Piraeus, Athens City Tour and Acropolis

Take a short drive to Athens, the cradle of the European civilization. For twenty-five centuries, the panorama of this city is dominated by the rock of the Acropolis. Walk uphill to visit the Acropolis and see the principal buildings: the Propylaia, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and the magnificent Parthenon. During your visit, you will also have some free time. Continue on with a panoramic tour of the city, where you will view the Olympieion (the Temple of Olympian Zeus) from the 6^th Century BC, one of the largest Corynthian style temples in Greek, history and Hadrian’s Arch (2^nd Century AD). This divided the Greek city from Hadrian’s new Roman city. Arriving at Syntagma Square, see the Royal Palace, built for Otto I of Bavaria and the present day Parliament. In front of the Palace stands the Monument of the Unknown Soldier where two soldiers (Evzoni) stand guard continuously.

Drive further along and pass the neoclassical buildings of the University, Academy and Library before arriving at the Stadium laid out under Lycurgus in the 4^th Century BC and rebuilt in 1896 on its original plan for the modern Olympic Games. Drive again via Syngrou Avenue to return to Piraeus and the ship.