Full Day Private Tour: Essential Athens Highlights plus Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon
4.9
643 Ratings
Athens
Experience the best of Athens on a full-day private tour that includes the iconic Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, and more. Then, relax on a coastal road trip to the stunning Temple of Poseidon. Enjoy the comfort of a luxury Mercedes, knowledgeable tour driver, and personalized itinerary.
Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Acropolis - Our day in Athens begins with the Acropolis, the heart of life in Ancient Athens, encircled by its remarkable cyclopean wall constructed by the Mycenaeans millennia ago. The Acropolis is home to all the Temples, including the Temple of Athena Nike, the grand gateway (Propylaea), the Erechtheum, and the renowned Parthenon, the principal temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.
  • Theater of Dionysus - Regarded as the world’s oldest theatre, built in the 6th Century BC, this venue hosted the earliest performances of ancient plays by Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus, and Aristophanes, among others, and was the site of an annual spring drama festival.
  • Temple of Athena Nike - Situated atop the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena Nike (or ‘Victory’) is dedicated to the goddess Athena and was constructed around 420 BC. It is the earliest fully Ionic temple on the Acropolis.
  • Herod Atticus Odeon - A striking and fully restored Roman theater, completed in AD 161 and dedicated to the wife of a wealthy benefactor. The theater hosts a lively public program each summer.
  • Propylaea - The Propylaea is a classical Greek Doric building complex that served as the ceremonial entrance to the Acropolis, through which you will enter.
  • Erechtheion - An ancient Greek Ionic temple on the north side of the Acropolis, the Erechtheion is unique in its construction and was dedicated to the goddess Athena.
  • Parthenon - Widely considered a masterpiece of science, engineering, and culture, the Parthenon was dedicated to the goddess Athena and originally housed her impressive statue. Its decorative sculptures are regarded as some of the pinnacles of classical Greek art, some of which can be seen in the nearby museum.
  • Acropolis Museum - Explore the New Acropolis Museum, located adjacent to the Acropolis, which houses many masterpieces from the site.
  • Panathenaic Stadium - Also known as ‘Kallimarmaro,’ this stadium is one of the highlights of Athens, where the classic Marathon ends. It is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble.
  • The Academy of Athens - Stop at Panepistimiou Street for the Athenian Trilogy – the three elegant buildings: The University, The Academy, and The Library.
  • National Library of Greece - The National Library of Greece.
  • Hellenic Parliament - The Parliament and center of current political life in Athens.
  • National and Kapodistrian University of Athens - The University of Athens.
  • Temple of Olympian Zeus - A colossal temple at the center of Athens dedicated to the god Zeus, head of the Olympian gods. Construction began in the 6th century BC, and the temple housed a richly adorned statue, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
  • Arch of Hadrian - A classic triumphal arch built by the ancient Athenians for the Roman Emperor Hadrian, seen together with the Temple of Zeus in the same location.
  • Presidential Mansion - A short stop at the Neoclassical Maximos Mansion, also known as the Greek “White House.” It has been the official residence of the Prime Minister of Greece since 1982.
  • National Garden - Originally built as Royal Gardens for Queen Amalia, the National Gardens are a beautiful oasis in the city, running alongside some of Athens’ most prominent landmarks.
  • Plateia Syntagmatos - The main square of Athens, housing the Parliament building and the focal point of much of Athenian life and politics.
  • Monastiraki - Monastiraki Square, at the heart of the Old Town, is a vibrant center of life in the city.
  • Plaka - Leading from Monastiraki Square, the Plaka neighborhood is bustling with markets, bars, cafes, and restaurants.
  • Athens - LUNCH OPTION: (No street food) If you choose our lunch option during booking, you will enjoy a traditional 3-course Greek lunch.

During the summer months, our default location for lunch is by the sea in Sounion, and at other times, in Athens.

Please note that alcoholic drinks are not included.

