10 Unusual Things to Do in Athens, the Capital of Greece
Who hasn’t dreamed of visiting Athens? It is, after all, one of the most famous cities in the world. Everyone on the planet knows Greek culture, architecture, food, and nature. That’s why Athens seems so familiar and at the same time new.
Evidently, you have to see Athens’ most popular attractions. There’s no way you won’t like them. Now, once you are done with the basic itinerary, you’ll want to enjoy the city as a local. We moved to Athens several years ago and have all the information you need.
We know how to avoid the crowds and experience less popular but equally impressive sites. In this post, we share our top 10 unusual things to do in Athens. You will be able to enjoy them with a lot of space, even in peak season.
Enjoy Great Views of the Acropolis
Everybody comes to Athens to admire the views of the ancient Acropolis. Therefore, it’s quite difficult to escape the masses in search of the best spot to photograph this iconic site. Likewise, a couple of fancy places offer a more privileged view but these too are overcrowded and super touristic.
Don’t despair. There is a place not advertised online that is popular among locals and offers unobstructed views of the Acropolis. You can enter the Anglais Bar through a small entrance on a narrow side street. The building may be indistinguishable but the secrecy pays off! This is a local hangout, where people chat while having a beer or cocktails.
Though you can see the Acropolis from all floors, go all the way up to the top floor terrace for heart-stopping views. Be sure to sit near the staircase. Go in the afternoon, grab a beer in summer or a coffee in winter and prepare to be dazzled: sunsets here are quite magical.
Shop at a Farmer’s Market
While most European cities have fashionable traditional marketplaces where designer food is sold for designer prices, Athens has the real deal. Producers sell their produce themselves. To make things even more authentic, they do so directly on the street!
Every neighborhood has its own local market or two (in Greek: Laiki Agora) once a week. There is one every Friday on Archimidous Street in Pangrati, a quaint neighborhood close to the center. Neighbors flock here in search of fresh food.
You can find all kinds of fish, fruit, olives, vegetables, and even some clothing. Go ahead and buy some nuts and stroll around. Just wait until sellers start shouting their offers at the top of their lungs. Authentic, right?
Search for Street Art in Psyri
Athens is Europe’s capital of street art. Though cool graffiti and murals can be found all around the city, the tiny neighborhood of Psyri is the best place to spot them. Here you’ll find murals in different shapes and sizes including works by renowned Greek artists Vasmoulakis and Choursoglou also known as Woozy.
Start your tour at Monastiraki square and enter Psyri from Themidos Street. On the first corner, you’ll spot Woozy’s giant Colorful Warrior. After that, you’ll see the impressive Apocalypse Now by INO. Continue along Miaouli Street until you reach Iroon Square, the center of Psyri. There you’ll spot two large murals. One of them is a collage from Vasmoulakis.
From the square take Ag. Anargiron Street and Sachtouri Street until you reach short Sarri Street that ends at Evripidou St. You’ll see interesting art all along. End your walk at the Sarri and Riga Palamidou at the famous Loukanikos mural. It takes 45 minutes to complete the tour.
Discover Ottoman Athens
Athens was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire for almost 400 years. Athens at the time was just a small provincial town north of the Acropolis, where nowadays Plaka and Monastiraki neighborhoods are. Though most of the buildings from that period don’t exist anymore, there are still a couple of jewels to be discovered.
Tzistarakis Mosque on Monastiraki Square is from the 18th Century. The Ottomans pillaged the ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus and used one of its columns for the mosque’s construction. When the plague hit Athens a year later superstitious locals believed that the Ottomans provoked it. The building doesn’t serve as a mosque anymore. Instead, it is part of the Museum of Modern Greek Culture.
Walk a couple of blocks to the Fethiye Mosque, built by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed in 1452 to thank Allah for the conquest of Constantinople. It’s now a photography museum. Finally, walk to Plaka and visit the Benizelos Mansion, Athens’ oldest house. It’s currently a museum.
Visit a World Heritage Monastery
Athens is much more than ancient archaeology. The city was important during the Byzantine Empire, hence the many churches and monasteries scattered all around. The most important one is Daphni Monastery, a Unesco listed World Heritage Site. What’s more, this place is entirely under the radar!
