Athens Eco Tours are private-guided in Athens and the surrounding region Attica. When you are looking for:
- Athens uncrowded
- Athens off-the-beaten-track
- Athens birding
- Athens’ rich natural heritage
you can drop us a line. Get a private-guided day tour with a focus of your choice: hiking, wellness, birds, plants or butterflies.
During this excursion, you will learn about Greek mythology too, since many of it originated and were related to nature. Expect to observe some rare and endemic species. What about the Micromeria acropolitana, the plant that grows near the Acropolis rock and nowhere else in the world? On that same Acropolis rock, you can spot the Little Owl (Athena noctua), resting in its holes in broad daylight!
Programs on offer:
- a nature hike and wellness experience in the Athens Riviera
- a guided eco-tour in the center of Athens or
- a private guided tour on National Park Mt. Ymmitos, walk amidst monasteries and wildflowers just a stone’s throw from the bustling city
- wetland, pine forest and beach of Schinias for the best birdwatching
Friendly and highly knowledgeable Natural Greece nature guides are here to customize the private-guided Athens Eco tours for you. Just contact us with your special needs and wishes and we get back to you right away.
Highlights:
- Plants. We can see, depending on the season, the endemics: Silene spinescens, Silene corinthiaca, Dianthus diffusus, Stachys spruneri, Malcolmia graeca, Ebenus sibthorpii, Helianthemum hymettium, Consolida tenuissima, Onosma kaheirei, Campanula drabifolia, Campanula celsii, Centaurea attica, Inula methanea, Scorzonera crocifolia, Chondrilla ramosissima, Colchicum sfikasianum, Colchicum lingulatum, Bellevalia hyacinthoides, Muscari pulchellum, Fritilaria graeca, Fritillaria obliqua, Gagea pseudopeduncularis, Ornithogalum atticum, Crocus laevigatus, Crocus cartwrigthianus, Ophrys aesculapii, Ophrys leucadica, Ophrys schlechteriana, Ophrys attica, Ophrys leptomera, Ophrys melena and many more interesting plants!
- Birds. There are more than 250 bird species flying around Athens! Including Bonelli’s Eagle Aquila fasciata, Cretzschmar’s Bunting Emberiza caesia, Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, Rufous Bush-robin Cercotrichas galactotes or Ruppell’s Warbler Sylvia rueppelli at some great birdwatching sites within an hour from Athens center (Vravrona, Mt. Imittos, Sounio, Oropos river, Schinias wetland).
- Butterflies. There are around 100 species that fly at the area around Athens, like: Southern Swallowtail Papilio alexanor, Cleopatra Gonepteryx cleopatra, Meleager’s Blue Meleageria daphnis, Large Wall Brown Lasiommata maera and Southern White Admiral Limenitis reducta.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Athens |
| TOUR DURATION | half day or day tours |
| PRICE | Custom tour price |
| INCLUDES | private guiding by an expert guide |
| EXCLUDES | transfers to the venue (if applicable) |
Sample program 1:
Athens Riviera Nature Hike
This hiking experience takes place along the sensational “Athens Riviera”.
Well-kept secret: Attica, the region surrounding Athens has a rich natural heritage. You can observe some 1.500 flora species and over 300 bird species in the region and take in vistas that will take your breath away. This venue is located around 21 km/13 miles South of the Athens city center.
Many flowers here are connected to Greek mythology: Narcissus, Anemone, Crocus or Iris. This is where they flower in the wild, each with their own intriguing story! The best way to discover this is on foot and with a naturalist guide.
Enjoy stunning views from the hills to the Mediterranean Sea and islets in the distance a stone’s throw away from Athens! See many wildflowers blooming, among them many endemics (= unique plants that only can be found in Greece and nowhere else in this world!).
Apart from Sage we will discover many more remarkable plant species such as Thyme, the wild olive tree, numerous orchid species and bluebells. Hear stories from Greek history that are linked to Greek flora and fauna. We could even embark on a hunt for tortoises, chukar partridges and lizards! Food foraging could be part of the experience. Picking capers in Summer, olives in Winter or aromatic herbs & wild greens called “Horta” year-round.
Combine this tour with a wellness experience: a visit to the Lake Vouliagmeni!
Contact us with your Athens Eco Tours wish list.
Sample program 2:
Birdwatching in Athens
Your bird guide will come and meet you at your place in Athens. The green hills of Pnyx, Philopappou & Mars are located opposite the Acropolis in Athens. We will take a pleasant stroll, looking for the winged inhabitants.
