Walking Athens
Athens, Greece
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Greece is the type of place where you can see ancient ruins while on the Metro - no biggie! Join this Athens tour to do this as well as sip ouzo, admire old and new architecture, and see a traditional Greek changing of the guard ceremony.
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Highlights
- Immerse yourself in ancient history on this jam-packed Athens tour
- Wander through numerous historical sites, from the infamous to the unknown
- Learn about Athens’ history from a local perspective instead of a guidebook
- Taste traditional ouzo and shop in the Plaka area
- Witness the Greek changing of the guard
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Schedule details
- Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours
- Meeting point:
Syntagma Square, (at the exit of Syntagma metro station), in the middle of of the square, at the fountain.
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 8.45 AM
- Ending point:
Plaka area.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide
Exclusions: Drinks, lunch, transport, entrance fees, tips or gratuities for your guide
This whistle-stop Athens tour is packed full of all those must-see Athens spots as well as those hidden gems that can only be found with a local by your side. Dive into the very soul of Athens and discover exactly what makes this city so very special – including and aside from all that ancient history.
Start this historical Athens walking tour by meeting your local guide in Syntagma Square, the most important and crowded square in Athens, surrounded by impressive neoclassical buildings. The best known is the Grande Bretagne, once a royal palace but now a luxury hotel which has housed everyone from Churchill to Madonna.
At the upper end of the square see the Evzones, the guards of the Constitution, and the tomb of the unknown soldier. The Evzones are traditionally dressed with 17th and 18th century clothes: an impressive white skirt, red hat, and an old rifle. The changing of the guard happens every hour, and you simply cannot tour Athens without seeing this spectacle – which is why we’ve incorporated it into this tour! Watch the ceremony while your local guide explains the tradition.
Next on this Athens tour you’ll jump on the metro and travel to Monastiraki. Travelling between these stations is like stepping back in time; both have exposed ancient ruins behind glass, discovered during the excavations for the metro system. But these are just a taster of the ancient ruins to come…
You’ll exit the station and take a walk around the walls of infamous Athens Acropolis through the Ancient Agora. Learn about the history, and the myths, for each temple and receive explanations about the Athina Nike, the Caryatides, and the Parthenon, constructed in the Golden Age of Athens under Pericles. This is the central hub of classic Athens history, and you’ll hear the ancient stories behind this monument from your local guide.
Afterwards, explore the Plaka area. Shop for souvenirs along Adriannou Street and stop at an ouzo shop to taste the Greek national drink. All taverns in Greece sell ouzo and here you’ll see different types from all over the country, made in many different ways. You’ll also see shops that specialize in olive oil, sponges, icons, leather sandals. or bags - something you won't experience on other Athens tours.
Continue walking to Diogenis Square, under the impressive wall of the Acropolis. See Hadrian’s Arch, built in honour of one of the most glorified Roman emperors. Directly behind it you can see the ruins of the Jupiter (Zeus) temple as you taste and feel the history of Athens.
Pass by the National Garden and Zappeion, to arrive at the Panathinaiko Stadium. Made of white marble it was here that the first Olympic Games took place and where the 2004 Olympic marathon ended.
Finally, you’ll be taken back to present day Athens to admire some of Athens’ more modern architecture. Learn how well-known foreign architects built and designed neoclassical residences during the 18th and 19th century, and see the juxtaposition as they sit next to ancient sites.
The Athens walking tour comes to an end in the Plaka area where you are free to continue your own personal exploration or your local guide can give you advice on how to get back to your hotel, where you can digest all that history!
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide
Exclusions: Drinks, lunch, transport, entrance fees, tips or gratuities for your guide
Dress standard: In general, there are few dress restrictions in Europe and dress codes are similar to those you are used to at home. Please note though that in many churches modest dress is required; no shorts or skimpy tops are permitted.
Your Trip: This trip is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour. Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.
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Local contact
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