Non-Touristy Things to Do in Athens

Athens Blog

10min read

Published 4 February 2025


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As one of the world’s oldest cities, Athens is doing pretty well at remaining a tourist hot spot and bucket-list destination for travellers across generations. Capital, and largest city, of Greece, Athens dominates the Attica region and was first built somewhere between the 11th and 7th millennium BC, placing it at over 7,000 years old. Having withstood the test of time and provided some of history’s greatest minds, traditions and the modern Olympic Games, Athens is a sprawling metropolis that captivates the wanderlust and hearts of millions every year. With so much to do and see in Athens however it can feel overwhelming amongst the crowds. So, to help you navigate this historial hub like a pro, here’s our 11 non-touristy things you may want to add to your itinerary.

Ready to launch into the mythology and history of Greece? Chat to a Travel Expert today and make it a reality!


When to visit

Picking when it is best to visit any popular tourist destination is a tricky feat. Although Athens is a very sought after holiday destination, there are times where the crowds ease a bit. Peak tourist season is mid-June to early-September as this is usually when the weather is warmest at the height of summer. July and August are usually the hottest months and attract the most visitors which usually sees an inflation in prices. Visiting outside of these periods is best to avoid the massive crowds - think May or November - so you’re still getting beautiful weather. During spring, you can expect temperatures of 15°C to 25°C, and in Autumn 18°C to 28°C making it a comfortable tourist experience.

Visit the Athenian seaside

Hidden in plain sight, the Athenian shoreline is one of the most beautiful locations you can visit, and usually one of the least busy. Most people head straight to the Temple of Athena or the Agora and bypass this natural wonder. Head to Piraeus, just 20-minutes from central Athens, and you’ll find a location where the tide rolls in gently and the sun glistens off the sand.

  • This urban region of Athens is a bustling port and so it pays to keep a close eye on your children if they’re playing in the streets.
  • Make a day of it and stay for dinner. There are loads of amazing restaurants in this region. Aristotle Piraeus is one of the favourites, with live music performing, delicious cocktails and gorgeous interior architecture.
Athens Seaside
Athens Seaside
Athens Seaside

Visit the hillside village of Plaka

Known as the ‘Neighbourhood of the Gods’ and lying in the shadow of the Acropolis and its ancient temples, Plaka has a village feel with narrow cobbled streets lined with merchants selling their wares. Cafes and family-run tavernas stay open until late and the gorgeous Cine Paris shows classic movies al fresco.

  • If you’ve got young ones with you, then pop into the Museum of Greek Children’s Art. Not only do you get to engage with the history of children’s art in Greece, but you can also create your own art to take home, in the museum workshop.
  • The nearby neighbourhood of Anafiotikia has beautiful whitewashed buildings that give the small enclave a distinctly Greek-island vibe. With narrow streets, bright and vibrant painted accents on the houses and plants lining every spare space, this neighbourhood offers you the opportunity to get pictures that you’ll cherish for years to come.
Plaka Hillside
Plaka Hillside
Plaka Hillside

Link in with a Local

What better way to truly live like a local for a day in Athens, than by taking a guided tour with an Athenian local. ‘This is Athens’ is a platform that will connect you with genuine locals who can take you on a guided tour of their city. This is the perfect way to see the more traditional experiences, from a more unique viewpoint. Visit the Acropolis and explore it away from the crowds, take in the Theatre of Dionysus, or even journey through the LGBTTQIA+ fabric of Athens with a specialist guide. These guided experiences are curated to help you experience all Athens has to offer, without the overwhelming crowds.

