Parthenon Tours
6 Reviews
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, Greece
Admission: Varies
Admission Tickets (1)
Attraction TicketsEntrance 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
- 2 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$26.70
Recent Reviews from Experiences in Athens
Good tour soured by technical issues
MurrayB111
, Nov 2019
We took the downloaded audio tour to our iPhones, and it is very good in principle. The audio is informative, though a little bit dry ... but still very good to have. Installation of the app and downloading the tour was not too difficult. BUT, note that in the current version (Nov 2019) of the app, it appears that everything is downloaded quite quickly because all 4 elements receive a ‘tick’ beside them. There is no other feedback on screen, and only a cancel button is available. You must wait, despite the 4 ticks being completed, until the cancel button changes to complete (or whatever the text was). We had stability issues with the app on 3 different models of iPhone, where the app would crash out, one losing its downloaded files. We persisted and were satisfied with it all ... but it was not smooth.
Skip the line ok but not essential
Navigate14577271486
, Jul 2019
The time of day, that we went was not busy at all. Hence, the skip the line wasn’t needed. We also downloaded the tour on our iPhones, but we still apparently required wi fi. We therefore didn’t use the audio, which was disappointing.
118 Tours and Activities to Experience Parthenon
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Attraction TicketsEntrance 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
- 2 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$26.70
Half-day ToursAthens 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.
... More
- 3 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$66.20
Bus ToursCity Sightseeing Athens, Piraeus & 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.
... More
- 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$24.07
From
$24.07
- 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
Day TripsAthens Full Day Private Tour
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... More
- 8 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$180.54
Price varies by group size
Half-day ToursSkip 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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- 3 hours 30 minutes
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$62.59
Cultural ToursSkip 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.
... More
- 2 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$36.11
Half-day ToursAcropolis Walking Tour, Including Syntagma Square and Historical City Center
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- 3 hours 30 minutes
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$54.16
Half-day ToursViator 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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- 5 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$120.36
Price varies by group size
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... More
- 1 day
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$145.03
Half-day ToursNew 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.
... More
- 4 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$30.09
Half-day ToursAthens 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.
... More
- 4 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$139.61
Price varies by group size
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- 5 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$72.21
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Historical ToursAcropolis 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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- 2 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$36.11
Mountain Bike ToursAthens 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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- 3 hours 30 minutes
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$36.02
$7.91 savings
Half-day ToursAthens 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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- 4 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$66.20
Price varies by group size
Day TripsAthens, The Acropolis and Cape Sounion Full-Day Tour with Lunch
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- 10 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
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Bus ToursHalf Day Athens Private Tailor-Made City Tour (Skip the line of Acropolis)
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- 4 to 5 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$349.04
Price varies by group size
From
$349.04
Price varies by group size
- 4 to 5 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
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- 3 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
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$4.69 savings
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- 5 hours 30 minutes
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- Taking safety measures
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- 5 hours 30 minutes
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
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- 4 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$69.81
Price varies by group size
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- 4 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$174.52
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- 9 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$95.08
Price varies by group size
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There’s so much to see in Athens and only so much time. Maximize your Greek vacation with a full-day private tour of the city. Starting from your hotel, you’ll have private transportation at your disposal whisking you away to multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Acropolis. You can explore each location independently at your own pace or choose to hire a private guide in advance. It's your day.
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- 6 hours
- Free Cancellation
- Taking safety measures
From
$72.21
Price varies by group size
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