Highlights / General details
Experience Athens like a local as you visit alternative neighborhoods where tourists rarely go.
Learn all about Athens' culinary culture and chat with local shop owners about their specialties and products.
Discover the city's bohemian side, from funky workshops to cool cafés.
Explore one of the biggest street art scenes in the world.
Venture into alleyways and back lanes to discover vibrant cultural spaces and hear the myths and tales behind city sites.

Inclusion
Local English-speaking guide; Food samples (Greek sweets, bread, olive oil, olives, cheeses, rusks, wine, ouzo, traditional meze, herbs/spices, and a Greek coffee); Entrance fees; Train ticket.

Exclusion
Hotel pick-up and drop-off; Additional food and drink; Souvenirs and items of a personal nature; Tips/gratuities for your guide.

Hours of operation
Available Monday - Saturday at 11:00am.

Duration
Approximately 8 hours.

Location
Meeting point: In Kotzia Square, next to the fountain and in front of City Hall. Your tour guide will be holding an Urban Adventures sign.
Ending point: Monastiraki Metro Station.

Itinerary
Get to see the real Athens on this full-day walking tour that shows off all the things Greece is famous for: from history to mythology, architecture to food!
You’ll meet your local guide at Kotzia Square, located in the heart of Athens. The square is surrounded by gorgeous neoclassical buildings built in the early 18th century, as well as some ancient ruins.
From there, we’ll lead you to the Central Market, where your guide will show you the places few tourists visit, and where you’ll discover a variety of delicious Greek specialties. From the simple koulouri (round bread with sesame seeds) and delicate local pastries, to the Greek staples of feta and olives, the Central Market is a feast for the senses. Listen to the vendors calling out the deals of the day and prep your cameras because you’ll want to snap a few shots of the colorful scenes.
Next up on this total tour of Athens, we’ll drop by a Greek deli that sells traditional produce and is a popular shopping spot for locals. You’ll get to sip some Tsipouro (a local alcoholic drink) and taste some unique delights from every corner of Greece, learning all about our culinary traditions and the Mediterranean diet.
We’ll then walk to Monastiraki Square, the heart of the city from ancient times and still a gathering place today. We’ll venture through the vintage and secondhand shops at the flea market and you’ll learn how to bargain like a Greek!
Here you’ll have a bit of free time to wander and explore on your own. You may want to shop for souvenirs or grab something to eat (although we doubt you’ll be hungry after all that food!). Our recommendation is to do as the Greeks do and order a coffee at one of the many cafés around the square and just sip as you watch the people passing by. Or, take the metro from Monastiraki station to Panepistimio, where we’ll meet for the second half of our tour — did you know the metro in Athens is like a museum itself, with numerous archaeological artifacts on display that were found while it was being constructed? Once at Panepistimio, we’ll gather together and take off on a detour down Athens’ back alleys and into the neighborhoods you won’t find in guidebook pages!
Our next stop will be a secret garden in the center of the city, a place only known to locals. You’ll stand with awe in front of unique monuments and hear the myths and tales that surround these legendary buildings. Learn about kings and queens, heroes and outlaws, as well as about the hidden Athens beneath your feet.
We’ll venture through small alleys and admire the city’s unique street art, which is considered some of the best in Europe, then watch local craftsmen and artists at work, and discover ancient treasures in a basement.
If you have a sweet tooth, then our next stop will be your highlight as we savor lukumades a sweet as old as Athens. But that’s not all! There’s more food on the menu as we stop for some bites while admiring the view from a rooftop opposite the Acropolis.
Finally, no tour of Athens would be complete without a stroll through the “Neighborhood of the Gods,” Plaka! Plaka is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens and a must-see for its picturesque alleys, old-school taverns, and shops owned by emerging fashion designers.
From there, we’ll move on to one of the oldest bars in Europe and end our tour with a toast for Athens — but you’re free to continue to explore Plaka on your own and experience some of the entertainment venues that come alive at night!

Additional Information
Please wear comfortable walking shoes. In summer months, bring a hat and sunscreen. This tour departs rain or shine, so you may want to bring an umbrella, depending on the weather.

Participant restrictions
Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour. Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.

Policies
For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point.
Cancellation: 2 days prior 100% penalty. No show 100% penalty.
Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

**All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation**