What is the best tour in Athens for first- time visitors?
The best tour in Athens for first- time visitors is the Athens Full Day Tour. It combines the city’s must-see landmarks, including the Acropolis- Parthenon, Ancient Agora, Panathenaic Stadium, Changing of the Guard, Plaka, and Lycabettus Hill, all in one day. With a private driver, flexible itinerary, and local insights, it’s the easiest and most comfortable way to experience the highlights of Athens without the stress of planning.
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Is a private tour in Athens worth it?
Absolutely!
A private tour offers hotel or cruise port pickup, a dedicated driver, flexible scheduling, and the opportunity to customize your itinerary according to your interests.
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Best of Athens Private Tour- Acropolis, Parthenon & Highlights
Should I book a private or a group tour?
A private tour offers a personalized experience with a flexible itinerary, private vehicle, and the freedom to explore at your own pace, while a group tour is a more budget- friendly option and a great way to see the main highlights while traveling with other visitors.
Whether you prefer a private or a group tour, we have an option for you:
Book the private tour:
Book the group tour:
Small Group – All Inclusive – Athens Highlights Semi-Private Tour
Is one day enough to see Athens?
Yes!
With a well- planned private tour, you can visit the Acropolis and all of Athens’ major highlights just in a single day!
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Do I need a guided tour of the Acropolis?
A licensed tour guide is recommended if you want detailed historical explanations inside the archaeological sites.
The drivers have Deep knowledge of history and mythology, but they are not licensed to accompany you inside the archaeological sites & museums.
If you would like to book a licensed tour guide additionally to your driver please let us know after your booking, so as to arrange one with an extra cost, or you may book a tour that includes a tour guide.
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Can I visit the Acropolis without a guide?
Yes! You can absolutely visit the Acropolis without a guide.
Your driver will share historical and mythological insights before your visit, and you’ll have free time to explore the site at your own pace.
If you prefer additional commentary inside the site, we can also arrange an audio guide for an extra cost.
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Should I buy Acropolis tickets in advance?
If you choose our “All Inclusive” option, your Acropolis tickets are already included and reserved for the best available time slot, so as to avoid the crowds and the heat!
If you choose the “Without Tickets” option, we will contact you after your booking with instructions on how to purchase your Acropolis tickets.
As entry is by timed ticket, the best time slots often sell out well in advance.
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What is the best time to visit the Acropolis?
Early morning and late afternoon offer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, especially during summer.
Visiting the Acropolis during the ”Golden Hour” is the best choice, because the soft light makes the ancient monuments even more beautiful, the temperatures are cooler & the crowds ever fewer.
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Is my credit card safeHow long does it take to visit the Acropolis?
Most visitors spend around 1½ for visiting the Acropolis.
Booking a private tour offers you the flexibility of exploring the sitees at your own pace and adjusting the itinerary based on your needs!
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Can I have a receipt?
The Transport Voucher you received by email is your receipt, or you can have one upon service.
How can I find you at the Athens International or other airport?
MEETING INSTRUCTIONS: After your landing, just follow the EXIT signs and walk outside the main gate, where your driver/guide will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name on it. It can be that there will be a lot of people waiting for their friends or relatives or even other transfer companies. Therefore, please do not leave the main exit gate (inside the airport). Look carefully and you will see your driver/guide holding your nameplate.
Changes in arrival schedule:
If your aircraft or ship company makes an itinerary change or you lose your flight for any reason and you arrive into a scheduled flight on an alternate date, please do not assume that your trip has been cancelled. Your reservation will be scheduled for the new date. Please send a new e-mail to reconfirm the new date or a SMS text message to the above cell phone on time: (0030) 6936138135. Our times are in local Greek time. If you have questions about your time in airport or port, please direct your questions to your flight attendant or ship purser.
Can I book more than one tour at a destination?
You may book any number of tours available for any destination, depending on your available time. If you are booking more than one tour in the same city, please allow sufficient time in between tours, to allow for traveling between departure points. Each tour must be booked separately, as each individual tour requires a separate confirmation, voucher and credit card transaction.
How shall I meet you at Piraeus port - Cruise terminal?
- Cruise terminal: There are two cruise terminals on the port of Piraeus, called terminal A and terminal B. If your ship arrives at terminal A or terminal B, please disembark and walk outside the main gate, where our driver will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name on it. If your ship arrives at terminal B (also known as “Kanelos terminal”), and the main gate is closed, then and ONLY then you will need to take the shuttle bus to terminal A (two minutes ride), where our driver will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name on it.
- Islands Terminal: Please disembark and walk outside the main gate, where your driver/guide will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name on it.
- If you have any problems please call us at (0030) – 6936 -138135.
Can I cancel my tour?
This information can be found in either the Terms & Conditions field on the tour information page, or at the bottom of most pages, under the link Terms & Conditions.
Can I change/amend my booking?
It may be possible to amend your booking, however this depends on the type of amendment required and is at the discretion of the travel service provider. Contact Olive Sea customer care department with your current booking number and specific details of your amendment, and we will be able to advise if the change/amendment is possible.
Do you offer discounted rates for children or babies?
Olive Sea Travel charges the same rate for all occupied seats.
Will a taxi up to 4 people be comfortable, and how many luggage can we have with us ?
Taxis in Greece are licensed to carry 4 passengers. They will fit in a taxi, but 3 passengers will be more comfortable. You can take four pieces of luggage, about 25kg each or 45×55 cm, plus two handbags inside a taxi.
Is the transfer direct or do we stop on route?
Private Transfers are direct to your hotel.
I have left something in the vehicle. How do I get it back?
Please contact us on the number provided on your e-mail or above. We will then arrange to have it returned to you. A charge may apply.
How long is the journey to the resort?
