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21 Cool & Unusual Things to do in Athens

21 Cool & Unusual Things to do in Athens

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Uncover a distinct aspect to Athens with these enjoyable, uncommon issues to do within the Greek capital…

Athens. One of many world’s oldest cities, a spot the place the traditional world collides with the fashionable – and the place a number of layers of historical past and tradition coexist in a chaotic jumble.

Historical structure emerges all around the metropolis centre: seen in metro stations, underneath public squares, or integrated into fashionable buildings. And all of the whereas, the long-lasting Parthenon on Acropolis Hill overlooks town’s skyline.

However past the historical past town is so well-known for, Athens is a pulsing and fast-evolving metropolis present process a radical city transformation. As soon as-impoverished districts are being reclaimed as creative centres, full of vibrant avenue artwork, fashionable boutique outlets, and bars & eating places to go well with each style conceivable.

When you’ve checked off the primary points of interest in Athens, it’s time to immerse your self within the metropolis’s quite a few personalities. Dive into common native nightlife hotspots, search avenue artwork between Byzantine buildings, beach-hop your approach alongside the Athens Riviera, or people-watch on the bustling metropolis centre markets.

These are among the extra uncommon issues to do in Athens – that can assist you get underneath the pores and skin of town and expertise it a bit extra “like an area”. Don’t have time to learn the entire article? There’s additionally a map and a brief model of the listing on the backside of this web page. Take pleasure in…

Whether or not you wish to discover the primary websites in Athens or get off the crushed monitor, there are some nice excursions on Get Your Information. These are among the top-rated…

Uncommon Issues to do in Athens

In a rush? There’s a map and a brief model of the listing on the backside of this web page! Use the contents menu above to skip forward if you have to.

1. Don’t Miss the Historical Websites in Athens

21 Cool & Unusual Things to do in Athens

Athens is known for its historical websites – particularly the long-lasting, hilltop Acropolis which will be seen from throughout town. These don’t actually matter as “uncommon issues to do” as they’re so well-known, however they’re positively must-sees whenever you go to Athens. So right here’s a short listing of the “prime” historical websites you shouldn’t miss:

The Acropolis and the Parthenon. For a extra uncommon tackle Athens’ most well-known sight, take a look at this Acropolis Mythology Tour.
The Acropolis Museum
The Historical Agora
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Temple of Hephaestus
Panathenaic Stadium
Prime tip – you should purchase a Combo Ticket for entry to all the following: Acropolis, Historical Agora, Roman Agora, Temple of Zeus, Aristotle’s Faculty, Hadrian’s Library, and Kerameikos Historical Cemetery. Click on right here for particulars and newest costs.

RECOMMENDED TOUR: Acropolis, Parthenon, & Acropolis Museum Guided Tour (from €57pp)

2. See Athens with a Native on an Different Athens Tour

Greek parliament in Athens, a large beige coloured palace in a neoclassical style with three storeys and a collonaded section around the main entrance

After I visited Athens, I took a strolling tour with a improbable native firm referred to as Different Athens. They’re simply the most effective tour corporations within the metropolis, providing small-group strolling excursions led by professional native guides – all of which intention to take you past the basic vacationer websites and allow you to get to know the true, genuine Athens.

Different Athens runs a number of distinctive metropolis excursions, together with meals excursions, a Homosexual & Lesbian Nightlife Tour, and a Road Artwork Tour. I took the Sudden Athens Orientation Tour, which runs day by day at 9:30am, takes 4 hours, and prices €49 per individual.

It’s the proper introduction to town, taking in a lot of the principal websites in addition to among the metropolis’s quirkier districts. Plus, your information will have the ability to share a number of insider suggestions for locations to eat and drink throughout your journey to Athens. You simply can’t beat a advice from an area!

3. Watch the Altering of the Guard at Syntagma Sq.

Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens, the guard is wearing a white tunic with long sleaves and a patterned shawl over the top, with a small red hat on his head. He has his back to the camera and an officer in uniform is inspecting his sleave.

