It’s wonderful, if not essential, to read travel guides like Travel.gr before or during your visit to Athens, in order to get a true sense of the city and discover its best sights, restaurants, hotels, shops and everything in between. But to get to know a city you need to also see its quirky, offbeat spots, places you won’t find in most travel sites and books. In this guide, inspired by the book ‘111 Places in Athens That You Shouldn’t Miss’, which I co-wrote with author/journalists Diana Farr Louis and Diane Shugart, you’ll find 20 unique places to visit that will offer you a whole different view of the Greek capital.
The more of these places you visit, the better, obviously, in your quest for a fresh and original experience of the city, but even if you don’t manage to get there it’s still well worth learning about these fascinating places – and in many cases the history, culture and life behind them. We wish you an adventurous and truly offbeat tour of Athens.
Swim in the Mysterious Vouliagmeni Lake
Lake Vouliagmeni is a striking sight, its vivid blue waters contrasting with the sheer limestone cliffs that surround it. The lake’s appearance is always inviting, with wooden decks and sunbeds for visitors to relax and soak up the tranquil surroundings. It’s a hub for all-year swimming and floating in the warm, buoyant, mineral-rich waters, which are known to promote wellbeing. Fed by both the sea and underground thermal springs, the lake maintains a constant temperature of 24°C all year round. Rich in minerals such as potassium, sodium, lithium, ammonium, calcium, iron, chlorine and iodine, its waters are often used to treat a variety of ailments; and let’s not forget the tiny fish that eat away at your dead skin cells. But it’s not just the health benefits that attract people; the lake is shrouded in mystery, with deep, unexplored underwater tunnels and caves that fuel myth and curiosity, as divers have disappeared in them. For nature lovers, the area offers a walking trail to explore the local flora and fauna as well as therapeutic swimming. The lake has a cafe and restaurant where you can drink or with a view, making it an ideal spot for both relaxation and regeneration. Website
Visit the Home of Athens’ Patron Saint
With original parts that date back to the 16th and 17th centuries, the “Oldest House in Athens”, located in Plaka, is where Agia (saint) Filothei grew up and lived. The two-storey building was renovated only a few years ago and presents to the public the unique opportunity to get a glimpse of how the aristocratic Benizelou-Paleologou and other prestigious Byzantine families of the time lived. It has a courtyard and includes a fountain, wine press and olive press, as well as a screening area where a documentary relating the fascinating life story of Athens’ patron saint and the history of the city at that time is screened. Despite her privileged upbringing, Agia Filothei lived a turbulent life under Ottoman occupation, using her influence to plot ways to oust the country’s oppressors by secretly talking with diplomats and eminent emissaries (actions that later led to her being murdered by the Turks) as well as offering shelter and practical education to desolate women and children. Website
Get Goosebumps at Lover’s Leap on the Acropolis
Most of the millions of visitors who traipse up to the Acropolis throughout the year have no idea of the real-life Romeo and Juliet story that ended there in tragedy. The story relates to a German governess called Mary Weber who worked at the Royal Palace in the 1800s and the man she was desperately in love with, the army doctor Michalis Mimikos. When Weber’s father refused to bless their union, and the army doctor did not answer her letters and appeared to have withdrawn from the passionate romance in fear of the social scandal that could ensue, Weber threw herself off the side of the sacred hill. Tragically, it turned out to be a misunderstanding, as the doctor had not received his lover’s letters because he had been very sick with a high fever in bed at the military hospital for over a week. Upon hearing the news of Weber’s death, the grief-stricken young man took a revolver and shot himself.
