Attica Tour (Marathonas – Vavrona – Sounion)
In 490 B.C., the Athenian army crashed the Persian invaders at the Battle of Marathon. According to legend, Pheidippides, a messenger (who is a historical figure) was sent back to Athens, 42 kms away, to bring news of this huge victory to the city. He ran all the way back to the city without making a single stop. As soon as he proclaimed “we have won!”, he collapsed and died. The legend of Pheidippides has inspired the famous marathon race.
While in Marathon, you can visit the tomb of the 192 Athenians who fought and died in the battle, out of an original force of 10,000 Athenians and 1,000 Plataeans. The tomb is 9 meters (30ft) tall and 50 meters (165ft) in diameter.
There are two museums in the area that you might want to visit; the Marathon Run Museum, containing various exhibits from the history of the modern event, and the Archaeological Museum, containing exhibits from all the way back to the Neolithic period.
The most famous landmark of Cape Sounio is the majestic Temple of Poseidon. It is said that the ancients knew how to find areas with a very special and relaxing kind of energy to build their places of worship, and this location certainly proves this theory. The deep blue of the Aegean Sea, as it merges with the light blue sky in the distance, makes a perfect backdrop for this mystical place. And now you’ll have the opportunity to experience it yourself. See if you can find Lord Byron’s signature on one of the columns!
After a hearty lunch in a tavern by the sea, it’s time to wrap up this unique experience and head back to Athens.
The entrance fee for this tour is 6,00€ for the Marathon
6,00€ for the Vavrona museum and 4,00€ for Cape Sounion ( In total 16,00€)
Free admission for:
Journalists
Persons under 18 (with current identification to prove age)
University students from Greece and the E.U
Free admission (for all) on the following dates:
6 March
5 June
18 April
18 May (International Museums Day)
The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
Summer Period: 1 April – 31 October
Winter Period: 1 November – 31 March
Opening hours for the archaeological area of Marathon Tumulus:
Winter Period: 08:00-15:00
Summer Period: 08:00-20:00
Opening hours for the archaeological area of Marathon Museum:
Winter period: 08:00-15:00
Summer period: 08:00-20:00
All sites and museums are closed or have reduced opening hours, on the following holidays:
1 January: closed
6 January: closed
Shrove Monday: 08.30-15.00
25 March: closed
Good Friday: until 12:00 closed
Holy Saturday: 08.30-15.00
Easter Sunday : closed
Easter Monday: 08.30-15.00
1 May: closed
Holy Spirit Day: 08.30-15.00
15 August: 08.30-15.00
28 October: 08.30-15.00
25 December: closed
26 December: closed
Comfortable shoes and clothes ,hat and sunscreen.
* We can customize this tour to your needs.
** If you want to skip or add something, please let us know in advance.
Testimonials
Will King
My wife and I took a 3 week cruise from rome to venice. One of the stops was a day in athens.
Upon getting off the ship in athens, there was an army of taxi drivers who were waiting to take the cruise goers on a tour.
We saw a nicely dressed man who had a nice mercedes, we approached him and upon greeting him he spoke perfect english.
We asked him if he could give us a tour and a have a nice lunch at a great restaurant.
Lambros gave us a wonderful tour of athens, sharing a vast knowledge of the history of athens, and commented on insightful landmarks. Lambros then took us to an amazing restaurant right on the water and made sure we were back to the ship in a timely manner.
Exemptional tour and great memories.
Ciceri Francesca
I met mr. Petropoulos one of those days when the agenda of a business trip is so full of appointments that you can’t push in a needle….
I was late to the last appointment before my flight back to Italy and my luggage was still in the hotel. The only option was really to ask Mr. Petropoulos to get my trolley while I was in the last meeting and then bring me straight to the airport. The risk was to remain in XX street and wait forever…well when I went out the bank Lambros was there with my bag in the car and I managed to catch my plane and be safe at home.
That was the beginning of a 16 years cooperation, always very professional , reliable and with a very good English which helps the communication. A real point of reference for me in Athens.
The Brown Family
Labros and Athena Private Tours, thanks so much for the three day tour from Athens to Nafplio, Olympia and Delphi, and back to Athens. It was such a wonderful experience from beginning to end. We were amazed to see and learn so many things in three days, so thank you so much.
As a tour guide you made the experience easy, fun and memorable, as well as accommodating for our children (they really loved you!). You are the most knowledgeable and passionate guide I have met and any question I had you were able and happy to answer.
We will be recommending your service to our friends and no doubt if we come back to Greece we will be using your services once again.
Many thanks
James and Alice
Thank you so much Lambros for our wonderful tour. We initially wanted to visit the islands only, but in the end we decided to book a tour in Athens, and we are so glad we did. We learnt so many things about the ancient history of Athens and your passion really made the experience great fun. The sunset in Sounion in particular was majestic and one of the most beautiful moments I’ve had with my wife. You also went out of your way to give us plenty of tips and information for the islands we were planning to go to, and we are extremely grateful for this.
We are definitely planning to come back to Greece and book one of your tours to see more of mainland Greece next time. Thanks again so much for the wonderful experience.
With Love, James and AliceAs a tour guide you made the experience easy, fun and memorable, as well as accommodating for our children (they really loved you!). You are the most knowledgeable and passionate guide I have met and any question I had you were able and happy to answer.
We will be recommending your service to our friends and no doubt if we come back to Greece we will be using your services once again.
Many thanks