Athens In-depth

Departing: March 2027 - October 2027

Athens, Aegina & the historic port of Piraeus

This meticulously curated tour takes us on an immersive journey through the heart of ancient Greece, offering an unparalleled opportunity to explore Athens's rich historical and cultural heritage and surrounding areas. From the iconic Acropolis and the bustling Agora to the serene island of Aegina and the ancient sanctuary of Eleusis, each day is filled with fascinating discoveries and unforgettable experiences.

Included

Explore the Acropolis Museum & Sanctuary of Eleusis, with entrance fees included
All other visits as outlined in the itinerary
Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager
7 nights at the Acropolian Spirit Boutique Hotel, Athens
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners
Wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Private air-conditioned coach travel
Field notes, taxes & gratuities for local staff

Highlights

Enjoy the richest collections of artefacts from Greek antiquity ever assembled at three world-class museums
Explore the wonderful island of Aegina, situated in the Saronic Gulf
Discover two fabulous sites which are rarely visited – the Amphiaraeion of Oropos and the Sanctuary of Brauron
Visit the Sanctuary of Eleusis, one of the most important centres in antiquity

Dr Rita Roussos

A native Athenian, taught Archaeology and Art History at the American University of Athens. She has worked on Archaeological projects in Isthmia, Kato, Lossous and Mantinea. Her research interests range from the place of Women in Ancient Greece and Rome to 4th Century Sculpture from Greece.

Tour Itinerary

Arrive into Athens and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Meals: Dinner

Accomodation: Acropolian Spirit Hotel

We start our day with a visit to the rock of Areopagus, located northwest of the Acropolis. This rock served as the high court of appeal for criminal and civil cases in classical Athens. The Propylaea is the monumental gateway to the Acropolis in Athens. Constructed under the direction of the Athenian leader Pericles, the Propylaea was designed by the architect Mnesicles and built between 437 and 432 BCE. We visit the Parthenon, a former temple on the Athenian Acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patroness, and the Erechtheum, dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon, notably complex and irregular in design. Located on the southern slope of the Acropolis, the Theatre of Dionysus is considered the first theatre in the world and the birthplace of Greek tragedy. It was dedicated to Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility and theatre, and played a significant role in the cultural and religious life of Athens. We also discover the Odeion of Herodes Atticus, built in 161 AD by the Athenian magnate Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife, Aspasia Annia Regilla. The theatre was originally covered with a wooden roof made of cedar of Lebanon timber and was renowned for its exceptional acoustics. The Odeon is still in use today and serves as a venue for various performances.

We stop for lunch before moving on to the Acropolis Museum. The museum, consistently rated as one of the best in the world, was designed by Bernard Tschumi with local Greek architect Michael Photiadis, and houses the ancient artefacts found in and around the Acropolis including the superb Parthenon frieze – some parts original, some copies (we all know where much of it resides!). The top floor of the museum is designed on the same axis as the Parthenon so that it has an identical cardinal orientation and you can walk along the entire frieze of the temple, exactly as it would have been in ancient times. We later take a leisurely walk back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accomodation: Acropolian Spirit Hotel

This morning, we go to the National Museum of Athens. Now somewhat overlooked by visitors flocking to the Acropolis Museum, it is worth remembering that this older museum is still home to one of the greatest collections of antiquities in the world. The museum was established in 1829 to protect antiquities and there are over 11,000 exhibits dating as far back as the Neolithic period through to late antiquity. From the huge bronze statue of Poseidon (or is it Zeus?) to the golden mask of Agamemnon, the antiquities on display here provide the staple images of ancient Greece. We continue our exploration of Athens, visiting its ancient economic centre, the Agora, where a wide range of goods were shipped in from the nearby port of Piraeus and members of the elected democracy assembled to discuss affairs of state. Buildings of note include the city’s arsenal, the Tholos and several stoas (the museum is housed in the reconstructed stoa of Attalos). Here we also find the temple of Hephaestus, one of the best-preserved of its type in Greece. Constructed around the same time as the Parthenon, the temple was built to honour the patron of metal workers, potters and craftsmen. The Agora Museum is housed in the Stoa of Attalos, a reconstructed building that dates back to the 2nd century BCE and was originally built by King Attalos II of Pergamon as a gift to the city of Athens. On our way back to the hotel, we take the path up to Philopappos Hill, a favourite place for a promenade for Athenians with spectacular views over the city.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accomodation: Acropolian Spirit Hotel

