Athens Old Town Food Experience
Description
Embark on a captivating cultural and culinary adventure through Athens' historic and breathtaking old town, and indulge in the authentic flavors of traditional Greek delicacies while exploring the charming streets and capturing stunning photographs. Experience the vibrant culture of Greece as you sample a range of delectable treats, including creamy yogurt, savory pies, and juicy souvlaki. As you explore the charming old town, you'll encounter a plethora of historical landmarks and architectural wonders that offer a glimpse into the city's fascinating past. The old town is home to several significant landmarks, including the ancient Acropolis, the Roman Agora, and the impressive Temple of Olympian Zeus. Capture the essence of Athens as you stroll through the picturesque alleys and charming squares of the old town. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Greece and capture memories that will last a lifetime.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Plaka, the charming neighborhood that lies beneath the magnificent Acropolis, is also known as the "neighborhood of the Gods." This idyllic enclave boasts a collection of stunning houses and enchanting narrow streets that are sure to take your breath away. As we explore this picturesque neighborhood, we'll find ourselves surrounded by a myriad of cozy cafes and restaurants. Plaka's quaint streets are bustling with activity, yet the atmosphere remains serene and inviting, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Nestled right in the heart of Athens lies Monastiraki, a vibrant neighborhood that is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. As we explore Monastiraki, we'll find a kaleidoscope of colors, sounds, and aromas that will delight our senses. Monastiraki is also home to several historical landmarks, including the ancient Agora and the Roman Forum. These sites are a testament to the rich history of Athens and offer a glimpse into the city's past.
Step right into the heart of Athens' culinary scene, where the Varvakeios Market takes center stage! This bustling hub for meat, fish, and vegetable trade is a vibrant, lively haven that's brimming with people and filled with the captivating sounds of merchants calling out to showcase their products and competitive prices. It's a sensory experience that truly embodies the essence of Athens' dynamic food culture.
This lively street is renowned for its diverse collection of street shops that offer an enticing selection of textiles, local products, clothes, souvenirs, and mouth-watering food items. As we explore the bustling market street, we'll also come across several charming churches and inviting cafes. But Aiolou Street isn't just a shopping destination; it's also a window into the rich history and local essence of the city. Its ancient architecture and traditional ambiance offer a unique glimpse into the cultural heritage of the area.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(8)
We had a fantastic tour with Lucy(Lucia). We met at a yogurt shop and had greek yogurt with fruit topping. Lucy explained how Greek yogurt is a major part of people’s diet. It can be served for breakfast, dinner or a snack. As we headed towards the next stop, she pointed out several historic sites along the way. Next we sampled both a sweet and a savory pie made with phyllo dough. We then went to a store, Melira honey and olive oil to sample several types of honey and olive oil. We also toured the municipal farmers market; an interesting assortment of meats and fish where locals shop. Further on we sampled souvlaki, both a beef and a pork version. Then as the grand finale a dessert: loukoumades which are greek donut balls covered in honey. We had more than enough food to last us through the evening. Afterwards we had to go back to our room to relax and have some wine. Lucy was very engaging and knowledgeable. She pointed out all the best local places for traditional Greek food. The tour was a highlight of our stay in Athens. I wish we had scheduled the tour the first day of our visit. Lucy told us she also does a cooking class, but unfortunately we were leaving town the next morning, so could not participate.
Thank you so much for the detailed review! We are delighted that your food tour with Lucy was such a highlight of your time in Athens. It sounds like you truly embraced the local spirit—from the morning yogurt to that much-needed post-tour relaxation with some wine! We love that Lucy was able to weave history and local recommendations into your tastings at the market and the honey shop. We completely agree that this tour is a perfect "first day" activity, and we hope you can make it back one day to join Lucy for that cooking class! Warmly, Athens Walking Tours Team
Great food tour. Went to some very interesting places, tried lots of different food. The guide Nicky was excellent. Would definitely recommend!
