Historical Athens Walking Tour Including the Changing of the Guard

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

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

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.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Leoforos Vasilissis Amalias Syntagma Square, Athens 100 28 Greece

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.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Acropolis of Athens, Athens 105 58, Greece

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.)

Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Adrianou Street, Odos Adrianou Plaka, Athens 105 55 Greece

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.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Arch of Hadrian (Pili tou Adrianou), Leoforos Amalias, Athens Greece

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.

Duration: 10 minutes

Pass By: Temple of Olympian Zeus, Leoforos Vasilissis Olgas Leoforos Amalias, Athens 105 57 Greece

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

Stop At: Panathenaic Stadium, Vassileos Konstantinou Avenue Vassileos Konstantinou Avenue, 999-20, Athens 999-20 Greece

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

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Kolonaki Square, Pl.Filikis Eterias, Athens 10673 Greece

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.

Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: The Academy of Athens, 28 Panepistimiou Avenue, Athens 106 79 Greece

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