Athens Street Art & Culture Walking Tour

Let the artist inside you loose; explore the remarkable artwork splattered all over the city while your expert guide will explain the stories behind Athens’ exceptional street art.

#Family
#LocalExperience

Duration

3 hours

Availability

Daily

TRIP ADVISOR RATING

Group Type

Private

FROM

40/Person

Description

Inclusions

FAQs

Photos

Reviews

CUSTOMIZE TOUR

Tour Highlights

Have you ever thought that the word “graffiti” is more Greek than you might think? Wanna have a taste of the underground artistic movements found around the city? Follow us on an alternative walking tour focusing on the exploration of the street art movement existing in the city-center of Athens, a mecca of street artists from around the world. Discover neighborhoods and historical spots of the city at non-touristy locations, experience the local culture and get to know how modern street art interacts and develops with historical buildings of the city and ultimately reflects modern Greek culture.

Our Athens Street Art Tour is the perfect way to explore the secrets behind the Athenian graffiti scene with an expert local guide that will introduce you to the Athenian street art culture and guide you through the most alternative, non-touristy neighborhoods of the city.
Explore fascinating spots of historical interest that shaped modern Greek identity.
Admire amazing mural art by iNO, WD, and other well-known street artists.
Understand how street art reflects the social and political statements of modern Greek society and how it integrates into the city.

The Athens Street Art tour took us to parts of Athens we would otherwise never have seen, and the guide knew all about the official and unofficial street art. Some of it is really amazing - other parts are graffiti. We were glad we had taken this tour. The company, Greeking.me is excellent and helpful - do try them.
- DIANECYMRU

Thanks Greeking.me for showing me Athens from the other side, not only ancient but from modern angle. I loved it. They love what they do, so if you want to understand the country fall in love with Greece you should visit one of their tours. It will be exciting and very true greek experience
- Olga K

Our guide Marialena took us on a great walking tour into areas we would not have been able to find for ourselves as well as some of the better known murals. Not only was she knowledgeable but her delightful and warm personality made our tour particularly enjoyable. She mixed a lot of history and cultural information into her talk and we learned a lot!
- Kathie M

We had a wonderful private street art with Theo. He was so knowledgeable and it was really interesting hearing some historical facts from him. The street art was a big highlight for me. I was really moved by a few of the pieces we were shown on the tour, so thank you for catering us and our little family. Big thanks to Theo for being such an excellent, informative guide. Would love to have more time one day to explore Athens with another of your guides.
- alintaboyce

What you can expect?

Through a 3-hour private tour led by an expert on the subject, enthusiastic local guide, you will learn the history & origins of this underground global phenomenon and how it operates in Athens. Dig deeper into the “secret codes” of street artists as you enjoy an alternative tour in Athens centre. Together you will wander around small streets of up and coming neighbourhoods in Athens while discussing their interesting history and the reasons why street art has flourished on their walls.

You are going to focus on the social and political aspects of the Greek street art scene. What political statements are the artists making and why? How the economic crisis urged people to express themselves on the streets?

Graffiti changes rapidly in the streets of Athens which is turning into a big contemporary art gallery -if you know where to look! Athens is a multicoloured city and if you are keen on exploring her in an alternative way and experiencing her local culture & pieces of modern history, this walking tour is perfect for you.

Some of the spots you are going to visit:

Psirri

One of the most lively neighbourhoods of the historical centre of Athens, Psirri is a must-see spot during your stay in the city of Athens. Named after the tiny island of Psarra, the neighbourhood was always a commercial centre for the Athenians and remains so up until today. Many famous personalities chose to live there such as Lord Byron, or the famous Greek author Alexandros Papadiamantis. After the 1990's, the neighbourhood got massively gentrified and still is the place where locals prefer to go and relax, spend some time at a nice taverna or have a drink at a local bar. Do not miss your chance to explore Psirri and get to know the local side of the city!