Thank you for your perfect review! We’re delighted that you enjoyed discovering Athens’ culinary gems with Nicky. It’s fantastic to hear the variety of food and local spots made your tour memorable. Warm regards, Athens Walking Tours Team
Orestis was a great guide knowledgable not only about all the food but the area, sharing some historical tidbits. We had some of the best souvlaki on our trip here and got to eat plenty of food. It turned out just to be 2 of us so on the tour so it was a cozy group.
Thank you for sharing your experience with our Food Experience tour! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed trying out local cuisine with our knowledgeable expert, Orestis. Exploring both the food and the area while learning the history is what makes our food tours special. Thank you for choosing Athens Walking Tours, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more visits!
This was our second walking tour of Athens, and we had an amazing food tour with Eva who introduced us to lots of lovely authentic food in a variety of places away from the main tourist areas. But she wasn't just knowledgable about the food, and she told us lots about the city and modern Greek life (her passion for Athens shone through the whole tour) as well as giving us suggestions for things to do and see while we were there. We had the most enjoyable time with her, and it felt like we were saying goodbye to a friend at the end of the walk. Not just a good guide but great company too.
Dear Alun Silver, Thank you for the stellar 5-star review! We're so happy to hear your Athens Old Town Food Experience with Eva was "amazing"! Eva is a true gem, and we love that her passion for Athens and its delicious food shines through. That's what we strive for – creating memorable experiences that go beyond just the sights and bites. Thank you for choosing Athens Walking Tours!
Frankly, this tour was a disappointment and needs to either be reworked or described differently. In truth, it provided a small sample of Greek street food - at no time did we sit at a restaurant- Rather, we grabbed spaces at stands outside street food restaurants- small yogurt with sweet jam toppings, olives from the market, a small sample of a couple of pies, a souvlaki sandwich, and fried donut holes. The quality of the food was good - no complaints there. The only beverage was a bottle of water at the beginning. Typical food tours leave you over stuffed - this one left us with enough food to not be hungry, but nowhere near full. The starting spot for the tour was strange as it was a fair distance from everything else on the tour - we assumed it was for the yogurt place- which was good, but for a Central Market tour, starting in Monastiraki Square would have made much more sense. So, if you choose this tour, expect a small sampling of street food, and a pleasant walk with a quick stroll through the Central Market. If I were running the tour, I would start closer to Central Market, and include either a cheese shop, be given a lesson on what and how to buy goods at the market or a short restaurant stop with a beverage. Greek food is so good - and we expected more from this tour than we got.
Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate your thoughts and are glad you enjoyed the quality of the food. Tour Focus: As the description indicates, our "Taste of Athens" tour is a shorter, two-hour walking tour designed to provide a snapshot of Greek street food culture in a specific neighborhood. We also offer a longer, more in-depth tour that starts near Varvakeios Market for those seeking a more immersive experience. Street Food Experience: This particular tour focuses on casual, on-the-go street food, which typically involves sampling small portions from various vendors and shops. While we understand your preference for a sit-down meal, this tour aims to capture the essence of Athenian street food culture, which often centers around quick bites and flavorful snacks. Starting Point: The starting point was intentionally chosen in the old city of Athens, beneath the Acropolis to showcase a different area. Central Market: While this tour doesn't start from the Central Market, it does include a walk-through to give you a sense of the vibrant atmosphere and variety of products available. We value your suggestions for improving the tour. We're always open to feedback and are constantly exploring ways to enhance our offerings. We hope you had a chance to explore other aspects of Greek cuisine during your time in Athens. It's a rich culinary landscape with something to satisfy every palate! Sincerely,
Our guide "Fotis Tsatoulidis" introduced us to Greek cuisine with a lot of charm and humor. He imparted his extensive knowledge of Athens and its history to us very vividly and interestingly. This tour was very worthwhile.
Awesome walk around Athens and tasting wonderful food, visiting herb shops and a walk through the market. We had a great tour guide Lucy. Recommend to others
Our guide Angel was fabulous. Funny, caring and knowledgeable. We would recommend the tour…come hungry…and see if Angel can be your guide
