School trips to Athens
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A city of ancient stories and modern energy
Athens blends world‑famous ancient landmarks with a vibrant contemporary culture, creating an unforgettable setting for a school trip. Its historic heart is crowned by the Acropolis and surrounded by lively neighbourhoods, bustling squares, and fascinating museums – giving students the chance to step into the birthplace of democracy while experiencing the rhythm of modern Greek life.
Perfect for Classics & Archaeology groups, highlights like the Acropolis Museum, the Parthenon, and the Ancient Agora offer powerful, curriculum‑rich learning moments.
With excellent flight connections from the UK and easy local transport, Athens is simple to reach and rewarding to explore.
Explore subjects in Athens
Meet our Europe experts
Our Tour Designers know Europe’s school trip destinations inside out. They’ll help you choose the right city and build an itinerary that suits your subject focus, budget and students with expert support all the way.
“Our favourite Athens trips”
Classics & Archaeology trips to Athens
Explore the foundations of ancient Greece in one of the world’s most important classical cities.
- Study ancient religion, politics and daily life through surviving sites
- Examine archaeological evidence and classical architecture first‑hand
- Visit the Acropolis, Parthenon, Ancient Agora and the National Archaeological Museum
Jodie
“My top pick of things to do and see in Athens”
Athens offers plenty to wow students. These are the must‑see highlights that work brilliantly for school groups, combining big impact with strong curriculum links.
Acropolis of Athens
The Acropolis hill, so called the “Sacred Rock” of Athens, is the most important site of the city with four of the greatest masterpieces of classical Greek art – the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike.
Ancient Agora
The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens, the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social activity, the religious and cultural centre and the seat of justice.
The Parthenon
The Parthenon is a temple of the Greek goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their protector.
Ancient City of Corinth
The ruins of ancient Corinth are spread out at the foot of the huge rock of Acrocorinth.
Ancient Messene
Ancient Messene was founded in 369BC after the Theban general Epaminondas defeated Sparta at the Battle of Leuctra, freeing the Messenians from almost 350 years of Spartan rule.
Ancient Sparta
The Greek city was at the height of its power from the eighth to the fourth century BC, a period when Sparta structured its society according to the laws of Lycurgus, defeated Athens in the Peloponnesian war and established colonies around the Greek world.
Byzantine city of Mystra
Mystras, the ‘wonder of the Morea’, was built as an amphitheatre around the fortress erected in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William of Villehardouin.
Citadel of Tiryns
On the edge of the Argolic gulf and close to Nauplion, the Acropolis of Tiryns is set on a rocky hill.
Delphi site and museum
Delphi known in ancient times as the navel of the world.
Sanctuary of Zeus, Stadium and Museum of Olympia
Cape Sounion is one of the most famous and picturesque places in the region.
Acropolis of Athens
The Acropolis hill, so called the “Sacred Rock” of Athens, is the most important site of the city with four of the greatest masterpieces of classical Greek art – the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike. It has the famous porch of the Caryatids on the south. It combined both Doric and Ionic columns for the first time. The Acropolis Museum houses all the portable objects removed from the site since 1834. At the foot of the Acroplis is The Theatre of Dionysus – considered to be the world’s first theratre.
Ancient Agora
The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens, the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social activity, the religious and cultural centre and the seat of justice.
The Parthenon
The Parthenon is a temple of the Greek goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their protector. Its construction began in 447 BC and was completed in 438 BC on the Athenian Acropolis, although decorations of the Parthenon continued until 431 BC. It is the most important surviving building of Classical Greece, generally considered to be the culmination of the development of the Doric order. Its decorative sculptures are considered some of the high points of Greek art. The Parthenon is regarded as an enduring symbol of Ancient Greece and of Athenian democracy and one of the world’s greatest cultural monuments.
Ancient City of Corinth
The ruins of ancient Corinth are spread out at the foot of the huge rock of Acrocorinth. The monuments are mainly Roman; only a few are Greek. The real focus of the site is a rare survival of the 5th century BC Temple of Apollo. The museum contains mosaic floors, Mycenaean and Corinthian pottery, terra cotta sphinxes, statues of two supernatural beings, relief plaques, the Roman head of the Goddess Tyche and small objects of various kinds.
Ancient Messene
Ancient Messene was founded in 369BC after the Theban general Epaminondas defeated Sparta at the Battle of Leuctra, freeing the Messenians from almost 350 years of Spartan rule. The highlights of the site are the outcrops of its giant defense walls, towers and gates, including the Arcadia gate at the north end of the site and the sanctuary of Asclepius further south.
Ancient Sparta
The Greek city was at the height of its power from the eighth to the fourth century BC, a period when Sparta structured its society according to the laws of Lycurgus, defeated Athens in the Peloponnesian war and established colonies around the Greek world. The ancient “city” occupied more or less the site of the current town. There are some ruins to be seen north of the city and a small archaeological museum.
Byzantine city of Mystra
Mystras, the ‘wonder of the Morea’, was built as an amphitheatre around the fortress erected in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William of Villehardouin. Reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and the Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832, leaving only medieval houses, palaces and churches which have superb frescoes. The site comprises three main parts: the Kato Hora (lower town), with the city’s most important churches, the Ano Hora (upper town) and the Kastro (castle).
Citadel of Tiryns
On the edge of the Argolic gulf and close to Nauplion, the Acropolis of Tiryns is set on a rocky hill. The fortress, now over three thousand years old, is impressive and the walls, 750m long and up to 7m thick, are formed with huge Cyclopean stones. Visitors are restricted to exploring certain passages, staircases and the palace.
Delphi site and museum
Delphi known in ancient times as the navel of the world. Pass by CASTALIA SPRING, visit the archaeological site the Temple of Apollo famous for its oracle and the Museum of Delphi, with its spectacular finds which include the bronze Charioteer, the Naxian Sphinx and the Statue of Antinous.
Sanctuary of Zeus, Stadium and Museum of Olympia
Cape Sounion is one of the most famous and picturesque places in the region. The cape is located 70km at the southern most point of the Attica peninsula. The Temple of Poseidon, built on a site set back from the sheer cliffs, was built in the time of Pericles as part of a major sanctuary to the sea god.
The most popular questions, answered
Athens offers an extraordinary blend of ancient history, mythology and modern Greek culture. Students can explore iconic landmarks, world class museums and vibrant neighbourhoods, giving them a rich and memorable learning experience.
Classics, History, Archaeology, Religious Studies, Art, Geography and Cultural Studies all benefit. From ancient temples to archaeological sites and interactive museums, Athens provides exceptional cross curricular value.
Absolutely — every itinerary is shaped around your learning goals, whether you want to focus on classical civilisation, mythology, ancient democracy, art and architecture, or modern Greek culture. We help you choose the best visit combinations so the programme feels purposeful, balanced and achievable.
From planning to travel, we’re right beside you with calm, practical guidance. We handle logistics, bookings and timings, ensuring you always feel supported and free to focus on your students’ learning experience rather than the admin.
We use trusted, school friendly hotels in convenient locations across the city, chosen for safety, comfort and easy access to key cultural and educational visits. Teachers can expect a reliable base that keeps travel simple and gives students a secure place to unwind after full days exploring Athens.
Your package typically includes accommodation, meals, transport and pre booked visits to maximise learning time. Free place ratios are built in, and we take care of the organisational details so you can concentrate on supporting your students’ learning and cultural understanding.
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