Exploring Ancient Greece: Guided Tours Through Time

Steeped in history and architectural wonders, this vibrant country of Greece offers a remarkable journey through the ancient world. If you’ve ever dreamt of walking in the footsteps of legendary philosophers, standing in awe before monumental temples, or unravelling the tales of ancient civilizations, then look no further. In this blog we’ll explore booking guided tours to journey into ancient Greece and review some of our favorite stops along the way.

Athens

Athens is the epicenter of ancient Greece and where most tourists focus their time. With so much to see and experience, booking a guided tour is a great way to explore Athens. Having an expert efficiently plan the details of your day will ensure a stress-free experience in this crowded tourist area. Your guide will allow you to be immersed in the history and tales of the sites that you’re visiting and help answer questions along the way.

Acropolis

The main focus of your time in Athens will be on the ancient citadel of the Acropolis. This is located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens with its famous attractions towering overhead. Most walking tours will start at a spot in Athens outside of the Acropolis itself. This allows you to follow your guide up to the top while passing historically significant sites along the way.

• Your guide will take you through the ancient open-air theater of Theatre of Dionysus, the birthplace of the Greek tragedy. You’ll also pass the renovated theater Herod Atticus Odeon which is still in use today.
• As you pass through the entrance of the Acropolis, Propylaia, your guide will prepare you for what lies ahead. You’ll learn about many sites including the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion monument.
• Finally you’ll make it to the crown jewel of the Acropolis, the Parthenon! Your tour will provide you plenty of time to explore this area and surrounding grounds.

Tours

There are many options for booking tours while in Athens. Some just focused on the Acropolis while others include longer tours around the city. Regardless of what you book, make sure your visit includes a guided tour of the Acropolis:

Acropolis Museum

Right next to the Acropolis site you’ll find the Acropolis Museum. This museum is a treasure trove of artifacts that have been discovered and preserved from the area. Many tours include tickets to the museum and allow you to skip the standard entrance line. This is a great option for those busy tourists seasons and can save you money by bundling in this ticket. We found the museum to be very well put together and a great way to learn more about ancient Greece.

Panathenaic Stadium

A popular site in Athens outside of the Acropolis area is the Panathenaic Stadium. This stadium is the only one in the world made out of marble and was built for the first modern Olympics. Though the majority of the current structure was built in 1896, the stadium location itself dates back to 566 BC where the games of Panathenaea took place. There are exhibits to learn about the history of the site as well as history of the Olympics. We enjoyed exploring the stadium itself as well as learning about its history.

Delos

If you’re visiting Greece’s famous islands, make sure to put a visit to Delos on your list! We found our stop at Delos to be a great way to escape the crowded attractions of Athens and see one of the most important mythological, historical, and archaeological sites of Greece. The birthplace of the Greek gods Apollo and Artemis, Delos was once a thriving religious, cultural, and commercial hub in antiquity. Today, its sacred ruins, including the iconic Terrace of the Lions and the impressive Temple of Apollo, stand as a testament to the island’s past glory.

Tours

Tours of Delos include boat transfer and typically depart from Mykonos. Some combine a stop at Delos with other boating excursions in the area. Note that the water can be choppy in the region and you’ll be traveling in smaller boats. Make preparations if you’re prone to motion sickness.

We hope this blog helps you plan your guided tours for exploring the amazing world of ancient Greece! For more travel inspiration, check out our additional blog posts on international travel.