Home > Athens > Hidden Athens Walking Tour and Picnic: Plaka and the Hills of Athens
USD $57.00
Hidden Athens Walking Tour and Picnic: Plaka and the Hills of Athens
Athens, Greece
Escape the buzz of downtown Athens and head to its peaceful hills for a 3.5-hour leisurely paced walking tour, finishing with a Greek picnic and glass of white wine! Your expert local guide will introduce you to the gentle hills around Athens’ Acropolis, chatting about the area’s ancient history as you go. Discover the charms of Plaka (Athens’ Old Town), Anafiotika with its pretty Greek island-style houses and three of the city’s famous hills: Philopappou and Mars Hill.
Meet your expert guide near Athens’ Benaki Museum and set off a leisurely paced stroll through the streets of Plaka – the city’s Old Town. Sprawled over the side of Athens' Acropolis, this historical neighborhood comprises a maze of cobbled streets lined with Neoclassical architecture, Byzantine churches and busy independent shops.
On the northernmost streets of Plaka is the area known as Anafiotika -- an idyllic cluster of whitewashed houses that are reminiscent of buildings in the Greek islands. Admire Anafiotika’s pretty Cycladic architecture, built by 19th-century workers who emigrated here from Anafi Island. It’s thought the workers were homesick for their native island life, so painted the buildings bright white to remind them of Anafi.
While hearing tales of the area and its history from your guide, walk over to the Rock of Ares (Aereopagus) – just slightly further up the slopes of the Acropolis on Mars Hill. The colossal rock marks the spot that was once the supreme court of ancient Athens, and bygone kings are buried in tombs surrounding it.
Continue to Philopappou Hill, passing Socrates’ Prison where the Classical Greek philosopher Socrates was imprisoned and sentenced to death on controversial charges. After a quick look at the fascinating landmark, stop at the peak of Philopappou Hill to enjoy breathtaking views over Athens’ bustling metropolis. Sit down with a glass of white wine and help yourself to a picnic of various Greek delicacies.
After relaxing at this panoramic vantage point, head back into town with your guide, following the pretty UNESCO World Heritage-listed walkways down the hill. Pass the famous Philopappos Monument and then finish your tour back at the start point, near Benaki Museum.
This tour was amazing, the guide was knowledgeable and it ended up being just my group of friends! We took some great pics and really enjoyed the tour - would recommend.
Review by: Ron S, July 2018
Efi was fantastic, she's an archeologist! She was interesting, informative and fun. Wonderful tour, historical buildings, churches, park, zoo, prison, beautiful old sights, the guards and so much more! A nice relaxing pace and a delicious lunch too! Our favorite tour in Greece!
Review by: dluckenbach, June 2018
loved our guide and great alternative tour -if you have a second day in Athens recommend it and do ask them to take you to the actual Olympic stadium .
Review by: Nathan A, April 2018
An incredible way to finish our weekend in Athens! My brother and I were lucky enough to have Efi as our guide, who despite us being half an hour late, was very gracious and patient with us all throughout the tour.
Review by: serdar t, March 2018
This tour will show you how Athens is full of amazing historical stories and cultural riches.
Review by: Joy, January 2018
This was a most amazing tour, and although it was one of the few rainy days in Athens it was a highly recommended experience. Ana was a wonderful and interesting guide and showed us a very different side of Athens. Wonderful views and hidden stairs and alleyways leading to some special treasures. The picnic at the end was the icing on the cake - although because of the rain we took it back to the hotel to eat! I would love to go back and repeat the experience.
Review by: DIANE D, November 2017
This was a fabulous tour. Kostas was great very knowledgeable and he provided us with a great picnic!
