Parthenon Tours
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The star of Athens postcards and arguably the most impressive of all the city’s ancient ruins, the Parthenon stands proud atop the sacred rock of Acropolis, high above the modern city.
Built between 447 and 432 BC, the temple was dedicated to Greek goddess Athena and originally housed her cult image, a giant ivory and gold-plated statue by Fidias. The restored temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a striking reminder of the glory of Ancient Greece with its grand marble façade, classic Doric columns, and elaborate sculptural friezes. The site also serves as a fascinating chronicle of Athens’ history.
The Basics
The best way to visit the Parthenon is on a walking tour of the Acropolis of Athens, including neighboring ruins such as the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion. First-time visitors to Athens can also combine a visit with a city sightseeing tour; a half-day trip to the Temple of Poseidon and Cape Sounion; or even a food tasting city tour. History buffs can tack on a tour of the Ancient Agora or a visit to the New Acropolis Museum.
The Basics
The best way to visit the Parthenon is on a walking tour of the Acropolis of Athens, including neighboring ruins such as the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion. First-time visitors to Athens can also combine a visit with a city sightseeing tour; a half-day trip to the Temple of Poseidon and Cape Sounion; or even a food tasting city tour. History buffs can tack on a tour of the Ancient Agora or a visit to the New Acropolis Museum.
Things to Know Before You Go
How to Get to the Parthenon
The Parthenon is located within the Acropolis on a hilltop in central Athens. Entry is via Dionysiou Areopagitou or Theorias, and the nearest underground train station is Akropoli.
When to Get There
The Parthenon is open from April to October, Monday 11am to 7:30pm and Tuesday to Sunday 8am to 7:30pm, and November to March, daily from 8:30am to 3pm. As with most popular tourist attractions, you would do well to arrive when the doors open to beat the crowds.
An Awkward Encounter with England
In the early 19th century, when Athens was under Turkish rule, sculptures from the Parthenon were sold to Englishman Lord Elgin. The artifacts, nicknamed the ‘Elgin Marbles’ are now on display in London's British Museum, but they remain a point of contention for the Greek government, which still insists they should be returned.
- The Parthenon is most often visited on half- or full-day city tours of Ancient Athens.
- Come prepared for the weather, as the Parthenon is an indoor/outdoor experience.
- Wheelchair lift available to the top of the Acropolis.
How to Get to the Parthenon
The Parthenon is located within the Acropolis on a hilltop in central Athens. Entry is via Dionysiou Areopagitou or Theorias, and the nearest underground train station is Akropoli.
When to Get There
The Parthenon is open from April to October, Monday 11am to 7:30pm and Tuesday to Sunday 8am to 7:30pm, and November to March, daily from 8:30am to 3pm. As with most popular tourist attractions, you would do well to arrive when the doors open to beat the crowds.
An Awkward Encounter with England
In the early 19th century, when Athens was under Turkish rule, sculptures from the Parthenon were sold to Englishman Lord Elgin. The artifacts, nicknamed the ‘Elgin Marbles’ are now on display in London's British Museum, but they remain a point of contention for the Greek government, which still insists they should be returned.
Address: Athens Acropolis, Athens, Attica, Greece
Admission: Varies
Admission Tickets (1)
Entrance e-ticket for Acropolis - Athens with Audio Tour on Your Phone
Skip the long lines and explore the Acropolis at your own pace with this package. You'll not only get a pre-booked, skip-the-line ticket to the country's most important site, but you'll also get an interactive map and a self-guided audio tour that you can listen to on your smartphone, at your own pace, even if you're offline.
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From
$25.35
From
$25.35
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
115 Tours and Activities to Experience Parthenon
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Entrance e-ticket for Acropolis - Athens with Audio Tour on Your Phone
Skip the long lines and explore the Acropolis at your own pace with this package. You'll not only get a pre-booked, skip-the-line ticket to the country's most important site, but you'll also get an interactive map and a self-guided audio tour that you can listen to on your smartphone, at your own pace, even if you're offline.
