Organized Tours

Many independent travelers (ourselves included) turn up their noses at organized tours. Nonetheless, such a tour can be an efficient and easy way to get an overview of an unfamiliar city. We're impressed by the number of people we know who confess that they are very glad they took one of these tours, which helped them get oriented and figure out which sights they wanted to see more thoroughly. Most of the tour guides pass stiff tests to get their licenses.

A new addition in Athens is the Sightseeing Bus (tel. 185; www.oasa.gr; 5€/$6.50). An initiative of the Athens Urban Transport Organization, the route begins and ends outside the National Archaeological Museum with stops at the Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, Plaka, Syntagma-Parliament, the university, Omonia Square, Kerameikos, Monastiraki, Psirri, Thission, the Benaki Museum, the National Gallery, the Central Market and the Panathenaiko Stadium. The bus (with a tour guide) leaves every half-hour from the museum from 7am to 9pm and takes about 90 minutes if you stay on board during the entire trip. This is a hop-on, hop-off bus so you can get off at any site you choose and catch the next bus to your next destination. Tickets can only be purchased from the bus driver and are valid for 24 hours.

The best-known Athens-based tour groups are CHAT Tours, 4 Stadiou (tel. 210/322-3137 or 210/322-3886); and Key Tours, 4 Kalliroïs (tel. 210/923-3166; www.keytours.gr). Each offers half- and full-day tours of the city, "Athens by Night" tours, and day excursions from Athens. Expect to pay about 50€ ($65) for a half-day tour, 80€ ($104) for a full-day tour, and around 100€ ($130) for "Athens by Night" (including dinner and sometimes a folk-dance performance at the Dora Stratou Theater). To take any of these tours, you must book and pay in advance. At that time, you will be told when you will be picked up at your hotel, or where you should meet the tour.

Each company also offers excursions from Athens. A visit to the very popular Temple of Poseidon at Sounion costs about 60€ ($78) for a half-day trip, including swimming and a meal. A trip to Delphi usually costs about 110€ ($143) for a full day, which often includes stops at the Monastery of Osios Loukas and Arachova village. If you want to spend the night in Delphi (included are hotel, site, and museum admissions, as well as dinner, breakfast, and sometimes lunch), the price ranges from 50€ to 160€ ($65-$208). Rates for excursions to the Peloponnese, taking in Corinth, Mycenae, and Epidaurus, are similar to those for Delphi. If your time in Greece is limited, you may find one of these day trips considerably less stressful than renting a car for the day and driving yourself.

If you want to hire a private guide, speak to the concierge at your hotel or contact the Association of Official Guides, 9a Apollonas (tel. 210/322-9705). Expect to pay from 100€ ($130) for a 5-hour tour.

For the more adventurous there are two ways of sightseeing that will offer you a unique perspective on the city. The first one is on the ground and the second above.

Pame Volta (Let's go for a Ride), 20 Hadjichristou, Acropolis (tel. 210/922-1578; www.pamevolta.gr; Wed-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat-Sun 11am-7pm), has taken advantage of post-Olympics pedestrian-friendly Athens and offers bicycles for rent and bicycle tours around the city. A very unique and fun way to explore the city.

Much more expensive but also much more spectacular is the Helicopter Sightseeing Tour of Athens by Hop In Zinon Tours (29 Zanni St., Piraeus Athens, 185 36 Greece tel. 210/428 5500). Seeing Athens from above, especially at night when all the monuments are lit, is an unforgettable (if pricey) experience.

Visiting the Olympic Sports Complex

If you have the chance to see a concert or catch a match at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex (OAKA; tel. 210-683-4777; www.oaka.com.gr; Metro line 1 to Irini), do it. Otherwise, call to organize a tour of Athens's newest landmark. To see this massive complex up close you have to call and arrange to join an organized tour for 3€ ($3.90). If you're traveling alone and want to see the complex and the showcase stadiums e-mail oakapre1@otenet.gr with a request to join another tour. Open daily 8am to 8pm. No admission fee for those who wish to visit without a guided tour.