Eat Fish with Your Hands at Margaro
Margaro in Piraeus, Athens, stands as an unpretentious haven for seafood lovers. The establishment, located next to the Naval Academy, opened in 1944 and has no menu, nor does it accept table reservations. It serves a daily catch of red mullet and shrimps, fried to perfection. The decor of this always-busy place is simple, a reflection of its straightforward approach to food – top quality, no-frills and comforting. Its reputation is built on the freshness of its ingredients and the mastery of traditional cooking techniques, and customers relish the experience of rustic-style eating – dunking bread into the succulent tomato and feta juice in the Greek salad and opening the crispy seafood with their hands. Website
Have Your Fortune Read at To Flitzani
Wondering whether that person will ever ask you out, whether you should quit your job, or when your luck with money will finally change? Adhering to a long-held Greek tradition of telling one’s fortune by looking at the thick layer of grains gathered at the bottom of a Greek coffee cup, this cafe has expert coffee readers who promise to give you all the answers you seek. To Flitzani offers several fortune telling packages that include sessions of different timeframes and combinations of coffee and card readings. Appointments need to be booked in advance by phone (+30 211 0123120). Web page
Get Creeped Out at the Parnitha Sanatorium
Once a tuberculosis hospital, in the early 1900s, the Parnitha sanatorium now stands abandoned and derelict, its corridors whispering stories of those who died there – over 120,000 people – and its isolated location and dark history inevitably contribute to its haunted reputation. The dilapidated state of the five-storey building, built in 1912, with its crumbling walls and eerie, empty halls, further fuels the imagination of ghost hunters and thrill seekers, who often pay nighttime visits there. Standing exposed in the mountains, the large, amphitheatrically built structure looks even more otherworldly, as does the ‘Park of Souls’ that sprawls opposite, an open-air gallery created by an artist who sculpted haunting figures out of tree trunks that survived a devastating fire on the mountain.
Hunt for Antiques in Avyssinias Square
Avyssinas Square, also known as Yousouroum since the 1800s, has long been the place to be for antique hunters and collectors in the heart of Athens. Historically a meeting place for traders, it’s now renowned for its variety of antiques and vintage items, sold throughout the week but with a far grander variety presented on Sundays, when gypsies and other antique sells set up their stalls here. From ornate Ottoman-era furniture to 60s retro decor, rare books, hand painted crockery and historic memorabilia, the square offers an array of finds, and especially on Sundays the air is thick with the buzz of discovery and bargaining. Get there at the crack of dawn for the best finds.
Rediscover Death at Papios Bakery
Greeks who follow the Greek Orthodox faith take memorials very seriously, offering sugared ‘kolyva’ wheat in shades of white, silver and gold to honour their deceased. Papios Bakery in Mets, near the First Cemetery of Athens, is renowned for creating the most impressive ‘cakes’ of this kind. Meticulously decorated to reflect purity and eternity, these elaborate creations symbolise the cyclical nature of life. The bakery invites visitors to experience both the solemn traditions and everyday sweets inspired by the Greek culinary heritage also selling a range of traditional pastries. Even if you’re not in the mood for dessert, it’s well worth visiting the bakery to see the unusual traditional funerary cakes it creates.
Heal at the Salt Cave in Glyfada
The Salt Cave at Glyfada is more than just a peaceful escape; it’s a health retreat that makes use of the important therapeutic properties of salt. The cave’s microclimate, rich in negative ions and minerals such as sodium, magnesium and calcium, is believed to have a beneficial effect on the respiratory system, with benefits for conditions such as asthma, allergies and bronchitis. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of salt air can also improve skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. In addition, the tranquil atmosphere can help to reduce stress and promote a better night’s sleep. A visit here is not only a serene experience, but a step towards natural healing and rejuvenation, especially with regular visits. You can simply sit and relax and inhale the salt air or book a massage therapy, while yoga and Pilates classes are also offered upon appointment. Website
Step Down into WWII Darkness at the Underground Nazi Prison
Located in the heart of Athens, Korai 4 offers a reminder of the city’s tragic experiences during World War II, when it was under Nazi and Fascist Occupation. This underground prison, buried beneath an arcade, was the site of brutal interrogations and torture by the Nazis. What’s striking is its ordinariness; the entrance is just a nondescript door. Inside, the cells and walls remain much as they were, a haunting reminder of the past, and graffiti left by the prisoners still scars the walls, telling stories of resistance and suffering. Visiting Korai 4 is not just about seeing another historical memorial site; it’s about confronting the tangible remnants of a dark era, an unfiltered connection to the dire and horrifying human cost of war. Website
Worry Not at Athens’ Komboloi Museum