…More
From
$25.35
From
$25.35
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Athens Full Day Private Tour
Explore the highlights of Athens in a private vehicle on this full-day tour. Depart from your hotel and make your way the the Acropolis, where you can stroll through the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Temple of the Athena Nike, the Propylaea, the Erechtheum, and the Parthenon. Take in views from Lycabettus Hill and explore the neighborhoods of Plaka and Monastiraki.
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From
$80.37
Price varies by group size
From
$80.37
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Skip the Line Acropolis of Athens and New Acropolis Museum Tour
Journey back to Ancient Greece on this guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Acropolis of Athens, including a visit to the New Acropolis Museum. Visit the Theatre of Dionysus and Dionysus Sanctuary, stroll past the Propylaea gateway and the Temple of Athena Nike, then stand in awe before the grand ruins of the Parthenon, looking down over Athens below. After exploring the sprawling citadel, follow your guide on a tour of New Acropolis Museum and learn more about the excavations as you browse more than 4,000 artifacts unearthed from the Acropolis.
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From
$64.29
From
$64.29
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
City Sightseeing Athens & Beach Riviera Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Experience the best of Athens in one day and your own way, on this City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off Athens bus tour. Travel around by open-top double-decker bus and create your own sightseeing itinerary. Learn about Athens’ history from the onboard audio guide and choose from various routes. Perhaps visit the spectacular Acropolis, the New Acropolis Museum, or other top sights—you set the pace and choose where to explore on foot.
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From
$24.73
From
$24.73
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Athens Half-Day Sightseeing Tour
Discover some of Greece’s greatest treasures and the best of modern Athens on this morning or afternoon Athens sightseeing tour. With an expert guide, take a coach tour of top Athens sites, including the Greek Parliament and Panathenaic Stadium, stage of the first modern Olympic Games. Then, explore the mighty Acropolis on foot to see the glorious Parthenon and other highlights. Want to add more sightseeing in Athens? Upgrade your morning tour to include entry to the Acropolis Museum to see its incredible Parthenon friezes, and other archaeological exhibits.
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From
$80.37
From
$80.37
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Acropolis Walking Tour, Including Syntagma Square and Historical City Center
Delve into the history of ancient Greece on this Athens walking tour. With an expert guide, stroll around the historic heart of Athens to see Syntagma Square, the Parliament Building, and the ancient ruins tucked around the slopes of the stunning, UNESCO-listed Acropolis. Check out fascinating archaeological exhibits in Syntagma Square and admire awesome views of the Parthenon as you view the Theater of Dionysus, Odeon of Herodes Atticus and other sights. With revealing commentary from your guide throughout, this walking tour of Athens will delight history buffs. Please note admission to the Acropolis is at your own expense.
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From
$55.64
From
$55.64
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Skip the Line Acropolis of Athens Tour
Discover the architectural marvel of Ancient Greece with a visit to Athens’ star attraction – the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Acropolis of Athens. Follow your guide on a walking tour around the hilltop archaeological wonder, stopping to admire the Propylaea gateway, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Dionysus Sanctuary as you climb to the summit. Learn more about the fascinating ruins and imagine their former glory as you roam the sprawling citadel, stand in awe before the Theatre of Dionysus, and look out over the city from the Parthenon.
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From
$39.56
From
$39.56
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Skip the Line: Acropolis of Athens Afternoon Walking Tour
See the landmark monuments of Athens in a new light during a late afternoon tour of the Acropolis, guided by a licensed archaeologist. You’re guaranteed to skip any long wait lines during this walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Avoid the crowds and warmer temperatures while taking a leisurely stroll around the Parthenon, Propylaia gateway, Temple of Athena Nike and more.
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From
$37.09
From
$37.09
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Viator Exclusive: Acropolis of Athens, New Acropolis Museum and Greek Dinner
Explore the greatest of ancient Greek architectural feats on a 4-hour private walking tour of the Acropolis of Athens and the New Acropolis Museum, followed by dinner. Stroll around the UNESCO-listed Acropolis with an archaeologist to learn about its monuments, including the Parthenon. Then, visit the ultra-modern New Acropolis Museum for a guided tour of its spectacular statues and treasures. Finish with a delicious Greek dinner at a restaurant with stellar views over the Parthenon.