Review by: Sallee M, November 2017
Unfortunately, I cannot remember her name but our tour which ended up being just my daughter and myself with our guide was really great! We saw parts of Athens that we would never have seen hence the name Hidden Athens. I saw the white houses with blue doors and windows which I thought were only on Santorini. We did a LOT of walking so it was great exercise. The picnic lunch was perfect and our guide was perfect. Please look up our records and pass on to the guide that she was amazing! Obviously, this review is not for posting, unless you edit it with her name....Maricela? Dang it, I cannot remember. Bottom line: I recommend this tour!
Review by: James O, October 2017
Anna was a tremendous guide, informative and friendly. This was not a particularly strenuous walk, but we covered a lot of ground. I felt I was being shown around by a real resident. The tour ends with a picnic on top of a hill after dark looking up at the well lit Acropolis. Don't expect a full meal, but I quite enjoyed it.
Review by: jncruel, October 2017
The tour guide was knowledgeable and super friendly! We saw so many great places. Wear comfy clothes and your hiking shoes. I would recommend doing the day tour. The evening tour got a little difficult navigating the hills and small spaces in the dark.
Review by: Jane V, October 2017
What a special day our guide provided for us! She shared super interesting information on the history of Greece modern history even! as we walked. Also, she was a lot of fun! Very highly recommended.
Review by: Zulkifli Z, October 2017
Dont miss this unique tour, as you will walk through many beautiful and unique hidden places of Athens like Plaka and the Hills of Athens. The tour became a private tour for me and my wife with the tour guide because other people did not show up on time. Since We took the afternoon tour, We had the chance to see the sunset from the Hill of Athens...Amazing places with a very knowledgeable tour guide. Be prepared to wear a good walking shoe, since we have to walk for about three hours.
Review by: Tazrick, September 2017
This walking tour was very informative and enjoyable. We were able to see the guards march from the back of the Parliament to the front for the changing of the guards. It was amazing. We also found the Gardens and were given information on some other sites and ruins. It was a great way to get more information in Athens. The Cheese pie, Spinach pie and wine on Falapollis Hill was delicious, with an amazing view. You will enjoy this tour.
Review by: Yvonne P, September 2017
Effie gave MarieEllen and me a truly insightful and enjoyable walking tour last Monday. _br/_ An archaeologist, she was a mine of info about Greek Classicsl past its culture religious beliefs and politics, but She was so knowledgeable about everything up to today - helped me to understand Greece today.
Review by: Okourgi, August 2017
It was really a great tour. we learned a lot, and discovered special corners we couldn't be able to do alone. The guide was very informative and very committed to our comfort.
Review by: Sherry H, August 2017
Lovely tour - very relaxed pace and wonderful ending at sunset! Effie was very knowledgeable and gave great tour! Was a nice way to end our few days in Athens!
Review by: John S, August 2017
This tour allows you to see many things that you would not find on your own. We enjoyed it very much. Our guide was excellent.
Review by: Steven I, July 2017
Very nice tour: Tour went past the President's and Prime Minister's homes behind the Parliament building and then through the National Gardens next to the Parliament building. Went through the ancient Plaka district at the foot of the Parthenon and Acropolis , Toured through areas off the beaten path. Tour guide very knowledgeable and congenial and she bought some food and wine along the way, and we later had a nice picnic. Tour ended in the Monistiraki district next to the Plaka district. Many places to shop in this area, on our own, and have a drink and/or light lunch. Walked back up to our hotel next to the Parliament building and many nice shops and eateries. I would definitely recommend this trip, as our guide added much insight to the tour. Wear comfortable shoes and get ready to do a lot of walking approximately 4 miles, or so. NOTE: We felt very comfortable on our own after the tour. People we met were congenial and police presence was noticeable and welcomed which helps keep down crime rates. All in all very nice tour and overview of Athens.
Review by: travelman, June 2017
This is a different and very interesting trip. Since you are walking, you see things you dont see in a vehicle. Miss Efi, our guide, was very knowledgable about the sites. It was about 4 hours, and ended with a light snack and a glass of wine in a pretty park setting overlooking the Acropolis.
