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Route name: Athens, Piraeus, and Riviera Lines
Attraction timings: Apr 1 to Sep 15: 8am - 7.30pm
Sep 16 to 30: 8am - 7pm
Oct 1 to 15: 8am - 6.30pm
Oct 16 to 31: 8am - 6pm
Nov 1 to Mar 31: 8am - 5pm
Big Bus Athens Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
Routes
TimelineMap
1. Acropolis
Acropolis
16 minutes walk
Theatre of Dionysus
4 minutes walk2. Intercontinental & Grand Hyatt (to Piraeus)
Filopappou Hill
7 minutes walkOnassis Cultural Centre
4 minutes walk4. Stavros Niarchos
Stavros Niarchos Cultural Centre
2 minutes walkPark of Maritime Tradition
13 minutes walk5. Flisvos Marina
Flisvos Marina
6 minutes walk
Averof Battleship Museum
8 minutes walk6. Alimos Marina
Alimos Marina
2 minutes walk
Sea Turtle Rescue Centre
8 minutes walk7. Ag.Kosmas Beach
Ag.Kosmas Beach
3 minutes walkAsteras Beach
6 minutes walk8. 3rd Glyfada Marina
Glyfada Marina
Glyfada Golf Club
5 minutes walk9. Divani Apollon
Vouliagmeni Beach
5 minutes walk10. Kavouri Beach
Kavouri Beach
5 minutes walk11. Astir Beach
Astir Beach
4 minutes walk12. Vouliagmeni Lake
Vouliagmeni Lake
5 minutes walk15. Glyfada Beach
Glyfada Beach
2 minutes walk17. War Cemetery
War Cemetery
5 minutes walk
Kalamaki Beach
6 minutes walkTimelineMap
1. Acropolis
Acropolis
16 minutes walk
Areopagus Hill
16 minutes walk2. Temple of Zeus
Temple of Olympian Zeus
9 minutes walk
Hadrian's Arch
3. Parliament
Hellenic Parliament
3 minutes walk
National Garden
4 minutes walk4. Benaki Museum
Benaki Museum
2 minutes walk
Cycladic Art Museum
5 minutes walk5. Panathenaic Stadium
Panathenaic Stadium
10 minutes walkPresidential Mansion Gardens
9 minutes walk6. National Library
Academy of Athens
3 minutes walkNational Historical Museum
5 minutes walk7. National Archaeological Museum
National Archaeological Museum
3 minutes walkEpigraphic Museum
4 minutes walk8. Omonia Square
Omonia Square
1 minute walkMunicipal Gallery of Athens
3 minutes walk9. Karaiskaki Square
Karaiskaki Square
10. Monastiraki Square
Monastiraki Square
Hadrian’s Library
11 minutes walk11. Kotzia Square
Kotzia Square
Athens City Hall
12. Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square
1 minute walk
Ermou Street
6 minutes walk13. Melina Merkouri/Plaka
Melina Mercouri Cultural Center
9 minutes walk
Plaka
11 minutes walk14. New Acropolis Museum
New Acropolis Museum
4 minutes walk
Theatre of Dionysus
1 minute walkTimelineMap
1. Acropolis
Acropolis
16 minutes walkTheatre of Dionysus
4 minutes walk2. Intercontinental & Grand Hyatt (to Piraeus)
Filopappou Hill
7 minutes walkOnassis Cultural Centre
4 minutes walk3. Stavros Niarchos
Stavros Niarchos Cultural Centre
2 minutes walkPark of Maritime Tradition
13 minutes walk4. Municipal Theatre
Municipal Theatre of Piraeus
5 minutes walkKorai Square
19 minutes walk5. 1st Cruise Ships Terminal
Hellenic Maritime Museum
8 minutes walk
Karaiskakis Stadium
13 minutes walk6. 2nd Cruise Ships Terminal
Zea Marina (Pasalimani)
8 minutes walkVeakeio Theater
12 minutes walk7. Pasalimani
Pasalimani Marina
12 minutes walkPiraeus Municipal Gallery
8 minutes walk8. Mikrolimano
Mikrolimano Marina
8 minutes walkKastella Hill
5 minutes walkExplore Athens, Piraeus & the Riviera across 40+ landmarks, and enjoy a night tour upgrade with the 72-hr pass.
