Acropolis and Time on Your Own in Plaka

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Plateia Syntagmatos, Leoforos Vassilissis Amalias, Athens 105 63 Greece

Board your vehicle for the approximately 30- to 40-minute scenic drive into the heart of Athens in route to the famed Acropolis. Your narrated tour passes a host of major sites, including Hadrian’s Arch, the statue of Lord Byron, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Constitution Square, the former Royal Palace, the National Gardens, the Academy, and the University Library.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Acropolis, via Dionysiou Areopagitou str., Athens 105 58 Greece

The Acropolis dominates the Athenian landscape and your guided walking tour reveals the wonders of these ancient ruins and the stories behind each of its landmarks. You’ll begin by climbing the 80 steep steps through the Propylaea, the monumental marble gateway to the Acropolis. Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of Athens below.

On the highest point of the Acropolis stands the Parthenon, one of the greatest monuments of ancient civilization and a perfect representation of Doric-style architecture. Dedicated to the virgin goddess Athena, the white Pentelic marble temple was built 446 – 437 B.C. An enduring symbol of ancient Greece, the Parthenon has survived the passage of time and its architectural sophistication still impresses all who study it.

On the north side of the Acropolis stands the Erectheion .This sacred site is where it was once decided which god would rule the city. When Poseidon thrust his trident into the ground, water burst forth, but when Athena touched the ground with her spear and an olive tree grew, she was named ruler of the city. On the south side of the building, you will discover the Porch of the Caryatids, or Porch of the Maidens. Notice how these graceful sculptures are engineered to support the weight of the roof on the slender neck of each female figure. Legend has it that when Lord Elgin removed one of the original statues to decorate his Scottish mansion, the remaining stone maidens could be heard crying in the night.

Duration: 3 hours