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

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4.9 / 5 See All 161 Reviews

· 2.00h · Athens, Greece

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.

2-Hour Essential Highlights Tour of the Acropolis and Parthenon

guide and group walking near the acropolis

people standing near parthenon under construction

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!

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What you get with this tour

Passionate English-speaking guide
Skip the line Acropolis tickets
Parthenon
Temple of Athena Nike
Theater of Dionysus
Group size of 16

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161 total reviews

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4.9/5 (based on 161 reviews)

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24 September 2025

Reviewed by
Eugenio Maletta

Andy

22 September 2025

Reviewed by
andrew finn

Although our tour guide was very personable and likable, at least 50% of what she said my wife and i could not understand. She has a strong local Greek accent and we could not understand her English. This made the tour very frustrating and extremely expensive for not really having a tour guide......i couldve saved the money and gone on my own and read the signs and learned more. i hate to be hard on the tour guide as she was lovely, but for us, we want a refund of our $87 or partial as the tour guide part of the tour was a total negative.

18 September 2025

Reviewed by
A Maheswaran

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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.

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