Syntagma Sq. appears like the guts of Athens: a bustling sq. on the pinnacle of the busy excessive avenue Ermou.

It’s dwelling to the Royal Palace, a modest neo-classical constructing courting from the 1830s when Greece lastly gained independence after centuries of Ottoman occupation. Right this moment, the palace homes the Greek parliament.

Don’t miss the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in entrance of the parliament constructing: a memorial devoted to the fallen troopers of Greece’s wars. The tomb is continually guarded by troopers wearing conventional livery, together with Tsarouhi: massive, clog-like footwear with studded soles and fluffy pompoms on the toes.

The Altering of the Guard takes place each hour, a drawn-out course of involving all of the pomp and fussiness you’d count on type such a ceremony. It’s free to observe and is effectively price together with in your Athens itinerary. On Sundays at 11am, the Grand Change takes place: a bigger model of the ceremony involving extra troopers and much more pomp!

4. Search out the Road Artwork in Athens

old yellow plaster wall with a wooden door surrounded by a large mural in black and white of two nude women lying down surrounded by swirling hair
Road artwork within the Psirri district of Athens

Followers of avenue artwork and concrete artwork will love exploring Athens’ historic sidestreets and quirky hipster neighbourhoods. There are murals, installations, and vibrant items of avenue artwork in every single place!

Psirri, Monastiraki, Gazi, and Metaxourgio are among the finest districts to go avenue artwork looking. Higher nonetheless, take a guided tour with an area professional that can assist you discover the perfect avenue artwork in Athens. I’d suggest one in every of these two:

5. Hunt for Bargains at Monastiraki Flea Market

Antiques on a stall at the Athens flea market, various items of bric a brac including a large copper diving helmet
Monastiraki Flea Market

Monastiraki is a historic neighbourhood near the Historical Agora recognized for its quirky procuring scene and vibrant avenue artwork. The labyrinthine community of slim streets is full of improbable eateries and bars, artisanal boutiques, and funky classic outlets.

Don’t miss the well-known Monastiraki Flea Market. That is held each Sunday morning within the space between Monastiraki Sq. and Avissynias Sq.. Stalls right here promote every thing from damaged Barbies and surplus military gear to vintage furnishings and previous cash. There are sometimes avenue performers and busking musicians, too, giving Sunday mornings a celebration vibe!

Though the market is just held on Sundays, the entire space is full of vintage outlets and weird boutiques which can be open all week. So even when you’re not visiting Athens on the weekend, it’s nonetheless price exploring the Monastiraki Flea Market space for some window procuring, people-watching, and bargain-hunting.

6. Uncover Athens’ Modern Artwork Scene at TAF (The Artwork Basis)

Housed inside a fantastically crumbling Ottoman mansion with a central courtyard, TAF is an progressive cultural centre in Athens’ Monastiraki district. They host worldwide and native group exhibitions, in addition to cultural occasions, workshops, performances, and movie screenings.

It’s price visiting simply to discover the constructing itself – however this cultural hub can also be dwelling to a recent artwork gallery, a store selling native designers, and a vigorous courtyard cafe-bar.

7. Witness 4 Eras of Athens Historical past at Monastiraki Sq.

Large Ottoman mosque in Monastiraki square with yellow walls and a red tirled dowed roof, there are collonaded arches around the front section on the ground floor. Behind the church is a small rocky hill with the ancient ruins of the acropolis on top. unusual things to do in athens.

From Athens’ well-known Monastiraki Sq., you’ll be able to get pleasure from a view that takes within the 4 main eras of town. There’s the red-tiled dome of the Ottoman Tzisdarakis Mosque, the Roman pillars of Hadrian’s library, the fashionable metro station, and the Historical Greek Acropolis above.

It’s an excellent picture to summarise Athens, the place the layers of town’s previous are chaotically intertwined creating a fancy, vibrant mishmash of various eras, architectures, and influences.

