The 15 Best Marathon Tours from Athens

1.Marathon Cape and Bay of Schinias Snorkeling Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 131 reviews · from $90Our pick

Join Dimitris from Kanelakis Diving Experiences for a four-and-a-half-hour speedboat trip from Nea Makri. Snorkel at two calm spots near Marathon Cape, look for octopus and sea stars, then swim or rest on Schinias Beach. Equipment, snacks, drinks, photos, and guidance are included.

“The guide was very nice and he knew a lot about the underwater world. Unfortunately we snorkeled just an hour, i would have liked it more, to snorkel further after a little break than just swimming and checking out the beach. But i have to admit, the spot we were at was veery beautiful, the water was clear, the beach is in a nature reserve and there were almost no people. Like a secret escape from busy athens. I would recommend the tour to everybody and book it again. Getting a taxi ride back to athens from nea makri was not easy, but in the end we asked in a…”

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2.Private Off-Road Tour Marathon Lake and Mountain from Athens

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 90 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $145Top rated

Leave Athens at 10 a.m. for a private 4x4 ride through the Marathon mountains with guides such as Yvonne or Panos. Expect olive groves, forest tracks, streams, farm animals, fresh fruit, snacks, and a chance to drive under supervision before visiting Marathon Lake and its dam.

“It was such a great experience and I’m still amazed by the view and everything we saw during the off-road trip! Our tour guide was super nice and put a lot of effort into the tour to make it an unforgettable experience! It’s an adventure that everyone who visits Athens has to go on!”

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3.Marathon & Thermopylae Battlefields Private Day Tour from Athens

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $323

Spend about nine hours with a private driver on a history-focused journey from Athens to Marathon and Thermopylae. Expect hotel, rental, or port pickup, a comfortable vehicle, the Marathon Museum, Leonidas Monument, a 3D film, and lunch by the sea. Drivers such as Giannis, Dem, and Alexander are praised for bringing the battles to life.

“A memorable day! Standing at the sites of two famous battles made them come alive. Beautiful scenery, lunch by the sea and riding in comfort with Alexander, our knowledgeable guide, made for a great day.”

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4.Private Luxury Tour: Marathon – Battle & Run That Changed History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $162

Travel from Athens with your own English-speaking driver, Pericles, to Marathon Lake, the battlefield, Marathon Tomb, two museums, and the Panathenaic Stadium. This private 4 to 5-hour trip suits small groups wanting flexible transport and clear historical context without joining a large coach tour.

“Many stops and a variety of sights trip includes wonderful maeathon museum and trip to battlefield. Our guide pericles was great0 very friendly and knew the subject he went out of his way to give us a great experience a very full half day and we'll worth it”

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5.Marathon, Thermopylae, Thebes/Plataea, Herodotus Private Tour 10h

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $331

Spend up to 10 hours tracing Greece’s Persian War battlefields with a private English-speaking driver-guide such as Christos or Nikos. Visit Marathon, Thermopylae, Thebes, and Plataea, with museums, mountain roads, hotel pickup, and historical videos along the way.

“As a history lover, this was a great chance to see the battlefields I have read about for years. It is easier to understand a battle once you walk the ground it happened on. But know this is a very fast paced tour through history. If I had one area of constructive criticism, it would be that there is no way but to walk across a busy highway at Thermopylae; it might be safer to drive your guests over...”

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6.Private 4×4 Wine Tour from Athens to Marathon Lake and a Winery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $180

Leave Athens at 10 a.m. with a private 4x4 and guide such as Yvonne for a five-hour outing around Marathon Lake. Drive through vineyards, olive trees, rivers, and forest, then tour the Costa Lazaridi wine museum, cellars, and Oinotria Land before tasting two wines and one vinegar.

“Yvonne was great! Wonderful knowledge - great driver! She showed us the beauty that is just outside Athens. The wine experience was so much fun!”

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7.Mercedes Private Tour Marathon Olympic Run and Marathon Battle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $168

Ride from Athens to Marathon in a private Mercedes E-Class with a driver such as Manos or Eirini. Visit Panathenaic Stadium, the battle tomb, museums, Marathon Lake, and the Sanctuary of the Egyptian Gods. The day is flexible, but attraction fees and an official guide may cost extra.

“Excellent trip. Guide was flexible and informative. Comfortable and clean vehicle. Recommend if you want to know the history of Marathon battle or if you want to see the marathon route.”

