Complete Skip-the-Line Acropolis & Parthenon Tour with Guided Museum Visit

Discover the ancient mythology and historic landmarks of Athens with an expert archaeologist guide

4.96 (255) ·

Travel Flexibly

· 4.00h · Athens, Greece

Complete Skip-the-Line Acropolis & Parthenon Tour with Guided Museum Visit

Looking for the best way to see the unmissable Acropolis while you’re in Athens? This half-day guided tour lets you walk in the footsteps of Plato and Socrates with an expert archaeologist guide, taking in the iconic Parthenon and the remains of the ancient roads, theaters, sanctuaries, and temples that once made up this incredibly influential citadel. Skip the line and journey back over 2,500 years to the cradle of modern civilization!

What You Get With This Tour

Expert, English-speaking guide
Skip-the-line entry to the Acropolis
Skip-the-line entry to the Acropolis Museum
Guided tour of the Parthenon and Theater of Dionysus
Guide tips

Tour Itinerary

1

Your tour begins at Porinou 5
You'll meet your expert archaeologist guide near the Acropolis entrance, ready to skip the line and dive into one of the world's most iconic archaeological sites.
2

The Acropolis citadel
You'll enter the ancient citadel perched high above modern Athens, taking in sweeping views of the city, sea, and mountains. Your guide will bring the site to life with stories of how Athenians discussed politics, honored their gods, and spent their leisure time in this strategically chosen stronghold.
3

The Parthenon
Next, you'll reach the crown jewel of the Acropolis—the magnificent temple dedicated to Athena. You'll explore the massive Parthenon, completed in 432 BCE, and learn how it transformed from an ancient temple to a Christian church, then an Islamic mosque, and even a gunpowder armory that lost its roof in a 1687 explosion.
4

Theater of Dionysus
You'll visit this 2,500-year-old amphitheater built into the south slope, where nearly 17,000 ancient spectators once gathered. Sit in the original stone seats and experience the remarkable acoustics that rival modern venues.
5

Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Then you'll see this impressive 5,000-seat Roman amphitheater built in 161 CE. Though the original wooden roof is long gone, the venue was restored in the 1950s and still hosts concerts today.
6

Temple of Athena Nike and sacred monuments
You'll wander past beautifully preserved temples, including the Temple of Athena Nike, a stunning example of Ionic architecture from 420 BCE dedicated to the goddess of victory. Your guide will explain the mythology and daily religious life as you pass the Erechtheion and the Healing Temple of Asclepius.
7

Acropolis Museum
Finally, you'll skip the line into the state-of-the-art museum opened in 2009, housing thousands of artifacts from the Acropolis's long history. Walk over glass floors that reveal preserved ancient streets below, and explore exhibits spanning from Ancient Athens through Roman and Byzantine periods—a perfect way to connect everything you've just experienced.
8

Your tour finishes inside the Acropolis Museum
Your guide will say goodbye, leaving you free to continue exploring the museum at your own pace or head back out to discover modern Athens.

Additional Information

Good to know:

Dress Code: Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing is recommended for walking and standing outdoors.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible. This is a walking tour, and you will be on your feet for 4 hours. If you have concerns regarding your mobility please contact us in advance.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.

Your 4-hour tour includes:

Expert English-speaking guide
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!
Maximum group size of 15

What to bring:

Comfortable walking shoes
Water
Sunscreen (in summer)
Camera

Customer Reviews

4.96 (255)

Leave a review

Great Tour

Sanjay R., 11 November 2025

We had a great tour guide who took the time to explain the details while visiting the Acropolis and Parthenon. I wish we had more time to get information on the artifacts in the museum - that second part was a bit rushed, but then again, the museum was quite full of tourists even in the shoulder season. A suggestion would be to also have a tour of the National Archeological Museum as it has more artifacts to admire.

Ripoff - Small group was 30 people

Charles B., 10 November 2025

The guide (Alexandria) tried to give a good tour but they had so many people in our promised less than 15 group that she could not cover us all. I would never book with this ripoff group again.

Kristi L., 08 November 2025

Well organised, small group tour

Ian K., 04 November 2025

Very well paced tour considering the massive crowd at the sites. We visited on Oct 28 (Greek national holdiay) when entry into the sites were free! Our guide Kimon was very organized, knowledgeable adn took his time answering any questions we had. Wish we had more time.

wonderful experience

Thomas B., 03 November 2025

Our guide was educated and informative, easy to communicate with while he provided accurate historical facts in a most friendly and enjoyable tour.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

This is a 4-hour walking tour, so make sure you're wearing comfortable shoes and bring some water, sunscreen in summer months, and a camera.

What to bring?

This is a 4-hour walking tour, so make sure you're wearing comfortable shoes and bring some water, sunscreen in summer months, and a camera.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

Quite a lot. There will be opportunities to take a break occasionally, but you'll be on your feet and moving around for most of the 4 hours.

Will I skip the line on this tour?

Yes, your guide will lead you into the Acropolis without the wait, and you'll also be able to enter the Acropolis Museum without waiting in line.

Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?

No, this tour is operated by one of our vetted partners in Athens.

Is lunch included in this tour?

No, lunch is not included, but your guide will be happy to recommend their favorite spots after the tour.

Is pick up included in this tour?

Pick up is not included, you will meet your friendly guide close to the Acropolis.

Where does this tour end?

This tour will end after the guided visit of the Acropolis Museum.

Can I bring my kids and do I have to pay for them?

Kids all ages are welcome on this tour, and kids under 6 years of age benefit of a discounted price. Please, select accordingly during the booking.

What if I have concerns about my mobility for this tour?

Let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you! Unfortunately, due to the nature of the Acropolis, this tour is not accessible for wheelchair users.