8. Take a Greek Meals Tour in Athens

man's hand holding a souvlaki or greek kebab, with meat wrapped in pita in a white paper wrap, in front of a view of the athens skyline

In my view, one of the best ways to get to know a tradition is thru meals. I attempt to take a meals tour in each metropolis I go to. It’s the proper strategy to discover the native flavours (each actually and figuratively. There are some improbable meals excursions in Athens to select from – these are my prime picks:

9. Uncover a Roman Tomb inside a Zara Retailer

Ruins of an old roman tomb with two arches made of stacked pieces of limestone

Head to the Zara retailer on Stadiou Road for a real hidden gem in Athens. On the basement stage, you’ll be able to see the ruins of an Historical Roman tomb!

These are protected by a glass wall, and have a glass ceiling so you’ll be able to look down from the ground above as you enter the store.

Athens is Europe’s oldest capital metropolis, with recorded historical past courting again over 3,400 years, so there are various traces of the previous buried beneath the fashionable metropolis. It appears you’ll be able to’t begin digging within the centre of Athens with out discovering one thing, and lots of fashionable buildings have needed to be distorted throughout constructing to protect the previous. This is only one of many examples: however it’s free and straightforward to go to so effectively well worth the detour!

10. Swing by the Archaeological Web site inside Monastiraki Metro Station

Main on from the above, there’s additionally a small archaeological website contained in the Monastiraki Metro Station. A number of archaeological finds had been uncovered in the course of the station’s development, courting way back to the eighth century BC. It’s additionally free to go to – so cease by earlier than you catch your practice!

11. Spot Neo-Classical Structure on Panepistimiou Road

small white neoclassical style building with 6 pillars below a triangular shaped roof, there is a staircase in front and two tall white columns topped with gold statues on either side of the building
The Academy of Athens

Take a stroll alongside Panepistimiou Road, a serious avenue working from Omonia Sq. to Syntagma Sq., to discover a treasure trove of neoclassical structure.

Essentially the most well-known buildings right here type the so-called “Neoclassical Trilogy”: the Academy of Athens, the Nationwide and Kapodistrian College of Athens, and the Nationwide Library. These are thought-about three of the perfect items of structure within the metropolis and are completely gorgeous.

There are a number of extra buildings price noticing alongside Panepistimiou Road. Don’t miss the Cathedral Basilica of St. Dionysius the Areopagite, inbuilt an elaborate Neo-Renaissance model.

The pink-bricked Athens Ofthamiatrio (Public Eye Hospital) has an fascinating historical past. Supposedly, it was constructed to deal with the large quantity of eye issues that sprang up within the nineteenth century, brought on by the mud from all of the constructing work as Athens was reworked from a tiny metropolis of simply 10,000 residents into the new capital of Greece.

12. Soak Up Ottoman Structure and Hipster Vibes in Psirri District

Top of an Ottoman church in Psirri district of Athens with grey walls and a circular top floor with red tiled roof against a clear blue sky

From the mid-Fifteenth century to the early nineteenth century, Greece was a part of the Ottoman Empire, and earlier than that was underneath Byzantine rule. These centuries of occupation left as a lot of a mark on Athens as the sooner Historical Romans and Greeks did.

To find a few of these traces, head to the colorful, historic district of Psirri (additionally referred to as Psyri) – one of many metropolis’s oldest neighbourhoods. A maze of winding alleyways and sloping streets designed to channel rainwater, Psirri is full of crumbling Ottoman Mansions and Byzantine church buildings.

Nowadays, it’s one in every of Athens’ trendiest neighbourhoods; recognized for its vigorous nightlife and nice foodie scene. There’s a whole lot of avenue artwork round, with work and murals tucked into nearly any obtainable spot. Fashionable tradition and hipster vibes blended right into a fantastically vintage neighbourhood – what’s to not love?

