Tour operator
Alternative Athens
An Athens-based experience company running small-group city, food, mythology, street art and nightlife tours, plus day trips across Greece.
Athens Walking Tours
The first walking tour company in Athens, founded in 2004 by licensed guide Despina Savvidou, offering small-group and private tours, food walks and day trips.
At a glance
- Type
- Walking tours and day trips
- Area
- Syngrou Avenue, Athens, Greece
- Official site
- athenswalkingtours.gr
Good to know
- Licensed guides
- Small-group and private tours
- Food tours
- Day trips
- Shore excursions
- GNTO licensed
Why we recommend it
Athens Walking Tours describes itself as the first walking tour company in Athens, and its story goes back to 2004. Its founder, Despina Savvidou, was a licensed guide leading coach tours when her husband and business partner, Yiannis, suggested a simple idea: why not show people Athens on foot? Walking tours were rare in the city at the time, and the business began with two people, printed brochures and a website Despina built herself. It is still family-owned, and its office is on Syngrou Avenue.
Today the company runs a broad programme of small-group and private experiences. Historical walks around the Acropolis and the ancient city remain at the core, including an exclusive small-group tour of the Acropolis and Parthenon capped at ten guests. There are also food and drink tours, audio-guided options, cruises and water activities, shore excursions for cruise passengers, transfers, and day trips and multi-day trips to Delphi, Meteora, the Peloponnese and the Greek islands.
The guides are licensed, and the company is licensed by the Greek National Tourism Organisation. It describes its approach as supporting local communities by working with local guides, food producers, family-run restaurants and small businesses, under the principle that sustainable tourism starts locally. It is a Travelife partner and a member of several Greek and international tourism associations, and it has received Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice awards every year from 2012 to 2024.
The company suits first-time visitors who want a knowledgeable guide at the Acropolis, cruise passengers with limited time, and families or groups who prefer a private guide. The blog on its website also has useful practical advice, for example on the combined ticket for the main archaeological sites, which is valid for five days.
Book in advance for the Acropolis tours in particular, as places and entry slots are limited in the busy months, and check whether entrance tickets are included in the price. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip for the marble paths, bring a hat and water in summer, and allow extra time to reach the meeting point if you are coming from the port at Piraeus. The office can be reached by phone in Athens or on a Greek mobile number.
Athens Walking Tours FAQs
When was Athens Walking Tours founded?
In 2004; it describes itself as the first walking tour company in Athens.
Who founded it?
Despina Savvidou, a licensed guide, with her husband and business partner Yiannis.
Are the guides licensed?
Yes, the guides are licensed and the company is licensed by the Greek National Tourism Organisation.
How big are the groups?
It offers small-group and private tours; the exclusive small-group Acropolis tour is capped at ten guests.
Does it run day trips?
Yes, to Delphi, Meteora, the Peloponnese and the Greek islands, among others.
Does it offer shore excursions?
Yes, for cruise passengers.
Where is the office?
At 112 Syngrou Avenue, 117 41 Athens.