Athens Social and Political Walk
Description
How did the "cradle of democracy" turn into "Europe's basket case"? Although the question is blunt and unpleasant, it reflects the essence of much global thinking in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. From the founding of the Greek state until the present times, this experience illustrates both social and political aspects of Greece. It is aimed at individuals who have an interest in politics and who want to undertake first-hand research to understand more about the situation of the country. A Political Scientist will lead you into a comprehensive analysis, providing surprising answers. You'll be able to discuss both historical and current events from a fair and non-biased perspective to help you form your own opinions. This walk is designed to resemble a documentary in terms of pace and information density. In the end, you will receive a slideshow with photos and extra info on the issues discussed during the experience.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The official seat of the Prime Minister of Greece.
The official residence of the President of the Hellenic Republic.
Parliament of Greece.
Old Parliament House.
The most important event of NTUA's history is the Athens Polytechnic uprising on November 17, 1973.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(38)
Isaac gave us a wonderful, deeply informed and interesting tour of the relatively recent social and political history of Athens (and Greece more generally). Told in the form of 3 “series”, the tour really gave context and insight into the tangled and internally complex politics of the area. He was funny, responsive to questions, and considerate. Totally recommend!
Fantastic tour. Isaac is knowledgeable, funny, and most of all, he has a natural knack for being a guide. We learned a great deal from this and enjoyed the experience. This was our first time in Greece. I don't know what other walking tours offer, but I suspect Isaac's walking tours are unique in their emphasis on understanding modern Greek society and politics. If you're looking for a walking tour of the usual tourist attractions in Athens - and to be clear, these "usual" tourist attractions, like the Acropolis etc., are amazing in their own right and absolutely live up to their fame - this probably isn't the tour for you. But if you're looking, as we did, to get a better sense of contemporary Athens, its dynamic urban vibe, and the way politics is uniquely visible and present in its streets, then this is the right tour. Great experience, great guide.
Isaac opened our minds to the Greece beyond the “tourism Disneyland”. His walking tour was informative and well planned. I have such a better insight into the past and current issues and it helped me make sense of what I was observing. Highly recommend
This is an amazing way to learn about the political climate, past and present. Isaac is so knowledgeable and pleasant- one of the best guided tours I’ve ever taken.
This was a great tour. The guide was knowledgeable and the material was interesting. I would highly recommend.
This was an EXCELLENT experience, and honestly a must if you are in Athens for 2 days or more. I always think its great to understand the history of a place we are in (after all, we visited Athens for the ancient history but this really landed a complete picture for us.) The guide is incredibly knowledgeable of history and the state of Greek politics. The info is presented in an accessible, fun, and incredibly unbiased way. I walked away feeling very informed while not sure of his political leanings - which in my opinion is perfect for this level of event. It was great to walk around parts of Athens and see the story behind the buildings, rather than just various residential + shopping areas.
Isaac was a wonderful guide - his depth and breadth of knowledge was incredible and he was able to make comparisons to our own country's politics make some of the concepts easier to understand. I would say this is a niche tour, but if you are interested in history and politics it is a great tour
Isaac was a fantastically well informed guide who imparted his knowledge easily and with enthusiasm. We learned a huge amount about the current Greek socio political scene and we’re shown a side of Athens that is a million miles from that of antiquity
Isaac exposed us to a fascinating view of social and poltical aspects of Athens that we couldn't possibly have received without him in our short visit to the city. He uses a wealth of knowledge in the field to offer a comparative perspective with issues in other areas of the world, inviting an enriching dialogue. We highly recommend his tour.
We haven’t stopped talking about this walking tour since it concluded. Focusing on the period of Hellenic history from the conclusion of the Greek War of Independence until today, this tour incorporated the cultural, political, geographical, and foreign influences which have effected the country’s evolution. We were aware of much of the history covered in this presentation, but we appreciated how our guide Isaac connected the events of the past to help us better understand how modern Greece came to be. He was informative, interesting, and entertaining. We enjoyed the mix of locations and his insight about the importance of the sights we visited was enlightening. We definitely want to learn more about what we saw and heard.