RECOMMENDED TOUR: Psyri Neighborhood Graffiti Self-Guided Recreation & Tour – from €10.99

13. Study In regards to the German Occupation at Korai 4

In newer historical past, Athens was topic to a different occupation: this time by the Germans throughout WW11. Initially an workplace constructing, Korai 4 was requisitioned because the headquarters of the Gestapo in Athens between 1941 and 1945.

Visiting Korai 4 is among the extra uncommon issues to do in Athens, however it’s an enchanting and chilling perception right into a horrible chapter of town’s historical past.

The slim, basement-level air-raid shelter – claustrophobic behind steel air-lock doorways – was transformed right into a “short-term” subterranean jail. Non permanent within the sense that the majority prisoners had been solely stored there for a matter of days earlier than being transported to a camp or executed.

Inside, you’ll be able to see imprints of the tiny cells on the flooring. The partitions are scarred with writing and drawings etched by the prisoners. Some left their names and the dates of their incarceration, others scratched out doodles or self-portraits.

14. Dive Into the Fashionable Gazi District

Black and white street art mural on the Athens gas factory with part of the chimney visible behind

Athens is continually reinventing itself, and nowhere is that extra obvious than within the trendily grungy, industrial-chic district of Gazi.

The gasoline works that stood right here till 1989 as soon as pumped out a lot air pollution that the encompassing space was often known as the “Gasoline District” (Gazi). Right this moment, the now-silent chimneys and the rusted skeleton of the previous gasoline holder nonetheless dominate the realm – however now they’ve been repurposed into Athens’ coolest nightlife district.

The previous gasoline drums have been transformed into eco-friendly places of work, whereas the previous gasoline works now homes Technopolis, an industrial museum and a serious cultural venue. The encircling streets are full of cafes, eating places, bars, and golf equipment – together with some improbable LGBTQ+ golf equipment – and the neighbourhood has turn into often known as the most effective locations to celebration in Athens.

RECOMMENDED TOUR: Bar Crawl with Free Drinks and Membership Entry – from €26.70pp

15. Take a Sip of Historical past on the Oldest Distillery in Athens

Within the coronary heart of the historic Plata district, you could find the oldest bar and distillery in Athens: Brettos. The distillery was based by Michail Brettos in 1909, who produced ouzo, brandy, and liqueurs based mostly on previous household recipes from Smyrni (modern-day Izmir in Turkey). You’ll be able to nonetheless pattern these identical liqueurs at the moment for an actual style of historical past!

Over a century previous, this atmospheric bar nonetheless seems to be nearly precisely because it did at the beginning of the twentieth century. The partitions behind the previous picket bar are lined with shelf upon shelf of vibrant bottles, lit from behind to create a surprising impact.

RECOMMENDED TOUR: Greek Wine & Olive Oil Tasting at Brettos – 2 hours, from €110pp

16. Take an Olympic Work Out within the Historic Stadium

long oval-shaped stadium built in ancient greek style with tiered marble seating around the outside and a running track inside

The Panathenaic Stadium is among the most iconic websites in Athens. It was constructed (or re-built) as a duplicate of an Historical Greek stadium which as soon as stood on the identical website and which hosted the Panathenaic Video games, a non secular and athletic competition celebrated each 4 years in honour of the goddess Athena.

The stadium we see at the moment was reconstructed for the primary fashionable Olympic Video games in 1896. It’s additionally the one stadium on this planet constructed solely of marble.

These searching for extra uncommon issues to do in Athens ought to take a look at this distinctive Olympic Video games Exercise expertise (from €55pp). You’ll get the possibility to run across the stadium – in addition to attempt among the basic Olympic sports activities like javelin, shot put and discus.

17. Watch an Historical Greek Theater Efficiency

Convey the tales and myths of Athens’ historical buildings to life with this distinctive expertise. In a rooftop theatre overlooking the Acropolis, you’ll be able to watch a superb Historical Greek Theater Present.

Actors put on conventional costumes and use masks to depict totally different characters, precisely as they did in historical occasions. The play, ‘Medea and Different Pals I Made in Athens’, is a humorous tackle the traditional Greek myths – so it’s a good way to study a bit of the historical past behind town’s iconic ruins. From €25 – click on right here to purchase tickets.

