Mini Athens Tour

Highlights

Changing of the Guard at the Parliament, Monument of the Unknown Soldier, National Library, University, Academy of Athens, Arch of Hadrian, Panathenaic Stadium, Lycabettus Hill.

With this mini tour of Athens, we will have the opportunity to see the most important monuments of ancient Greece in a short period. Starting from the central square of the capital, Syntagma Square, we encounter the Hellenic Parliament, in front of which stands the Presidential Guard with the Evzones. These elite soldiers wear the well-known traditional uniform, and each piece symbolizes something, from the red cap with the black tassel symbolizing the tear of Christ during the crucifixion, to the white shirt symbolizing the purity of national struggles. The Evzones guard the Monument of the Unknown Soldier day and night, and you will have the chance to witness the changing of the guard and take photos with them.

Next, we will proceed to the significant buildings on University Street, known as the “Trilogy,” designed by Danish architects Theophil and Christian Hansen. The Academy of Athens, the National Library, and the University of Athens are imposing and grand structures representing the aspirations of the early Greek state.

Of course, we cannot miss Hadrian’s Gate and the columns of the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Although construction began in the 6th century BCE, it was completed in the 2nd century CE by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. The characteristic gate, built later by the Athenians in his honor, bears his name.

At the end of our historical tour, we will reach the Panathenaic Stadium, known as Kallimarmaro, built long before the standardization of athletic venue dimensions in the 6th century BCE. The layout follows the ancient model in a horseshoe shape, once accommodating 80,000 spectators in 50,000 rows of marble seats. Today, the capacity is limited to 45,000. This stadium hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and marks the finishing point of the original marathon.

Saving the best for last, we will visit Lycabettus Hill to get a panoramic view of Athens, the Acropolis, and, weather permitting, the first islands of the Argosaronic Gulf, including Piraeus.

If you wish to include the Acropolis in your tour, you can choose the Athens Tour option.