Planning my first solo visit to Athens and have already been burnt by an unscrupulous ticket broker (Tiquets, avoid at all cost). Can anyone recommend an honest local tour company for Acropolis (skip the line) and food tour in Athens? Viator, via TripAdvisor, also has awful reviews. Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Folsom
2732 posts
We used this company in Lisbon and were very satisfied https://culinarybackstreets.com/category/cities-category/athens/
Posted by
30 posts
Hi Icarri01, I am in the process of deciding on my tours for next month so I will be interested reading the responses to your post. These are the two I trust the most based on what I have read on several websites.
https://www.athenswalkingtours.gr/
https://www.athens-walks.com/
I also have been looking at booking a free walking tour. That might be a good option for you. These two companies are mentioned on several sites.
http://myathens.thisisathens.org/
https://www.athens-free-tour.com/
I have contacted the second one and they have been very responsive, but their tours are in the morning and I was looking for an afternoon tour. I have an email out to My Athens Tours and am awaiting a response.
I also plan on booking one of the Backstreet Food Tours. They are a little more money, but look very well done.
Good luck, I will be looking to see your responses.
Posted by
Fort Lauderdale
10 posts
Hello, did you ever find a good tour company for the Acropolis? I'm looking for one myself.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Hi Jacy. I used Athens Walking Tours for my Old Town/Acropolis tour with mixed results. The first half of the tour was interesting and guide was outstanding. We were half way up the Acropolis and then directed back downhill to Plaka to get our tickets for the Acropolis portion of the tour. That didn't make sense to me since it was a blazing hot day. I wish we would have just continued our uphill climb, we were so close. I chose to discontinue the tour at that point rather than walking uphill again. To their credit, they made gallant effort to reschedule the second portion of the tour during my brief stay in Athens but I just couldn't make it work. Despite my experience, I would recommend the company and the tour. Just be prepared. Wear sturdy shoes (sneakers) and dress for the weather. On another note, the Backstreet Culinary Tour was outstanding! If you have time to spare, it was worth every penny. Enjoy Athens, it is a lovely city, I hope to return soon.
Posted by
Fort Lauderdale
10 posts
Thanks! I'll add that cooking class to our Free Day options.
Posted by
Folsom
2732 posts
Just to clarify, Culinary Backstreets does food tours, not cooking classes. Icarr01 so glad you enjoyed yours. We had a great one in Lisbon. I think this company does a great job.
Posted by
464 posts
We were very pleased with Athens Walking Tours when we toured the Acropolis in May. Kostas was our guide on the early morning walking tour and it was outstanding. We met at 8:30 am at the Fresko Yogurt Cafe and were only 2 blocks from the Acropolis. Kostas made the tour interesting and fun. All of our communication online with Athens Walking Tours was great. They offer other tours as well including food tours in Athens. We would highly recommend them.
Posted by
175 posts
We used Aktina Travel Agency (from the recommendations of many on this forum) for part of our leg of booking ferries, they are located at the airport. I'm not sure if you can book tours with them but I would try it. I sent them a message via Facebook messenger and they replied right away wit all of the answers, we landed at the airport and our tickets were ready to go in an envelope. We were there last August and got up super early in the morning, 8am and walked to the Acropolis, line was 5 minutes long and it was moving super fast. There are two entrances to the Acropolis we used the hill top entrance. Just remember to take a hat and plenty of water as the sun gets super hot.