Name: Athens: First Access Acropolis and Parthenon Guided Tour
Brand: GetYourGuide
SKU: 466362
Rating: 4.748022 (1643 reviews)

Certified by GetYourGuide

Be among the first visitors of the Acropolis of Athens with an early-morning guided tour that takes you directly to the Parthenon. Hear the history of the sacred rock and visit the Dionysus Theatre.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later: Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 2 - 3.5 hours: Check availability to see starting times
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide: English

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

Jason – United States

Tour was great! Learned a lot and saw the entire site above and below. There is WAY more to this site than just the Parthenon. By all means, book a tour for when it opens. The crowds get unreal after the tours go inside. It’s a bit cooler and MUCH less crowded if you suck it up and book a “skip the line/early entry” tour. Well worth the money. It is a little tricky to get into the site before 8:00 as only a few entrances are open before then. You have to give yourself PLENTY of time to get to the meeting point. We mapped from our Air BnB and it said 20 min walk, we allowed ourselves about 35 and barely made it because the route that maps took us was to an entrance that didn’t open until 8:00, but we were supposed to meet the tour group by 7:50. We had to HUSTLE. Lots of hills and steps and rocky pathways too. Plan accordingly and also bring some water with you and potty before setting out. No restrooms during the tour.

Emma – Australia

Vasiliki was a great guide and made the whole experience really enjoyable. She was very knowledgeable and improved our overall Athens experience, teaching us lots throughout the day. Thank you so much Vasiliki. I definitely recommend doing the early tour, it was getting very busy by the time we were walking down and it was great to see without as many people. We weren’t originally going to do the museum tour but were glad we did. It really put everything together and the museum is quite spectacular. Thanks again Vasiliki!!!

Highlights

Step inside the magnificent Acropolis and go directly to the Parthenon
Enjoy an early morning visit, away from the crowds and the summer heat
Join a small group tour for an intimate experience of a guided tour
Be guided by a knowledgeable licensed expert and learn about ancient Athens
Rest assured you'll hear your guide clearly with included earsets

Full description

Uncover myths and stories surrounding Athens' iconic Acropolis monuments such as the Parthenon and the Dionysus Theatre on this guided tour. Enjoy stunning views of the city from the top of the Acropolis, and take plenty of time to capture photos at the end of the tour. Book now and explore Athens like never before!

Join our Early Bird Acropolis Tour and beat the heat and crowds! Starting from the main entrance, we'll head straight to the Parthenon and see the famous Caryatids at the Erechteion. Our licensed guide will share fascinating myths and historical facts about these iconic monuments as you enjoy panoramic 360 views of Athens. We'll then head towards the south entrance, passing by the Asklepeion, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and Dionysus Theatre. Capture more stunning views and delve deeper into the Acropolis's rich history. Please note, even in the morning, it can still be hot and crowded.

Skip-the-Ticket Line Access

Please be aware that even with our skip-the-ticket-line service, there might be some waiting time required for security checks. This is because visitor numbers can fluctuate unpredictably at the sites throughout the day. The typical waiting time falls within 0 to 10 or 30 minutes, though on rare occasions, it might be longer.

Includes

First entry to the Acropolis at 08:00 sharp
Local licensed guide
Entry tickets (if option selected)
Ear sets to hear the guide clearly
Athens Guide magazine for ideas on things to do
Athens Map

Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Food and drinks
Tips (rates in Greece are around 10% of service cost)

Not suitable for

Wheelchair users
People with mobility impairments

Meeting point

Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Important information

What to bring

Passport
Comfortable shoes
Hat
Camera
Sunscreen
Comfortable clothes

Not allowed

Baby strollers
Luggage or large bags
Non-folding wheelchairs
Electric wheelchairs

Know before you go

If you have selected the option with tickets, everything is included.
If you have selected an option without ticketS, it's up to you to purchase your admission tickets from the official site. Select the correct date, time, and category (e.g., student). The link to purchase your tickets will be provided after booking
The tour enters the Acropolis right after the start of the tour.
Select the correct EU/NON-EU citizenship when booking. Mistakes can lead to extra charges or tour loss. Bring your passport for verification.
Buy your tickets BEFORE booking the tour. The tour fee is non-refundable. Not having a valid ticket means you can't join.
On free Acropolis entry days, the ticket cost is already deducted from the tour price.
Be on time! Strict Acropolis entry times mean no waiting for latecomers, and no refunds.
Security checks: Expect airport-style security, with possible waits of 30+ minutes during peak season.
Cutoff times sync with Athens local time.
Tours run rain or shine

Top destinations

Nearby destinations

Nearby sights

Athens: First Access Acropolis and Parthenon Guided Tour