Favorite walking and/or driving tour companies of Pieaeus for a day?

[kendu]

Hi, We will be in Athens this August for about eight hours- two adults and three children-0 upper teens. Can anyone recommend a good, reliable, tour company that has been around a while that could preferrably pick us up but, at the least, take us around Athens?

Thanks

Ken

[Rocket4Oh]

Hi, We will be in Athens this August for about eight hours- two adults and three children-0 upper teens. Can anyone recommend a good, reliable, tour company that has been around a while that could preferrably pick us up but, at the least, take us around Athens?

Thanks

Ken

Thre are a number of threads that you can easily find that have taxi/tour guides recommended. In our research it seems that there are several favorites:

Paul of Greek Taxi (*****/) and Athenstaxi dot net.

Both of these can pick you up and deliver you back to the port. If you want a tour guide to take you through the sites then you will need to hire a separate guide as a 'guide' needs to be licensed

[cruisemom42]

The historic center of Athens is mostly pedestrian only. If you plan to spend your day mostly doing these sites (Acropolis, Plaka, Syntagma square, etc), there is really no need for a driver.

 

I recommend you take the metro into Athens and either plan a DIY walking tour of the sites (perhaps springing for a shared guide at the Acropolis -- they are usually available), or book a walking tour. Here's one of the best recommended:

 

http://www.athenswalkingtours.gr/

 

If you are concerned about the heat and the walk to the metro station (I read your other post), you can either negotiate for a taxi to take you to the Metro (you have to be a good negotiator as most will want you to book a full day with them), OR get the taxi to take you directly to the Acropolis, which should be 20-25 euro for the trip and has the benefit of getting you to the Acropolis early to avoid the crowds.

[MercedMike]

The historic center of Athens is mostly pedestrian only. If you plan to spend your day mostly doing these sites (Acropolis, Plaka, Syntagma square, etc), there is really no need for a driver.

 

I recommend you take the metro into Athens and either plan a DIY walking tour of the sites .... OR get the taxi to take you directly to the Acropolis, ....

 

I agree that the antiquities of Athens are very walkable with a good guide book. You can also easily use the metro to get to the Plaka and flea market. What I would suggest is to book with http://***** for the transfer into Athens and the pick up and return to the port. They are reasonably priced and it is so much nicer to have somebody waiting for you at the port than to try to negotiate with a taxi driver.

 

Check out our trip report and pictures at http://www.bully4.us/athens.html

 

Have a GREAT cruise!

[ny4cruise]

Hi, We will be in Athens this August for about eight hours- two adults and three children-0 upper teens. Can anyone recommend a good, reliable, tour company that has been around a while that could preferrably pick us up but, at the least, take us around Athens?

Thanks

Ken

 

Hi Ken,

On the board you will find recommendations by members for several tour companies, even some negative comments for one or two of them. I have already posted my experiences with one of the companies mentioned, which I think would be good for your family of five. Taxis in Athens are not allowed to take more than four passengers, so if you want to have a private tour, or even for transportation, your only option is a minivan.

Last April I booked with Nikos Loukas of privategreecetours a day tour in Athens similar to yours (about eight hours) for my family of six. Nikos was there waiting for us and he took us directly to the Acropolis where we were among the first to enter and we really enjoyed the site before the crowds arrived. I still remember the lines waiting at the entrance on our way down! Then we toured the city’s major sites and enjoyed an excellent lunch at a Greek restaurant that Nikos suggested. I was so satisfied with his services that I have booked him again this summer for my visit to Greece. Note though that none of these driving/private tour providers can escort you in the sites. Nikos couldn’t either, but he was very knowledgeable and informative.