Review by: Eleonora P, June 2017
We were on this tour with another couple and because of the small size of the group, it could have been great, but it was a disaster. Our tour guide was extremely slow walking, constantly stumbling and pointing sites that were not interesting and taking us to places where there was not much to see. I personally got so frustrated a few times by a slow pace of the tour when the tour guide kept stalling, I wanted to leave. Do not recommend.
Review by: brian g, January 2017
nice walk
Review by: Janralgi, December 2016
The tour was great. Our guide, Thanios, was very knowledgeable and interesting. The tour far exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend it to see parts of Athens you don't see from busses.
Review by: bobisfun, November 2016
Great tour guide gave so much information and took us to areas of Athens we had not visited a nice leisurely pace
Review by: Ana Maria P, November 2016
Mr Thanasis was an excellent guide. We walked in some areas of Athens we couldn and #39;t have discovered otherwise on our own. He offered us many explanations about the history, arhitecture and philosophy of the city which really completed the entire visit. Highly recommend!
Review by: Elizabeth L, September 2016
Kostas was a great tour guide who adapted the tour for the participants interests. He was also great about offering to take photos.
Review by: Jeannetta D, September 2016
Fantastic day. Excellent tour guide who was well informed and entertaining._br/_ An opportunity to see 'hidden' parts of this beautiful city._br/_ Lunch was great too._br/_ Highly recommended.
Review by: Belinda S, September 2016
If I could rate this 6 stars, I would! Kostas was a fantastic tour guide, full of knowledge, interesting facts and a few jokes to keep us entertained! It was a great opportunity to learn more about the city, get off the beaten track and find a hidden oasis within the busy city centre. The picnic at sunset looking out over the Acropolis and city below provided a unique opportunity to reflect on all we had a seen and soak up the spirit of Athens.
Review by: Sue B, August 2016
Outstanding and informative walk through Athens! Lots of wonderful surprises. Kostas is an outstanding guide and host!
Review by: nikita.max, August 2016
Absolutely incredible tour! You will get to see Athens from a completely different point of view, visiting all the central and most famous locations, but from a hidden path away from the usual tourist crowds and long queues. Our tour guide Kostas knew a large amount of facts and historical information, but was everything but boring- he was enthusiastic, insightful and full of positive energy. The tour is filled with great sights, food, snacks drinks and great time! Would do it again!
Review by: blackandwhitebybonham, August 2016
Very good tour
Review by: annev, August 2016
We saw parts of Athens we wouldn't have otherwise learned about or seen. We enjoyed the small, intimate group. Kostas was personable and knowledgeable.
Review by: Sara P, August 2016
PHENOMENAL! We ended up with a private tour with Kostas since we were the only ones signed up. Kostas was amazing and this was a highlight of our time in Athens. I cannot recommend this enough as a must-do for anyone visiting Athens. We never would've known about many of the things we saw. He also helped us with restaurant and shop recommendations to find what we were looking for.
Review by: jsanch64, August 2016
If this had 10 stars to select from I would have would have selected all 10 stars. Our Tour Guide, Athanasios was AMAZING!!!! My wife and I truly had a wonderful time. The tour was supposed to last 3 ours, but our lasted 6 hours. They were fun filled and what he had to offer on the tour was beyond our expectations. Athanasios has great knowledge of the major archaeological sites and provided additional hidden information as mentioned in the title of the tour. This is a MUST do. Relax, take in the information and you will have a wonderful time. Thank you Athanasios.
Review by: Anita H, July 2016
Kostas was our tour guide and he was fabulous - passionate and really knowledgeable - we saw the parts of Athens that were amazing, quiet but really special - do this tour to learn about the best of Athens
Review by: Dale R, July 2016
As most others have said this is a very nice tour walking the back streets and seeing many of the main sights but from a different perspective. We were four people and Kostos did a fine job keeping us entertained and tailoring the tour to our specific circumstances. As a former Presidential Guard when he did his military service he was able to spice up the tales explaining the ins and outs of one of Greece's tourist stops. The four hours went quickly and we had a very nice small picnic with wine in one of the forests surrounding the Acropolis. You cannot have a better tour so sign up and you will not regret it. A marvelous way to see much of central Athens in and around the Acropolis. This is a very nice complement to the evening tour of the Acropolis by the same company.