- Unlimited bus rides for 48/72 hours: Ride seamlessly across Athens with unlimited hop-on hop-off access during validity, enjoying flexible sightseeing and easy transport between top landmarks.
- Drop-offs near 40+ sights: Access 3 routes across Athens, Piraeus & Riviera, covering Acropolis, Parthenon, Temple of Zeus & Panathenaic Stadium, with buses every 20–120 mins.
- Perks & amenities: Enjoy audio guides in 14 languages with free earphones, stay connected with onboard Wi-Fi, and relax on open-top double-decker buses for panoramic views.
- Upgrades: Choose the 72-hour pass to enjoy a 1-hour night tour, offering stunning views of illuminated landmarks like the Acropolis and Parthenon after dark.
Explore Athens, Piraeus & the Riviera across 40+ landmarks, and enjoy a night tour upgrade with the 72-hr pass.
- Unlimited bus rides for 48/72 hours: Ride seamlessly across Athens with unlimited hop-on hop-off access during validity, enjoying flexible sightseeing and easy transport between top landmarks.
- Drop-offs near 40+ sights: Access 3 routes across Athens, Piraeus & Riviera, covering Acropolis, Parthenon, Temple of Zeus & Panathenaic Stadium, with buses every 20–120 mins.
- Perks & amenities: Enjoy audio guides in 14 languages with free earphones, stay connected with onboard Wi-Fi, and relax on open-top double-decker buses for panoramic views.
- Upgrades: Choose the 72-hour pass to enjoy a 1-hour night tour, offering stunning views of illuminated landmarks like the Acropolis and Parthenon after dark.
Inclusions
- 48-hour(Discover/Essential) or 72-hour hop-on hop-off tour
- Access to Athens Line, Piraeus Line & Riviera Line (as per option selected)
- 1-hour night bus tour (as per option selected–included with the 72-hour pass)
- Pre-recorded commentary in English, Greek, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Turkish, Arabian, Japanese, French, Portuguese, Russian, Hebrew & Ukrainian
- Free Wi-Fi onboard
- Free disposable wired earphones
- Valid for Gray Line's buses
Please click here for detailed route maps and boarding points.
You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Hop-on Hop-off Route - Athens Line (Red Route)
Discover the heart of ancient Greece! This route highlights world-famous landmarks like the Parthenon and Panathenaic Stadium, perfectly blending rich history with the vibrant energy of modern city life.
Popular stops: Temple of Zeus, New Acropolis Museum, Panathenaic Stadium
Hop-on Hop-off Route - Piraeus Line (Blue Route)
Set sail for the coast! This route emphasizes the historic port of Piraeus, showcasing beautiful harbors, maritime heritage, and the impressive Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center along the scenic waterfront.
Popular stops: Intercontinental & Grand Hyatt, Municipal Theatre, Planetarium
Hop-on Hop-off Route - Riviera Line (Green Route)
Escape to the stunning Athenian Riviera! This scenic route is all about relaxation, taking you past luxury marinas and sun-drenched beaches like Glyfada, ending at the breathtaking, natural Lake Vouliagmeni.
Popular stops: Kavouri Beach, Astir Beach, Vouliagmeni Lake
Athens Night Tour
Summer Timetable
- Departure: 8:15pm & 9:15pm from Stop 6 (Parliament)
- Frequency: Twice a day
- Duration: 1 hour
Winter Timetable (Oct 27 - Feb 28)
- Departure: 6pm & 7:15pm
- Frequency: Twice a day
- Duration: 1 hour
Note: Passengers are requested to arrive 15 minutes before departure time.