Apart from its great cultural significance, the city of Athens boasts a rich biodiversity. During this excursion, you will learn about Greek mythology too since much of it originated and was related to nature.
On our walk, depending on the season, we will see several native and migrating bird species.
Among them, there may be many different tits, warblers, flycatchers some falcons and kestrels, as well as the famous little owl, symbol of the city. Expect some amazing views of the Acropolis (actually: the best angle for taking pictures is from Pnyx Hill) and the Ancient Agora.
Sample program 3:
Nature & Culture of Vravronas wetland
Meet your local bird guide in the lobby of your Athens hotel (or alternatively port or airport). Drive to Vravronas wetland and Ancient site & Archeological Museum, near Athens Airport. Vravronas wetland extends from the borders of the archaeological site to the coastal zone, following the mouth of River Erasinos. In this area, Erasinos retains freshwater flow all year round. Several fish species live in these waters, from the rare and endangered Marathon Minnow to the common Mosquito Fish. Other common species include the Striped Terrapin, Marsh Frog, Grass Snake , and Eel. The reedbeds that cover the banks of Erasinos are nesting sites of the Moorhen and the Water Rail, while Little Bitterns and other herons can be seen during migration. In the wet meadows, Glossy Ibis is a frequent sighting and passerines like the Nightingale sing from the dense shrubs and bushes that cover a large part of the wetland. During this trip, you will walk the trails and discover nature in this remarkable landscape, famous already from antiquity. The area became well known when the Temple of Artemis was built (late 6th century BC). Every five years a procession, starting from the Athens Acropolis and ending to Vravrona, signaled the opening of the religious feast of the Great Vravronia. Near the ancient temple is the Archeological Museum of Vravronas. A visit gives you an overview of the site, the excavations and the various findings here in Vravronas. Transfer back to either your hotel, the port or the airport.
Sample program 4:
Birdwatching at Ymmitos & Marathon
In the morning we will be visiting Mt. Ymmitos, near Athens, looking for specials like Rock Nuthatch, Ruppel’s Warbler, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Barred Warbler, Black-eyed Wheatear, Eastern Orphean Warbler, and more.
Next destination: Marathon and Schinias National Park. Marathon and Schinias are located North of the airport of Athens, approx. half an hour drive. You will visit the historical sites and top archeological museum and learn about the Battle of Marathon (490 BC), arguably the most defining battle in Western history. It is also the birthplace of the marathon run. Visit nearby Schinias National Park, which is part of Natura 2000 network and considered the most important coastal ecosystem of Attica. It has a total of 19 habitat types, 240 bird species while there are threatened species of freshwater fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Highlight species include permanent residents Long-legged Buzzard, Little Owl, Chukar, Blue Rock Thrush, Penduline Tit, Short-toed treecreeper, and Cirl Bunting. Transfer to your hotel in Athens.
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Tour Reviews
We are just recovering from a mammoth day’s birding around Athens. All the logistics were perfect and Demitra provided a home-cooked lunch that was better than good.
I wanted to let you know I had a great time with Chris yesterday. We saw a great variety of birds — raptors, shorebirds, warblers and many others. It was hot but Chris changed our itinerary accordingly. And he was really easy to spend 10 hours with. I had a great time. Thanks so much for making all the arrangements.
We have partnered with Natural Greece for organizing outdoor activities for our global volunteers and our Let’s be S.M.A.R.T. Greece team. We all had an amazing time when participating in the Mediterranean Monk Seal expedition to Leichadonissia, the nature hike in the Athens Riviera and sea-kayaking at the Varkiza coast! Chantel and her team went out of their way when organizing our tours and we greatly appreciate their professional and reliable services as well as their warm and friendly communication. Our Let’s be S.M.A.R.T. team and our global volunteers learned so much from the expert tour leaders about the unique animals and eco-systems in Greece and had an opportunity to explore some great places and enjoy the outdoors in the Attika region. We look forward to participating in forthcoming tours with Natural Greece!
Chantel went above and beyond what we expected. We went kayaking but since the winds were very strong we had to shorten that part of the tour. She allowed us to substitute swimming in the Aegean Sea instead. She was very accommodating when it came to our needs. She really listens.
Chantel once again provided a wonderful day for us outdoors in Athens. She organised sea kayaking for us with an expert guide and changed her schedule to make our experience happen based on the current weather/wind conditions. After a nice kayak paddle to a small uninhabited island and back, we headed back for a short hike to see the sought after endemic saffron producing crocus plants just now blooming! Then a trip to the beautiful and rejuvenating Vouliagmeni /lake. The garrarufa cleaned our feet!
