Rick Steves Athens City Walk Tour

Hi, I just downloaded the Athens City Walk in the RS Audio Europe app. The script for the walk says it's a two-hour walk.

I saw the RS walking tour route map. (but not listened to the audio file). In my opinion 2 hours is a minimum, but it depends on the time you spend in each place.

If for example when you start the tour there is a changing of the guard in front of the tomb of the unknown soldier, this can make you stay 20 minutes, the same if you stop to enter the Church of Kapnikarea where you can spend 10 minutes, visiting the small neighborhood of Anafiotika can also take time if you get lost in its small alleys.

Likewise for all the other intermediate points of the Tour.

On a strenuous level it should be a walk of between 3 and 4 km, very few difficult slopes, a few stairs.

All this is much less important than the heat factor, like these days when it's 30°C (90F) at 9 a.m.

Thank you both for your answers. Both gave me information I needed. We're going in October and now can assess the length and know that it doesn't have hilly or steep inclines on the walk.

I took the RS Athens City Walk in May and divided it up over two days, first afternoon at Syntagma Square and then exploring the churches. It is a relatively easy walk with little elevation changes, except when you get to the area surrounding the Acropolis. It can get hot in the afternoon. While you can do the walk in two hours, it is at a brisk pace and you will not be able to stop to see the changing of the guards, visit the churches, or shop.

If you stop to see the changing of the guards, it starts at 5 to the hour and it takes about 15-20 minutes and can get crowded. Next to the Greek Parliament Building is the National Botanical Gardens. It is not on the tour, but is a lovely place to stroll, especially if the heat and crowds are getting to you.

If the churches are open, would recommend that you visit them. Most of the churches, with the exception of the cathedral are small and can be explored quickly.

Overall, it is easy to follow and gives you a good history of central Athens and you can then decide further what you would like to explore.

Thank you so much. Splitting it up into two days is advice we will take. This was so helpful!!