All travel agents in Athens offer the same handful of city and regional tours: bus jaunts around the city, covering the major sights and including meals in scenic but tourist-infested Plaka tavernas; and one- to three-day excursions to archaeological sites and cities outside Athens. Small, custom-tailored tours that are nothing more than bus shuttles with 50 other people are starting to make an appearance.

Bus Tours

A basic four-hour bus tour includes a guided tour of the Acropolis and National Archaeological Museum (when open); it also drives by most other major sites and finishes up with lunch in a Plaka taverna. Reservations can be made through most hotels or any travel agency; many agencies are clustered around Filellinon and Nikis streets off Syntagma Square. The tours run daily, year-round, and cost around EUR 45. Reserve at least a day in advance.

The "Athens Sightseeing Public Bus Line," or Bus 400, stops at all the city's main sights, including the National Archaeological Museum, Psirri, Kerameikos, Monastiraki, Syntagma, the Benaki Museum, the Panathenaic Stadium, Parliament, Acropolis, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and National Art Gallery. Buses run every 30 minutes, from 7:30 AM to 9 PM and tickets cost EUR 5. The full journey takes 90 minutes, but you can hop on and off as you please. Bus 400 stops are marked by bright blue waist-high pillars.

Excursion Tours

Most agencies offer excursions at about the same prices, but CHAT is reputed to have the best service and guides. Common excursion tours include a half-day trip to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion (EUR 29); a half-day tour to the Isthmus and ancient Corinth (EUR 48); a full-day tour to Delphi (EUR 76, EUR 66 without lunch); a two-day trip to Delphi (EUR 116 including half-board—meaning breakfast and dinner—in first-class hotels); a three-day tour taking in Delphi and the monasteries of Meteora with half-board in first-class hotels (EUR 273); a one-day tour to Nafplion, Mycenae, and Epidauros (EUR 76, EUR 66 without lunch); a two-day tour to Mycenae, Nafplion, and Epidauros (EUR 116 including half-board in first-class hotels); a four-day tour covering Nafplion, Mycenae, Epidauros, Olympia, and Delphi (EUR 378 with half-board in first-class hotels); and a five-day "classical" tour covering all major sights in the Peloponnese, as well as Delphi and Meteora (EUR 492 with half-board in first-class hotels). Most tours run two to three times a week, with reduced service in winter. It's best to reserve a few days in advance.

Personal Guides

Major travel agencies can provide English-speaking guides to take you around Athens's major sights. The Union of Official Guides provides licensed guides for individual or group tours, starting at about EUR 120, including taxes, for a four-hour tour of the Acropolis and its museum. Hire only guides licensed by the EOT—they have successfully completed a two-year state program.

Contact

Union of Official Guides.

Special-Interest Tours

All travel agents offer an "Athens by Night" deal, which takes you around the monuments by moonlight and concludes with dinner and a floor show in Plaka (EUR 47 includes dinner but not drinks). Amphitrion Holidays, part of the Amphitrion Travel group, specializes in educational and offbeat tours for individuals in Athens and environs.

For organized adventure travel, contact Trekking Hellas. For horseback riding tours, the helpful Hellenic Equestrian Federation provides a list of Athens's riding clubs.

Contacts

Hellenic Equestrian Federation. Trekking Hellas.

Walking Tours

At Athenian Days, classicist Andrew Farrington and anthropologist Vassiliki Chryssanthopoulou create tailor-made walking tours of classical Athens for groups no larger than four. The lively, informative presentations conclude with a talk in a shady café and a take-home folder of information. Prices range from EUR 50 to EUR 70 per group.

Contact

Athenian Days.