We had an amazing time in Athens in September with Chantel K. We hired her for 2 days. Communication prior to travel was outstanding and she went above and beyond to accommodate our somewhat hectic and complicated schedule. I would highly recommend her services and plan to use her again next time I’m in Athens with customers. 15 out of 10! Audrey Chan
Chantel was amazing! We had a vertical enjoyable swim at the lake and got a free manicure and pedicure from the fishies!!! Then she took us on a beautiful nature hike and she knew so much about the local flora and fauna that it was really interesting. She even stopped and got us ice cream at the end of the hike! The beach was stunning and we had a wonderful time. Go to the Athens Riviera with Chantel! I promise you won’t forget it 🙂
Thanks to my guides I had a great afternoon of birding and saw several new species for my life list. It’s a trip I could not have done on my own so I am glad for the expertise and customer service of Natural Greece. Our conversations about ecology and conservation added to my enjoyment. I recommend that more travelers get out of Athens with this group!
Our family European odyssey was challenging with 8 people but successful. Although we were limited in birding, by being a tad early for migrants, we managed to see 92 species – of which 11 were Lifers!
What a treat to get the pictures and triplist! I am so appreciative of the polished and professional way that you have wrapped up our trip.
We are all very glad we “found you” and entrusted most of our time in Greece to your capable hands. All 3 of you are top notch!
Best Wishes and Good Birding!
Thanks for a great day. I enjoyed it immensely, including seeing some new birds, getting some good pictures, and seeing the southern Mainland coast. How beautiful.
We did a wonderful hike and lake swim with Chantel. Her knowledge of the local flora and fauna is outstanding. We travelled with a visually impaired friend and Chantel tailored the hike exactly to our needs. We are so grateful for her kind and generous spirit. Natural-Greece is really taking eco tourism to new heights. Thank you for such a wonderful experience and magical memories.
This was an informative and exciting afternoon excursion. Chantel, was prompt, picking us up at the hotel to safely drive us through mad Athens traffic. Chantel was genuine and personable, sharing her life and experiences in Greece. She had a wide breadth of knowledge about the locales she took us to. Her education in agriculture and botany taught us a lot during the nature hike. Kayaking on the sea was a blast, we saw flying fish! I recommend Chantel to any traveller visiting Athens
Tobias Lowe
Canada
Our tour with Chantel was one of the BEST tours we have ever had. She showed us the REAL Greece. We swam in Vouliagmeni Lake (spa fish lake). HIGHLIGHT-a place most “tourist” do not know about. We hiked and saw vegetation and looked at wildlife. We found capers and prepared a wonderful lunch at Chantel’s BEAUTIFUL home. Everything was DELICIOUS. Then we swam in the Mediterranean Sea. Kayaked around the swim area. PERFECT. PERFECT. PERFECT. Would go again in a heart beat. Chantel listens to your needs.
Marcia Reynolds
USA
Thank you for kind support and I enjoyed many flowers. You introduced me to very good places which I cannot go by myself.And I was surprised that you know all of plants with academic name. I think you are a real professional.Thank you again for your kindness.
Noda Hideto
Yaroslavl, Russia
We had a swim and were nibbled by fish, then walked through a nature reserve finding interesting plants and birds (and a tortoise) and finished the morning with a picnic. For the afternoon Chantel arranged for us to go on a sea kayak trip with another really great guide. We couldn’t have felt better looked after.
Elizabeth Lindley
Leeds, UK
If you have a chance to do this excursion you should! The hike was amazing! It was very informative and you can see some amazing views of the islands and sea. The kayaking trip was well worth the money as well. The whole trip was well organized, you had everything you needed. Chantel was so kind and she packed snacks and lunch. Could not have asked for a better way to see the coast of Athens. Can not recommend this enough!!
Cheyenne
Maastricht, The Netherlands
Even though we contacted Chantel on a very short notice asking for something very precise (sea kayaking), Chantel answered us very quickly and managed to organize a very nice day during which we did both hiking in nature and sea kayaking. She was eager to answer our questions and to share her knowledge while the kayaking trip was safe, adventurous and perfect! Thanks!
Marion Riffault
Paris, France
Chantel hosted an amazing activity which I was lucky enough to attend. Chantel made an excellent tour for us in the hills around Athens and swimming in the lake and ocean. Thanks once again for showing us such a great day 🙂
Chloe Coulson
Brussels, Belgium
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