Athens, Greek food tour including market visit
Description
Sample the best, locally produced traditional Greek dishes on this food and walking tour through Athens. Led by a local guide, stroll through the city’s historic streets, tasting ‘bougatsa’ (a sweet or savory pastry), ‘loukoumades’ (Greek honey dumplings), olives and other Greek specialties. Then, take a trip to the Varvakeios market to peruse regional spices and herbs. To keep this small-group tour as intimate as possible, numbers are limited to 16 people. •The Original Food walking tour of Athens •Taste locally produced traditional Greek delicacies •Learn the heritage of Greek cuisine •Experience the vibrant Varvakeios food market •Visit various specialty food shops in Athens offering an array of fruit, spices and meats •Small group limited to 16 people for a more personalized experience •Fully guided tour with local English-speaking guide PLEASE NOTE: For afternoon tours and Sunday tours, we do not visit the Central Market as it is not open.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Athens, aside from being a remarkable symbol of Greece's rich historical heritage, is an absolute paradise for food enthusiasts. The city boasts numerous destinations where visitors can savor authentic Greek cuisine and purchase traditional products to bring back as souvenirs. Our food tours provide a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the lively pulse of the city. Along the way, you'll indulge in local delicacies and dishes that are an absolute must-try for any food lover.
Welcome to the heart of Athens' culinary scene - the Varvakeios Market! As the main hub for meat, fish, and vegetable trade, this bustling market is a vibrant, lively haven teeming with people and filled with the intoxicating sounds of merchants calling out to showcase their products and competitive prices. It's a sensory experience that truly captures the essence of Athens' vibrant food culture. At Varvakeios Market, you'll be immersed in the authentic atmosphere of a traditional Greek market, where merchants eagerly engage in conversation, sharing their knowledge and passion for their products. It's an opportunity to connect with the local community, learn about the freshest ingredients, and discover the rich flavors that define Greek cuisine. No food tour in Athens would be complete without a visit to Varvakeios Market. It's an experience that will leave you with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for the rich culinary heritage of Athens.
Discover the vibrant pulse of Aiolou Street, located right in the heart of the city, and immerse yourself in a bustling market experience like no other. This lively street is renowned for its eclectic array of street shops offering an enticing selection of textiles, local products, clothes, souvenirs, and delectable food items. As you explore the market street, you'll also encounter charming churches and inviting cafes where you can indulge in delicious treats. Aiolou Street is not just a shopping destination, but also a window into the history and local essence of the city. It's a place where the past and present come together, offering a unique glimpse into the cultural heritage of the area.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Dress according to weather
- Comfortable walking shoes, sun-screen and a hat are recommended
- Inform us of any food allergies
- Vegetarian options available (Limited choices for Glutten Free)
Reviews(621)
We had a great time with Vasilis! He is very knowledgeable, and we loved each of our tasting stops. Definitely go hungry, you’ll soon be stuffed!!
Hey Erin, "Definitely go hungry" is the golden rule of our food tour! We are so glad you had a great time with Vasilis, loved every single tasting stop, and left completely stuffed. He loves sharing both his knowledge and his favorite local bites, so he'll be happy to hear your feedback. Thank you for the delicious review! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Naya was amazing! She gave us a great tour of Athens. We didn’t want it to end. The food was delicious and the stories, street art and history were captivating.
Hey Laura, "We didn't want it to end" is exactly what we love to hear! Naya has a real gift for weaving together delicious food, street art, and captivating history, and we are so glad she gave you such an amazing experience. Thank you for the wonderful review! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Gina was outstanding. She was so friendly! We enjoyed getting to know her and trying out a few specialty spots we would never have found otherwise. We enjoyed hearing about the history and what foods related to her childhood!
Hey Lisa, We are glad for your outstanding experience, and we love to hear that sharing those personal childhood food memories with you made the tour feel like exploring the city with a local friend! Finding those hidden specialty spots is exactly what we love to do, and we're so glad you got to taste the authentic side of Athens. Thank you so much for the wonderful review! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Vicky was awesome! She was fun and interesting! We ate a lot more than we expected (that’s a good thing), and ended with a great lunch in a local spot.
