Athens Private Tour: Marathon Half Day Tour

Start your day with a pickup from your centrally located Athens hotel. As you relax in your air-conditioned car or mini van, chat with your guide about the tour and ask any questions you may have about the region. The beauty of having a private guide is that any commentary is tailored to your interests.

Your first stop is the Marathon Tomb. Also known as the Tomb of the Athenians, the burial mound is situated on the Athens-Marathon road, roughly 2.5 miles (4 km) before the town of Marathon, and is the final resting place of 192 soldiers who died in the Battle of Marathon. Marathon is an alternative tour for those wanted to visit something different in the Attica area. Everyone has heard the story of the Persian defeat at Marathon at the hands of the Athenians. Imagine marching several thousand miles only to be wiped out 27 miles from the city you came to conquer by an army a fraction of your size. Hear from your guide about this bloody battle that took place in 490 BC during the first Persian invasion of Greece, and learn how those who fell were cremated and buried in this tomb as a reminder of their sacrifice and bravery.

Then, continue on to the site where the marathon race originated. Listen as your guide shares the fascinating legend of the soldier who ran 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated before he collapsed and died.

Next, return to your private car and enjoy a short drive to Lake Marathon, a reservoir surrounded by verdant natural beauty. Here, perhaps refresh with a drink and a snack at the cafe (own expense) and stroll leisurely toward Marathon Dam. Entirely paneled in pristine white marble, it is the world’s only marble dam. After your exploration, return to Athens in your private vehicle.