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From
$123.64
Price varies by group size
From
$123.64
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Athens Highlights Half Day Private Tour
If you’re short on time but want to see everything that Athens has to offer, take a five-hour tour by private transportation. The day starts with convenient pickup from your hotel and then takes you to the Acropolis, Panepistimiou Street, and much more. Traveling by private car enables you to take advantage of your time. You also have the flexibility to explore each attraction independently or add a licensed guide at an additional coast.
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From
$80.37
Price varies by group size
From
$80.37
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Athens Scenic Bike Tour
Explore the ancient monuments and bustling energy of Athens on a fun and easy bike tour. Cover much more distance than walking while peddling along bike-friendly paths and streets, stopping to learn about the city’s long history and legends from a local guide. Cycle around the Acropolis and past other iconic ruins including the Ancient Agora, Roman Forum, and the Keramikos Cemetery.
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From
$45.13
From
$45.13
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Athens By Night Private Tour
Experience the nighttime side of Athens on this private evening tour. Meet your driver at your hotel and depart in a private vehicle to the main sights of Athens, including the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Port of Piraeus, Lycabettus Hill, and more. Explore each place independently and at your own pace.
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From
$74.18
Price varies by group size
From
$74.18
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Athens Super Saver: City Sightseeing Tour plus Half-Day Cape Sounion Trip
Combine two popular tours of Athens and Cape Sounion into one day at a discounted price with this Athens Super Saver. In the morning, board an air-conditioned coach for a sightseeing tour of Athens’ highlights. With an expert guide, stroll around the Parthenon and antiquities on the Acropolis; visit the New Acropolis Museum; see the Panathenaic Stadium and more. Then, take an afternoon trip to Cape Sounion, where the Temple of Poseidon overlooks the Aegean Sea. Admire the glittering temple and stellar views before your return by coach to Athens.
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From
$126.85
From
$126.85
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Acropolis of Athens Walking Tour with Optional New Acropolis Museum Visit
The UNESCO-listed Acropolis of Athens is the city’s most visited attraction, but it has the traffic to match. This walking tour starts early to avoid the crowds and includes highlights such as the Parthenon, Erechtheion, and the Acropolis Museum. For the full experience, upgrade to include a guided visit to the ancient Agora.
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From
$37.09
From
$37.09
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Athens Super Saver: City Sightseeing Tour and Half-Day Cape Sounion Trip plus Delphi Day Trip
Sightsee around Athens, Cape Sounion and Delphi on this 2-day Athens Super Saver. Combining three top-selling tours at a discounted price, and designed for those with pre-booked overnight accommodation, the tour spotlights the best of Athens and two of Greece’s classical treasures. On one day, discover top Athens attractions including the Acropolis, and take an afternoon trip to Cape Sounion, home to the stunning Temple of Poseidon. Couple the day up with a full-day trip to the spectacular mountainside temples and stadium at Delphi, one of Greece’s greatest archaeological wonders.
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From
$237.02
From
$237.02
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Half Day Athens Private Tailor-Made City Tour (Skip the line of Acropolis)
Customize your own tour of Athens and visit the landmarks that are of more interest to you on this private adventure. Choose from a number of key landmarks like the Royal Palace of Athens, the Temple of Zeus, the Archaeological Museum, and enjoy skip-the-line admission to the Acropolis. Discover ancient Greece’s rich history as you stroll around the ruins with your dedicated guide and get insider tips on the best places to eat and drink.
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From
$358.56
Price varies by group size
From
$358.56
Price varies by group size
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Athens historical city half day private tour
Get around Athens’ most-cherished attractions and see the city in comfort on this private, half-day driving tour. Choose what time your small group would like to start, with hotel and port pick-up and drop-off included, and enjoy a professional chauffeur service designed to show-off the best of Greece’s ancient history and hospitality.
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From
$68.00
Price varies by group size
From
$68.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Athens, The Acropolis and Cape Sounion Full-Day Tour with Lunch
Admire ancient treasures side-by-side with modern marvels on this full-day sightseeing tour of Athens and Cape Sounion. Visit the famous Acropolis and Temple of Olympic Zeus, plus contemporary Athenian highlights like Panathinaikon Stadium and Parliament House. Savor traditional Greek flavors with an included lunch, and travel to Cape Sounion in the afternoon for spectacular views of the Saronic Gulf and the ancient Temple of Poseidon perched dramatically atop sea cliffs.
