Shore Excursion: Acropolis, Athens City & Free Time in Plaka walking tour with Transfer

This shore excursion – walking tour for small groups to the Acropolis, Athens city center with free time in Plaka (including  transfer) gives you the chance to gain insight into the significance of the historic monuments of Acropolis, the picturesque Plaka neighborhood, the changing of the Guards, the Parliament. The tour covers all the main attractions of Athens city!

√ Year-round Daily service.

√ Dep.at 08:45 am from Piraeus cruise terminal.

√ The tour ends approx 15:50 (03.50 PM). at the Patseas Jewelry Store.

Highlights of the Shore Excursion: Acropolis, Athens City & Free Time in Plaka walking tour with Transfer

• The Acropolis with its world wide famous monuments
• Visit Parthenon, Erechtheon, Propylaea, the temple of Athens Niki
• Dionysus Theater and Sanctuary
• Changing of the Guards, Greek Parliament, National Gardens
• Skip-the-line service
• Stroll by the picturesque Plaka neighborhood
• Experienced licensed English speaking tour guide
• Pick up / drop off at your cruise ship pier

Description of the Shore Excursion: Acropolis, Athens City & Free Time in Plaka walking tour with Transfer

The Shore Excursion: Acropolis, Athens City & Free Time in Plaka walking tour with Transfer will start from Piraeus cruise terminal at 08:45 am. The duration time is 3 hours and 30 minutes with walking time 45 minutes and moderate walking pace!

Starting the walking tour at the Syntagma metro station you’ll have the chance to take part in a 10-minute tour inside of the station’s museum. During the metro’s construction, archaeological artifacts were uncovered here and offer insight into daily life here thousands of years ago. Our next stop will be at the Greek Parliament, to admire the Monument of the Unknown Soldier and to watch the changing of the guards in a unique ceremony.

The Athens walking walk continues to the National Gardens of Greece, Zappeion, Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. The route passes through the charming and historic Plaka district and to then the walking tour continues on to the next stop: the Acropolis of Athens.

We are here entering the south slope of the Acropolis, you’ll visit the Dionysus Sanctuary and Dionysus Theater before you walk up the slope leading to the Acropolis monuments. Panoramic views of the city will be perfect for Instagram-ready photos. Visit with your expert English speaking tour guide the Glory of ancient Athens, The Parthenon, the Propylea, the temple of Athens Niki, the Erechthion witch reached its maximum expand in the 5th century BC called the golden age of Pericles or the golden age of Athens.

In the surrounding of the Athens Agora see the Observations, the Hill of Democracy (Pnyx), the Mars hill, the Philopapou hill, the Odeon, and the ancient theater of Dionysus and gain insight into the significance of these historic monuments.

Skip-the-Line Access: The Acropolis

Entrance tickets fee are not included in the tour price and the ticket costs will be owed to the tour guide before the tour begins. We save you time by buying entrance tickets in advance so you can skip the lines. This service is provided at no extra cost. Note that children under 18 years old have free admission to the Acropolis and all the archaeological sites.

NOTE: Note: After the first part of the tour ends on the Acropolis at approximately 13:00 (1:00 pm), you may take more photos before meeting for the ancient agora Tour. During this time, you may get a snack or a drink before the guided agora tour starts at approximately 13:30 (1:30 pm). There will be no time for a leisurely lunch break.

Explore Plaka with its famous picturesque neighborhoods

After the guided portion of the tour, you will have the chance to explore one of the oldest neighborhoods in the world; Plaka and Anafiotika located on a hill above the Plaka district. You will have free time to take in the atmosphere in this unique urban pocket of culture and charm which oozes with atmosphere. Here, you can stop at simple, traditional or trendy outdoor cafes, shop at mom-and-pop boutiques selling local goods and souvenirs or try a local dish at traditional eateries. Plaka is a district where diverse architectures merge and the perfect place to snap the most memorable of photos as you stroll down the narrow stone pedestrian walkways and wander cobbled paths shaded by colorful bougainvillea. Admire the white washed cubic houses, with bright painted shutters and beautifully carved wooden doors, elements of a typical Cycladic architecture!

Entrance fees not included

Our Free Skip-the-Line Service

The entrance tickets are not included in the tours fee because there are various rates depending on participants (students, children etc.), on the season (high, low) and there is free entrance on some specific dates throughout the year.

However, we provide you with a skip-the line-service at no extra cost. We buy the tickets in advance so you skip the lines and have immediate access to the sights listed on the tour.

Please make sure you have enough cash (Euros) with you to purchase the tickets from us at the beginning of your tour. Check below the rates applying to your party:

From April 1 to October 31

• 26 € for the adults, covering all the sites that will be visited
• 13 € for students outside the EU (with current student ID)
• free entrance to the Acropolis for guests under 18 years and students from EU countries (with current student ID) all the year round

From November 1 to March 31

Reduced prices will apply;

• 13 € for the adults, covering all the sites that will be visited
• 13 € for students outside the EU (with current student ID)
• free entrance to the Acropolis for guests under 18 years and students from EU countries (with current student ID) all the year round

Prices of the entrance tickets are subject to changes without prior notice. For more details please check out

Prices of the entrance tickets are subject to changes without prior notice. For more details, please check our entrance fees and tickets page.

Discounts and Offers

• If you book a second tour with us, you are eligible for a 5% discount. Use the code SNDT at your booking process inside the promo code field.
• Discount code for families and groups (FMD): 5% discount to families/groups with 4 or more paying members.
• Discount code for groups of more than 4 participants with second tour (SNDT+4): 10% discount to families or groups (4 or more paying members) booking more than one tours.

Specially for this particular walking tour

Inclusions

• Round trip transfer from the Port of Piraeus and back
• Acropolis guided tour
• Free time in Plaka/ Anafiotika
• Licensed tour guide
• Athens Guide magazine
• Athens map

Exclusions

• Food and drinks
• Gratuities (gratuity rates in Greece are around 10% of service cost)
• Entrance tickets

Meeting point

From Your Cruise Terminal

An Athens Walking Tour representative will be waiting for you at a designated area outside of the customs building. Look for someone holding an orange colored Athens Walking Tours sign. Your transfer will depart from the port at 8:45 am.

Drop Off Point in Athens

Your driver will drop you off at the entrance of the Syntagma metro station in front of the Parliament building. Head inside of the metro station’s lower level to find your Athens Walking Tours guide who will be holding an orange colored Athens Walking Tours sign by the ticket validating machines underneath the hanging clock.

The tour starts at 9:30 am.

Back to the Port of Piraeus and Your Ship

Your transfer will depart at 15:50 (3:50 pm) from Patseas Jewelry Store, at the beginning of the pedestrian Dionysiou Areopagitou walkway and across Hadrian’s Arch. The guide will point out this meeting place earlier during the tour. The vehicle will have an orange colored Athens Walking Tours sign in the window. If for any reason you miss the return transfer, you will have to return to the Port of Piraeus by your own means.

Important Note: You must be at the designated meeting point 10 minutes prior to departure. The departure vehicle stops briefly to pick up passengers and will depart immediately for the Port of Piraeus.

*On Good Friday (Greek Orthodox Easter) our tour starts at 10:30 am inside the Syntagma Metro station.