Athens walking tour with a local

Hydra Island boat trip including a guided tour of the town

Take in one of the most appealing islands in the Saronic Gulf with this boat cruise. Sail across the Aegean Sea and come ashore to explore Hydra – an ancient port of call where cars and motorbikes are banned. Irini, one of our local guides, says, ‘Donkeys are the most common transport on Hydra, and you'll see them lined up like taxis, waiting to carry your heavy cases or shopping bags for you. For the island's population they are an essential part of the infrastructure, and they definitely add charm to the port town.' After pick-up from your hotel, we'll travel to the port of Ermoni. Once aboard the boat, you can sit back and soak up some sunshine as we sail across the Saronic Gulf to Hydra. Along the way, your expert guide will fill you in on the history of this part of the Aegean and its importance as an ancient trade route. Irini says, ‘Hydra's prosperity grew in the 18th and 19th centuries, when it became a major hub for shipping and trade in the Eastern Mediterranean. The island's skilled sailors and shipbuilders established Hydra as a dominant force in the maritime industry.'When we arrive at the car and motorbike-free island of Hydra, you'll have a guided tour of the town. Then, with free time to explore, you can linger in the harbour to spot colourful fishing boats bobbing on the sea, stroll past sugar cube houses on the hillside, or venture into the town's maze of cobbled alleys for a coffee or some shopping.

4x4 Adventure

Strap in for a 4x4 adventure that will take you off the radar. You'll explore the off-road tracks, villages and rocky landscapes of rugged and rural Greece. With plenty of nature to admire and a tasty local lunch included, it promises to be a day of adrenaline-pumping action.It all kicks off the minute you hop in your 4x4 and head off-road. Zooming along mountain paths, you'll bounce over potholes and drive through blink-and-you-miss-them villages. Ticking off all the must-sees along the way, your expert driver gives you the inside track on nature's hidden gems.Then, we'll take a break from the action with a tasty lunch of traditional Greek favourites served with wine. Suitably refuelled, you'll set off for an afternoon of more exciting exploration.

Half-day private tour of Athens with Acropolis and Plaka visits

The ancient Greeks left behind a treasure trove of monuments, statues and artefacts in Athens. And on this private tour, you'll take in all the top spots with an expert guide. Exclusively for you and your party, you'll tour highlights including the Roman Agora, Hadrian's Library, the Plaka neighbourhood and the UNESCO-listed Acropolis. Vassiliki, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Acropolis means “high city” and it usually refers to any settlement built on top of a hill. You'll find many towns in Greece that have an acropolis, but the Acropolis of Athens is certainly the most famous.'You'll start with a guided tour of the Acropolis – with skip-the-line tickets, there'll be no waiting around. Soak up wow-factor views over Athens at the Areopagus – a rocky hill where legend has it the Greek gods would hold court. Let your guide bring history to life as you marvel at ancient landmarks like the Roman Agora, the Theatre of Dionysus and the still-standing columns of the Asklepieion and Parthenon. Then, it's on to the city's Instagram-worthy old quarter, Plaka – the capital's most appealing and historic neighbourhood. Always thronged with a mix of locals and visitors, the pedestrianised lanes are brimming with tavernas whose tables spill onto the streets. Vassiliki says, ‘Athenians call this area “the neighbourhood of the Gods,' as it has been inhabited since the days of ancient Greece. In fact, excavations show that the street layout has barely changed since antiquity.'

Ancient Delphi Tour

Delve into the ancient treasures of Delphi and Thebes on this full-day tour. And both are just a short drive from Athens. You'll visit these well-preserved archaeological sites before an afternoon exploring the charming mountain villages of Levadia and Arachova.

Cape Sounion Afternoon Tour

The Saronic Gulf offers up one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in Greece. Enjoy an afternoon of fresh sea air and wonderful sweeping views with this trip from Athens to Cape Sounion. With a mixture of guided and free time, you'll be able to make the most of the visit to this archaeological site and area of natural beauty.

Saronic Islands Cruise – Hydra, Poros and Aegina

The beautiful islands of the Saronic Gulf are just a short journey away from Athens. This full day island-hopping tour is a great way to explore the ‘other Greece' while immersing yourself in the country's culture and nature. You'll cruise to three islands Hydra, Poros and Aegina, and enjoy lunch on board.

Athens City Tour and Acropolis Museum

A wealth of ancient treasures is packed into central Athens. On this guided morning tour, you'll uncover some of its megastars, including the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parthenon and Acropolis – and also enjoy a guided visit to the Acropolis Museum.

Full-day Nafplio and Mycenae sightseeing tour from Athens

This full-day tour feels tailor-made for history fans. It kicks off with a visit to Corinth Canal, for a look at the manmade waterway that links the Ionian Sea to the Aegean Sea. After you've snapped some photos, you'll head to the ruins of Mycenae for a tour. This ancient settlement is said to be where the Greeks set off for their expedition to conquer the city of Troy. From here, you'll head to Nafplio, which was the capital of the Kingdom of Greece from 1827 to 1834.

Saronic Islands Cruise – Hydra, Poros and Aegina from Marathona

See a different side to Greece on this day of island-hopping in the Saronic Gulf. You'll stop by Hydra, Poros and Aegina, lesser-known but steeped in unique charm and history. "Explore each island at your leisure, and enjoy an included lunch onboard.Cast off from Piraeus port and leave the city behind as you glide through the deep blue. You'll head to Hydra first, an island renowned for its well-preserved and unspoiled beauty. Hydra is car-free, making it a peaceful place to relax and soak in the sights and views. Explore the cobblestone streets, admire the traditional stone houses, and perhaps enjoy a coffee at a seaside café.You'll then tuck into a tasty lunch onboard as you sail to Poros, known for its quaint port town. Stroll along the waterfront and have a poke around local shops, before your final stop at Aegina, the most remote of the three. Here, you can explore the narrow backstreets, visit the historic Venetian Markellos Tower, or opt for a tour of the ancient Temple of Aphaia.

Private Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Tour

The coastline of the Saronic Gulf offers fresh sea air and wonderful sweeping views. This half-day private tour from Athens to Cape Sounion combines a mixture of nature and culture. With both guided and free time, you'll be able to make the most of your visit to this archaeological site and area of natural beauty.You'll set off early afternoon for a scenic Journey along the coastal road, passing the beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza, and arrive at the most southerly point of the Attica peninsula, Cape Sounion. Here, the white marble pillars of the Temple of Poseidon stand defiantly atop a cliff.After a guided visit of the temple – which was commissioned by Pericles in 440 BC – you'll have time to walk at leisure on the rocky promontory of Cape Sounion, a place steeped in legend. Here you can enjoy views of the sparkling Aegean Sea and islands far below you.