  • Lake Vouliagmeni - Included in Greece’s NATURA 2000 Sites of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the thermal and mineral-rich waters of the lake have been a spa retreat for centuries.
  • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - At the tomb, you will witness the impressive changing of the guard ceremony, featuring the iconic ‘Evzone’ guards in their traditional uniform.
  • Glyfada Beach - An upscale suburb and the start of the Athens Riviera, offering wonderful sea views from our coastal route.
  • Lagonisi - One of the most beautiful stretches of coastal scenery in Europe. Elevated views out to sea, the rugged coastline, and the deep blue and contrasting greens of the landscape, along with the small settlements along the way, make this an amazing spectacle.
  • Temple of Poseidon - Located 70 meters atop a cliff at the tip of the Athens Peninsula, this magnificent temple was dedicated to the god Poseidon. It was the last thing ancient sailors saw when leaving port and the first sight on their return, with many legends to tell. It is especially beautiful at sunset and a perfect final location for your tour.
What's Included
  • Pre-purchased Acropolis ticket with skip-the-line service
  • Refundable cost for driver’s Acropolis ticket
  • Lunch by the Sea or in Athens with diverse options
  • Experienced Tour Driver with Historical Knowledge
  • First class transport: Mercedes Sedan/Minivan/Sprinter
  • All vehicles with WiFi, A/C, Chilled Bottled Water
  • Licensed Guide for Acropolis included for larger groups
  • Convenient pickup from Athens Hotel, Airbnb, or Cruise ship
What's Not Included
  • Athens Airport transfers or pickup locations outside Athens. Arranged on request [Additional cost]
  • Expert Guide for Groups of 1 - 7; Extended Guiding time. Available on request [Additional cost]
  • Admission for Acropolis & Temple of Zeus (35 Euro per person + 20 Euro per group). Payable to driver
  • Admission for the Acropolis Museum & Temple of Poseidon (20 & 10 Euro respectively). Payable at site
  • Food (unless selecting the Lunch Option)
Additional Information

Experience a personalised tour that takes you through Athens’ highlights then off to a scenic coastal drive to the Sounion peninsula, leading up to the breath-taking cliffside Temple of Poseidon. Enjoy your journey in a featured-packed Mercedes accompanied by a professional, experienced, and tactful driver. Stay connected with the free WiFi and stay refreshed with bottled water provided in the vehicle.

Explore landmarks such as the Acropolis, the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the Olympic Stadium, Parliament and witness the changing of the guards. After a delightful lunch, immerse yourself in the deep blue hues of the Aegean sea as you head off to the Temple of Poseidon.

Offering door-to-door return transfers exclusive to your group from your hotel or cruise ship, this relaxed and comprehensive tour is tailored to your pace, promising an unforgettable experience during your stay.

Opt for our simple lunch option for a tasty 3-course traditional meal overlooking the Acropolis in Athens, or beside the sea at Sounion. Alternatively, you could choose to hire a qualified guide with pre-purchased Acropolis tickets for an additional fee.

