2-Hour Essential Highlights Tour of the Acropolis and Parthenon
Skip the line and get to know Greece’s most important ruins, including the Temple of Athena Nike
Want to experience the Acropolis without spending all day on it? This short but powerful tour hits all the highlights—your expert guide will lead you through ancient paths, into the Parthenon, around the Temple of Athena Nike, and through the Theater of Dionysus, all in just a couple of hours. Skip-the-line tickets are included, and your archaeologist guide will keep you captivated with stories and insider facts you’d miss if you were on your own.
- Meet your guide near the Acropoli metro station
- Enter the Acropolis
- The Parthenon
- Temple of Athena Nike
- Theater of Dionysus
- Odeon of Herodes Atticus
- End inside the Acropolis
After meeting your friendly guide near the Acropolis, you and your small group will begin the walk up Athens' most iconic hill. As you go, your guide will bring ancient Greece to life, sharing stories of the Parthenon and Temple of Athena Nike. And if you'd like to continue the story beyond the hill, join us for the 4-hour tour — including a guided visit to the world-renowned Acropolis Museum.
Acropolis Tour Description
Your 2-hour tour includes:
Skip-the-line entry and guided tour of Acropolis
Tour of Parthenon and Temple of Athena Nike
Other ruins and monuments
A fun, archaeologist guide
Maximum group size of 16
Explore the Acropolis
Your journey begins at the entrance of the Acropolis where you will pass through the Propylaea, the imposing gateway that’s stood since the 5th century B.C. Stepping inside, you will feel the weight of history on your shoulders as your guide explains the significance of this gateway to ancient Greek culture.
The Imposing Parthenon
This is the building you usually think of when talking about the Acropolis. Step inside the columns and listen to its rather remarkable history as a treasury, temple, mosque, church, and even an arsenal! Dedicated to the goddess Athena, the Parthenon is considered one of the greatest achievements of ancient Greek architecture. Marvel about its construction, its role in ancient Greek culture, and the secrets of its stunning beauty as you stand inside.
The Temple of Athena Nike
Perched on a rocky outcropping of the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena Nike awaits you with stories to tell of her own. You’ll be impressed by the intricate carvings and impressive architecture while learning about its history in the ancient Greek world. This temple was a symbol of victory in war and peace, and it nearly didn’t survive on more than one occasion.
Theater of Dionysus and Odeon of Herodes Atticus
The adventure doesn't end there! You'll follow your guide to the ancient Dionysus Theater, one of the world's oldest theaters (6th century B.C!), and imagine the magnificent performances and dramatic spectacles that once took place here. A whopping 17,000 used to sit here, so be sure to take a seat and imagine them sitting next to you. Then, explore the smaller Odeon of Herodes Atticus from Roman times. It’s another amphitheater that is still used for concerts and events even today.
Breathe in the majestic aura of the ruins that you understand so well now before you head off to explore more of Athens. Be sure to ask your guide for a lunch or dinner recommendation!
What you get with this tour

See what people are saying
54 total reviews
Leave a reviewGreat Tour
Olivier Girard
Our guide Marissa was fantastic and we learned a lot during the tour. Great time for the whole family.
Cut short
Sarah Bull
We were very much enjoying our tour but it was cut short by at least 30 minutes due to possible weather. Of note, other guides from this company and others carried on without any issue.
Best tour we’ve ever done in vacation!
Mahnoor Tariq
John our tour guide was phenomenal! Charismatic, intelligent, and very engaging! We had many Greek history refreshers and learned so much! He took plenty of breaks to make sure we got shade and stayed hydrated. I highly recommend the early tours so you can avoid the crowds. The acropolis tour is one of the best in all of Europe, you won’t want to miss one here!
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
This is a 2-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 2-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 2 hours.
Will I skip the line on this tour?
Yes, your guide will lead you into the Acropolis without the wait.
Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?
No, this tour is operated by one of our vetted partners in Athens.
Does this tour include the Acropolis Museum?
No, this is a shorter tour that only goes to the ruins of the Acropolis. If you would like to also tour the museum, check out our other Acropolis Tour.