We can inform you on your e-mail after your inquiry. These times may vary depending on the service booked, at peak times, or if road conditions are poor.
Can we stop off at the supermarket or to pick something up on route?
Only by prior to arrangement made with us and only if you are traveling on a Private Tour. Subject to availability, additional surcharges may apply.
Do you offer Travel Insurance?
We are sorry but we do not offer travel insurance. Please contact your insurance advisor or broker.
What is the best time of the year to travel to Greece?
It depends on where you want to go. The best months to visit the islands are May, June, early July, September and early October. Avoid the dates July 20th to August 20th which are the busiest of the tourist season, and late October because the weather gradually becomes rough and sea transportation becomes dependent on the weather.
If you want to visit the mainland, then March, April, May, June, September and October are suitable months. July and August are very warm and busy.
What are the average temperatures in Greece?
………………Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High °C 13 14 17 20 25 30 33 34 29 24 19 15
High °F 55 57 63 68 77 86 91 93 84 75 66 59
Low °C 7 7 9 12 16 21 24 24 20 16 12 9
Low °F 45 45 48 54 61 70 75 75 68 61 54 48
What should I pack?
It depends on the time of the year and the kind of holiday you have booked. There are dress codes at religious centers. In all cases, bring good, comfortable shoes, sunglasses and a hat.
Passports & Visas: What is required?
Overall E.U. nationals and USA/Canadian citizens do not need a visa. For specific information, please contact the appropriate consulate or embassy in your country and visit the visas section on the website of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A passport may be needed to enter Synagogues (tracing my religion tour) for security reasons.
Health requirements
No vaccinations or immunizations are needed when traveling to Greece.
Pregnancy and wheelchairs
Most airlines require a medical certificate stating fitness to travel for pregnancies of over 28 weeks on the date of return travel. For pregnancies of over 32 weeks on the date of return travel, permission to fly is normally refused. Wheelchairs can usually be pre-arranged (adequate notice is 2 weeks minimum).
Lost or damaged luggage
The world’s airlines carry over 800 million pieces of luggage in a year so it is not surprising that occasionally luggage may go missing, although usually this is only temporary. Should you find at your arrival airport that your baggage is missing or in any way damaged, you should immediately report the matter to the airline representative in the Baggage Reclaim area and complete a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Please ask for one if it is not given to you, as this is your proof that you have reported the loss or damage. Such evidence is required by insurance companies should you need to make a claim on your return home.
I have lost my luggage. Will Olive Sea Travel collect it for me later?
All the airlines have handling agents. They will arrange for any luggage to be forwarded to your resort address.
Is an international driver's license needed?
E.U. Nationals: No
All other nationalities: Yes.
What is the voltage in Greece?
220 V (an adapter may be needed for most visitors).
To which time zone does Greece belong?
Time in Greece is GMT/UTC +2:00
Public Holidays in Greece
You may refer to our calendar.
Does this operate on Christmas and Public Holidays?
You can check the availability of a tour by clicking on the View Price Guide link. This will open a popup that shows the availability for the tour or attraction. Select the month in which the public holiday falls to see if the tour is available on that day. Please note that public holidays vary throughout many destinations where we offer travel services. Some travel service providers may decide at short notice not to operate on certain public holidays. This will be advised at booking if applicable.
Useful telephone numbers (while in Greece):
European Emergency Number
(reachable also by mobile phones)
Doctors on call
Police
Tourist Police
Greek National Tourism Organisation
First Aid
Fire Brigade
Airport of Athens (“Eleftherios Venizelos”)
US Embassy (Athens)
UK Embassy (Athens)
Canadian Embassy (Athens)
Australian Embassy (Athens)
Discounts on ferries, hydrofoils, planes and sites.
Domestic airfare: age groups entitled to discounts are children under the age of 12.
Domestic ferries: age groups entitled to discounts are children from age 4-10. Children under 4 are free of charge, when not occupying a bed in a cabin.
Domestic hydrofoils/catamarans: age groups entitled to discounts are children from age 4 to 10. Children under 4 are free of charge, when not occupying a seat.
What are the hydrofoils, catamarans, flying dolphins?
Hydrofoil (also met as “Flying Dolphin”): fast passenger only vessel (speed of about 30 knots, capacity of about 100 passengers)
Catamaran: fast passenger and car vessels. There are two main types travelling in the Greek seas: the High Speed ones (capacity of about 650 passengers and 70 vehicles) and the smaller Flying Cat and Sea Jet ones (about 400 passengers, no cars). Catamarans travel at a maximum speed of about 40 knots.
Regular Ferries: These travel at an average speed of 20 – 25 knots and carry about 1500 -2200 passengers and 200- 700 cars.
What currency or credit cards should I bring?
All major credit cards (Master card, Visa, American Express) are accepted in Greece, but small restaurants and shops may only accept cash. Bring enough cash for the first days to cover expenses and the rest in Traveller’s Cheques or use your credit card. ATM’s are widely available.
Country codes you should be familiar with
GR: International 2-letter code of Greece
EUR ( € ): International 3-letter code for Euro
+30: when calling Greece, dial 0030 and then the area code and the number (e.g. 0030-210-9227772). If you are calling from the USA or Canada dial 01130 and then the area code and the number (e.g. 01130-210-9227772).
I have not received a reply to my emails.
Some email internet providers may mark general booking emails such as those sent from Olive Sea as “spam” – please check your spam folder for previous email replies. If you have your spam filter set on the highest ranking, only emails from senders in your address box will go into your inbox. Any other emails (such as replies from internet sites you have booked on) will go into a “spam” folder. These emails can sit in this folder for up to 7 days and then your email system will automatically delete them.
Haven’t found what you were looking for?
Please do not hesitate to contact our friendly customer service team who will be happy to help!