Hey Susan, Thank you for the awesome review! We are so glad you had a fun and interesting time exploring with Vicky. It's great to hear you enjoyed the generous portions (never a bad thing!) and loved wrapping up the day with lunch at a local spot. We'll be sure to pass your kind words along to Vicky! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
We had a great tour with Vasilis today. We got lucky due to low season and ended up being the only family there. The pace of the tour was perfect for us - great combination of snacks/foods and walks to work up an appetite in between. Vasilis was a great conversationalist and a wealth of knowledge about the food, history, and current events. My young son (a budding classics buff) also enjoyed all the history in addition to sweets. Vasilis also did a great job making sure our meals were safe - one of us has a severe food allergy - and he made sure we knew what we needed to avoid. Highly recommend taking this tour. Well worth the time and money. P.S. Don't forget to tip your guide! Especially if you're visiting off-season.
We’re so excited your family had such a fun and tasty adventure! Vasilis really enjoys mixing history, local flavors, and a little stroll to keep things lively, so it’s great the pace suited you all. We feel rewarded that your young classics fan got a kick out of the stories too. Thanks for the thoughtful tip reminder! Warm regards, Athens Walking Tours Team
Expected more food or samples of a better quality. Ending restaurant was particularly indifferent. Done
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Gwynne. We’re sorry to hear that the experience didn’t fully meet your expectations. Our food tours are designed to offer a variety of authentic Greek flavors across multiple stops, with generous tasting portions for everyone in the group. We truly value your feedback though and will review your comments carefully to ensure every stop reflects the high quality we strive for. Warm regards, Athens Walking Tours Team
I had such a wonderful experience on the food and market tour in Athens. It was both fascinating and delicious. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, not only about food but also about the city’s history and culture, which made everything even more engaging. The tour felt intimate and personal, giving us the chance to ask questions and really connect. The highlights for me were definitely the spanakopita and boureka – absolutely amazing – and the gyro we had at the end was excellent as well. The atmosphere was fun and relaxed, with a lovely group of people and pleasant walks between the stops. I’d recommend this tour to anyone who loves food and wants to discover the city through the eyes of a true local.
Thank you for such a thoughtful and detailed review! We’re excited to hear you enjoyed both the flavors and the cultural insights our food and market tour offers. Spanakopita, boureka, and a proper gyro are indeed highlights we love sharing. It’s wonderful that the relaxed atmosphere and small group setting made the experience feel personal and engaging.
I ate breakfast before the 9:30 tour- big mistake!! I couldn’t enjoy all the food they gave us, which included large sesame pretzel type thing, charcuterie with three kinds of homemade sliced meat, feta cheese and a delicious cheddar type cheese, wine and raki, fresh grapes (the best ever- so sweet and fresh they popped when you bit them, a beef sandwich called a slovakia or something like that, and lastly a fried dough covered with honey and cinnamon. We had to walk to each place, so went through many different neighborhoods. Besides these two places, we went to a honey and olive oil tasting and a tasting for Greek liqueurs. In the honey and olive oil place, I bought some honey/based creams. Our guide Micki (Nicki?) spoke excellent English and was very knowledgeable and nice. Our group of 8 got along very well. Lots of exercise and good food! It exceeded my expectations
Dear Karen, thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! We’re delighted to hear the food tour exceeded your expectations and that you enjoyed the variety of tastings, the neighborhood walks, and Nicki’s knowledge and warmth. It sounds like you truly experienced the best of Athens’ flavors and atmosphere. Next time, we suggest coming hungry so you can enjoy it all! Warm regards, Athens Walking Tours Team
Go in the morning if you schedule in the summer. Gets hot walking around. Stella was very informative and knew where to take us to make the most of our experience.
Thank you, Alan! We’re so pleased to hear you enjoyed the tour with Stella — she always knows how to make the most of every stop! And yes, morning tours in summer are definitely the way to go. Warm regards, Athens Walking Tours Team
An amazing tour! Vasilis was an amazing and knowledgeable guide who took us to some great local spots in the heart of Athens. Would definitely recommend to anyone visiting Athens.
Dear Lucy, thank you for the glowing review! We're excited to hear you had such a great time with Vasilis—he loves sharing hidden gems and local flavors. Your recommendation means a lot to us! We’d love to welcome you back next time you're in Athens. Warm regards, Athens Walking Tours Team