The original monastery was erected in the 6th Century A.D. However, the current church is from the end of the 11th Century. It has a Greek cross octagonal shape, and a large dome covers the central area. Fine Byzantine mosaics illustrating scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin decorate the interior.
The monastery opens every day except Tuesdays, from 8:30 AM till 3:30 PM, except on some holidays. To get there take metro line no. 3 to Agia Marina. Once you exit the station, take any of the frequent buses to Elefsina.
Bike all the Way to the Sea
A bike lane along Kallithea’s longest park reaches the coast, providing the safest and longest bike ride in Athens. Additionally, this is the only bike lane that connects the historic center with the coast. It goes along the historical canal Ilisos that used to run along the city walls of ancient Athens. It ends at the impressive Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.
Start your tour at Thissio metro station. Continue on scenic Ermou Street, next to the ancient site of Kerameikos. As soon as you pass Kerameikos entrance, turn left on Thessalonikis Street. You’ll bike along a section of metro line 1 until you enter Kallithea municipality. Turn right on Tsaldari Street where the long green area above the canal starts.
After roughly 2.5 kilometers turn left on Asklipiou Street. After a couple of minutes, you’ll reach the monumental Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center, where you’ll see a large ramp going all the way to the sea. Don’t forget to bring a hat and some water, preferably in a recyclable container.
Climb to the Top of a Mountain
The highest mountain towering over Athens offers breathtaking views, clean air, and even an impressive monastery. This hiking route starts near the ancient byzantine Kaisariani Monastery at the foothill of Mount Hymettus. From there you’ll walk through a dense forest to reach the Taxiarches Hill Panoramic Point. You will be able to see the entire city and the sea!
To get to the Hymettus Mountain take bus 224 from Syntagma Square all the way to its last stop next to the Kaisariani Cemetery. It’s a 30-minute walk from there to the monastery along Leof. Eth. Antistaseos Street. Once you reach the monastery it takes an additional 15 minutes to Taxiarches Hill. It’s an easy walk through beautiful flora.
Explore Piraeus’ History at Marina Zeas
The city of Piraeus is known for its famous passenger port, Europe’s largest. It has served as the Athens’ main port since the 5th Century BC. Most passengers that arrive there hop off and embark on the metro or the train towards the central Athens or other areas of Greece. But the city of Piraeus has two other harbors: Marina Zeas (Pasalimani) and Mikrolimano.
While the latter houses numerous tourist restaurants the former is a popular destination for the locals. You can watch the locals go by from a fabulous Attica bakery while sipping the first class coffee. Literally a minute away, by the Char. Trikoupi Street you’ll find the ruins of the Ancient Theater of Zea from 2nd Century BC.
Admire the Beautiful Villas of Kifissia
At the northern end of Athens metropolitan area you’ll find one of Athens’ fanciest neighborhoods – Kifissia. Although the area of the present day Kifissia was inhabited since the ancient times, it became an important settlement only after the Greek independence in the 19th Century. Since the temperatures in this peripheral part of Athens are significantly lower than in the rest of the city, it became the favorite place for summer residences of new Greek elite.
Additionally several hotels were built for those who couldn’t afford a luxurious villa here, but wanted to spent time among the rich and famous. Today, Kifissia is home to numerous lavish mansions surrounded by large private gardens. The plethora of architectural styles reflects the desire of its owners to stand out and be unique.
Watch a Concert at the Ancient Theater
The impressive ancient theater Odeon of Herodes Atticus turns into a live stage during the Athens and Epidaurus Festival from June to August every year. Where else can you see world class art in a magnificent 2000 year old structure?
The theatre at the foot of the Acropolis is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Besides, the acoustics are great, the atmosphere vibrant, and the weather at nights splendid. Check out for official information here. We are sure you will find a show you like.
If you have time, go ahead and book a performance at another world beauty: Epidaurus Theatre. There are buses that take you to and back from the shows. We will never forget Lisa Gerrard’s concert, Eleni Karaindrou conducting the national orchestra, and many other fantastic performances. You don’t want to miss this festival!