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From
$110.04
From
$110.04
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Athens Shore Excursion: Private City Sightseeing and Acropolis Tour
Make the most of your time in port in Piraeus with a private half-day shore excursion to Athens. Unravel the secrets of Ancient Greece as you walk around the monumental ruins of the UNESCO-listed Acropolis of Athens (entrance not included) and the Parthenon. Then, hop aboard a minivan to see the rest of the city, including the lively Syntagma Square, the Panathinaikon Olympic Stadium and ancient landmarks like the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. Best of all: your tour is covered by Viator’s worry-free policy, ensuring on-time return to your cruise ship.
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From
$369.08
Price varies by group size
From
$369.08
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
New Acropolis Museum and Acropolis of Athens Skip-The-Line Small Group Tour
Go by foot and get up-close to the ancient wonder of Athens’ Acropolis. Visit the Greek capital’s most-renowned monuments on this flexible half-day walking tour. Soak in the historic significance of the place where Western politics and ideals were forged, your guide on hand to tell you more about the site's rich history. Don’t just look through the window of a tour bus: truly experience the Acropolis by taking a stroll around this epic landmark of civilization.
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From
$30.91
From
$30.91
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Historical Athens and Acropolis of Athens Walking Tour
See ancient Greece's most impressive sights on this Athens walking tour. Get an up-close look at the Greek Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as well as the presidential guards who protect it. Explore the National Garden and wander the timeworn streets of Plaka. Then, cap your tour at the Acropolis of Athens, the Greek capital’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed showstopper, where the Parthenon and other classical ruins await.
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From
$48.22
From
$48.22
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Athens City Tour with The Acropolis, Ancient Agora and The Agora Museum
Explore the city of Athens, visit the Acropolis and discover the ancient Agora during this 5-hour walking tour. Learn about the history, culture and daily life of ancient Athenian citizens through your guide's informative commentary. Stop for a snack and refreshments at the Acropolis canteen (own expense). See where Plato and Socrates taught and lectured, then finish with a visit to the Attalos Museum. Walk away with a comprehensive understanding of this Greek city's rich history.
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From
$74.25
From
$74.25
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Acropolis of Athens, Ancient Agora and the Agora Museum Tour
Get an expert introduction to Athens’ most important archaeological sites—the Acropolis and Ancient Agora—during this walking tour with skip-the-line access. Slip past the crowds at the UNESCO-listed Acropolis of Athens, where you learn about the Parthenon, Propylaea gateway, Temple of Athena Nike, Monument of Agrippa and more. After free time, follow your guide on foot through Athens' political center of Ancient Agora and its famous monuments, including Hephaestus Temple. Top off your itinerary at the museum, housed in the Stoa of Attalos. Please note admission to the attractions is not included in the tour price, and needs to be paid in cash to your guide.
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From
$66.77
From
$66.77
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Private Walking Tour: The Acropolis
Explore the Acropolis, Athens’ crowning glory, and other historical highlights on this personalized walking tour. With a private guide, see the Greek Parliament House and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Syntagma Square; meander through the charming Plaka neighborhood; and view monuments such as the Zeus Temple. Then, hear about the glories of ancient Athens as you admire its showpiece monuments at the UNESCO-protected Acropolis. Stroll around highlights such as the Parthenon and Temple of Athena Nike, and ogle the breathtaking views from the rock down over Athens.
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From
$210.13
Price varies by group size
From
$210.13
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Electric Bike Tour of Athens by Night
Escape the daytime heat and see Athens’ ancient sights after the sun has gone down on this 2.5-hour electric bike tour. Meet your guide in the late evening, then hop aboard your easy-to-ride bike and zip around the city center. Cruise through atmospheric Plaka, or Athens Old Town, and see the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Acropolis of Athens and other historical landmarks illuminated against the night sky. This small-group tour is limited to just 11 participants.
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From
$58.11
Price varies by group size
From
$58.11
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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