Athens Half Day Tour

ACROPOLIS

The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on an extremely rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance, the most famous being the Parthenon. Although there are many other acropolis in Greece, the significance of the Acropolis of Athens is such that it is commonly known as “The Acropolis” without qualification.
While there is evidence that the hill was inhabited as far back as the fourth millennium BC, it was Pericles (c. 495 – 429 BC) in the fifth century BC who coordinated the construction of the site’s most important buildings including the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike. The Parthenon and the other buildings were seriously damaged during the 1687 siege by the Venetians in the Morean War when gunpowder being stored in the Parthenon was hit by a cannonball and exploded.

TEMPLE OF OLYMPIAN ZEUS

The Temple of Olympian Zeus also known as the Olympieion or Columns of the Olympian Zeus, is a monument of Greece and a former colossal temple at the centre of the Greek capital Athens. It was dedicated to Olympian Zeus, a name originating from his position as head of the Olympian gods. Construction began in the 6th century BC during the rule of the Athenian tyrants, who envisaged building the greatest temple in the ancient world, but it was not completed until the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, some 638 years after the project had begun. During the Roman period the temple -that included 104 colossal columns- was renowned as the largest temple in Greece and housed one of the largest cult statues in the ancient world.

ARCH OF ADRIAN

The Arch of Hadrian most commonly known in Greek as Hadrian’s Gate is a monumental gateway resembling – in some respects – a Roman triumphal arch. It spanned an ancient road from the center of Athens to the complex of structures on the eastern side of the city that included the Temple of Olympian Zeus. It has been proposed that the arch was built to celebrate the arrival of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and to honor him for his many benefactions to the city, on the occasion of the dedication of the nearby temple complex in 131 or 132 AD.

OLD OLYMPIC STADIUM

The Panathenaic Stadium (Olympic stadium also known as Kallimarmaro (beautiful marble), is a multi-purpose stadium in Athens, Greece. It is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble.
A stadium was built on the site of a simple racecourse by the Athenian statesman Lykourgos (Lycurgus) at 330 BC, primarily for the Panathenaic Games. It was rebuilt in marble by Herodes Atticus, an Athenian Roman senator by 144 AD and had a capacity of 50,000 seats. After being refurbished, it hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the first modern Olympics in 1896 and was the venue for 4 of the 9 contested sports. It was used for various purposes in the 20th century and was once again used as an Olympic venue in 2004. It is the finishing point for the annual Athens Classic Marathon. It is also the last venue in Greece from where the Olympic flame handover ceremony to the host nation takes place.

PARLIAMENT

The Hellenic Parliament is located in the Old Royal Palace, overlooking Syntagma Square in Athens. The Parliament is the supreme democratic institution that represents the citizens through an elected body of Members of Parliament (MPs).

ACADEMY OF ATHENS

The Academy of Athens is Greece’s national academy, and the highest research establishment in the country. It was established in 1926, and operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Education. The Academy’s main building is one of the major landmarks of Athens.

UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS

The National University of Athens usually referred to simply as the University of Athens , is a public university in Athens, Greece. It has been in continuous operation since its establishment in 1837 and is the oldest higher education institution of the modern Greek state and the first contemporary university in the Eastern Mediterranean. Today it is one of the largest universities by enrollment in Europe, with 104,000 (2014) registered students.

NATIONAL LIBRARY

The National Library of Greece is situated near the center of city of Athens. It was designed by the Danish architect Theophil Freiherr von Hansen, as part of his famous Trilogy of neo-classical buildings including the Academy of Athens and the original building of the Athens University. It was founded by Ioannis Kapodistrias.

LYCABETUS HILL

Mount Lycabettus also known as Lycabettos, is a Cretaceous limestone hill in Athens at 300 meters (908 feet) above sea level. Pine trees cover its base, and at its two peaks are the 19th century Chapel of St. George, a theatre, and a restaurant.

PLAKA

Pláka is the old historical neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, and incorporating labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture. Plaka is built on top of the residential areas of the ancient town of Athens. It is known as the “Neighborhood of the Gods” due to its proximity to the Acropolis and its many archaeological sites.

