Athens 

City Sightseeing 

 City sightseeing with local guide (appx 4-4.5 hours) 

• The Athens city sightseeing includes an orientation drive around the city, entrance to the Acropolis and entrance to the Acropolis Museum (usually in that order, but not always) 

• No large backpacks are allowed in the Acropolis Museum. Discourage pax from taking them as they cannot leave on coach and will have to check them in at museum. 

• Water, sunscreen and sturdy shoes are musts today. 

• Groups now have timed entrances both at the Acropolis (strictly enforced!) and Acropolis Museum. Under 18s should have passport copies on them. 

• Guide is tipped for this day (see tipping guidelines). 

• Guide and coach will meet you at your hotel. Be sure to have VOX guide device (2 if you have 2 guides) and that all pax have their VOX devices. 

• Orientation drive includes the Panathenaic Stadium (brief photo stop IF permitted-as of summer 2024 municipal police have on occasion not allowed tour buses to stop), drive past the Arch of Hadrian, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Syntagma Square and Parliament (tomb of the unknown soldier), Panepistimiou Street and the neoclassical “trilogy” buildings: Academy, University and Library. 

• Following the orientation drive, the coach will drop you at Acropolis parking area (Dionysos-Zonar´s). The coach leaves you at this point so everything must be taken. Walk up to Acropolis entry. Guide stops and guides along the way. Time permitting, guide will stop in front of the Odeon of Herod Atticus (if not, you’ll see if from above).  

• Toilets just outside entrance gate and also inside site. 

• Guide will point out meeting spot (usually just outside the exit of the site, which is adjacent to the entrance) and give a time. 

• Guide will distribute tickets once at gate. Tickets are scanned individually and group will regroup on the other side of the entrance. 

• In high season there can be large crowds: stress to the group the importance of staying together until guided tour has finished. They will have some free time afterwards for photos and exploring. 

• Acropolis visit is usually around 1.5 hours. 

• You walk downhill to the Acropolis Museum next. Guide will deal with ticketing. 

• Go through security scanners to enter museum. Toilets on all levels. Gift shop, café and bag/coat check on ground floor. 

• Guided part of the tour is appx 1 hour, usually finishing on the top level where the Parthenon frieze and marbles are.