In the city in which we all love going for coffees, when at night we hold each other tight to fit the bar – at least before the pandemic – and where we rush to the beach to get breaths of salty air, we sometimes need something different. And that’s what some people, imaginative and inventive, thought and decided to do something about it by creating spaces for alternative entertainment in Athens. Let’s see some activities and places, some of them strange, others unique, and maybe for our next outing we’ll do something new and exciting.
Museum of Illusions
“If one picture is worth a thousand words, be sure that an illusion hides more than a million”. That’s what the people of the Museum of Illusions in Athens claim, as experts in the matter.
A visit to the museum is an experience, both fun and educational. The space will introduce you to another world, that of illusions. Different perceptions, interactive exhibits, others ideal photo opportunities, all of them thrilling and confusing.
Some exhibits might even scare you. The Vortex Tunnel will make you feel dizzy, the Infinity Room will set you free and that’s just the beginning. In this museum you’ll even defy gravity.
Info: Museum of Illusions, Athens, 119 Ermou str, Monastiraki, Entrance on 12 Astiggos str, tel. 0030 2102201610, Website, Facebook
Limba
What do almost all – if not all – Athenians have in common? Rage. The fast-paced life and the daily pressure leave us wanting to blow off some steam.
The first rage room in Greece is here to provide the solution. Get inside and smash everything. It’s not a new idea, as rage rooms have been around abroad before the creation of Limba, but it’s a concept that perfectly suits a city where everyone is stressed.
At Limba things are simple. You wear the protective suit, grab a bat, and you smash everything. People of all ages can have fun here, from small children to older people. Prices vary according to the type and quantity of things you’ll smash. This is definitely something different.
Info: Limba, 6 Pittaki str, Athens, tel. 0030 6981373351, Facebook
VR Planet
Here your experience is truly unique. A virtual reality lounge, the first in Athens, will entertain and even educate you. At VR Planet you can choose among 250 different applications. Choose a room and begin your journey, in places you could never go. You can be part a horror movie, explore an imaginary place, swim with dolphins or whales. As for children and adolescents, the experience can be entertaining and educational on a wide range of subjects. Among other things, you’ll find school programmes, and also some focusing on mental health. You can also arrange birthday parties here, or corporate events.
Info: VR Planet, The Virtual Reality Lounge, 43 Pavlou Mela str, Peristeri, Agios Antonios Metro Station, tel. 0030 6972176450, Website, Facebook
Tactual Museum
One of the five museums of its kind in the world, the Tactual Museum allows us to experience what life is like without vision. It was created in 1984 by the Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece in attempt to allow visually impaired people to get to know the country’s cultural treasure.
What makes this museum different then is that guests are allowed to touch the exhibits something that in other museums is prohibited. Their collections include copies of sculptures and other works of art from other museums that here can be explored by touch. At the Tactual Museum you can also see some works by visually impaired people.
Info: Tactual Museum, 198 Dorianis str, Kallithea, tel. 0030 2109415222, Website, Facebook
Acropolis Treasure Hunt
Back to action with a special city adventure suitable for all ages. Have you ever taken part in a treasure hunt? If not, this game in the heart of the city will thrill you.
The story is interesting and mysterious. According to the New York Times, the British professor Ian T. Blake disappeared somewhere close to the Acropolis Museum. The last time he was seen he was wearing a safari hat and khaki shorts and he was carrying a backpack. His revolutionary theory blends riddles with mystery while exploring the unique monuments of Athens, scattered around the hill of Acropolis.
Now, the professor’s disappearance has alarmed the scientific community, while rumours of a hidden treasure further complicate things. Will you be able to find him before it’s too late?
The game is action packed and is suitable for the whole family. The concept is similar to an escape room, with the one difference being you are not in a room but in the Acropolis’ surrounding area. And apart from providing a fun adventure, the Acropolis Treasure Hunt is also a unique tour of the historic centre, as the organisers are ready to share many interesting stories about the area.
Info: Acropolis Treasure Hunt, tel. 0030 6944176555, Website, Facebook