  • Groups of 1 to 7. ADDING AN EXPERT LICENSED GUIDE: Your knowledgeable tour driver will inform you en-route but can not enter archaeological sites. On request we can add a Licensed Archaeological Expert Guide to accompany you through the Acropolis and other Athens sites. Contact us by meessage after booking if you would like this addition
  • Groups of 8+. AN EXPERT LICENSED GUIDE: is included at the Acropolis only. Extended guiding to the other Athens sites on request.
  • TAILOR YOUR TOUR: If you would like to add a further site, such as the National Archaeological Museum, Omit one of the existing sites, or need an airport transfer for example then please let us know directly.
  • ROUTE. In order to provide the best experience for your day we reserve the right to alter the tour route or omit sites in the case of issues such as time constraints or local factors such as site closing times & road closures. For persons returning to Cruise ships, we recommend start times of 07:30 or 08:30 to avoid time pressure.
  • TOUR UPDATES BETWEEN MARCH 11th to 19th: Tour inclusions and exclusions were updated. For bookings made before this date your previous conditions apply at the time of your original booking.
  • SKIP THE LINE SERVICE. We purchase tickets in advance so you do not need to queue. Tickets are non refundable and for designated entrance times according to the policy of the Archaeological sites. Tickets are not included in the tour price, and the additonal cost per person of 35 Euro plus the administration fee of 20 Euro per group is payable to your driver in cash on the day of your tour. If you already have tickets, please inform us at least two days prior to your tour.
Location
Acropolis
Via Dionysiou Areopagitou Str.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(643 Ratings)
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Tami_j
Apr 19, 2024
Awesome private tour - I highly recommend this tour. Everybody went above and beyond to make this an incredible experience for me and my family. Drivers were absolutely wonderful, and lunch was stellar!
Review provided by Viator
789roystons
Apr 12, 2024
Awesome day in Athens. - This was my first time in Athens and I only had one day to see as much as possible. This tour seemed to fit the bill. Let me first say that everyone at warm penguin was extremely helpful. My Guide for the day was Petros. From start to finish he was great. Always checking to make sure I was enjoying and the tour was meeting my needs. The amount of detailed knowledge he had regarding the locations and area were quite astounding. I honestly don't know how he retains it all. I would highly recommend Warm Penguins Tours to anyone visiting Athens.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Courtneykh2944kw
Mar 24, 2024
Amazing experience - Absolutely amazing experience! Our tour guide and driver made our visit to Athens enjoyable and informative. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patri_p
Feb 25, 2024
Exceptional! - We had exceptionally good time with the tour guide Mr. Will. He was very knowledgeable and explained to us about the various locations we visited with the help of Ipad and other illustrations. Excellent conversationalist and has been very patient with our inquiries. He understood our requirements as senior citizens and did all he could do to make us comfortable. We had a very enjoyable drive with him at the wheel as he was a very safe driver. We are so grateful to the tour operator for making him available to us whole day. With him, we are sure the operator is in good hands. We wish him the very best and the tour operator with all the success going forward. God be with you all.
Review provided by Viator
Lincolnmk8
Feb 10, 2024
Highly recommended, great value - Our guide today was Yannis, and I cannot think of anything that would have made this experience better. He arrived promptly on time, was extremely professional and courteous and made us feel like celebrities. We arrived at all destinations quickly, thankfully right before hords of tourists arrived via the big tour busses. This allowed us to avoid all lines at the Acropolis and museum. We also got a nice tour of the city with added extras. He was very knowledgeable about ancient Greece and surrounding civilizations, and as a lifelong resident of Athens was able to give us personal insights and local history. He brought us to a great local restaurant for lunch (I recommend the lemon chicken dish). Driving through the country to Temple of Poseidon and Sounion was very enjoyable and he takes an alternate route to return which gives more depth to the true Athens.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ashley_s
Dec 30, 2023
Decently Accessible for Athens! - Had a great time with our driver, Dimitri, and our guide, Eva! My travel companion uses a wheelchair, and Dimitri and Eva were very knowledgeable about how to access the accessible parts of the sites. Full disclosure: the acropolis and temple of Poseidon were only partially accessible. The acropolis museum and other sites on the tour were fully accessible. Lunch on the water was excellent! The fish tasted as if it was caught that morning. If you're interested in ancient Greece, I'd recommend this tour and hiring the professionals guide. Eva's depth of knowledge was awe inspiring, and she was very gracious in answering all of our questions.
Review provided by Viator
Yvonne_l
Dec 30, 2023
Exceptional - Demetrius was outstanding and exceptional! He was very professional, punctual and knowledgeable with a friendly and kind heart. Made us feel welcome and comfortable ✨️ Best tour in Athens for sure!! Only Gratitude ☀️🇬🇷
Review provided by Viator
Venture230557
Dec 28, 2023
Athens and Cape Sounion - Great experience. Yannis was wonderful and extremely knowledgeable. Definitely worth your time and money
Review provided by Tripadvisor
417brettg
Dec 21, 2023
Amazing way to explore - Fantastic Tour. All the things you should see in Athens in the am (and an empty acropolis), a great seaside lunch and then the Temple of Poseidon our guide/driver was great. Very knowledgeable and customized our tour
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jana_g
Nov 23, 2023
Great first day Athens! - Demetris was a great tour guide and flexible with our schedule. He is also very knowledgeable about the history. It was nice to see the main sites in Athens but then also to see some of the surrounding area outside of the city. Our lunch by the Agean Sea had a beautiful view, but the food was not that great. Overall, we really enjoyed this trip!
Review provided by Viator
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June 2024
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