• SUMMER PERIOD: 1 April – 31 October
• WINTER PERIOD: 1 November – 31 March

Combined Ticket valid for 5 days:

• Acropolis of Athens
• Ancient Agora of Athens
• Kerameikos Museum
• Roman Agora of Athens
• Temple of Zeus
• Archaelogical Site of Lykeion
• Hadrian’s Library

Full : €30,00 – Reduced: € 15,00 (Valid for all sites)
Winter : 08:30 – 15:00
Summer: 08:00 – 20:00

Acropolis:

Full : €20,00 – Reduced: € 10,00
Winter : 08:30 – 17:00
Summer: 08:00 – 20:00
Monday: 08:00 – 16:00
Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday: 08:00 – 20:00
Friday: 08:00 – 22:00
Saturday and Sunday: 08:00 – 20:00

Acropolis Museum

Full: €5,00 – Reduced: € 3,00
Winter:
Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday: 09:00 – 17:00
Friday: 09:00 – 22:00
Saturday and Sunday: 09:00 – 20:00
Summer:
Monday: 08:00 – 16:00
Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday: 08:00 – 20:00
Friday: 08:00 – 22:00
Saturday and Sunday: 08:00 – 20:00

Holidays:

• 1 January: closed
• 6 January: 08:00 – 15:00
• Shrove Monday: 08:00 – 15:00
• 25 March: closed
• Good Friday: until 12:00 – 17:00
• Holy Saturday: 08:00 – 15:00
• Easter Sunday : closed
• Easter Monday: 08:00 – 20:00
• 1 May: closed
• Holy Spirit Day: 08:00 – 20:00
• 15 August: 08:00 – 20:00
• 28 October: 08:00 – 15:00
• 25 December: closed
• 26 December: closed

Free admission:

• Escorting teachers during the visits of schools and institutions of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary education and of military schools.
• Members of Societies and Associations of Friends of Museums and Archaeological Sites throughout Greece with the demonstration of certified membership card
• Members of the ICOM-ICOMOS
• Persons possessing a free admission card
• The employees of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports and the Archaeological Receipts Fund, upon presentation of their service ID card.
• The official guests of the Greek government, with the approval of the General Director of Antiquities.
• Young people, under the age of 18, after demonstrating the Identity Card or passport to confirm the age.

Free admission days:

• 6 March (in memory of Melina Mercouri)
• 18 April (International Monuments Day)
• 18 May (International Museums Day)
• The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
• Every first Sunday from November 1st to March 31^st
• 28 October

Reduced admission for:

• Greek citizens and citizens of other Member – States of the European Union who are over 65 years old, upon presentation of their ID card or passport for verification of their age and country of origin.
• Holders of a solidarity card
• Holders of a valid unemployment card.
• Large families’ parents of children up to 23 yrs old,or up to 25 yrs old (on military service/studying), or child with disabilities regardless the age, having a certified pass of large families, certification from the Large Family Association or a family status certificate issued by the Municipality
• Persons with disabilities (67 % or over) and one escort, upon presentation of the certification of disability issued by the Ministry of Health or a medical certification from a public hospital, where the disability and the percentage of disability are clearly stated.
• Single parent families with minors, upon presentation of a family status certificate issued by the Municipality. In the case of divorsed parents, only the parent holding custody of the children
• The police officers of the Department of Antiquity Smuggling of the Directorate of Security
• Tourist guides upon presentation of their professional ID card.
• University students and students at Technological Educational Institutes or equivalent schools from countries outside the EU by showing their student ID.

Amenities for the physically challenged:

Elevator available for wheelchairs, people with diminished abilities and any parent attending two or more infants on her/his own. The elevator is located about 350m. far from the main entrance of the archaeological site.

Users of the elevator should contact in advance for details and terms (+30 210 3214172). The facility is not available during extreme weather conditions and strong winds.

IMPORTANT

All our tours are flexible it’s up to you to make changes according to your wishes

Admission fees and lunch are not included in the price of the tour.

Confirmations

You may receive multiple e-mails until you receive an e-mail starting confirmation your booking will NOT have been confirmed.

FLEET

Our company fleet consist of non-smoking luxury sedan taxis Mercedes Benz full air conditioned. All vehicles covered by a fully comprehensive insurance policy and licensed by Hellenic Ministry of Transportation and Communications.

All prices are quoted per car / not per person

Prices include:

• local taxes
• VAT
• Tolls
• Baggage charges

Prices exclude:

• Entrance fees
• Personal expenses (drink,meals etc.)

DRIVERS

• The drivers are not a licensed to accompany you on your walk to the top of the Acropolis or inside any other site or museum.
• If you require a licensed guide to tour the sites with you, you need to hire one additionally.