Walking Athens
Athens, Greece
From EUR 61.00
Office phone number: +30 698 067 9166
Walking Athens
Athens, Greece
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Greece is the type of place where you can see ancient ruins while on the Metro - no biggie! Join this Athens tour to do this as well as sip Greek coffee, admire old and new architecture, and see a traditional Greek changing of the guard ceremony.
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Highlights
- Immerse yourself in the city’s ancient history while also learning about Athens as it is today on this jam-packed Athens tour
- Walk along streets lined with historical sites, from the famous to the unknown
- Learn about Athens’ history and modern-day life from a local perspective instead of a guidebook
- Witness the Greek changing of the guard
- Explore secret corners of the city that you’d never find on your own
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Schedule details
- Duration: 3 hours
- Meeting point:
Syntagma Square, (at the exit of Syntagma metro station), in the middle of of the square, at the fountain.
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 9.30 AM
- Ending point:
Academy of Athens, 28 Panepistimiou Street
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, Greek coffee or soft drink
Exclusions: Drinks, lunch, transport, entrance fees, tips or gratuities for your guide
This whistle-stop Athens tour is packed full of all those must-see Athens spots as well as those hidden gems that can only be found with a local by your side. Dive into the very soul of Athens and discover exactly what makes this city so very special – aside from all that ancient history.
Start this historical Athens walking tour by meeting your local guide in Syntagma Square, the most important and crowded square in Athens, surrounded by impressive neoclassical buildings. The best known is the Grande Bretagne, once a royal palace but now a luxury hotel which has housed everyone from Churchill to Madonna.
At the upper end of the square see the Evzones, the guards of the Constitution, and the tomb of the unknown soldier. The Evzones are traditionally dressed with 17th and 18th century clothes: an impressive white skirt, red hat, and an old rifle. The changing of the guard happens every hour, and you simply cannot tour Athens without seeing this spectacle – which is why we’ve incorporated it into this tour! Watch the ceremony while your local guide explains the tradition.
Next on this Athens tour you’ll jump on the metro and travel to Acropolis station. Travelling between these stations is like stepping back in time; both have exposed ancient ruins behind glass, discovered during the excavations for the metro system. But these are just a taster of the ancient ruins to come…
You’ll exit the station and take a walk around the walls of famous Athens Acropolis, passing by the Ancient Agora. We’ll walk along ancient roads, admire new architecture, and hear about the customs and traditions that still exist today. This is the central hub of classic Athens history, and you’ll hear the stories behind this monument from your local guide. (Please note that if you wish to tour inside the Acropolis, this will have to be done separately on your own time.)
Afterwards, explore the Plaka area. Shop for souvenirs along Adrianou Street, where you can find local products such as ouzo (Greece’s national alcohol). You’ll also see shops that specialise in olive oil, sponges, icons, leather sandals, and bags — something you won't experience on other Athens tours.
Continue walking to Diogenis Square, under the impressive wall of the Acropolis. See Hadrian’s Arch, built in honour of one of the most glorified Roman emperors. Directly behind it you can see the ruins of the Jupiter (Zeus) temple as you taste and feel the history of Athens.
Pass by the National Garden and Zappeion, to arrive at the white marble Panathinaiko Stadium. It was here that the first Olympic Games took place and where the 2004 Olympic marathon ended.
Finally, you’ll be taken back to present-day Athens to admire some of Athens’ more modern architecture.We walk through the new city highlights, where life goes on in modern rhythms. See where locals wander , shop, and gather. Visit the Kolonaki area, which is the heart of today’s Athens.
The Athens walking tour comes to an end at the Academy of Athens,where you are free to continue your own personal exploration, or your local guide can tell you how to get back to your hotel, where you can digest all that history!
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, Greek coffee or soft drink
Exclusions: Drinks, lunch, transport, entrance fees, tips or gratuities for your guide
Dress standard: In general, there are few dress restrictions in Europe and dress codes are similar to those you are used to at home. Please note though that in many churches modest dress is required; no shorts or skimpy tops are permitted.
Your Trip: This trip is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +30 698 067 9166
Email address: info@athensurbanadventures.com
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