A different kind of entertainment has become popular in the past years and has taken Athens by storm, as there are hundreds of escape rooms in town. Escape rooms are exactly what their name suggests. Specially designed spaces that welcome you and your friends and as soon as you enter the doors close. Don’t try to open them, they’re locked. To escape you need to solve riddles, find passwords, discover keys and unlock padlocks. You need to be chased by scary beings, to pass through secret – and probably pitch dark – passages, and to solve mysteries.
The goal is for the group to successfully overcome all obstacles and get out of the escape room within a given time frame, that ranges from one to three hours, depending on the difficulty and size of the room.
There are many different escape rooms, with their scenarios usually belonging to one of the following three categories: horror, riddles or mystery. Of course, as their creators’ imaginations expand, the more escape rooms open that combine the above categories enriching the experience.
And the best part? Athens has so many escape rooms that escape rooms have managed to capture the hearts of Athenians and at the same time have become the reason groups of foreigners visit Athens. Yes, that’s right, there’s escape room tourism, right here, in the heart of Greece.
We asked some of the biggest fans of this kind of entertainment – because those who go once to an escape room quickly become dedicated fans – and found out which are the best and most exciting escape rooms in town. Let’s see.
The Sacrifice in 1899 Scotland
Death and the supernatural prevail in Scotland’s village Torryburn. Your grandfather, and mayor of the village, sends you a letter inviting you to go to him quickly and help him break a curse that threatens you all. The place is creepy and otherworldly. Will you raise to your grandfather’s challenge?
The Sacrifice, 3-6 players. Horror, psychological thriller, with an actor. Duration: two hours.
Woman In Black, the woman who spreads death
Foreigners are not welcome in Grithin Gifford. The same applies to you, a lawyer from London visiting the village to find a will. The old mansion beyond the swamps is rotting away, deserted and alone. But its last resident seems to still be wandering around, spreading death. Woman In Black, 2-6 players. Horror, psychological thriller, with an actor. Durations: One hour and 45 minutes. Not suitable for people younger than 17 years old, with heart conditions, respiratory problems, claustrophobia, epilepsy, or suffering from panic attacks.
Wake Up, something is happening in the guestroom
The group has been planning this long Europe trip for a long time. The meeting spot was outside the Larisis train station, but something has happened. The train left two hours earlier than the time on the tickets. Now you need to find a place to spend the night and the only available lodging is the weird station master’s mother’s old guestroom. Wake Up, 3-5 players. Horror, psychological thriller, with an actor. Only for adults. Not suitable for people with heart conditions, respiratory problems, claustrophobia or fear of heights. Athletic attire recommended.
Paradox Project, the three games with the longest duration in Europe
The Paradox Project is different from the other escape rooms. It’s not really an escape room. The goal is not to escape, but to solve the case shaping the plot. As for the space, it’s not a room but a whole, real 120 m² house. The Paradox Project in Athens offers three different scenarios: the Mansion, the Bookstore and the Ψonservatory. More info about each game as well as terms and conditions here: website
Mystic Project, the first escape room ever made
18th century. Lord Beaverwood has created a riddle room, the first ever escape room, to entertain his distinguished guests. Today, the eccentric lord’s descendants discover the designs of this unique riddle room and recreate it in Athens. You are journalists covering the event. Will you be able to solve the riddles of the first ever escape room? Mystic Project, 3-6 players. Psychological thriller, action, with an actor. Only for adults. Duration: two hours.
The Sanatorium in Lockhill
The remote village Lockhill is full of secrets. That’s where the Lockwood mansion, the Voodoo shop, the Chapel and the catacombs are. That’s also where the Sanatorium is. This is a room that was voted one of the best internationally in 2019 and 2020. You can explore it both during the day and during the night. The conditions at this, deserted now, place were nightmarish for the physically and mentally ill. But if the Sanatorium has been shut for years, then who screams occasionally there? Τhe Sanatοrium, 1-5 players, with an actor. Duration: 70-80 minutes.
El Exorcista
An innocent girl is writhing in agony at number 13. A demon has possessed her. The exorcist arrives at the horrible place and starts his work. But the demon is powerful. Very powerful. The exorcist needs help. Will you be able to give it without losing your soul? El Exorcista, 3-5 players. Horror, with an actor. Duration: An hour and 30′.
Biohazard
Something happened at Silk City’s secret lab, but no one knows what it really was. The first task force was sent days ago but they’ve gone missing. The situation raises many questions and the coded messages that start arriving complicate things even more. A new task force needs to be created to enter the lab. What went wrong? Biohazard, 3-8 players. Horror, action, with an actor. Only for adults. Duration: one hour and 40′.
