On the steps of Mysticism Private Tour from Athens

5.0 (1 reviews) Athens, Greece
Duration8h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Follow the same route that ancient Athenians followed every four years from the Acropolis to Eleusis (the entrance to the underworld) to be initiated to Eleusinian Mysteries, the most famous of the secret religious rites of ancient Greece.

What's included

  • Hotel/ AirBnb/ Port pick up & drop-off
  • Professional Drivers with Deep knowledge of history. [Not licensed to accompany you in any site.]
  • Transport by private vehicle
  • Bottle of water
  • Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Eleusis Archaeological site, Kerameikos Cemetery
  • Licensed Tour guide upon request depending on availability [Additional cost – 390€]

What to expect

  1. Acropolis
    1h 30m · Admission ticket not included
    Sightseeing in Athens starts with the hill of Acropolis which will make your day. On the historical hill, you will have the opportunity to see the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Temple of the Athena Nike, the monumental gateway (Propylaea), the Erechtheum and of course the famous Parthenon, the main temple dedicated to the virgin goddess Athena.
  2. Propylaea
    Pass by
    The Propylaea is the monumental entrances to the sacred area dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of the city. Built by the architect Mnesicles with Pentelic marble, their design was avant-garde. To the south-west of the Propylaea, on a rampart protecting the main entrance to the Acropolis, is the Ionian temple of Apteros Nike.
  3. Parthenon
    Pass by
    Parthenon, the main temple dedicated to the virgin goddess Athena, the eternal symbol of the Athenian democracy and the western civilization.
  4. Erectheion
    Pass by
    Temple of Poseidon and Athena, the most sacred place in ancient Athens.
  5. Temple of Athena Nike
    Pass by
    Temple dedicated to the goddess Athena Nike or Wingless Victory.
  6. Ancient Agora of Athens
    50m · Admission ticket not included
    Ancient Greek Agora which is considered the birthplace of democracy, philosophy and free speech.
  7. Temple of Aries
    10m · Admission ticket not included
    In the ancient Greek Agora, you will visit the Temple of Hephaestus (the best-preserved temple in Greece standing largely as built) devoted to the God of blacksmiths and volcanoes.
  8. Museum of the Ancient Agora
    10m · Admission ticket not included
    Ancient Greek Agora which is considered the birthplace of democracy, philosophy and free speech, in its small museum you will see findings from their daily life and learn about their constitution.
  9. Kerameikos Cemetery
    1h · Admission ticket not included
    Kerameikos was named after the community of the potters (kerameis) who occupied the whole area along the banks of the river Eridanos. The walls of Athens, which were constructed in the 5th century BC by Themistocles, divided the area into two sections, the "inner" and "outer" Kerameikos. The wall had two monumental gates, Dipylon and the Sacred Gate, placed at the outset of the two most important processional roads of Athens, the Panathenaic Way which led to the Acropolis, and the Sacred Way which led to Eleusis.
    Nearby is the Dipylon gate which was the main entrance to the city, where the Panathenaic procession began and where the prostitutes congregated so they could make themselves available to weary travelers.
    Between the two gates is the Pompeion, where the preparations were made for the Panathenaic procession which was in honor of Athena.
  10. Iera Odos
    Pass by
    Iera Odos was the most importan Sacred Way in ancient Greece. It began at the Sacred Gate in the Kerameikos and led from Athens to Eleusis following the same course as modern Iera Odos. The street and adjacent cemetery were revealed during excavations for the extension of Line 3 of the Athens Metro.
  11. Archaeological Site and Museum of Eleusis
    1h · Admission ticket not included
    Visit the archaeological site of Eleusis with the Great Propylaea, the Sacred Well, the Telesterion, Demeter’s Temple, the entrance to the Underworld and the little church. The mycenean cult of Demeter was introduced, as the worship of a deity connected to nature and the growing of cereals. The continuity of Demeter's cult is attested until Roman times, by the erection of successive temples on the east side of the hill. Here were celebrated the famous Eleusinian Mysteries in which the participants swore to secrecy. While in the Museum are exhibited findings from the area, most important the huge statue of Kore, a female featured statue that decorated the Propylaea.
  12. Athens
    Pass by
    We will drive back to Athens, following the same, sacred way like the ancient mystics.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup details

Pick up time adjustable upon your request.

Additional information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The drivers are not licensed to accompany you inside any site or museum. If you require a licensed guide to tour the sites with you, you need to hire one additionally. If you have any questions you can contact us on the phone number provided by Viator.
  • The duration of the tours is approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

5.0 (1)
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