What's not allowed
- Due to service provider restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
Accessibility
- This experience is wheelchair accessible.
- Your guide dogs are welcome onboard.
- The night tour does not offer hop-on hop-off service.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Itinerary
TOTAL DURATION50 minutes
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Bus
TimelineMap
Start point
Syntagma Square (Parliament Square)
Passes By
National Gardens
Panathenaic Stadium
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Acropolis & Parthenon
Plaka
Omonia Square
End point
Syntagma Square (Parliament Square)
Your ending point would be same as your start point
Athens illuminated at night on a 1-hour open-top bus tour with a live guide.
- Everything you get: A 1-hour panoramic night tour aboard an open-top double-decker, passing Athens’ lit-up landmarks like the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Parliament, with a live English-speaking guide and multilingual audio guides bringing the city’s history and stories to life.
- Why choose this: See Athens’ top landmarks beautifully lit in just 1 hour, with guided insights, perfect if you’re short on time or want a relaxed evening overview.
Athens illuminated at night on a 1-hour open-top bus tour with a live guide.
- Everything you get: A 1-hour panoramic night tour aboard an open-top double-decker, passing Athens’ lit-up landmarks like the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Parliament, with a live English-speaking guide and multilingual audio guides bringing the city’s history and stories to life.
- Why choose this: See Athens’ top landmarks beautifully lit in just 1 hour, with guided insights, perfect if you’re short on time or want a relaxed evening overview.
Inclusions
- 1-hour night bus tour of Athens
- Live English-speaking guide
- Audio guides in English, French, Italian, Spanish & German
Athens Night Tour
Summer Timetable
- Departure: 8:15pm & 9:15pm from Stop 6 (Parliament)
- Frequency: Twice a day
- Duration: 1 hour
Winter Timetable (Oct 27 - Feb 28)
- Departure: 6pm & 7:15pm
- Frequency: Twice a day
- Duration: 1 hour
Note: Passengers are requested to arrive 15 minutes before departure time.
What’s not allowed
- Due to bus restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
Accessibility
- Most buses are wheelchair accessible. However, if you need special accommodations, you can contact the operator and they will assist you.
- Your guide dogs are welcome onboard the bus.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Budget-friendly
If you’re visiting Athens on a tight budget, a Hop-on Hop-off pass can help you save some money. With the pass, not only do you get access to popular spots across the city, but also have access to other amenities like audio commentary and free Wi-Fi.
Convenience
It is easier to get around Athens with a Hop-on Hop-off pass than to navigate the city’s public transportation system. Once you’re done sightseeing, simply head to your nearest Hop-on Hop-off stop and board the bus to the next attraction on your bucket list.
Ideal for families
When you travel as a family, with kids and seniors, it can be hard to get everyone to sightsee at the same pace. With a Hop-on Hop-off pass, there is no pressure to rush. Take your time to explore attractions and move on to the next stop when you’re done.
Audio guides
Apart from the Hop-on Hop-off services, Athens Big Bus tours also offers audio guides that provide unique insights into the city’s history and culture. These audio guides are available in multiple languages, including English, Greek, Italian, Turkish, and more!
Multiple routes
Big Bus Athens offers access to three routes that let you explore different facets of this historic city. You can take the Athens Line to discover iconic monuments like the Acropolis, explore modern Athens with the Piraeus Line, or see the beaches and marinas on the Riviera Line.
Big Bus Athens: Routes, stops & maps
Athens Line (Grey Route)
Mythology and history enthusiasts must take advantage of some of the iconic landmarks on the Athens Line, including the Acropolis, the National Archaeological Museum, New Acropolis Museum, Temple of Zeus, and other monuments that pay homage to Ancient Greece.
