Skip-the-Line Acropolis Tour with Parthenon and Museum

Your guide is a true fountain of knowledge on all things Ancient Greece, and will bring the citadel to life with stories of the famous events, people, and mythology that surrounds it.

Acropolis and Museum Tour Description

Your 4-hour tour includes:

• Skip-the-line Acropolis tickets

• Guided tour of the Parthenon and Theater of Dionysus

• Skip-the-line Acropolis Museum entry and guided tour

• See the temples of Athena and Asclepius, the Herodes Atticus theater, and more!

• Super-knowledgeable archaeologist tour guide

• Maximum group size of 15

The Acropolis

High above the modern city, the iconic Acropolis offers the best views of Athens, the sea, and mountains surrounding the city. When the area was developed millennia ago, it was strategically chosen to protect from potential invaders, and it's strength helped it become the most influential city in the ancient world. After you skip the line to enter the citadel, your guide will take you through the places where ancient Athenians discussed politics, payed their respects to the gods, and spent their leisure time.

The Parthenon

At the peak of the Acropolis hill are the ruins of the great temple dedicated to the cities patron goddess, Athena. Head through the massive Parthenon, built after the Persians sacked Athens in 480 BCE. Completed in 432 BCE, it has been both the highest point and symbol of Athens for nearly 2,500 years.

Learn the history of the massive temple, from Christian church to Islamic mosque to it's time as a gunpowder armory, which caused it to lose its roof in 1687. Your expert guide will explain the Parthenon's incredible importance to Greece, from ancient times to today.

The Theater of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Within the Acropolis, you'll visit two ancient amphitheaters that are still standing today. From the 2,500 year old theater with perfect acoustics to the Roman-built Odeon still in use today, these event spaces are some of the highlights of the citadel.

Built on the south slope and impressing audiologists throughout history, the Theater of Dionysus was built in the 6th Century BCE and held nearly 17,000 spectators. Built in a precise semicircle, the acoustics of the theater match even the quality of modern spaces built with today's technology. Sit in the original stone bleachers and imagine the great plays and festivals that entertained Athenians for centuries.

At the Odeon Herodes Atticus, see the 5,000 seat amphitheater that was originally opened under Roman rule in 161 CE. Although the impressive wooden roof is a thing of the distant past, the venue was restored in the 1950's and hosts concerts to this day. Artists from the Three Tenors to Elton John have played amazing shows to full houses at this nearly 2,000-year-old marvel of architecture.

Temple of Athena Nike and Other Great Monuments

As you wander through the Acropolis, your guide will point out the other great temples that stood in the ancient city. At the Temple of Athena Nike, you'll see a beautiful representation of Ionic architecture that is still largely intact, even though it was it was completed back in 420 BCE. Dedicated to the goddesses Athena and Nike the Temple represented victory in war for Athens.

Pass by the Erechtheum dedicated to Poseidon and the Healing Temple of Asclepius, and learn about the roles of the gods in Greek mythology, religion and daily life.

Skip-the-line Acropolis Museum Tour

The final portion of the tour is at the state-of-the-art, Acropolis Museum. Opened in 2009, the museum houses artifacts and relics from the long history of civilization on this great hill. From the Ancient Athenians, to the Romans and later to the Byzantines, you'll get a detailed insight into the history of life in Athens and how it became the city it is today.

Built over ruins and buildings from ancient Athens, and covered in glass for preservation, you can look directly down and see much of the city as it was. Designed by the architect Bernard Tschumi, the Museum is a wonderful experience to cap off this tour of the Acropolis.