10 original ways to discover Athens

Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the Greek capital or a long-time resident, you’re in for a real treat in Athens! There are plenty of atypical activities to spice up your stay in Greece. Would you like to create unforgettable memories? Here are 10 unique and original ways to experience in Athens to discover the city from a different angle!

1. Go treasure hunting at Monastiraki market

It’s impossible to avoid Monastiraki Square on a trip to Athens. But did you know that it’s also home to a flea market brimming with treasures?

Located in the heart of the ancient city around Avissinias Square, the Monastiraki flea market promises a host of unusual experiences! Here, eras and cultural influences mingle in a maze of boutiques, antique shops, hawker stalls and cafés.

Trinkets, old books, new or second-hand clothes, jewelry, leather goods… there’s something for everyone! The festive atmosphere is ensured by the many musicians and street performers who take to the four corners of the market.

Our tip: Come on a Sunday, when the Monastiraki market is at its busiest. If you’re feeling peckish, don’t hesitate to round off your stroll with a gourmet break in one of the flea market’s many tavernas. There’s something for everyone!

2. Treat yourself to an immobile train journey

Looking for an original place to spend the evening? How would you like to sit down on a train worthy of Agatha Christie’s novels?

To treno sto Rouf (Theater train at Rouf) is a bar, restaurant and concert venue in one. This atypical venue takes over several train carriages on a platform planted with trees and flowers.

Embark on an immobile journey combining gastronomy, cocktails and cultural events in the carriage of your choice:

• the Orient-Express carriage for a concert;
• the Bar Wagon for a cocktail;
• the Restaurant Wagon for a romantic dinner in a period atmosphere;
• the Theater Wagon to see a show;
• the New Wagon for cultural events throughout the year.

Our tip: Consult the program of shows to choose your evening and book your table on the To treno sto Rouf website – Theater Train at Rouf on Google Maps –

3. Dine in the stars

Would you like to get a bit of height for dinner? Dinner in the sky opens its suspended table 40 m above the ground! Of course, the system is perfectly safe: Dinner in the sky has been operating in over 60 countries since 2006.

If you’re not afraid of sharing a meal with twenty or so guests above the void, don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience! You’ll enjoy an assortment of dishes combining Greek tradition and modern gastronomy, accompanied by Greek wines and soft drinks.

The meal is prepared before your very eyes as the restaurant’s platform slowly turns on itself as it rises into the air… The 360° view of the illuminated city, the Acropolis, the mountains and the sea is breathtaking!

Our tip: Remember to book your evening at Dinner in the sky, as places are snapped up well in advance!

4. Taste Greek wine at the château

There’s no need to travel far from Athens and cross the Greek vineyards to savour the local nectars! In the heart of Tritsi Park, Pyrgos Vasilissis (Queen’s Tower) has been home to a unique winery since the 19th century.

This small neo-Gothic palace was built in 1854 by King Otto for Queen Amalia. The Queen turned it into a veritable agricultural paradise, with gardens, stables, orchards and an organic vineyard.

The winery has been active ever since, producing a delicious organic wine: Tour la Reine. Moreover, the site is open to visitors and hosts events and guided tours accompanied by wine tastings.

Our suggestion: book a guided tour of Pyrgos Vasilissis for 2 or 3 hours. Enjoy the beauty of the site, a guided tour of the castle and, of course, a few glasses of fine Greek wine!

5. Segway tour of Athens

Would you like to cross the Greek capital in 2 hours, watch in hand? The Segway makes it possible!

The Segway is a small platform mounted on two motorized wheels that lets you move forward quickly and effortlessly. This single-seater vehicle can be used by anyone aged 12 and over. It’s the ideal way for families to explore Athens in a fun way!

Athens City Segway Tours offers tour of Athens by Segway, in English and in small group. We’ve tested it and recommend it!

Our tip: for a romantic discovery of Athens, book your Segway tour at dusk. Enjoy the sunset and the illuminated monuments!

6. Taste the atmosphere of the Cyclades

Athens is teeming with secret and unusual nooks and crannies. Among them, the Anafiotika district offers a haven from the crowds and noise of the capital.

Nestled on the north-eastern flank of the Acropolis, the Anafiotika district is like a postcard from the Cyclades: winding alleys, whitewashed houses, blue shutters, flowery staircases and cats lying in the sun.

And with good reason: the name of this district comes from Anafi, a small island in the Cyclades archipelago. Many of its inhabitants came to Athens in the 19th century to rebuild the city after the War of Independence. They settled at the foot of the Acropolis and built their adopted neighborhood in this unmistakable architecture.

Our tip: go up Stratonos Street, which runs along the bottom of the Acropolis. You’ll enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Athens, with Mount Lycabetta in the background and the rock of the Acropolis behind you!

7. Discover Athens by electric bike

Do you like cycling, but think Athens is too steep for you? Take an electric bike tour of Athens! There’s no hill to fear, and you’ll be free to explore every corner of the city.

We tried out Solebike’s Athens tours and loved them!

• The electric bikes are brand-new and high-performance.
• The tours are well designed: they take you through pedestrian areas or through streets with little traffic.
• Tours link the capital’s most interesting sites to give you a great overview of Athens’ riches.

Our tip: of the various tours offered by Solebike, the “Classic Athens Tour” is the least expensive and well worth the money!

8. Take part in unusual museum experiences

If you’re looking for unusual experiences in Athens, the Museum of Illusions is sure to thrill your 5 senses! This temple of experimentation is one of our favorite museums in Athens.

Throughout the museum, a series of fascinating devices challenge your perception: optical illusions, holograms, kaleidoscopes, light effects, mirrors… you’ll even have the chance to defy gravity!

Our tip: discover the Museum of Illusions with the whole family! It’s a paradise for children, who can give free rein to their curiosity. Let illusion, magic and surprise turn your head! Buy your ticket here.

9. Let an Athens resident guide you off the beaten track

The best way to enjoy unusual experiences in Athens is to know the city like the back of your hand. So what better way than to be guided off the beaten track by a local of the Greek capital?

At Live Athens, we have selected some English-speaking Athenian guides who will be delighted to show you around their city:

• Clément, a passionate Frenchman and adopted Athenian, will take you on a tailor-made urban stroll in the heart of Athens. Discover Athens and its neighborhoods out-off-the-beaten track with his private tour in English.
• In the same spirit, Alternative Athens also organizes tours with English-speaking guides who know the city inside out. It’s a great opportunity to take an in-depth look at less touristy areas of Athens such as Psyri, Exarchia and Kolonaki.

Our tip: These guided tours are very popular with families, so don’t hesitate to bring your children along!

10. Stroll among the street art

Did you know? Athens is one of Europe’s most vibrant street art scenes. The New York Times even went so far as to call the Greek capital a “contemporary mecca for street art”.

You’re sure to come across impressive murals by renowned artists such as iNO, Thisisopium, Atek or Cacao Rocks as you stroll through town. So you might as well find out more about what’s behind their work!

We recommend booking a guided tour in English of street art in Athens with Alternative Athens who offers a street art and graffiti tour with an English-speaking guide, himself a street artist.

Our tip: if you want to find out more, read this article devoted to our Top 10 street art murals in Athens.

We hope this selection will help you fill up on unusual experiences in Athens!

Sandra B.

Updated March 22, 2024