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Photo: Katherine Whittaker

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Cycling Tour of Athens with Athens by Bike

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The best way to see all of Athens’ top historical monuments and cultural sights, all from the seat of a bike.

By Katherine Whittaker

I have to admit feeling a little trepidation about this tour, initially. If you have ever seen people drive through—or even just park on—the streets of Athens, you might understand; the roads are hectic. As someone who hasn’t been on a bike in several years, I didn’t know that I would be cut out for this particular adventure.

But there really is nothing to be afraid of, or at least not as much as I thought. This tour is planned with caution at the forefront, as our tour guide Danae explained in the beginning. “It’s a safe route,” she explains. “These are low-traffic streets, and we’ll be cycling all together at a reasonable pace.” And in fact, the real problem when biking in Athens is the pedestrian traffic. Groups walking eight people across, those who stop quickly or make abrupt turns are all out to get in your way, it seems—so do pay attention at all times.

Another important thing to know: marble is a tricky surface, and one that is ubiquitous in the city. If you have to brake on it, you probably will not stop quickly. Just beware.

Catch all the major sights in hours

Once you get all the basics down, it’s time to hit the road and let any anxiety fall by the wayside. Gliding past the city’s most famous monuments , the wind in your hair and a distinct burning in your thighs that tells you you’re putting in the work to justify all that feta you’ve been eating—it’s lovely, relaxing, and fun. Even if you know in the back of your mind that you will inevitably need to hit the brakes to dodge rogue pedestrians.

At every sight, Danae pauses the tour to give a few minutes of historical background (and to give you the chance to snap a few photos; trust me, it’s a bad idea to try to do this from your moving bike). As we pull over right under the Acropolis , she quizzes our group of 12 about why it was built and how old it is. She explains the debates over the Parthenon marbles: British aristocrat Lord Elgin had a team steal a chunk of carved stone from the Parthenon in 1803, and to this day there is a heated discussion about whether or not they should be returned to their home (if you can’t guess where Athens falls on this issue, you should head to the Acropolis Museum , where a space is kept open for the marbles when and if they are brought back to Greece). She also tells us about the ongoing renovations on the Acropolis. Then we move through what Danae calls “the most interesting few hundred metres in the city”: the monuments cover all the major periods in Athenian history, from Classical to Byzantium, as we soar past the Tower of the Winds  and down to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens .

As the tour winds down, we cruise through the National Garden, a shady, lush park with trees and plants imported from around the world. As Danae points out, the garden isn’t just pretty greenery: it contains a zoo, ancient fragments and Roman mosaics. Through the gates enclosing the park, you can also catch glimpses of the Parliament building. 

We pause at the historic Zappeion hall and the Panathenaic Stadium , where the first modern Olympics were held. We end by watching the changing of the guard in front of the Presidential Palace. There, Danae fills us in on what it takes to be an Evzone , including plenty of unusual facts I was unfamiliar with, from their salaries to the weight of their shoes. 

Exploring the city like a local

Since this tour covers so much ground—literally and figuratively—there are lots of chances to talk about things other than the ancient monuments. Throughout the tour, Danae fields questions on nearly every topic, including why there are so many cats  wandering around the city streets (many are actually looked after by the Athens Municipality). As we soar past Cine Thisio, Danae talks about how she regularly goes there, and recommends that everybody make it to an outdoor cinema  while in Athens. 

When we stop for a quick snack break, the conversation turns to food and drink. Danae tells us about the piney resin mastiha , from Chios island, and everybody tries it in a heaping scoop of ice cream. She is more than happy to suggest places to try when the tour ends. But if you aren’t able to jot all these down while on a bike or chowing down on ice cream, don’t worry: Athens By Bike will send you a list of recommendations in the city after the tour wraps up.

What’s the verdict?

For those in Athens for a layover, this tour is ideal: you’ll cover all the major historical highlights of the city, while also getting a local’s take on where to eat, drink and play. 

• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Cost: €36 for adults 18+; €32 for children 12-17; an extra €10 to rent an electric bike
• Time: 10 am & 6 pm daily

Athens Electric Bike Tour

• Athens Bike Tour
• Acropolis Guided Electric Bike Tour
• Acropolis Walking Tour
• Athens Sunset Bike Tour
• Delphi day trip by bus
• Athens Food tour
• Self – guided tours
• Private City Tour
• Private Coastal Tour
• Private Food Tour by bike
• Athens City tour
• Athens Coastal tour

Explore Athens in a convenient way

Important Information

• This tour is suitable for all fitness levels, as long as you are an able cyclist
• Minimum age: 12 years old.
• Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• We will not enter any archaeological sites on this tour
• This tour focuses on helping visitors get a sense of the city's layout, capturing memorable photos and allowing an enjoyable experience and does not focus on explaining the history of the city
• Cancellation and adverse weather policy click here
• General terms and conditions click here
• By adding your personal data to our booking system, you clearly signify your acceptance and consent to our "Privacy Policy" as it is outlined here

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Join the most fun tour in Athens and make the most of the city!

Explore the city of Athens in a convenient way, using our high quality e-bikes, on our Athens Electric Bike Tour. This entertaining e-bike tour is definitely one of the best things to do during your stay in Athens! Together, we will explore all the breathtaking monuments of Athens and pass by all the must-see locations and main landmarks, as well as some off-beaten paths. Our Electric Bike Tour of Athens starts daily, just a short walk from the Acropolis Museum, and it’s one of the top outdoor activities and tours in Athens for first time travellers. The ‘Pedal-Assist’ bikes, which are not to be mistaken with Electric Scooters, will definitely guarantee a relaxed and enjoyable ride and a comfortable sightseeing experience. During the Athens Electric Bike Tour, we will travel together through time in an exciting tour through modern and ancient Athens. We will pass by all the main highlights of the historic centre of Athens, have regular stops to capture photos.

What to expect

After a short introduction of the tour’s schedule and some important safety instructions, we will ride through the hip little neighbourhood of Plaka , a place full of historic buildings and a local market with plenty of shops for souvenirs and small gifts. We will unveil a beautiful ‘secret spot’ by the National Observatory which one wouldn’t normally visit in other tours of Athens and where we will have the chance to take pictures and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Acropolis. Our exciting e-bike tour of Athens will pass by the Ancient Greek cemetery of Kerameikos , Thission neighbourhood , the Ancient Greek Agora and the Roman Agora . After reaching Athens City Cathedral we will enjoy a short break to explore the area before continuing our exciting Athens Electric Bike tour. Our Athens tour continues towards the Presidential Mansion in order to check out the ceremonial military unit of the Presidential Guards, an experience listed in the best things to do while in Athens.

The tour continues with a brief visit to the Panathenaic Stadium , the venue of the first modern Olympic Games and finally to Zappeion Hall , one of the most important Neoclassical buildings in Greece.

Our E-Bike tour of Athens will end in front of the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch , getting another unique view to the Acropolis!

After completing our Athens Electric Bike Tour, you will have gained the perfect local insight to the city and be equipped with all the tips and information you need regarding the best things to do in Athens in order to continue your inspiring trip to the city and beyond!

Acropolis Museum Acropolis panoramic view National Observatory Ancient Greek Cemetery of Kerameikos Thission Temple of Hephaestus Ancient Greek Agora, Roman Agora Athens City Cathedral, Plaka neighborhood Presidential Mansion Panathenaic Stadium Zappeion Exhibition Hall Temple of Olympian Zeus Hadrian’s Arch

Depending on specific local conditions, reasonable changes in the itinerary of the Athens Electric bike tour may be made, where deemed necessary, only by “Athens by bike”

Sara -November 2019

Highlight of our visit.

