Athens sightseeing buses are an ideal way to discover the city in just a few hours. For a first glimpse, there’s nothing better. This allows you to see the main monuments and sites of the Greek capital, from the comfort of a tourist bus. Advantages, disadvantages, schedules and different companies: we take stock on the Hop-On Hop-Off buses in Athens!
Benefits and disadvantages of a sightseeing bus
The advantages of tourist bus in Athens
There are several advantages to using a multi-stop bus to visit Athens.
First of all, it gives you a fairly complete overview of the city. So it’s highly recommended for those who only have a short time in Athens. This option is also very practical for travelers who like to get a first overview of the city before going on to visit the monuments and sites that appeal to them.
Multi-stop buses in Athens are also very convenient for cruisers who arrive at the port of Piraeus and only have a day to visit the Greek capital. In this case, take a bus from Piraeus to the center of Athens.
The system is flexible. You buy a ticket for one, two or three days, depending on the option you choose. Then you can go up and down as many times as you like. Routes are unlimited. This allows you to visit at your own pace.
Commentary in English is provided by an audioguide system. This allows you to understand where you are, to know the names of the monuments you pass, and to have a few explanations in English.
The buses are comfortable and suitable whatever the weather. There’s an indoor floor, protected from the rain when the weather’s bad. As for the second floor, it’s convertible and open, so you can really see the city.
Buses are also wheelchair accessible.
If you need to, you can take your luggage on the bus – no problem.
There’s wifi on most buses.
Finally, a big advantage is that tickets are generally cancelable and refundable up to 24 or 48 hours before your arrival. It’s very practical in case of unforeseen circumstances!
Disadvantages
Of course, touristic buses in Athens are not for everyone. Some find them too touristy. Some days, in high season and at peak times, it can get crowded.
The comments are relatively succinct. It sure isn’t worth a guided tour of the city. But they can be complementary!
The commentary is provided via an audio guide, which travelers feel isn’t very personal and has a chilly feel to it. Audio is of variable quality.
Buses can be very hot, especially in midsummer.
Finally, stops are not always well signposted.
Athens sightseeing bus routes
There are several sightseeing bus companies in Athens, also called bus Hop-On Hop-Off. Each offers a different itinerary. Find out more before you buy your tickets. But in any case, all the companies stop in front of the main monuments of Athens:
- Syntagma Square, the heart of modern Athens. From here, you can watch the Changing of the Guard and/or stroll through the famous National Garden.
- the Acropolis
- the Temple of Zeus
- the Panathenaic Stadium (also known as the Marble Stadium)
- the Archaeological Museum
- Monastiraki
Some buses stay only in downtown Athens. Others serve the beaches of Athens and the Apollo coast as far as Cape Sounion. Others go as far as the port of Piraeus. The different itineraries are detailed below.
Prices range from €15 to €35, depending on the options chosen.
Which company should I choose to take a multi-stop bus in Athens?
The multi-stop tourist buses are easily recognizable in Athens. Blue ,Yellow or Red, which bus should you choose? We’ll help you make sense of it all.
Sights of Athens, blue bus
The Sights of Athens Blue Bus allows you to discover Athens, the port of Piraeus and the Athenian Riviera with a ticket that gives access to 4 multi-stop bus lines in Athens. For one day, you can enjoy the 4 itineraries that make up the network:
- Blue Line – Piraeus: the blue route departs from the port of Piraeus. It passes the Pasalimani marina and the ancient port of Mikrolimano, then takes you to the center of Athens via the Acropolis Museum. Ideal for a visit to the Piraeus district, or for a day’s stopover in Athens if you’re on a cruise.
- Orange Line – Athens Classic Tour: The orange tour takes you to the most beautiful sites in downtown Athens: the Acropolis, the Plaka district, the streets of Athens, Hadrian’s Gate, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Syntagma Square, Ermou Street (Athens’ busiest shopping street), the Panathenaic Stadium, the National Library and the National Museum of Archaeology. This tour allows you to discover the essential sites of Athens.
- Yellow Line – Glyfada: this line serves the Athenian Riviera and the beaches. It passes the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, Alimos Marina, Flisvos Marina and the turquoise waters of Agios Kosmas. The tour ends in Glyfada, a chic suburb of Athens.
- Ligne Verte – Vouliagmeni: Vouliagmeni is famous for its beaches and warm lake.
- As well as a half-day excursion to half-day excursion to Cape Sounion to admire the temple of Poseidon at sunset
From €15/person. Free for children under four. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
=> Booking link for the blue bus
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Hop On Hop Off red buses
City Sightseeing offers you the chance to discover Athens on board an open-top multi-stop bus. You can add a visit to Piraeus as an optional extra. These are the buses that get the best feedback from our friends and family visiting Athens.
Hop-On Hop-Off Red bus from City Sightseeing in Athens offer a 2 or 3-day pass. The choice depends on the length of your stay.
There are three different itineraries (you must choose the option at the time of purchase):
- Athens line: this line departs from Syntagma Square and serves the Kolonaki Museum, the National Gallery, the former Olympic Stadium, the Acropolis Museum, the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Temple of Zeus, the National Library, the National Archaeology Museum, Omonia Square and Monastiraki Square. The tour lasts around 90 minutes and takes in the city center from Syntagma Square.
- The Piraeus line: as its name suggests, this line serves the port of Piraeus, where you can visit the Niarchos Foundation, the Piraeus Archaeological Museum, the Port of Mikrolimano and the Planetarium.
- The beach and riviera line serves the various beaches of Athens and the Riviera: Flisvos, Edem, Astir Beach, Divani Apollon, Vouliagmeni lake, Glyfada, etc.
From €23/person. Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
=> Booking link for the red bus on Get Your Guide.
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Black buses from Big Bus Tours
New to Athens, the black buses of Big Bus Tours – Athens offer much the same services as their competitors, and they have good reviews too:
- More than 40 stops in Athens, Piraeus and the Athenian coast.
- The 3 itineraries offered are loops, and all pass by the Acropolis: Athens Tour (90 mins, departing from Syntagma), Piraeus Tour (75 mins, departing from the port) and Riviera Route (120 mins, departing from the Acropolis).
- Multilingual audio guide, and 24h, 48 or 72h package
Please note: Specified on Get Your Guide, “Big Bus tickets are also valid for Athens Open Tour yellow buses”.
From €21/person. Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
=> Booking link for the black bus
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Athens Open Tour yellow buses
Explore Athens, Piraeus, the coast and the beaches with the yellow Athens Open Tour buses and other multi-stop buses. You can get on and off the bus as you please and enjoy the 40 stops spread throughout Athens, Piraeus, the coastline and the beaches.
The choice is yours:
- the 90-minute tour of Athens, starting at Syntagma Square in the city center,
- the 60-minute tour from Piraeus ferry terminal
- or the 120-minute tour along the coast and beaches from the Acropolis.
A special bus stop at the Acropolis connects these three routes to each other, which is very convenient.
From €15/person. Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
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Laure M.
Article updated on July 9, 2024
