Private Athens: Historical Walking Tour Including the Changing of the Guard

Itinerary

1. 1
   Plateia Syntagmatos 10 minutes

   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.

2. 2
   Monument to the Unknown Soldier 10 minutes

   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 in 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.

3. 3
   Stop 40 minutes

   Next on this Athens tour you’ll jump on the metro and travel to Acropolis station. You’ll exit the station and take a walk around the walls of the famous Athens Acropolis, passing by the Ancient Agora. We’ll walk along ancient roads, admire new architecture, and hear about the customs and traditions that still exist today. This is the central hub of classic Athens history, and you’ll hear the stories behind this monument from your local guide. (Please note that if you wish to tour inside the Acropolis, this will have to be done separately on your own time.)

4. 4
   Adrianou Street 15 minutes

   Shop for souvenirs along Adrianou Street, where you can find local products such as ouzo (Greece’s national alcohol). You’ll also see shops that specialise in olive oil, sponges, leather sandals, and bags — something you won't experience on other Athens tours.

5. 5
   Arch of Hadrian 10 minutes

   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.

6. 6
   Temple of Olympian Zeus Pass by

   You can see the ruins of the Jupiter (Zeus) temple as you taste and feel the history of Athens.

7. 7
   Panathenaic Stadium 15 minutes

   The white marble Panathenaic Stadium is where the first Olympic Games took place and where the 2004 Olympic marathon ended.

8. 8
   Kolonaki Square 30 minutes

   Finally, you’ll be taken back to present-day Athens to admire some of Athens’ more modern architecture. We walk through the new city highlights, where life goes on in modern rhythms. See where locals wander, shop, and gather. Visit the Kolonaki area, which is the heart of today’s Athens.

9. 9
   Academy of Athens Pass by

   The Athens walking tour comes to an end at the Academy of Athens.

Good to know

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Please note that if you wish to tour inside the Acropolis, this will have to be done separately on your own time.