The Athens Audio Guide

The Athens Audio Guide is a self-guided tour app for the visitor's own smartphone, with a map of the city and audio commentary on 93 points of interest, from the Parthenon and the Ancient Agora to Plaka, Syntagma Square and the National Archaeological Museum. Tapping any marker on the map opens its audio, and the "Take me here" option draws a walking route from the current location.

Once the map and audio are saved on the phone, the guide works offline, so it keeps playing where there is no signal, and the visit runs at the visitor's own pace. Entry tickets to the sites are not included. A smartphone is needed, and headphones help in busy areas.

This suggested walk links the main stops of the audio guide in a loop of about 7 km from Syntagma Square, roughly an hour and a half on foot before adding any visits. The red line follows the stops in number order, and the smaller dots mark other places covered by the app. Stops further out, such as the National Archaeological Museum, are in the guide too. Sites such as the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora need their own entry ticket.

Open the full-size map

The route: Syntagma Square, Hellenic Parliament, National Garden, Panathenaic Stadium, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Arch of Hadrian, Acropolis Museum, Acropolis and Parthenon, Areopagus, Ancient Agora, Monastiraki, Hadrian's Library, Roman Agora, Anafiotika, Athens Cathedral and Ermou Street, back to Syntagma Square.

The Athens Audio Guide runs on the visitor's own smartphone, so there is no device to collect or return.

1. Book online: the download instructions arrive by email right after booking.
2. Download on Wi-Fi: install the app, choose one of the five languages and save the Athens map and audio, about 89 MB.
3. Tap a stop on the map: each marker opens a card with a photo of the place and a play button for its commentary.
4. Listen offline: once saved, the guide plays with no signal or mobile data, in any order and at the visitor's own pace.