Ancient Olympia & Games, valley of the gods and swimming

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.'

Hydra Island boat trip including free time in 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. There's so much history in this part of the Aegean as it was an important 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 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.

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.

Athens City Tour & Cape Sounion

A tour that combines culture with nature. You'll spend a morning exploring the treasures of ancient Athens, taking in sites such as the Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and more before heading to the legendary Cape Sounion.

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 Walking Tour

The compact layout of Athens makes it perfect to explore on foot. Join this guided walking tour of Athens to uncover such landmarks as the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch, stroll through the historic Plaka district, and receive expert insight into the mysteries of the Acropolis and the Parthenon.The tour kicks off front of the House of Parliament in Syntagma Square, where you'll take in the Monument of the Unknown Soldier and the change of the famous and colourful Euzony Guards. Then it's a pleasant stroll through the National Gardens and on to the Zappeion Hall, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Hadrian's Arch.Follow the charming cobbled streets of the Plaka district, heading towards the Acropolis. Here your expert guide will bring to life the Propylaia, the Temple of Nike and the Parthenon, the Athenian Agora, the Observatories, the Hill of Democracy, Mars and Philoppapos Hill, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and the Theatre of Dionysis.

Corinth Canal by Boat

Sliced through solid rock, the Corinth Canal is one of Greece's most important engineering achievements. And you'll have the pleasure of cruising along this narrow sea corridor on this half-day tour – it's the perfect backdrop for snapping up those Insta-gold photos. After pick-up from your hotel, you'll begin cruising towards the Corinth Canal. It's a 6km-long passage that connects the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea, but what's really astounding is its narrowness – just under 25m wide – and history.As your captain expertly manoeuvres the boat with only a couple of metres either side of near-vertical cliffs, you'll be able to appreciate this engineering marvel. Your guide will fill you in on how excavation first started under the rule of Roman Emperor Nero in the first century AD and was finally completed by the French in the 19th century.

Aegina, Poros and Agistri boat trip from Kinetta

Explore three Saronic Islands in just one day with this full-day tour. Stopping at Aegina, Poros and Agistri, you'll get free time on each to do exactly as you wish, while a taverna lunch and a scenic boat trip complete the line-up.