Top 5 Best Tours in Athens
Five essential Athens tours covering the Acropolis, Greek food, ancient Delphi, sunset sailing, and the vibrant street art scene.
Athens is where Western civilisation began, and the city wears its 3,000 years of history remarkably well. Beyond the ancient ruins, modern Athens is a vibrant city of rooftop bars, incredible food, and colourful neighbourhoods that many visitors find unexpectedly captivating. These five tours cover the essential experiences.
1. Acropolis and Acropolis Museum Skip-the-Line Tour
The Acropolis is the most important ancient monument in the Western world, and visiting it with a guide who can explain 2,500 years of history is vastly more rewarding than wandering alone. This tour covers the Parthenon, the Erechtheion with its famous Caryatid columns, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Theatre of Dionysus. Skip-the-line access saves considerable waiting during peak season.
The tour continues to the Acropolis Museum, a stunning modern building housing the original sculptures and artefacts from the hilltop above. Your guide explains the ongoing debate about the Parthenon Marbles (Elgin Marbles), the engineering techniques used 2,500 years ago, and how the Acropolis has served as a temple, church, mosque, and fortress over the centuries.
Duration: 3 hours | From: ~£45 per person
2. Athens Food Tour: Tavernas, Markets and Street Food
Greek food is far more diverse and interesting than most visitors expect, and this food tour takes you through the best of it. Starting at the Central Market (Varvakios Agora), you sample freshly grilled octopus, spanakopita, loukoumades (Greek doughnuts with honey), local cheeses, and wines from small Greek vineyards. The route passes through the Monastiraki and Psyrri neighbourhoods where some of Athens' best tavernas are tucked into side streets.
Your guide is a local food expert who shares the stories behind each dish and takes you to places where the food is outstanding but the atmosphere is genuinely Greek rather than touristy. By the end, you will know the difference between souvlaki and gyros, why Greek olive oil is special, and where to find the best baklava in the city.
Duration: 3.5 hours | From: ~£50 per person
3. Delphi Full-Day Trip from Athens
Delphi was the centre of the ancient Greek world, home to the famous Oracle and the Temple of Apollo. This full-day trip from Athens takes you through stunning mountain scenery to the archaeological site, where your guide explains how kings, generals, and ordinary citizens came to consult the Oracle before making major decisions. The setting, on the slopes of Mount Parnassus overlooking a valley of olive trees, is breathtaking.
The Delphi Museum houses extraordinary artefacts including the Charioteer of Delphi, one of the finest bronze sculptures to survive from antiquity. The guided element is essential here because the ruins, while atmospheric, need expert explanation to appreciate their significance. Lunch in the modern village of Delphi is included and offers spectacular mountain views.
Duration: 10 hours | From: ~£55 per person
4. Athens Riviera Sunset Sailing Cruise
Sailing along the Athens Riviera at sunset reveals a side of the Greek capital that most visitors never see. The cruise heads south from Marina Alimos past Vouliagmeni and along the dramatic coastline of the Attic Peninsula, with swimming stops in crystal-clear Aegean waters. Light snacks, wine, and soft drinks are included on board.
The sunset over the Saronic Gulf, with the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion visible in the distance, is spectacular. The small group size (usually 10 to 12 people maximum) keeps the experience intimate and relaxed. It is the perfect way to unwind after a day of ancient ruins and city exploration, and the swimming stops in warm, turquoise water are blissful.
Duration: 4 hours | From: ~£60 per person
5. Athens Street Art and Alternative Culture Walking Tour
Athens has one of the most vibrant street art scenes in Europe, born from the city's turbulent recent history and creative energy. This walking tour takes you through the Exarcheia and Psyrri neighbourhoods, where entire buildings are covered in murals by internationally renowned artists. Your guide explains the political and social messages behind the art and the stories of the artists who created it.
This is the Athens that guidebooks barely mention, and it provides a fascinating counterpoint to the ancient ruins. You will see how contemporary Athenians express themselves through art, music, and community spaces. The tour also visits independent galleries, alternative bars, and creative workshops that showcase the city's thriving underground culture.
Duration: 2.5 hours | From: ~£30 per person
Athens Tour Tips
- Visit the Acropolis first thing in the morning (it opens at 8am in summer) to avoid the heat and crowds.
- The combined archaeological ticket covers the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, and more, saving money over individual entries.
- Athens in summer is very hot. Schedule outdoor tours for early morning or late afternoon, and save food tours and indoor activities for midday.
- Plaka and Monastiraki are the most atmospheric neighbourhoods for evening dining after your tours.
Read our Athens 2 Day Itinerary for more planning tips.
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