I booked this bike tour for myself and 6 girlfriends, and it was the perfect way to start our weekend visit in Athens. Danae was an amazing tour leader; so accommodating, lovely, funny – we loved her! On the tour, you get to see a lot of Athens highlights, but in much shorter time than if you had to walk around on your own. Danae took us to some less touristy spots as well, which we enjoyed very much! The electric bikes were great and easy to use. After a weekend in Athens, we all agreed that this e-bike tour was the highlight of our trip!

Jonathan- October 2019

Fun e-bike tour.

Kostas did an excellent job with our bike tour. He was very friendly and gave us a lot of suggestions about great things to do in Athens. The electric bikes were easy and fun to ride and a good / efficient way to get around and see the city. Highly recommended if you want something different than your typical bus tour and something interactive.

Selina – October 2019

The best in athens.

The cycling tour which I made with my boyfriend was really fun and interesting. Sapfo was our tour leader and she was a nice person and did her job very well. We got many tips for good restaurants and other things that were interesting for us. Some of the spots we are going to visit again for sure. Even the e-bikes have been really comfortable, so people that are maybe not that sportive, can make the tour without falling off the bike afterwards. All in all a very nice trip, we can highly recommend, especially for people who have not seen the pretty sides of Athens.

Ola- October 2019

This was a fantastic tour. Highly recommend you do this tour if you want to see and experience Athens. Also, electric bikes! Best way to get around. You can turn on turbo and barely pedal to get a nice speed going. Dimitris was our tour leader for the bike tour, and he did a great job. He was funny, friendly, relatable, entertaining… the list goes on. We had been in Athens for a few days, and didn’t really appreciate what the city has to offer till we went on the bike tour. The tour took us around Athens, and gave us a new appreciated perspective on Athens. Our only regret is we wish we had done this earlier during our stay to get the perspective Dimitris and the tour provided. Again, highly recommended!

• Starting / Ending Point Athanasiou Diakou 16 str., 11742 Athens, 60m from the metro station “Acropolis”
• Language This tour is offered only in English
• Included Top quality Electric bikes + Helmets Athens city suggestions' list Audio guide app English speaking tour leader
• Not Included Everything not mentioned above
• Team Size 1 to 12 persons
• Days Offered Daily, 365 days a year
• Minimum Age 12 y/o

Athens By Bike

Contact Info

Athens by Bike Travel agency Gnto lincense: 0206E60000533501

16, Athanasiou Diakou str. P.C 11742 – Athens

+30-216-900-3321

[email protected]

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Athens Highlights E-Bike Tour

• 2.5 hours | 5.59 miles
• From €46 EUR

2.5 hours | 5.59 miles From €46 EUR Athens

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• Day tours by bike

Discover all of ancient Athens by e-bike

For an all-encompassing adventure around Athens, taking in the most famous sightseeing spots of the city, look no further than the Athens Highlights E-Bike Tour! There’s no better, more efficient way to absorb the history and atmosphere of Athens than by taking a guided tour on two wheels - in just 2.5 hours, you’ll visit the Acropolis Museum, Acropolis Panoramic View, National Observatory, Ancient Greek Cemetery of Kerameikos, Thission, Ancient Greek Agora, Roman Agora, Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, Plaka, the National Gardens, Presidential Mansion, Panathenaic Stadium, Zappeion Exhibition Hall, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Hadrian’s Arch.

The Acropolis is the icon of Athens, and starts your bicycle tour off with a bang! From anywhere in the city you can admire this ancient citadel perched atop a rocky outcrop, the remains of several hugely significant buildings, including the Parthenon. See with your own eyes the most celebrated piece of Greek Antiquity anywhere in the world and tick the Acropolis off your bucket list! Your bike tour will take you to both the museum and panoramic viewpoint.