18. Or Catch a Movie at an Open Air Cinema in Athens

Talking of performances – how about an outside cinema? In summertime, open-air cinemas are a BIG factor in Athens, with over 60 scattered throughout town. Right here’s my choose of among the finest:

Aegli – the oldest open-air cinema within the metropolis, set inside the gardens of stately Zappeion Corridor.
Cine Dexameni – on the roof of the Historical Roman Hadrian’s Aqueduct.
Cine Thisio – views of the illuminated Acropolis at evening.
Zefyros – historic, bohemian cinema showcasing basic & artsy movies.

19. Store with the Locals at Varvakios Market

Interior of Varvakios Central Market in Athens, a large hall with high cieling with green metal beams. On either side is a row of stalls with lit up glass fronts and vendors wearing white coats
Central Market in Athens

Varvakios Central Municipal Market is the largest and liveliest market in Athens, so it’s an excellent place to expertise an genuine aspect of Athenian life.

The historic constructing, courting from 1886, is full of stalls promoting recent meat, fish, olives, herbs, spices, and all method of scrumptious Greek produce. It’s an excellent place to people-watch and pattern some native flavours. Be warned, although, the sections housing the meat and fish are usually not for the faint-hearted!

RECOMMENDED TOUR: Half-Day Final Meals Strolling Tour – 4 hours, from €69pp

20. Discover the Seafront of the Athens Riviera

Aerial view of the a small bay with a beach and Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion at the edge of Attica, Greece, during summer sunset time
Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion

Athens could also be finest often known as a metropolis break vacation spot, however you may as well have a seashore vacation right here!

If you wish to see one other very totally different aspect of Athens, head south to the coastal space often known as the Athens Riviera. The riviera stretches round 60km from the swanky marina at Paleo Faliro to Cape Sounion. All alongside it, you could find lovely sandy seashores, bustling ports, posh “yachtie” haunts, and hidden coves.

Don’t miss the well-known Temple of Poseidon, the therapeutic mineral waters of Vouliagmeni Lake, or the superb seafood eating places round Piraeus.

21. Take a Greek Cooking Class

For an additional enjoyable and weird exercise in Athens, think about taking a cooking class. It is a nice strategy to meet different travellers, uncover some scrumptious native meals – and perhaps study a bit about Athenian tradition when you do it. Right here’s my choose of the perfect cooking courses in Athens:

Uncommon Issues to do in Athens: Quicklist and Map

Don’t have time to learn the entire submit above? Right here’s a fast listing of the perfect uncommon issues to do in Athens – plus a helpful map that can assist you navigate.

Don’t Miss the Historical Websites
Take a Strolling Tour with Different Athens
Watch the Altering of the Guards at Syntagma Sq.
Search out the Road Artwork in Athens
Hunt for Bargains at Monastiraki Flea Market
Uncover Athens’ Modern Artwork Scene at TAF (The Artwork Basis)
Witness 4 Eras of Athens Historical past at Monastiraki Sq.
Take a Greek Meals Tour in Athens
Uncover a Roman Tomb inside a Zara Retailer
Swing by the Archaeological Web site inside Monastiraki Metro Station
Spot Neo-Classical Structure on Panepistimo Road
Spot Road Artwork and Ottoman Structure in Psirri District
Study In regards to the German Occupation at Korai 4
Dive Into the Fashionable Gazi District
Take a Sip of Historical past on the Oldest Distillery in Athens
Take an Olympic Work Out within the Historical Stadium
Watch an Historical Greek Theater Efficiency
Or Catch a Movie at an Open Air Cinema in Athens
Store with the Locals at Varvakios Market
Discover the Seafront of the Athens Riviera
Take a Greek Cooking Class

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Have you learnt any extra hidden gems or uncommon issues to do in Athens? Scroll right down to share your prime suggestions within the feedback!