We journey to the island of Aegina, where our first stop is the Temple of Aphaia. Built around 500 BCE, it was dedicated to the goddess Aphaia and is one of the best-preserved examples of Doric architecture. We explore here before stopping for lunch in Aegina town. This afternoon, we visit the Aegina Archaeological Museum to discover exhibits such as the Aphaia Temple sculptures, which date back to around 500 BCE. These sculptures are significant examples of Archaic Greek art and depict scenes from Greek mythology. The collection also includes items from the Minoan and Mycenaean periods, showcasing the island’s historical connections with other ancient civilisations.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accomodation: Acropolian Spirit Hotel

This morning, we visit Kerameikos, named in ancient times after the hero Keramos, son of Dionysus and Ariadne, where an extensive cemetery was excavated during the 19th and early 20th centuries. A usually peaceful site infrequently visited by tourists, this was a major crossroads in antiquity, and you can see remains of the massive Dipylon Gate, where most roads converged, and the Sacred Gate, where participants in the Panathenaic Festival gathered before heading through the Ancient Agora and ascending to the Parthenon. It is also the spot where Pericles gave what was probably his most famous speech, honouring those who had fallen in the first year of the Peloponnesian War. We explore the Kerameikos Museum, which houses a collection of artefacts found in the area, including the famous funerary stelae and the impressive bull-shaped rhyton. Next, we drive to Piraeus, the largest port in Greece and one of the largest in the Mediterranean Sea – a significant naval and commercial centre throughout the centuries. We discover highlights at the Piraeus Museum, such as its collection of bronze statues, including the famous statue of Apollo, which dates back to the 6th century BCE, and an impressive array of ancient ship models. After a pause to enjoy lunch in the Piraeus area, we head to Eleusis to find out more about its ancient sanctuary and the Eleusinian Mysteries, which were religious rites held annually for the cult of Demeter and Persephone. We then move on to the Eleusis Museum, which houses a vast collection of artefacts that date back to the Mycenaean period through to the Roman era.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accomodation: Acropolian Spirit Hotel

Today, we explore the Amphiaraeion of Oropos, an ancient Greek sanctuary and an important site for healing and oracular consultations. The sanctuary featured a temple, a sacred spring and various other buildings, including a theatre and a stoa. Pilgrims would visit the Amphiaraeion to seek cures for their ailments, often sleeping in the sacred precinct in hopes of receiving divine revelations through dreams. In the afternoon, we visit the Cycladic Museum, established to showcase the private collection of the Gotlanders shipping family. Housed in the neo-classical dwelling of a former 19th-century ship owner, the remarkable collection focuses on ancient cultures of the Aegean, especially that of the Cyclades during the 3rd millennium BCE.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accomodation: Acropolian Spirit Hotel

The Sanctuary of Brauron is associated with the cult of Artemis Brauronia, where girls participated in rites of passage and other religious ceremonies. Archaeological excavations at Brauron have uncovered significant remains, including a temple, a stoa and various altars. One of the twelve cities of Attica, unified by Theseus into the city-state of Athens, Thorikos played a major role in the mining of silver and lead – crucial for the Athenian economy. We explore its well-preserved ancient theatre, which dates back to the 6th century BCE, making it one of the oldest theatres in Greece. We enjoy lunch in Lavrion before heading to Sounion. Located at the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula in Greece, this area is renowned for its stunning views and historical significance. The Temple of Poseidon, perched on the edge of a cliff, offers a breathtaking panorama of the Aegean Sea. This ancient site, dating back to the 5th century BCE, was a place of worship dedicated to the god of the sea.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accomodation: Acropolian Spirit Hotel

Depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation

A short walk from the iconic Acropolis of Athens, this polished hotel is ideally located close the ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus. The comfortable rooms feature flat-screens, minibars, and tea and coffeemaking equipment, plus Wi-Fi. Amenities include a lobby lounge, a business center, and an elegant restaurant & bar overlooking the Acropolis.