Best of Athens and Dubrovnik
Acropolis, City and Museum Walking Tour from the Pier
After transferring from the cruise pier to Athens, you will meet your professional and English-speaking guide and begin your Athens walking tour with the underground Metro Museum. After a quick view of the historical pieces in this unique collection, you will continue to the beautifully crafted House of Greek Parliament and the Monument of the Unknown Soldier to observe the famous changing of the presidential guards. Afterward, you will head towards the National Gardens and the beautiful example of neoclassical architectural design Zappeion Hall, a building used for events and exhibitions. From this vantage point, you will see the remaining colossal columns of the Temple of Zeus that have survived thousands of years of theft and pillaging, and Hadrian's Arch, both of which you will visit.
From there, continue your Athens tour among the breathtaking monuments of the city's ancient past. Standing high above the city, you will witness the magnificence of the ancient ruins located within the Acropolis. Begin your journey to the top of the Acropolis on the south side and visit Dionysus Theatre, one of Athens's oldest theaters, and the Dionysus sanctuary. Complete your journey to the peak of the Acropolis and tour the Parthenon, one of the greatest cultural monuments of all time and the essence of ancient Greece. In addition to your Parthenon tour, you will encounter within the Acropolis many other ancient ruins, such as the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens, and the Propylaea, the gateway to the Acropolis. In addition to the marvelous ruins, the Acropolis provides an unforgettable view of the city.
With your friendly guide, explore the 4,000 artifacts found in the famous Acropolis at the incredible new Acropolis Museum. This museum is a great way to take you through ancient Greece's past. The first level of the museum is The Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis. Tour through the relics that were discovered on the slopes of the Acropolis and the everyday ancient objects used by the Athenians. Because the museum is built on the ruins of Roman and Byzantine Athens and the archaeological site of Makrygianni, this first level's floor is transparent so you can view the excavations below. Just as the Acropolis ascends to high above the city, the first floor ascends, alluding to the Acropolis's slope. You will continue to the second floor and The Archaic Gallery. Explore the artifacts of the period of Athens when the city-state developed when the aristocracy converted to tyranny and then to the first form of democracy. You will continue to the third floor and the famous Parthenon gallery. There you can observe a presentation about the Parthenon and its structure as well as an installment of the frieze of the Parthenon with the same dimensions as the inner chamber of the Parthenon. Nearly as significant as the artifacts are the remarkable architecture of the museum, which lets natural light flood the museum and offers spectacular panoramic views. Your tour of the Acropolis Museum will be unlike any Athens tour you take. It's a must-see for an unforgettable adventure through Athens's historic past.
This historical Athens tour is an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages, whether it's your first or hundredth time visiting Greece's capital city.
Please Note: this tour is not recommended as a pre/post tour and can not accommodate luggage. Heavy traffic should be anticipated and may affect the duration of the excursion. On select days or holidays, traffic delays may contribute to a change of itinerary at the operator's discretion. As some guests may not be able to climb the Acropolis and choose to have free time at the lower entrance instead, or prefer not to navigate the ruins at the Temple of Zeus, admissions to the Acropolis, the Temple of Zeus, and the Acropolis Museum are NOT included in your tour. Tickets are approximately 30 EUR per adult for the period from January 1 to March 31, 2025, and 50 EUR per adult from April 2025 onward. Reduced ticket prices are generally available for children and young adults under 18 years of age at archaeological sites, and under 25 years of age at the Acropolis Museum. Please ensure you are familiar with the entrance fees prior to the tour date and bring the correct amount in cash, credit cards are accepted as well. A valid photo ID or passport is required to verify a child's age. Participants from EU countries under 25 years of age must present a valid passport to qualify for reduced rates.
Old Town and City Walls Walk
The Old City of Dubrovnik and its Medieval walls have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Parts of the walls date from the 13th century. Walls have always been a part of Dubrovnik's history and have been mentioned in writings as far back as the 9th century A.D. when the Saracens besieged the city for 15 months before giving up. The city was completely enclosed by walls by the 13th century A.D. and its citizens continued to fortify and repair them from that time on.
Leaving Pile Square on foot, your guide will lead you through the west side entrance to the Old Town, where your special tour begins. You will first explore the old town of Dubrovnik and its detailed architecture for approximately 90 minutes. As you walk along, your guide will point out some of the more important buildings, including some you may wish to visit inside on your own after your tour.
You will then climb a narrow staircase to the ramparts, which are intact and encircle the old city with a circumference of more than a mile and a half. Your guide will lead you on a walking tour along its entire length. You will look down on the gorgeous Minceta Fortress, St. John's Fortress, Bokar Fortress, and the Maritime Museum from above. The wall walk takes approximately 90 minutes with photo stops along the way.
Please provide the first and last name of each guest taking the tour.