Athenian Hills Walking Tour - Your introduction to Athens
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Travelers usually ignore the lovely hills of Athens in favor of concentrating mostly on the Acropolis site. I am able to provide a detailed explanation of each of them, including its history, and suggest lovely locations for stunning photographs.
As a native of Athens I know well the most of the good places and secret corners of it. Walking and photography is my passion. I want to share this experience with my guests. I spent a lot of time on each of the hills and brought people with me leaving a great last impression.
Athens is not easy to explore, the touristic infrastructure here is not so well developed (except for Acropolis and archeological sites around), so it's easy to lose a lot of curious places. I am here to help you to discover this city at a maximum level.
This year-round hiking and walking tour is ideal for small groups or solo travelers.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Philopappos Monument
We'll explore the old walls that are left from ancient Athens. You'll also visit the Eastern Roman church of St. Dimitrios. Then, we'll walk through the Dimitrios Pikionis square, which offers a wonderful view of the Acropolis. Finally, we'll head to the top of the hill to see the Monument of Philopappos and enjoy the beautiful views all around and taking photos.
Pnyx
We will explore the Pnyx Hill (just next to Filopappou) - the place of Athenian Democracy. This is where Athenian citizens gathered to discuss laws, make decisions, and participate in the governance of their city. We will see the ancient speaker's platform (Vèma) and will pass near the telescope of the modern National Observatory of Athens.
Options
Athenian Hills Walking Tour - Your introduction to Athens
What‘s Included
Modification of starting time (upon availability)
Small groups up to 7 persons.
Complimentary bottle of water
Private transportation
Museum visiting
Snacks
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
8 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Enjoyable Hill Walk
GoPlaces27138924471,May 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very informative and paced well. Excellent guide, friendly and interesting. Very good walk
Nice surprise
michaelhS2661FB,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I highly recommend this tour. The route includes a large number of interesting places. Athanasios knows the history of Athens well and is simply a pleasant interlocutor.
Excellent experience!!!
BackPacker647432,Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were honestly shocked that we could cover so much history and so many incredible sights in just 4 short hours…. It made my tour with Alternative Athens feel like a great value, with a ton more information and a much deeper understanding of the city than I could have hoped for.! Thank you!
Excellent Athens Excursion – Highly Recommended!
BackPacker647432,Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our Athens excursion was outstanding from start to finish. The route was perfectly planned, the views were incredible, and every recommendation we received was truly the best choice. We were able to experience the top highlights of Athens comfortably and without any stress.The guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and shared so many interesting details that made the city come alive. The timing, organization, and photo stops were all perfect. Thank you, Athanasius, for an unforgettable experience — we would absolutely recommend this excursion to anyone visiting Athens!
A Must-Do for Any Athens Trip!
Kristy23,Oct 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If your first stop in Athens is the Acropolis (as it should be!), you've likely had a guide pointing out this hill and that one, the birthplace of democracy and the ridge where you can glimpse the Olympic stadium. You look around, maybe snap a few photos, but the question remains: What does it all mean? How does this patchwork of hills truly connect to Athens' history and the magnificent rock of the Acropolis itself? This is exactly why the hill walking tour with Thanos is an absolute must if you have an extra few days in Athens. Our few hours with him were fantastic. We walked up to the top of all those very same viewpoints we had just seen from the Acropolis, and the experience of looking back at the Acropolis from different angles was truly amazing. Thanos is intensely passionate about Greek history, and his storytelling is captivating. He makes the hills, the streets, and the legends of long-ago kings and gods come alive! Suddenly, the landscape isn't just a backdrop, it's the stage where democracy was debated and legends were born. Highly recommend this tour! It's the perfect way to contextualise your Acropolis visit and gain a deeper understanding of the city's ancient roots. Tip: a decent level of fitness and good walking shoes is required for this tour! Remember you are going to be walking UP hills. But you will have definitely earned your gyros for lunch!
Perfect for those looking for a personalised tour & wanting something a little different. Thanus is the perfect guide 🙌🏼
MaxineS424,Sep 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was everything I expected & more. Thanus is passionate about the history of Greece. Topped off with a coffee together where we chatted amongst the locals about my other travels in Greece & got some good ideas & advice. His focus on small groups gives everyone the chance to engage. Thank you 🙏
Loved this tour
Julie F,Aug 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was fantastic! Thanos was very friendly, knowledgeable and went above and beyond with showing us local sites and restaurants! It was just myself and my husband on this tour and it was really great to have the small tour experience. I highly recommend!
Athens excellence with Thanos
Kevin S,May 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I had the pleasure of spending three hours with Thanos- all by ourselves! He is a personable, cordial, knowledgeable guide whose humble demeanor was endearing to us. We went all over the historic city center walking more than five miles. Went up some very steep hills and walked on uneven terrain. If you are physically fit and want a five-star personal experience, this is the tour for you. If you are not physically fit or have balance issues, consider a different tour. Many people use large tour companies and see the historical highlights only (as we did before doing this personalized tour). This tour is much different. Treat yourself to a wonderful experience!!!!!
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Operated by Zach Athan Walking Tours