Metaxourghio

A street artists’ mecca this is the underdog to watch. Metaxourghio, although much neglected by the average guidebook, is a neighbourhood that is paradoxically rich in history and innovation. Whilst it is often (and unfairly!) stamped as a place of no importance, it is in fact home to treasures such as the Municipal Gallery of Athens; a former silk mill and elegantly designed 19th-century building. Incidentally, many of the buildings in this area jar with its modern reputation as being a down and out district. King Otto, the first modern King of Greece (previous to settling on Syntagma) had marked out Omonia as his chosen site for the royal palace. In anticipation of this, many from the aristocratic class raced to build large residences in Metaxourghio in order that they might be advantageously placed for the coming years of monarchical rule. The King, of course, changed his mind but the mansions remain, giving this neighbourhood a feeling of forgotten grandeur.

Omonoia square

One of the oldest squares in Athens, it was designed to be the centre of the capital during the 19th century. This square underwent many changes and transformations over the years. By being a candidate location for the construction of the Royal Palace before the construction of today's Greek Parliament, many people rushed to invest in the construction of elegant buildings. Unfortunately, after the shift of focus to Syntagma and the uncontrollable expansion of Athens, Omonoia suffered too much, losing its status and prestige. Nowadays, the area around the square is notorious for drug trafficking and crime but things start to change. Away from the well-preserved, polished, touristy city-centre, street artists started to create pieces and murals of exquisite taste and sophistication wanting to have a real urban environment as their background. Many people followed their example and a gentrification programme gives new hope to the formerly downgraded area.

Inclusions

Inclusions:

A 3-hour private Athens Street Art & Culture tour
Services of an excellent local guide
Complimentary hotel pick-up on foot if located downtown
All taxes and VAT

FAQs

What is the tour language?

The tour language is English.

What should I bring with me?

Prepare yourself for an exciting walk & don’t forget your hat, sunglasses, sun-block and a bottle of water. Βring along your camera so you can capture the most beautiful street art spots of Athens. Needless to say that wearing comfortable shoes is an absolute must!

Can you pick us up from our hotel?

The meeting point is at the Kerameikos Metro Station, at the Gazi exit. Your guide will be wearing a Greeking.me badge. For hotel pick-ups, please contact us.

Is it difficult for older people to follow the group?

Not at all! We will walk at a moderate pace so it will be a pleasant walk for everyone. We will also make several stops to admire and discuss about the fascinating monuments and sites along our way.

What are the acceptable payment methods?

Fortunately the weather in Greece is mild and warm for most of the year. In case of rain, though, you will be timely notified about any changes to your scheduled walk.

What happens in case of rain?

Fortunately the weather in Greece is mild and warm for most of the year. In case of rain, though, you will be timely notified about any changes to your scheduled walk.

Photos

Reviews

The Athens Street Art tour took us to parts of Athens we would otherwise never have seen, and the guide knew all about the official and unofficial street art. Some of it is really amazing - other parts are graffiti. We were glad we had taken this tour. The company, Greeking.me is excellent and helpful - do try them.
- DIANECYMRU
Thanks Greeking.me for showing me Athens from the other side, not only ancient but from modern angle. I loved it. They love what they do, so if you want to understand the country fall in love with Greece you should visit one of their tours. It will be exciting and very true greek experience
- Olga K
Our guide Marialena took us on a great walking tour into areas we would not have been able to find for ourselves as well as some of the better known murals. Not only was she knowledgeable but her delightful and warm personality made our tour particularly enjoyable. She mixed a lot of history and cultural information into her talk and we learned a lot!
- Kathie M
We had a wonderful private street art with Theo. He was so knowledgeable and it was really interesting hearing some historical facts from him. The street art was a big highlight for me. I was really moved by a few of the pieces we were shown on the tour, so thank you for catering us and our little family. Big thanks to Theo for being such an excellent, informative guide. Would love to have more time one day to explore Athens with another of your guides.
- alintaboyce