Opened in 1998 and still the only one of its kind in the world, the Komboloi Museum is a niche gem dedicated to preserving the long history of Greek worry beads. The compact museum displays a wide range of Komboloi from Greece and around the world, from simple strands to elaborate masterpieces, each with its own rare value. There are four areas, one showcasing Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim Prayer beads, the next presenting Christian Orthodox and Catholic Prayer beads and the final two featuring Greek Komboloi. You’ll learn about the evolution of these beads, from their origins as prayer tools to modern stress relievers, and the intimacy of the museum space makes it possible to really zoom into the craftsmanship behind each piece and the beauty of the multivariate stones and other decorative touches used. Website
Summer Like a Queen at Pyrgos Vasilissis
Pyrgos Vasilissis in the Ilion neighbourhood, originally Queen Amalia’s summer palace and where she established a model agricultural facility, offers a fantastic opportunity to experience 19th century Greek neoclassical architecture at its finest, in a lush natural setting that makes one feel far from the city. The sprawling estate has extensive gardens, stables, administrative buildings and the central ‘Queen’s Tower’, where visitors can tour the magnificently restored and maintained historic rooms with their original wall and ceiling paintings, artworks, furnishings and decor. Today the estate also acts as a cultural venue (visits and tours of the tower by appointment only), where there is a winery that offers wine tasting events as well as parties. Website
See ‘the Other Side’ at the Prosfygika Complex
The Prosfygika complex, near Alexandra’s Avenue in Athens, is a collection of by now dilapidated inter-war buildings from the 1930s that were built as part of a housing project to accommodate refugees from Asia Minor. Comprising around 220 apartments over four blocks, the complex still bears the physical marks of its turbulent history, including walls with bullet holes shot by the British Army when Greek communists his there during the Greek Civil War. When the austere, degenerated, utilitarian structure was under threat of being knocked down, there was public outcry because it is largely seen as a histirical landmark. Today it is home to a community of squatters, activists and artists, representing a different kind of resilience and life.
Give Your Style an Edge at Athens Remember Fashion
More than just a clothing store, Athens Remember Fashion is a cornerstone of the city’s alternative fashion scene. Founded in the late 70s to cater to the diverse, avant-garde and ever-evolving tastes of the city’s artists and youth, it remains a vibrant hub of subcultural style. From punk and goth styles to streetwear, every handmade garment and accessory delineates the store’s principle – to be unique. Filled with both vintage finds and contemporary designs, the shop also showcases local art, underlining its commitment to community and creativity. If you’re looking to explore the fashion undercurrents of Athens, at a place where Hollywood stars, rock bands and other unique dressers who like to stand out shop, you’ll be glad to try on items representative of progressive fashion outlook that shaped the city’s once very conservative aesthetic. Website
Travel Back in Time at the 1900 Barber Shop
The 1900 Barber Shop in Athens is a haven for old-style, traditional grooming lovers, with its rich wood furnishings, classic barber chairs and warm, chic atmosphere. The shop’s decor, with its vintage tools and photographs, transports you to a bygone era of gentlemanly elegance. But it’s not just about aesthetics; the barbers here are artists, offering precision cuts, luxurious close shaves, relaxing facial massages and bespoke grooming advice using both time-honoured techniques and modern ideas, while the range of premium grooming products adds to the bespoke experience. A visit to 1900 Barber Shop is special, offering men an escape into a world of meticulous pampering, a rare find in this fast-paced modern city. Web page
Join the Queue at Guarantee Sandwich
Guarantee Sandwich Shop in Koukaki is a foodie haunt that takes sandwich making to the next level. The family that runs this unpretentious and tiny place is not satisfied with serving up just any filling; it’s all about the perfect balance of flavours and textures, all stored in the large glass deli counter at the heart of the place. From succulent roast beef to grilled or oozing cheeses and numerous inventive vegetarian ingredients like mushrooms and grilled veggies, dressed with delicious chutneys, jams and spreads, each sandwich is culinary work of art. The fresh, locally sourced ingredients are complimented by freshly baked, top-quality bread from nearby bakeries like Takis as every choice of bread is carefully considered to complement the fillings. Your gourmet sandwich can be washed down with a smoothie or freshly squeezed juice made on the spot. Website
Feel Ancient Holy Vibes in the Thisseion Church Cave
The church grotto in Thisseion is an ancient site located inside the Byzantine-style Agia Marina church, which stands on the Hill of the Nymphs and was built in the late 1920s on top of a post-Byzantine era church. The ancient grotto, which since the pre-Christian era was used as a place of worshsip and at some point, in history even as an aqueduct, is certainly a unique sight to behold. The ambience here is sacred, mystical and tranquil at once, with rays of natural light flooding in through a domed skylight, certainly offering a different experience of the capital’s churches. It remains a place of worship and liturgies, where baptisms are still held today.
