of the most important speeches of St Paul took place here. In the ancient Agora, you will find the Church of the Holy Apostles! It is important to note that to be in a place where the Olympian Gods were worshiped and sanctuaries have been raised to honor Zeus and Apollo but at the same time to see a Byzantine Church honoring the Holy Apostles shows the level of cultural and religious freedom modern Greece has been shaped.
Built the last quarter of the 10th century it was a time when the Byzantine Empire was very strong militarily. In the 1930s the American School of Classical Studies began excavations, the restoration of Stoa of Attalos was completed and the only one that remained intact was the church of the Holy Apostle! The church’s frescoes are magnificent still today and you can still see this unique quality from the old days of the past. The wall paintings and the colors used are very expressive as well as the dome of the temple dominates the church and the sunlight coming from the small windows to the interior of the church shows the architectural level of the people who have constructed such a monument!
The Monastery Of Daphni
It is time now to visit the famous 11th-century AD monastery of Daphni, one of the greatest masterpieces of the Byzantine Empire located close to Athens! At the western entrance of the Athens basin, on the outskirts of the Haidari Grove, on Athens Avenue, is the largest Byzantine monastery of Athens (Attica), the Monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin, known as the Daphni Monastery. It is a UNESCO-protected monument, as its architecture, its size, and its incomparable quality of mosaic decoration, which indicate its relation to Constantinople, classify it as one of the most important monuments of the Byzantine era and designate it as a Monumental Monument.
You will have time to stroll around Plaka and shop if you wish; later, the full-day tour will continue towards Lycabettus, the highest hill of Athens that offers panoramic views of the entire city of Piraeus.
After Lycabettus, you will have time for a traditional Greek lunch, and the full-day tour will continue, taking you to Piraeus, the main port of Greece and one of the largest in the Mediterranean. St Paul disembarked here when visiting Athens.
The full-day tour will end in the afternoon at the same place we’ve picked you up, which you can spend at your leisure the way you wish.
Details
Daphni Monastery Hours:
Sunday Closed
Monday (Epiphany), Closed
Tuesday, Closed
Wednesday 8 AM–3 PM
Thursday 8 AM–3 PM
Friday 8 AM–3 PM
Saturday 8 AM–3 PM
As a world heritage monument, the Daphni Byzantine monastery is managed by UNESCO. In case the monastery is closed then you will visit the Byzantine monastery instead!
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
