Are you looking for a solution to visit Athens in a few hours or in one day? So, we recommend Welcome Pickups that in addition to their cab service, also offers a private driver service in Athens. But be careful, not just any drivers! What we like about this approach is that during your day or half day your private driver in Athens will also be your guide.
Follow the driver!
And yes, because the Welcome Pickups drivers have been handpicked.
They know Athens like the back of their hand, of course, but also the history of their country and the main monuments. Obviously, your driver will not accompany you to the sites like a tour guide, but he will be able to tell you about the city, the sites and the current life in Greece.
He will also know how to bring you closer to the points of interest. The advantage for you? You don’t waste time in public transport. And you don’t look for your way by desperately looking at a map of Athens.
The cars are air-conditioned and comfortable. They benefit from a free Wifi access. The classic cars can carry from 1 to 4 people, but it is also possible to request a minibus for groups of 5 to 8 people. Finally the driver will provide you with water to quench your thirst.
Finally, and this is an important point, Welcome Pickups has a English speaking driver. However, during school vacations, it may not be available. That’s why it’s important to book well in advance. We took the tour with Chartis, who gave us a lot of information about the monuments as well as his vision of Greece and its influence on the world. You just have to mention “English speaking driver” in the comments when you order and Welcome Pickups will assign him to you according to his availability (see below, how to make a reservation).
The program in all freedom
The interest of these tours with a private driver in Athens lies in the fact that they are totally adaptable and flexible on a day or half-day basis. Nothing is imposed and you can go at your own pace.
- Want to spend more time at the Acropolis? No problem. Your driver is waiting for you.
- Is it raining or is it very hot? Then your driver will recommend the best museums in the city.
- Difficulty for walking? He can drop you off at one place and pick you up at another.
- You don’t want to be burdened with your luggage? They will be safe in the trunk of the car.
The private driver will pick you up at the hotel and drop you off at the end at the place of your choice in the center of Athens or at your accommodation. All you have to do is specify the place, date and time when you make your reservation.
Other alternatives
We also found a similar tour (in English) but a little cheaper, that we have not tested yet on Get Your Guide.
- Private Sightseeing minibus Tour (5 hours) : Visit the Acropolis of Athens, the Acropolis Museum and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, photo stop to panathenaic stadium, Mount Lycabettus, Presidential Palace, and have a break at Stavros Niarchos and Plaka.
Some itinerary suggestions
Of course, you can use our itineraries as inspiration to design your own tour. You can also let your driver guide you. Here are some of the things to see and not to miss.
* The districts of Monastiraki and Plaka *
To take the pulse of the capital, why not start your tour in the square Monastiraki, the nerve center of the capital. And continue with a stroll in Plaka or Anafiotika, one of the most beautiful areas of Athens?
* The Acropolis Hill *
Impossible not to pass in Athens without admiring the Acropolis. You can enter the site, or just decide to bypass it. Another option is to visit the museum of the Acropolis which houses a beautiful collection and offers an incredible view of the Parthenon. You can then ask your private driver to pick you up at the entrance.
* Syntagma: the place of the constitution *
Pass by the Constitution Square to admire the Parliament and the changing of the guard. If you are feeling sporty, you can ask your private driver to drop you off and you will cross the beautiful National Garden and come out on the side of the Zappion, masterpiece of neoclassical art.
* The Panathenaeum Stadium *
A small tour through the stadium of the Panathenaeus, a place of great importance in ancient Greece, hosted the first modern Olympic games in 1896.
* The Lycabetta Hill *
Then take the high ground by climbing the hill of Lycabette. You can ask your driver to leave you at the bottom of the funicular, walk up or ask him to drop you off at the top.
* Tasting of Greek products at Yolenis *
Your private driver will offer you if you wish to enjoy a free tasting at Yolenis in Kolonaki. It’s a place we love, part caterer, part restaurant and part tasting room. The products offered are of high quality and the explanations allow a better understanding of the flavors of Greek cuisine. Ideal to buy good gourmet souvenirs (honey, olive oil, tapenades, etc.). If you want to skip this step, no problem of course!
* The Athenian trilogy *
A little bit out of the center, the three jewels of neoclassical architecture that are the University, the Academy and the National Library, are to be seen during your tour.
* The Stavros Niarchos Foundation *
Why not end your journey by visiting the Stavros Niarchos Foundation near the sea? The building and the Mediterranean gardens are absolutely splendid. A beautiful green space, a little bit out of the way but very close to the sea.
In practice: formulas, rates and schedules
There are two interesting formulas:
One day tour with private driver in Athens
- The tour lasts 8 hours and you have the possibility to make up to 10 stops.
- You determine at the time of booking the place and time of pick-up.
- The comfortable and air-conditioned vehicle can accommodate up to 4 people.
- The price is 325 euros.
- You can also ask for a minibus if you are between 5 and 8 people, the price goes up then.
Half day tour with private driver in Athens
- The tour lasts 4h30 and you have the possibility to make up to 8 stops.
- You determine at the time of booking the place and time of pick-up.
- The comfortable and air-conditioned vehicle can accommodate up to 4 people.
- The price is 207 euros.
- You can also ask for a minibus if you are between 5 and 8 people, the price goes up then.
What is included
- Pick up at the place of your choice in the center of Athens (hotel, tourist site, museum…)
- A comfortable and well-maintained vehicle driven by an English speaking driver.
- Free wifi access in the vehicle
- A tasting of Greek products offered at Yolenis
- Taxes, charges and fees
- Water and snacks
- Gasoline and tolls
What is not included
- Entrance tickets to sites and monuments
- A guide for the visit of the sites
- Drinks and meals
- Tips and Gratuities
How to book ?
To reserve it is very simple and fast. The reservation is made on the Welcome PickUps website and it is very easy:
- A day in Athens with private driver
- Half day in Athens with private driver
- or The Best of Athens in 2 Hours
- Simply enter the date, time, number of people and location of the pick-up. Then press the “continue booking” button
- Then add your first and last name, your phone number and your email. Then “continue”.
- Finally, make your secure payment by credit card.
Advertorial by Sophie B.