Overview:
First stop: Acropolis
Timings: 9am - 6pm
Frequency: Every 20 minutes
No. of stops: 14
Piraeus Line (Purple Route)
Take the more scenic route by boarding the Piraeus Line, which takes you through charming neighborhoods and Piraeus’ sparkling harborfront. Some sights you cannot miss along this route are the Planetarium, the Intercontinental & Grand Hyatt, and the Municipal Theatre.
Overview:
First stop: Acropolis
Timings: 12:30pm - 4:15pm
Frequency: Every 75 minutes
No. of stops: 10
Riviera Line (Green Route)
Explore the Athenian Riviera on the Green Route, which takes you to popular spots like Kavouri Beach, Astir Beach, Vouliagmeni Lake, and other historical landmarks like the Acropolis and Planetarium.
Overview:
First stop: Acropolis
Timings: 10am - 5:20pm
Frequency: Every 2 hours
No. of stops: 19
Top sights to see on the Big Bus Athens bus tour
Acropolis
Read more
Big Bus Athens: Recommended itineraries
Athens in 1 day/24 hours
Athens in 2 days/48 hours
Only have 24 hours to spend in Athens? Worry not! There’s a lot of ground you can cover in that time. Board a bus on the Athens Line (Grey Route) and begin your day with:
- A visit to the National Archaeological Museum. Take a step back in time as you wander through these halls, discovering the art and antiques of the Ancient Greeks.
- Keep the museum momentum going by heading to the New Acropolis Museum, a cultural landmark dedicated to preserving millennia-old Greek art and traditions.
- After a quick lunch in the neighborhood, board the bus to the Acropolis. Home to the Parthenon, and several other iconic Ancient Greek monuments, the Acropolis is a must-see for both history lovers and casual visitors.
- In the early evening, head to the Temple of Zeus. No Athenian itinerary is complete without a visit to this monument. Dedicated to the king of the Olympians, this architectural marvel is a testament to the timelessness of Ancient Greek culture.
- End your day by grabbing dinner at a local eatery.
If you’re a slow-paced traveler who prefers to take your time exploring, then two days should be just the right amount of time for you to see the very best of Greece. Here’s how you can spend those two days:
Day 1: The sandy shores of Athens are postcard-perfect and begging to be explored. So, board the Riviera Line early on in the day and prepare yourself for a day of seaside adventuring. Visit Vouliagmeni Lake, Glyfada Beach, and Kavouri Beach, and spend your morning sunbathing on the shores or wading through the waves. After lunch, board a bus on the Athens Line and head to the Acropolis. Spend the afternoon discovering the Parthenon and other ancient monuments that have stood the test of time.
Day 2 - Athens Line (Grey Route): Begin your day with a visit to the majestic Temple of Zeus, a characteristic landmark of Athens. After an early lunch, spend your afternoon wandering the halls of the National Archaeological Museum and the New Acropolis Museum. Wind down at the end of your day by doing a full loop of the Athens Line. Pull your phone out and capture the very best of the Athenian cityscape.
Frequently asked questions about Big Bus Athens Hop-on Hop-off bus tours
Do my kids need separate tickets for the Big Bus Athens Hop-on Hop-off tour?
Yes, they do. However, children between the ages of 3 -15 are eligible for discounted tickets. Children below the age of 3 can travel for free, provided you show their IDs upon boarding.
Are Athens Big Bus tours wheelchair accessible?
Yes, this tour is wheelchair accessible. If you have any other disabilities, please get in touch with the operator in advance so they can assist you better.
Are pets and guide dogs allowed on the Big Bus Athens bus tour?
Pets are not allowed on this Hop-on Hop-off tour. You can, however, bring your guide dogs along.
How frequent are the Big Bus Athens Hop-on Hop-off bus tours?
Depending on the route you choose, you can expect a bus once every 20 minutes, 75 minutes, or every 2 hours.
Do Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Athens bus tours offer meals?
No, there are no meal options on this Hop-on Hop-off tour.