Review by: David K, June 2016
We thoroughly enjoyed our morning Athens Walking tour and picnic with Barbara! She was very thorough, knowledgeable and went out of her way to make our tour a memorable one! Because it was just my husband and I, she was able to give us a very personilzed tour that exceeded our expectations.
Review by: Marjorie M, June 2016
This was a fantastic tour. Off the beaten path tour of Athens with a fabulous picnic dinner over looking the city at sunset.
Review by: Marjorie M, June 2016
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Deborah G, June 2016
Kostas is an amazing guide. Tour absolutely lived up to expectation. Picnic lunch on hillside absolutely charming.
Review by: Cathy W, June 2016
Amazing tour! Definitely a must do!! The tour guide was great and definitely saw things you wouldn and #39;t see on your own!
Review by: Joseph G, June 2016
Kostas was an excellent tour guide and gave us a lot of history and culture of all aspects of Athens.We liked the National Garden and a Palace,seeing local artist artwork,Visiting the oldest church,getting a glimpse of Analfi,tasting delicious liqueur from a 100 year old bar in Plaka,watching the National guards practice and learning that all males must serve the National Guard.The best was a delicious lunch on a Hill right opposite clear view of the Acroplis and Parthenon.We highly recommend this tour to newcomers and repeat ones like ourselves to Athens.Kostas recommended going to the New Acroplis Museum after the tour and we loved it followed by a snack and coffee which was delicious.
Review by: lrtrinidad, June 2016
This was a great way to see Athens, we enjoyed the off the beaten path that Kostas took us. Our tour guide enjoys his job and has alot of passion for this great city.
Review by: Jackie A L, June 2016
Costos lead a highly enjoyable and informative tour. He is personable, interesting, and led us through areas of town well off the beaten path. He is the perfect guide and this was the perfect experience! Highly recommended!
Review by: Robert E, June 2016
Fabulous! Our guide, Costa was very knowledgable and made it fun.
Review by: JAL, June 2016
Costos lead a highly enjoyable and informative tour. He is personable, interesting, and led us through areas of town well off the beaten path. He is the perfect guide and this was the perfect experience! Highly recommended!
Review by: Steve L, May 2016
Our guide, Costas, rates as the best we have experienced in 40 years of travel. He was very informative, personable, open to provide a personal view of his life in Greece, the Greek culture and history, and to show us parts of this city seldom visited. This tour was very different from the formal city tour and greatly increased our appreciation of Athens and its culture.
Review by: Michael A, May 2016
Kostas, thank you so much! You were very welcoming and we felt like we were meeting an old friend. We saw places we wouldn and #39;t have found on our own. We will_br/_ Never forget our first night in Athens, the delicious picnic, and breathtaking sunset. Thank you!
Review by: Teresa R, May 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this tour! Costas was knowledgable and entertaining. The meeting point was easy to find Evangelismos metro station-make sure you look at the archaeological displays in the station and we walked at a reasonable pace. We passed many of the big sites presidential and PM residences, National Garden, Temple of Zeus, Hadian's Arch, Mars Hill, Plaka and Anafiotika neighborhoods and Philopappou Hill and there was always the added bonus of a hidden gem information or actual site that we would not have found or known on our own. I didnt feel rushed nor did we stop at any souvenir shops. There were several breaks WC and water and lunch was ample and filling.
Review by: Kurt O, April 2016
Great tour. Highly recommend for the beginning or end of your vacation. Very glad we did the evening tour instead of the morning one.
Review by: Annette E, September 2015
Excellent tour. We enjoyed the walking tour and picnic, Kostas was a great guide. Would highly recommended this tour.
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