The next stop on your day tour is the National Observatory, the oldest research foundation in Greece. From here, you’ll cycle on to the Ancient Greek Cemetery of Kerameikos, from whose name the English derived the word ‘ceramic’, referring to the Kerameis (potters) who worked in this vicinity north of the Acropolis. Here, learn about exciting excavations that have taken place on this ancient archeological site and take a look at the Themistoclean Wall, surviving from the 5th Century BC.

Your guided e-bike tour takes you on to Thission, a trendy neighborhood now abuzz with cafes and nightlife. Cycle along shaded streets past bohemian restaurants serving delicious authentic meze. Nestled between Phillipapou Hill and the Acropolis, Thission has superb views of both, as well as the verdant pine trees and grasses covering the hills. Here, you’ll find the Ancient Greek and Roman Agoras. The Ancient Greek Agora, sometimes called the Classical Agora, is the best known example of a Greek agora anywhere in the world, once used as a residential and commercial gathering space for the Ancient Greeks.

Cycle on to another star of the Athens cityscape - Athens City Cathedral. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, known locally as the Metropolis, is made of marble from 72 demolished churches, and was completed in 1862, having been started on Christmas Day twenty years earlier. The result is a breathtaking facade complete with dome and towers, all shining spectacularly in the Greek sunlight.

Pedaling into Plaka, discover a neighborhood with a vibrant village feel, tucked away in the shadow of the Acropolis. Your e-bike tour gets a little bumpy as you cycle the cobblestone streets, but you’ll be rewarded with an experience of authentic Athens, where family-run tavernas greet the locals, and street stalls sell hand-crafted ceramics and jewelry. Next, your guided tour takes you to the National Gardens, a gorgeous green oasis created on the orders of Queen Amalia between 1838 and 1840. Weave your bike along narrow paths lined with towering exotic trees and plants, past tranquil lakes and even a small zoo hosting peacocks and wild goats. The American novelist Henry Miller once wrote of these gardens, “It remains in my memory like no other park I have known”.

Push on to the Presidential Mansion, the official residence of the President of the Hellenic Republic. Built in the Neoclassical style, the exquisite white exterior of the palace gleams in the daylight - a sheer delight for the eyes and a site of great political history. From here, you’ll pedal to the Panathenaic Stadium, the only stadium in the whole world built entirely from marble. This incredible site was used to host the Panathenaic Games, a religious and athletic festival held every four years to celebrate the goddess Athena. It was used as an Olympic venue in 2004 and is the site of the Olympic flame handover.

Zip over to Zappeion Exhibition Hall, a palatial landmark of Athens standing as a supreme example of Neoclassical architecture and often used in ceremonies. From here, your bicycle tour takes you to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, once one of the largest temples in the world. These days, only 16 of the original 104 columns have survived, but they remain a breathtakingly beautiful relic, standing at 17m high.

Bike on to Hadrian’s Arch for the final stop on your fascinating day tour. Said to have been built in honor of the arrival of the Roman Emperor, Hadrian, the monumental archway once spanned an ancient road in the center of Athens. Like so many other landmarks your e-bike tour takes in, Hadrian’s Arch is also built entirely of marble!

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Acropolis Museum, Acropolis Panoramic View, National Observatory, Ancient Greek Cemetery of Kerameikos, Thission, Ancient Greek Agora, Roman Agora, Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, Plaka, National Gardens, Presidential Mansion, Panathenaic Stadium, Zappeion Exhibition Hall, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch

What’s included

• E-bike and helmet rental
• Local tour leader
• Audio guide app
• Athens "Things-to-do" list

Meeting place & directions

Athens by Bike - 16, Athanasiou Diakou str., 11742 Athens, 60m from the metro station “Acropolis”

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Viator Tickets and Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

First Timer's Guide to Athens First Timer's Guide to Athens

Athens is full of must-see attractions, notably the Parthenon. But look beyond the archeological sites and museums, and you’ll find a bevy of lively neighborhoods and squares. Start your trip off on the right foot with these first-timer musts.

