Athens Markets Exploration Tour: From Ancient to Modern Times
Description
On this Old Districts Athens tour, discover the treasures of Athens with a local by your side, by exploring the streets filled with cultural, historic, and culinary icons. Follow the footsteps of the locals with your guide and experience the heart of Athens with its ruins, temples, markets, mosques, retail hot spots, and fresh produce. These are the same places and roads where the ancient Greeks more than 2000 years ago followed in their daily life! - Immerse in the history of the ancient city of Athens, with a local by your side - Get lost inside the numerous markets and learn about their legendary traditions while exploring them - Admire some of the city’s famous landmarks without entering the sites and get insider knowledge about them - Stroll around the picture-pretty neighbourhood of Plaka and enjoy a coffee and a sweet at a local favorite coffee shop - Discover Athens’ modern architecture and its recent history
Tour Options
Itinerary
You begin your Athens walking tour by meeting your local guide in Kotzia Square, one of Athens’ most beautiful squares that is surrounded by gorgeous neoclassical buildings of the early 19th century and ancient ruins.
Passing by the Mayor of Athens’ building, you’ll head to Athina Street, one of the busiest in Athens. Feel the morning vibes when the shop owners get ready for a day of business and Athenians flock to the city’s shops and markets, as they have done for the past 2,000 years. Your guide will explain the practices of food’s commerce, the soul of Greek life, which have existed for thousands of years.
While exploring Athenian markets, you’ll experience local produce and with your guide’s help, you’ll be able to pick out all the local favourites, such as Mediterranean fruits, vegetables, meat and cheese. While exploring Athenian markets, you’ll experience local produce and with your guide’s help, you’ll be able to pick out all the local favourites, such as Mediterranean fruits, vegetables, meat and cheese.
After awakening your senses with all these warm colours, tastes, and smells, you’ll head to Monastiraki Square. Located in the center of the square, the Pantanassa Monastery is the square’s symbol, and the reason why the square is called Monastiraki as its name derives from the Greek word for monastery.
Here, you’ll also admire other Athens’ landmarks such as the Hadrian Library, an archaic temple constructed in the Corinthian-style, and the 18th-century Tzistarakis Mosque, which nowadays houses the ceramics museum.
Next, you’ll venture through the Square’s flea market where you’ll chat with merchants and discover ancient monuments as you uncover even more Athens history. Moving on, you’ll explore the bazaar streets of Ifaistou and Pandrossos discovering handcrafts and other specialties such as leather sandals, handmade icons, Greek music instruments, and antiques. Here is the perfect place to feel the authentic vibes of the bustling Athens market culture.
Afterwards, walking by the ancient Agora, where merchants traded during Greek and Roman times, you’ll head to the vibrant neighbourhood of Thission, passing 17th and 18th-century old houses along the way.
Next up, you’ll explore Plaka neighborhood, Athens’ continuously inhabited area since ancient times, where you’ll enjoy a freshly brewed coffee and a local mouthwatering sweet in a cozy coffee shop.
Your tour comes to an end at the entrance of the Acropolis. From here, you can continue your personal exploration to the Acropolis Archaeological Site or Athens’ downtown, or follow your guide’s advice on the best way to get back to your hotel. Before we part ways, your local guide will share with you more hints and tips on how to get the best of your trip in amazing Athens.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Guests' pickup is offered for the private group option. Pick up time adjustable upon your request. We will meet you at your Athens hotel lobby, Airbnb or Piraeus port. Our guide will be holding a sign with your name. Please call or email us (contact information on voucher).
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Guests pickup is offered for the private group option. Pick up time adjustable upon your request. We will meet you at your Athens hotel lobby or at the Piraeus port. Our guide will be holding a sign with your name.
- How you help the local community by joining this tour: - By visiting 100% locally owned stores, you support small-scale, locally-run businesses and help preserve the traditional character of old Athens. - You support a street vendor who sells traditional Koulouri sesame rings to increase his income. - At least one store on your itinerary is dedicated to the preservation of locally-produced crafts.
- Food Allergies: Unless you suffer from multiple, combined food allergies, or unless you are a vegan, we will figure it out. Vegetarians are welcome on all tours. Please wear comfortable shoes for walking.
- If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry. Please consider this when budgeting for your extra expenses on this tour.
Reviews(2)
Babis was a spectacular host. We felt like Athenian VIP’s being guided through some of the best parts of Athens, many of which most tourists wouldn’t know to go to. The tour included the Athens central marketplace, where he guided us through the meat and fish markets and showed us the best places to get all kinds of authentic Greek goods (e.g. spices, pastries, produce, etc.). He then gave us a phenomenal tour of numerous sites of interest around Athens, including several ancient churches and historic landmarks. He has a very unique background as a wildlife photographer who previously worked in the food industry for many years, and he also has a strong interest in historical architecture, so he was able to provide many fascinating insights and took phenomenal photos. He also took us for coffee at a great cafe/bar with a truly breathtaking view of downtown/historic Athens. The 5 hour tour flew by and we honestly did not want it to end. Even our 12 year old son had a blast. Do not hesitate for a second to book this tour. Note: This tour involves a lot of walking and the smells in the meat and fish markets are rather stimulating early in the day, so I would suggest minimizing alcohol intake and getting good rest the night prior.
Dear Trigemini44, Thank you for the detailed review of our Athens Markets Exploration Tour. It's rewarding to hear that Babis provided an experience that felt exclusive and informative, guiding you through parts of Athens that many tourists may overlook. His ability to make guests feel like VIPs is something we deeply value and encourage in all our tours. Babis’ background, combining wildlife photography, the food industry, and a passion for historical architecture, allows him to offer a unique perspective on Athens. This multifaceted expertise not only enriches the tour but also provides layers of insight, making your journey through Athens both engaging and educational. It’s wonderful to know his knowledge added to your appreciation of the city's vibrant atmosphere and historic sites. We’re pleased your whole family, including your son, found delight in the experience, and we appreciate your advice regarding the logistics of the tour. Thank you again for your recommendation, and we look forward to hosting you for more enriching explorations in Athens! Warm regards, Rebecca Skevaki General Manager
What a fantastic way to begin our trip to Greece! I booked this walking tour to start off our trip in Athens and Babis was the best. He was so helpful, clear, and gave us so many inside little secrets and recommendations - It made our trip so much more memorable! I strongly recommend booking this tour in the early part of your trip.
Thanks for the awesome review, sarahtF9989GO! We work hard to meet expectations like yours, and we’re happy to hear we hit the mark for you. We look forward to working with you again in the future! -The GrecianLux Team
