Acropolis and Agora Tour: The Rise & Fall of Democracy

Overview

Available languages

English

French

3 hours

Mobile ticket

**Smallest group size in Athens!**

For centuries, ancient Athenians experimented with a variety of political regimes until they invented the one that suited them best... or so they thought! Visit the Acropolis & the Ancient Agora, learn the backstory on how democracy was born, and understand its principles, its values, the purposes it served, and, ultimately, the reasons for its failure.

Walk in the footsteps of the great minds that established Democracy: Socrates, Pericles, Solon, and Cleisthenes. Explore the Ancient Agora, the heart of ancient Athens, where democracy was first born. Understand why democracy was an experiment, the values and principles it served, and the reasons for its failure. Discover how contemporary democracy compares to Ancient Greek Democracy

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Entry fees are non-refundable, non-exchangeable

ID card or passport are required for people under the age of 25 for possible discounts

Strollers, backpacks and big bags are not allowed at the Acropolis and should not be taken on the tour

Premium, small group tour

We can pre-purchase entry tickets for you, just let us know!

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Acropolis

The greatest and finest sanctuary of ancient Athens, dedicated primarily to its patron, the goddess Athena, has been dominating the center of the City for Millenia. The monuments of the Acropolis (the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechteion, the Propylae, the Theater of Dionysus), all unique masterpieces of ancient architecture, have influenced art and culture for many centuries and stand in harmony with their natural setting.

1 hour • Admission Not Included

Dionysus was the god of wine and grape harvest. The theatre of Dionysus was the oldest to be founded in Athens; it was in this theatre that the unsurpassed works by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes were performed for the first time.

15 minutes • Admission Not Included

What‘s Included

Small group tour

Expert certified guide

Fun ancient Athens map

Entry fees to all attractions (we can pre-purchase for you)

Meals

Transfer from/to meeting point

Options

Tour in French

Tour in English

Reviews

5.00

10 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Perfection throughout
U7242ZZmarka,,Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Everything was perfect from first meeting till bidding adieu. Athena of Alternative Athens was very knowledgeable and patient with us answering all of our questions and going above and beyond. Our recommendation; Book with Alternative Athens if you want a perfect tour tailored to and for you.
We recommend this organism and its guides, with small groups, excellent Mood
florencebH1226DJ,,Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Small group of 13 people around our historian guide, unique experience of 4 hours from Hadrian's Arch through the Parthenon to the Agora. We begin at the origin of the world until today, friendly and accessible immersion in Greek mythology.
Beautiful and instructor
D77EBchristinal,,Aug 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very good guide! We recommend! We have learned a lot. The explanations are clear and precise.
Alternative Athens Tour
E6500JTbrucee,,May 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Excellent tour guide and a highly informative tour. My family and I loved it. Highly recommended! And we started and finished on time.
A great perspective about the Acropolis and the Agora
jeremybN7092ZF,,Apr 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A great tour of the Acropolis and Agora that integrated mythology, archeology, and history regarding Athenian democracy. The guide was very knowledgeable, good-natured, and great at adapting to the different types of people in the small group. If the tour were a bit longer that would have enabled the guide to go into a little more depth, show more of the Acropolis, and discuss the fall of democracy, as advertised in the tour description.
Pleasant, engaging and fun
Venture35648611941,,Apr 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a very pleasant guide, Christina. She has delivered the 4-hour tour very pleasant and engaging. Nice stories and lots of background information.
Great tour-highly recommend
gary522014,,Nov 28, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great tour-saw everything, informative, and well run…Tour operator Demi extremely knowledgable & professional. Liked the remote headsets. I used to give volunteer tours in my hometown historic district and compliment with enthusiasm. !
Exciting tour with very little flat
fredlubs,,Oct 23, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Exciting and highly educated guide. It adapts to its audience. She is very kind and attentive to our questions Two small flats: – we have too often stood listening to him quickly causing back pain and foot pain; it would have been better to walk more or sit more frequently - no earphones to listen to the guide; so you have to listen when there is a lot of ambient noise
Discovery of the Acropolis with Kimon
896jeanbaptisten,,Apr 10, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A 4-hour visit which was very pleasant and enriching thanks to our guide Kimon who enhanced this discovery with lots of stories and anecdotes.
Excellent visit!
auroret476,,Mar 1, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We really enjoyed our visit to the Acropolis, Olympian Zeus and the Ancient Agora, largely thanks to our guide Vassia, who was able to tell us about the different monuments by telling us the history of their construction in connection with episodes from Greek mythology! We didn't see the 4 hours of the visit go by! Thank you Vasya!