Athens historical Promenade & Greek Gyros dinner

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Hellenic Parliament

  Syntagma Square is the most central part of Athens. To the east, the square is bounded by the Parliament Hall, the city's oldest and largest neoclassical building. It was inaugurated in 1843 as the Palace of Greece’s first king, Otto. In front of the Parliament Hall stands the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, which honors all Greeks who died in battle but were never recovered. Here, the monument is guarded by the Presidential Guard, known as the Evzones.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2
  National Garden

  At 40 acres, the National Gardens are the largest green space in the city. Initially constructed under the direct supervision of Queen Amalia in the mid-19th century to serve as the royal family's private gardens, they comprise over 7,000 trees and 40,000 bushes, all brought from around the world. The area also features ponds with ducks and swans, as well as a small zoo. Today, the Gardens are a favorite destination for those seeking a relaxing stroll, parents looking to entertain their kids, and individuals interested in studying the more than 500 plant species in this area.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 3
  Presidential Mansion

  After walking through the National Gardens, we arrive at the Mansion of the President of the Hellenic Republic, head of the Modern Greek State. The building is guarded round the clock by the Evzones, members of the Presidential garrison. There, our guests can enjoy the Changing of the Guards ceremony, an impressive event and one of the city's main attractions.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4
  Panathenaic Stadium

  When the traveler Pausanias visited Athens in the 2nd century CE, he was impressed by the size and grandeur of the Panathenaic Stadium. Modern visitors still feel the emotions this structure evokes. Originally constructed in the 4th century BCE, the stadium was later renovated in marble in the 2nd century CE. In the late 19th century, it was reconstructed to hold the first modern Olympic Games. Since then, it has remained one of the most prominent landmarks in Athens, seamlessly integrated into the modern capital’s life. So, travelers visiting Athens must not miss the chance to see the Panathenaic Stadium.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 5
  Zappeion Conference & Exhibition Center

  The Zappeion Mansion is one of the most emblematic buildings in Athens, constructed in the Neoclassical style. Its unique architectural plan includes a gateway adorned with massive Corinthian columns and a spacious circular atrium surrounded by a colonnade in the Ionic order. Constructed with funds donated by Evangelos Zappas, a wealthy Greek of the Diaspora, it served as the Olympic Village during the first Olympic Games of 1896. Since then, the structure has hosted innumerable events, including many artistic and commercial exhibitions. In addition, visitors can enjoy strolling through the spacious gardens that surround the Zappeion Hall.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6
  Temple of Olympian Zeus

  If the ancient Greeks had created the Guinness World Records Book, the Temple of Olympian Zeus would likely have been included in its pages. Construction began in the late 6th century BCE and was completed approximately 650 years later, in the 2nd century CE, thanks to the generosity of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Built on a platform 108 meters long and 41 meters wide, and consisting of 104 Corinthian columns, it was the largest temple in Athens and one of the largest in the entire Greek world. Even in its current fragmentary state, the temple continues to impress visitors with its massive dimensions and the elegance of its sixteen surviving columns.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7
  Arch of Hadrian

  The Arch of Hadrian, one of the most prominent landmarks in Athens, was likely built by the Athenians themselves to honor the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who was a great benefactor of their city. Its inauguration coincided with Hadrian’s visit to the city in 132 CE and the dedication of the adjacent Temple of Zeus, which was completed with Hadrian’s sponsorship. The Arch also served as a marker separating the eastern extension of the city from the old city of Athens.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 8
  Choragic Monument of Lysicrates

  This spectacular monument stands at the eastern foot of the Acropolis hill. Due to its cylindrical form, it has been popularly known as the Lantern of Demosthenes or the Lantern of Diogenes. In reality, the monument served as a high pedestal, built in 334 BC by the wealthy Athenian Lysicrates, a victorious sponsor in the dramatic contests. At the top of the monument stood the trophy itself, a tripod cauldron. As a result, this monument is the best-preserved of the numerous similar monuments that once lined the road leading to the Theater of Dionysus.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 9
  Anafiotika

  Visitors to Athens are usually surprised to discover, in the heart of the city, a neighborhood that follows the architecture of the Aegean islands. Built during the 2nd half of the 19th century by immigrants from the island of Anafi, the settlement nests high on the northeastern slope of the Acropolis. As they walk through the picturesque alleys of Anafiotika, the experience feels almost metaphysical.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• Plaka (Pass by)

  Stretching to the north and northeast of the Acropolis hill, the area of Plaka constitutes the historical center of Athens. As the only part of the city that has been inhabited without interruption since antiquity, the Plaka area forms a unique palimpsest. It combines a network of ancient, Byzantine, Ottoman, and later monuments with the intensity expected in the heart of the modern capital. As you walk through the picturesque alleys of the Plaka district, where a unique blend of colors, flavors, and perfumes fills the air, the experience will certainly be unforgettable.

  Admission ticket free
• 10
  Roman Agora

  Built with contributions from Julius Caesar and Octavian Augustus, the Roman Agora served as the primary commercial center of Athens from the time of Jesus Christ until the Greek War of Independence (1821). The rectangular enclosure was accessible through two monumental gateways from the east and west. To the east of the precinct, a cluster of auxiliary buildings served the needs of the numerous visitors to the area. Among these structures is the Tower of the Winds, an octagonal building that served as both a weathervane and a clock. In the same area, the public latrines of Roman times are located.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 11
  Fethiye Mosque

  This mosque is the oldest, largest, and historically most significant in the city. Its construction around 1458 is associated with Sultan Mehmed II's visit to Athens, also known as the Conqueror. Its existence is a testament to the significant position Athens enjoyed as a provincial city of the Ottoman Empire.

  3 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 12
  Hadrian's Library

  This vast rectangular enclosure, modeled on a Roman Forum, was built at the expense of the Roman emperor Hadrian (117-138 CE) for the people of Athens. Although labeled a library, it served several other functions and held a central position in the city's intellectual life during imperial times. Its west façade, adorned with a row of elegant Corinthian-style columns, is one of the main attractions in the historical center of Athens.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 13
  Platia Monastirakiou

  Monastiraki Square is one of the most picturesque parts of the city, named after a small monastery that once stood there. The only surviving part of the monastery today is the 11th-century church of Panagia Pantanassa, which stands next to the much later Tzistarakis Mosque. Even so, this part of the city has a much older history, as evidenced by the archaeological remains unearthed beneath the surface, accessible through the nearby Metro Station.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 14
  Monastiraki

  Dinner Time! After burning so many calories, it is time to refill your reservoir! We treat our guests with the best grilled food in Athens. You can choose from a wide variety of dishes, including Greek gyros and skewers, as well as appetizers, salads, beer, and refreshments. Best of all, you eat as much as you wish; we take care of the bill!

  2 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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