Private tour in Athens Maria S

Full Day Tour in Delphi from Athens

5.0

(25) reviews

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Maria S.

5.0

Guide rating

461

Reviews

Tours delivered

12 hrs

Avg. response time

Greetings! I'm Maria, an archaeologist and licensed tour guide with 29 years of experience, accredited to guide you through all museums and archaeological sites in Greece. My passion for history, mythology, ancient art, religion and architecture led me to a Bachelor's degree in Archaeology (1992), postgraduate studies in Ancient Buildings Restoration and Urban development at the Department of Architecture at NTUA (1994), and a Master's in PR, Marketing, and Advertising from the Hellenic American Union (2004). I’ve worked on archaeological excavations of several Bronze Age burial sites in Western Greece and served as a cultural consultant for a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for four years. Since 1997, I’ve guided tours with leading operators, and since 2017, as a freelancer, I design private tours and provide travel consultation based on my extensive experience and valuable feedback from travellers on what makes the "perfect tour". With 15 unique tour options, I cater to all interests, from ancient history, archaeology and architecture to culture and politics, for groups of 1 to 40 people.All tours are private and can be arranged to start from your hotel, central meeting points that are easily accessible, or from the cruise terminal, if you're interested in a shore excursion. Do not hesitate to contact me for details. Expect a thoughtfully crafted itinerary full of fascinating insights, memorable experiences, and captivating stories. As a food enthusiast, I’ll also lead you to the best dining spots, from Michelin-starred restaurants to hidden gems. I look forward to welcoming you to Athens and sharing an enriching adventure through its rich history, culture, and daily life! *Archaeologist (University of Ioannina) * Licensed Tour Guide (Athens School of Tour Guides ): accredited by the National Tourism Organisation, to deliver guided tours into all archaeological sites and museums in Greece since 1997.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Maria S.

Overview of your Athens tour

"Tell the king the fair rock house has fallen, no shelter has Apollo…the fountain now is silent, the voice is stilled". The oracle' s last words to Emperor Julian's emissary to Delfi, the most treasured, mystical site of worship in Ancient Greece. Pilgrims and kings, from Croesus to Alexander and Hadrian, all linked their destiny with this enthralling sanctuary of Apollo, the god of light and music. Truth or deception? An unsolved mystery or a well set plan? The voices of the universe or political intrigues? You are the ones to decide after visiting this morning the archaeological site situated at the slopes of Parnassos mountain and the museum where the bronze Charioteer still stands on his pedestal, proud for his great victory.

Recent Reviews

Thomas W.United States
July 2026

We toured with Maria throughout Athens and surroundings and could not recommend her more highly. Wonderful guide and person.

Nikhil D.United States
July 2025

This was our second tour with Maria. Transportation was immaculate and our driver was very efficient and thoughtful - he made sure cold water bottles magically were placed after every stop. Maria is a great storyteller and Delphi was a magical experience for us thanks to her. The lunch spot she took us too was very special. To badly paraphrase "Casablanca" - We'll always have Delphi "

Michael K.United States
November 2024

We greatly enjoyed our 3 tours with Maria, 2 half day tours in Athens of the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum and the National Museum and a full day tour to Delphi. Maria is extremely knowledgable about Greek antiquity and also well-informed about contemporary Greek life. She's a terrific teacher with wonderful idiomatic command of English. Touring with her was a delight. Highly recommended. Her driver (with a Mercedes van) for the Delphi trip was also terrific. If your goal is to obtain in depth insight into past and present Greece, then tours with Maria will meet your needs!

Marsha L.United States
June 2024

Maria is a wonderful guide! Her in-depth knowledge of Greek history and culture is impressive. Our Delphi tour exceeded our expectations! Her sincerity and enthusiasm is infectious! Maria adjusted our tour to deal with the intense heat and we appreciated her suggestion. It was great to have a clean, air-conditioned, comfortable car and Nicholas was a careful and professional driver. Thank you Maria for this memorable experience. Our grandson, my husband and I now have a wonderful memory to share!

Aroon M.United States
March 2024

Today, the second day of our four day custom tour with Maria, we toured the ruins of the Temple Of Apollo and the surrounding sites at Delphi. The site is a magical. It is sort of a spiritual experience. Maria wove a wonderful story of Apollo, Athenians and Pythia. We were aware of bits and pieces of the legends and myths, but today Maria brought all those pieces together into a big picture. As an archaeologist she adds a dimension to the story which makes it deeply interesting. Very enjoyable.

Ralph E.United States
November 2023

Maria is wonderful. She is deeply knowledgeable in the eras of Greek civilization. Patient with our questions, her knowledge of the country and its history is both broad and deep. Moreover, she is a lot of fun! On our full day excursion to magical Delphi, Maria told how Delphi became an must see destination in the ancient world and a place that was "pan Hellenic," not aligned with any political power but a place that bound Greeks together with a common reverence. A beautiful place made better with Maria!

Your Athens tour itinerary

We leave Athens in the morning and after a 2, 5 hours drive we arrive to Delphi, the centre of the ancient universe where kings and ordinary people went to consult the Pythia, Apollo's oracle, about their destiny. We walk along the Sacred Way to the temple, the treasuries and the theatre, then down the slopes of mount Parnassus to the mysterious Tholos edifice, still standing in the middle of an olive grove. In the museum we admire all the artefacts found in situ after an entire century of excavations. After lunch at a spectacular location, we get on our way back to the city of Athens (if we depart Athens at 8 am we are usually back by 16:00-16:30).

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Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Minivan

We use a luxurious Mercedes V Class vehicle and a professional driver. However, for groups exceeding 4-5 people (varying from 5 to 12 individuals), we recommend opting for the larger and even more spacious Mercedes Sprinter vehicle for this full day trip. The total tour cost will be adjusted accordingly. If you require additional information, please don't hesitate to contact me.

What's included
Private Guide
Private Transportation
What's not included
Food Drinks Snacks
Tickets
Meeting location

Athens, Greece

Your hotel or the cruise terminal

Other details
Tour categories
History
Architecture
Tour reference number
217141
Languages
English
Greek
French
Activity level
Moderate
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Athens best suited for?

This private tour in Athens is perfect for travellers who are interested in ancient history and mythology, particularly those fascinated by the mysteries of Delphi and the oracle of Apollo. It's also ideal for families, as it is kid-friendly, and for those who prefer a more personalized experience with a local guide like Maria S. to gain deeper insights into the historical and cultural significance of the sites visited.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Athens be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

Is this private tour in Athens suitable for cruise ship passengers as a shore excursion?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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