Athens’ star attraction is, undoubtedly, the Acropolis and its host of temples, the crowning glory being the Parthenon. Between April and October, you’ll want to jump the queue with skip-the-line tours to get up close and personal with the ancient marvel that continues to baffle engineers. Snap pictures of the Temple of Athena Nike and the Propylaia Gates glowing in the afternoon light, and if you have time, stop at the Acropolis Museum to learn more about these ancient sites.

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History buffs won’t want to miss ancient sites such as the Panathenaic Stadium, Kerameikos Cemetery, or Arch of Hadrian. You can easily see them while exploring the city by bike, tuk-tuk, or Segway. To make mythology for the kids even more interesting, go on an interactive tour led by a guide who expertly brings Greek legends to life.

Beyond the archaic wonders, Athens comes alive with a surprisingly contrasting collection of neighborhoods. In the shadow of the Acropolis sits Monastiraki Square, teeming with historical monuments and shops for select Greek-designed mementos and vintage finds, while adjacent Psirri is renowned for eye-popping street art and handcrafted leather goods. Nearby upscale Kolonaki’s boutique-lined streets and galleries draw well-heeled shoppers and contemporary art aficionados.

Greeks take food seriously, so don't miss a tour of the city’s heady central markets, delis, old-school and modern cafés, laidback meze joints, tavernas, and street-food hangouts. Skip the hotel breakfast because you’ll need plenty of room to sample a seemingly endless array of goodies, from honey-dipped donut-like loukoumades and regional cheeses to olives and souvlaki.

Witness a fiery sunset at Cape Sounion as you admire the marble Doric columns of the Temple of Poseidon, erected around 444 BC to honor the god of the sea. The hilltop ancient site not only served as a vantage point in 5th-century BC Athens but today affords wonderful oceanic views. Legend has it that Athens’ King Aegeus threw himself off the cliff when he saw his son Theseus’ ship bearing black sails, mistakenly believing he had died.

While you’re in Athens, seize the opportunity to visit UNESCO World Heritage–listed sites that can be seen on a day trip. You can tour the riveting ancient site of Delphi and its small yet notable museum, Delphi Archaeological Museum. Equally fascinating are the soaring stone pillars of Meteora, crowned by centuries-old Eastern Orthodox monasteries. If biblical history is more your vibe, trace the footsteps of St. Paul in ancient Corinth and along the Corinth Canal.

Ancient history buffs and sports enthusiasts alike delight in visiting ancient Olympia, home of the first Olympics. This massive site overflows with impressive ruins and top-tier museums, including the remains of the stadium, gymnasium, a number of temples, and the world-class Archaeological Museum of Olympia. The site sits more than three hours outside of the capital city, so book a tour that includes transportation to avoid the hassle of driving or navigating public transportation.

Greece is most known for its classical art and architecture, but this land was inhabited centuries before the Greek Empire rose to power. Delve into prehistoric history at Mycenae, the UNESCO-listed seat of the powerful Mycenaean civilization as far back as 1500 BC. Follow streets where King Agamemnon is said to have walked, then jump ahead almost a millennium at the nearby Theater of Epidaurus, an ancient acoustical wonder that once seated 14,000 spectators.

With its dramatic ancient temples and vibrant dining and drinking scene, Athens shows its best side once the sun dips below the horizon. Take in the Acropolis and views over the twinkling city lights from the top of Mt. Lycabettus on a night tour of Athens by car or by e-bike—some tours end with a rousing performance of traditional Greek music and dance at a neighborhood taverna.

A short drive southwest of the city center is the glittering Athens Riviera, a string of coastal suburbs and beaches stretching 37 miles (60 kilometers) from suburban Faliro down to Cape Sounion. Reserve a spot on a half-day luxury catamaran cruise and set off on a group sailing adventure in the Saronic Gulf. Cool off with a swim and snorkel (ideally between late May and October), then tuck into a hearty Greek barbecue on board.