Piraeus Port / Shore Excursion: Athens City Tour with Acropolis & Ancient Agora

27 Nov Piraeus Port / Shore Excursion: Athens City Tour with Acropolis & Ancient Agora

From/To: Piraeus Port

Duration: 5 – 6 hours 

Tour Description

Welcome to Greece, the land of gods and goddesses!! Athens, its enchanting capital, is the city with the most glorious history in the world; a city worshipped by gods and people.

Athens has always been a birthplace for civilization. It is the city where democracy was born, as well as most of the wise men of the ancient times. The most important civilization of the ancient world, flourished in Athens and relives through some of the world’s most formidable edifices.

Drive to Panathinaikon Stadium, cradle of the first, modern Olympics in 1896 (short stop). Pass by the Prime’s Ministers residence (Ex Royal Palace), the National Garden, the House of Parliament and the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, guarded by the Evzones with the traditional Greek uniform.

Continue, passing by the Hadrian’s Arc, St. Paul’s Church, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Schlieman’s House (Numismatic Museum), the Catholic Cathedral, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Old Parliament, the Constitution Square, the Russian Orthodox Church.

Further, visit the Acropolis hill of Athens, to admire the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and, finally «the harmony between material and spirit», the monument that «puts order in the mind», the Parthenon.

The Parthenon, dedicated to goddess Athena, is one of the greatest architectural wonders of the world, demonstrating the advanced state of ancient Greek culture.

Coming down from the Acropolis, visit the Ancient Agora, a central spot in the everyday life of the ancient Greek city-states. The literal meaning of the word, is “gathering place” or “assembly”. Moreover, the Agora was the centre of the athletic, artistic, spiritual and political life of the city.

The Ancient Agora of Athens, is located to the northwest of the Acropolis, bounded on the south by the hill of the Areopagus and on the west, by the hill known as the Kolonus Agoraios, also called Market Hill. It was in Agora where, among various discussions (political, rhetorical etc.), philosophers like Socrates and Plato where also preaching in front of the Athenians.

Visit also the Stoa of Attalos (stoa = covered walkway or portico) in the Agora of Athens, built by and named after the Greek King Attalos II of Pergamos, who ruled between 159 BC and 138 BC. The building is identified as a gift to the city of Athens from King Attalos, for the education that he received there.

The Stoa of Attalos houses the Museum of the Ancient Agora. Its exhibits are mostly connected with the Athenian democracy. The collection of the museum includes clay, bronze and glass objects, sculptures, coins and inscriptions from the 7th to the 5th century BC, as well as pottery of the Byzantine period and the Turkish conquest. Conclude the overall visit to the ancient Agora, drive back to the port, to embark the cruise ship.