This tour was designed to deliver the best of both worlds. Athens is a must for a first visit, but the heat of the sun can ruin the day, so we found the best antidote to be an afternoon visit to the beach.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Begin your tour at the Acropolis, one of the most photographed and recognizable hills in the entire world. Accompanied by your guide, you will walk up the uneven footpath leading to the summit. Sights include the Propylaea, the Temple of Apteros Niki, the Erectheum and, of course, the Parthenon.
After visiting the Acropolis, your driver will take you to the city center passing by the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian, a monumental gateway that spanned an ancient road from the center of Athens, to the complex of structures on the eastern side of the city that included the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Continue with a stop at the Panathenian Olympic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896.
As you drive to Syntagma Square (essentially the tourist core of the city) you will see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the former Royal Palace which is now the House of Parliament (where you can see the changing of the guards in front every hour on the hour!). Continue to the Athen’s trilogy consisting of the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library. Finally, your driver will drive you all the way up to Lycabettus hill; a limestone rock reaching almost 1,000 feet into the once-crystalline athenian sky.
After a short photo stop in Lycabettus hill, your ride out of the heavy traffic in Athens quickly becomes a relief as you head for the coastal road that takes you through lovely resort areas. You will immediately feel a sense of calm after the congestion of the big city. The ride is refreshing and you will find your afternoon to be the same.
Astir Beach club is one of the best in the Athens area. Its soft sands are located on a private peninsula, and leafy green plants provide privacy and atmosphere. Beach chairs, towels, and sun umbrellas are provided, and a snack bar and shower rooms with lockers are available. You’ll also find all manner of watersports to pursue, available for purchase on site.
Alternative Tour Options:
There are so many other things to see in this area. Keep in mind that your
driver is at your disposal, so if you would like to adjust the
proposed itinerary at all, just let him know!
Pricelist
More Info
More Info
Special Instructions
- Comfortable clothing and sensible, flat-soled walking shoes are recommended. Sun glasses and sun screen are suggested.
- Walking: Difficult.To climb up to the Acropolis, guests must be able to walk over paved, inclined paths, some with steps, then climb a series of steps to reach the propylea. The walking surfaces on top of the Acropolis are uneven.
- Disabled access at the Acropolis is provided by a wheelchair stair climber lift elevator.Please do keep in mind that this is an elevator strictly available to disabled visitors only.
That includes:- visitors using a wheelchair or some other kinetic equipment,
- visitors with some kind of physiopathological situation that affects their kinetic ability either permanently or temporarily and
- visitors that have a certified rate of disability whether this is affecting their kinetic ability or not.
Restrictions
- The order of the sites may change due to crowds, traffic and demonstrations.
- Photography is permitted throughout the tour.
- We do our best to ensure that every stop described is available for your visit. There are some times when a site or building is closed at the last moment with little to no warning. We assume that those in charge make those decisions based on external information and for the visitors’ safety and we apologize when this causes inconvenience and disappointment.
Tips
- It’s always a great idea to bring a bottle of water and sunscreen with you because in the warmer months it becomes quite hot and sunny.
- A hat to protect your head and shade your face is also recommended when spending a significant amount of time in the sun.
- The area around the Acropolis Hill and Syntagma Square (changing of the guards) can become quite crowded, especially during the peak travel months, so be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings close to you.
- Do not accept ‘gifts’ from street vendors approaching tourists. They may offer you roses, but if choose you accept, you will be expected to pay or give a tip for them.
- Greece is known for its healing springs and mineral baths and you don’t even have to leave Athens to find one.It is called Lake Vouliagmeni and it is a mineral spa that is reported to have many healing properties for such ailments as eczema and dermatological diseases, neuralgia, headaches, disfiguring arthritis, chronic gynecological diseases, lumbago, sciatica and other problems.Because Vouliagmeni lake is only 50 cm above sea level, it’s constantly overflowing and being replenished by warm springs beneath it. The warm springs keep the water temperature of Vouliagmeni lake at around 23°Celcius.
Did you know?
Swimming was not part of the Ancient Olympic Games but Greeks were keen swimmers and held the activity in high regard. One of the most cutting insults one Greek could level at another in ancient times was that his rival was a man “who neither knew how to run nor swim”. Plato once declared that anyone who could not swim lacked a proper education.