City Drive & National Gardens

Your motorcoach tour of Athens departs from port, heading to the Acropolis hill. As you gaze upon the spectacular ruins, your knowledgeable guide will describe in brief the history of these great temples and significant buildings, including the famed Parthenon, one of the greatest monuments in ancient civilization. Dedicated to the virgin goddess Athena, the Pentelic marble temple was built 446 - 437 B.C., and its architectural sophistication and Doric style have captivated visitors for centuries.

You will continue with a narrated drive passing a host of major sites, including the statue of Lord Byron, Constitution Square, the Parliament Building, the former Royal Palace, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the largest temple in antiquity, 700 years in the making. Located just behind Hadrian's Arch, the temple pays homage to Zeus, ruler of the Olympian gods. Originally there were 104 Corinthian columns, each 17 meters high, but today, only 15 columns remain.

Later on a photo stop will take place at the Old Olympic Stadium. This marble stadium was built to host the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and was used again in the 2004 Olympics for the finish of the marathon and the archery competition. The stadium has also served as the finish line every year for the classic marathon race.

You’ll then enter the famous National Gardens of Zappeion where a refreshment will be offered at a leading venue before taking your return journey to the port

 

Special Notes:

Tour is suitable for persons with limited mobility or are wheelchair confined.

Wheelchair-accessible transportation is also available but on a very limited basis for confined passengers.

 

Tour Timings:

Tours begin at times suitable for the ship's arrival in port. The breakdown of the excursions is as follows:
00hr00 -> Depart from Piraeus Port
00hr00-> 00hr30 Drive to Athens

00hr30-> 01hr00 Photo opportunity at the Acropolis site

01hr00-> 01hr30 City orientation

01hr30-> 01hr45 Photo opportunity at the Old Olympic Stadium

01hr45-> 02hr00 Enter the National Gardens

02hr00-> 02hr45 Serving refreshment at a leading venue

02hr45-> 03hr15 Drive back to port

< Acropolis & Picturesque Plaka   Walking Tour of Athens >