Shore Excursion: Athens Half Day Self Guided Sightseeing Tour

Athens, Greece

Explore Athens with your own private English speaking driver on a  4 hour tour and discover the Acropolis of Athens, Temple of Zeus, Panathenian Stadium and more!  Continue to observe the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside the  Athens National Gardens. Then you take a walk up the slopes of the city’s famous Aropolis. See the Parthenon and other intriguing monuments. Finish with a stroll around the agora — the hub of ancient Athens. Your driver will be waiting for you at the designated point to transfer you back to your starting point

Start with a pick up from your cruise ship in Piraeus, with private transportation, and then travel into the city center. During the drive, relax and chat about the things in Athens that interest you the most. Although your itinerary is planned, the tour can be customized to your interests. Your first stop is Panathenian Stadium, an impressive white-marble structure that was the site of the first Olympic Games in 1896. Take a look around  the stadium’s architecture and reconstruction, and learn all about its history as one of the country’s most renowned sports venues.

Near the stadium lies the Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus — or more simply, the Temple of Zeus. Pose for photos in front of the colossal ruins that honor the king of the Olympian gods. Continue onward to Athens National Gardens and stop outside the Greek Parliament to see the traditionally dressed guards watching the buildings. Have your camera ready to capture snapshots of the Changing of the Guard ceremony and get a sense of Greek modern history.

Next is the site that’s sure to be a highlight on any visitor’s list: the Acropolis of Athens. Leave your vehicle and head out on foot for a stroll up the slopes of the city’s famous ancient citadel. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Acropolis is home to several incredible buildings that date back to the days of Ancient Greece. See the Parthenon, Propylaea gateway, Erechtheion and Temple of Athena Nike, a monument built to represent Athens’ ambition as the most powerful Greek city.

After soaking up the views and perhaps enjoying a bite to eat or a drink from a local cafe (own expense), wander down the Acropolis’ slopes to the ancient Agora — a meeting place that once served as the heart of ancient Athens. Your half-day tour then finishes with a drop-off back at your cruise ship.