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8.Marathon Battlefield Half Day Private Tour from Athens

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $192

Ride from Athens with a private driver such as Andreas or Alex to the Marathon Tomb, battlefield museum, Marathon Beach, and Lake Marathon. The five-hour outing follows the old race route, includes hotel, port, or Airbnb pickup, and leaves room for lunch or a swim.

“We had a fantastic morning with Andreas touring the battlefield and tombs and then swimming in Marathon. Andreas was super friendly, punctual and knowledgeable, very highly recommended!”

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9.Private Cruise & Snorkeling Nea Makri, Marathon, Schinias, Rafina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $192

Take a private 2.5-hour cruise from Agios Panteleimon in an 8-meter RIB boat. Chris guides your group to clear swimming spots near Marathon Cape, with snorkeling gear, local snacks, fruit, water, and soft drinks included.

“Had a great experience snorkeling and swimming with family. Our host and boat operator Chris was great. Highly recommend.”

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10.Private tour from Athens to Marathon with a pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 8 hours (approx.)

Travel with private driver-guide Ilias from Athens to Marathon, where you’ll see Marathon Lake, the battlefield tomb, Brauron’s Temple of Artemis, two museums, and the birthplace of the modern marathon. The flexible eight-hour trip includes transport, WiFi, and water, with entry fees and an inside archeologist guide extra.

“We decided to do this tour for two things: 1. To get out of the city and see the countryside of Greece instead of just staying in Athens, and 2. My wife is a runner so a trip to Marathon was a way for her to see the history and learn more about the story. Ilias provided us with great information not only about Marathon, but also about different parts of Greece. We made multiple stops and we were allowed to spend as little or as much time as we wanted at each stop. We even stopped for lunch at a seaside place with kebabs and gyros (other options also…”

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11.Private Historic Tour to Marathon & Thermopylae

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 5 reviews

Spend eight hours with a private English-speaking driver exploring Marathon and Thermopylae from Athens. See battle museums, the Marathon tombs, Leonidas statue, and hot springs. Guide Vaggelis has led especially well-received outings, with time for a sea-side lunch between major stops.

“We totally enjoyed our day and our guide, Vaggelis was excellent! We saw all of the things we wanted to see in Marathan and Thermopylae. We had a beautiful meal by the sea, and it capped off a wonderful day. We highly recommend!!!”

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12.Athens Private Photo Marathon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $346

Spend 6 to 8 hours photographing Athens with professional photographer Vasilis Germanis. You’ll work on street portraits, candid moments, city views, and composition while visiting the Acropolis, Plaka, Central Market, Monastiraki, and Mount Lycabettus. Hotel pickup can be arranged.

“Really friendly and personable, made sure to give photo advice for both in the moment and further down the track! Really enjoyed the tour, would do it again!”

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13.Marathon (Marathon-Athens )

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews

Book a private Marathon to Athens transfer with eTaxiAthens. Licensed drivers provide pickup in a clean, well-kept car, with WhatsApp contact from George and support available 24 hours a day. The service suits groups of up to four and can also serve Athens Airport and city hotels.

“I used eTaxi Athens to travel between Marathon coast and Athens centre. George contacted myself via WhatsApp and communicated so well. The cars were clean and well maintained. The drivers arrived on time and picked up on time. A really great service, would definitely use again!”

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14.2 Days Herodotus Tour – Marathon, Thermopylae, Delphi, Thebes, Plataea, Salamis

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $694

Follow the Greco-Persian Wars across two packed days with a private English-speaking driver, visiting Marathon, Thermopylae, Delphi, Thebes, Plataea, and Salamis. Driver Nikolaos has been praised for clear history, flexibility, and hotel pickup. Accommodation near Mount Parnassus costs extra.

“Nikolaos was our guide and driver. He was great Very informative and accommodating. We were picked up at our Airbnb, and dropped off there at the end of our tour. We learned a great deal about the Greco-Persian Wars, saw some amazing historical artifacts at the musRead more”

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15.Private Day Trip to Marathon-Thermopylae

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $272

Spend about 10 hours with an English-speaking driver visiting the Marathon Tomb, Archaeological Museum of Marathon, and Thermopylae battlefield. Pickup is available in Athens or Piraeus. George may be your driver, and a licensed guide can be added if you want site commentary.

“This was something my husband really wanted to do. It was wonderful! George had lots of history to share. Drive was beautiful! It is a long day but if you know the history you will enjoy it. Museum at marathon was really good! Worth it!”

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