Explore the Erectheion or the Temple of Hephaestus

The Erectheion is an ancient Greek temple that was constructed to honour Athena, whilst the temple of Hephaestus was built to honour its namesake. These lesser frequented, and yet equally exquisite destinations will give you the immersion of Greek mythology without the crowds that flock to the Acropolis, Parthenon or the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

  • The Temple of Hephaestus is also significant as it never burned like the Parthenon and other iconic buildings did, meaning it’s largely intact and still retains much of the traditional facade and iconography of ancient Greece.
Temple of Hephaestus
Temple of Hephaestus
Temple of Hephaestus

Discover Athens’ Street Art Scene

Vibrant murals and contemporary expressions of art cover many of the streets of Athens and provide bright and bold expressions against the whitewashed stone backgrounds. For €40 you can take part in the guided Athens Urban Street Art Tour which will take you to some of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in the city. Your English-speaking guide will showcase how different socio-economic factors and historical periods impacted the pieces that are on display, and you’ll get to see Athens in a whole new light! A truly off the beaten path experience that you’ll get to experience like a true local. This experience is suitable for people aged 7 or older, and will take you roughly 2 hours.

Take a stroll through Monastiraki

This world renowned destination is known for its iconic landmarks such as the Ancient Agora, Hadrian’s Library and the rebuilt Stoa of Attalos, with a museum featuring Athenian artifacts. On Sunday’s, hunt down the perfect keepsake at the flea market - keep your eyes peeled for Greek jewellery or other beautiful mementos from local artisans that you can take back home with you. You can also find quirky pieces linking to the iconic architecture of the city or figures straight from the pages of Greek mythology.

Square
Square
Square

Stay somewhere unexpected

The leafy, quiet and cheerful suburb of Mets is highly regarded as one of the best places to stay, with neoclassical mansions and stunning stone-paved alleyways. Similarly, Koukaki in the southeast of Athens runs along the eastern edge of the Philopappos Hill (from which you get amazing views of the Acropolis). Although it is popular with tourists, it still maintains a local, and residential feel which is equal parts artsy, modern and funky. For the philosophers however, Exarcheia may be a good spot to choose, being the traditional student & intellectual quarter of the city. Whilst not especially picturesque, it is overflowing with cultural institutions, bookstores and boutique stores that give you an insight into the humming life of Athens.

If you’re a fan of the mythology and history of Athens then you may like the Electra Palace Hotel which has opulence designed to dazzle the Greek gods themselves. Likewise, The Hotel Grande Bretagne brings a legacy of exemplary luxury, having set the standard for Greek elegance for generations.

View the Open Air Cinema at the National Garden

A stroll through the beautiful National Gardens can be just the ticket to revive the soul after dealing with the crowds. This 38-acre natural plot runs behind the Greek parliament and is full of botanical wonders and ancient ruins in near equal measure. In the summer time you can relax and unwind with the open air cinema, and sample delicious local cuisine which will make your tastebuds sing.

For the vegans, you’ll be delighted to know that Vegan Beat, located near the National Garden is highly regarded and serves healthy, yet tasty, Mediterranean, European and Greek cuisine. Alternatively, Iliada has received many accolades for its exceptional, warm and attentive service and their authentic Greek cuisine which is as variable as it is tasty. 

Athens National Gardens
Athens National Gardens
Athens National Gardens

Toast to the gods at Brettos

The oldest distillery in Athens, Brettos is in the quaint neighbourhood of Plaka. The interior is decorated by hundreds of colourful bottles and lights that stem back to its founding in 1909, on the ground level of an old Athenian mansion. It was here that founder Michael Brettos began producing Ouzo, Brandy and other liqueurs ranging from classics like cherry and peppermint through to citrus. This distillery is small and quaint, but you’ll get to sample some of the finest distilled liquors in the world. 

The Museum of Cycladic Art

If you’re an art and history fan then you’ll love this museum. Featuring art hailing from the Cyclades Island in the Aegean Sea, you’ll find artistic expressions of prehistoric figures and figurines, particularly of women. This museum is a quiet and thoughtful building that celebrates the antiquity of classical art in modern day Greece. It also helps that the cafe is highly regarded and is a favourite for many locals.

  • Plus, if you want to extend your experience of Cycladic Art after a visit to the museum, consider popping over to the island of Syros. One of the lesser frequented islands, it is the capital of the Cyclades and has a rich tapestry of history. Less crowded beaches lined by venetian architecture and cobblestone streets help you feel like you’re stepping back to a simpler era in time.

You can also connect in with one of our amazing Travel Experts who specialises in Greek experiences. Our Travel Experts have real experience and intimately know the destinations they plan holidays for!

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