What’s better to really get to know a city than walking and discovering yourself the spots and views around it. In Athens you may find the ancient monuments right next to contemporary architectural designs all paired in harmony under the bright Greek sun.
The quintessential walk (map)
Start: Outside the Greek Parliament – End: Monastiraki Square
Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Start your walk outside the Greek Parliament and take a photo of the Monument of the Unknown Soldier before passing by the National Garden on Vasilisis Amalias Avenue. Continue straight until you reach Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Enter Plaka through Lysicratous str. and stop by Lysicrates Monument. Follow Tripodon street all the way down to reach the impressive Tower of the Winds and the Roman Agora of Athens. Continue to Hadrian’s Library and finish your walk at Monastiraki Square.
The picturesque walk (map)
Start: Melina Mercouri monument – End: Anafiotika
Duration: 1 hour
Start your walk from Melina Mercouri monument and turn right on Vyronos str. to reach the Monument of Lysicrates. Follow along Kydathineon str. and pass by the historic Brettos bar, famous for its liqueurs. Next, wander around Plaka and admire one of the most photographed spots of the old town, also favored by locals. Finally, climb up to the charming area of Anafiotika to take in the Cycladic architecture and panoramic views of the city.
The nature walk (map)
Start: Dionysiou Areopagitou street – End: Thissio area
Duration: 1 hour
Start your walk from Dionysiou Areopagitou street and follow it till its end. Enter the green hills overlooking the Acropolis and make your first stop at the historic Loumpardiaris church. Make a detour to reach the place which allegedly served as Socrates’ prison before reaching Pnyx Hill, the birthplace of democracy in Ancient Athens. Climb your way down to the National Observatory of Athens and visit the permanent collection of the Geoastrophysics Museum or attend one of its many events open to the public. Walk along Apostolou Pavlou str. in Thissio and end your exploration with a souvenir from the famous pedestrian street.
The Grand Promenade walk (map)
Start: Temple of Olympian Zeus – End: Thissio
Duration: 1 hour
Start your walk from the archaeological site of the Temple of Zeus before entering the Grand Promenade of Dionysiou Areopagitou street, featuring impressive architecture and striking views of the Parthenon. Make sure to stop by the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and visit the Acropolis Museum if you haven’t already. Next, continue to Apostolou Pavlou str. and walk by the all-time classic Thisio Open Air cinema. Finally, the wandering through the area of Thisio -named after the Greek hero Theseus- will lead you to the quaint Adrianou str. overlooking the Athenian Agora site, which used to be the beating heart of the ancient city.
The alternative walk (map)
Start: Monastiraki square -End: Gazi – Technopolis
Duration: 1 hour
Start your walk from multifaceted Monastiraki Square, with its impressive monuments and the vibrant Athens Flea Market. Next, head to the alternative neighborhood of Psirri before reaching Heroes Square, with the sensational bars and meze taverns. From there, continue your walk to the archaeological site of Kerameikos. There, visitors walk precisely on the same level that the Athenians walked in the classical era. Finally, your alternative walk will end in the neighborhood of Gazi, specifically in Technopolis, an industrial museum and a major cultural venue of Athens.
The royal walk (map)
Start: Syntagma square – End: Panathenaic Stadium
Duration: 1 hour
Start your walk from the central Syntagma Square, the meeting point of local Athenians, and head to the National Gardens. There, you can take a break from the hectic city life, right in the middle of Athens. The National Garden stretches to the south, where the Zappeion Hall is. Apart from its thousand plant species, the garden has a great archaeological interest, as it still houses ancient ruins, columns, and mosaics. Opposite Zappeion, your walk will end at the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896.
The classy walk (map)
Start: Syntagma square – End: Mount Lycabettus cable car
Duration: 1 hour
Start your walk from the emblematic Syntagma Square and head to Voukourestiou street, full of haute couture shops and luxurious brands. From there, walk to the Museum of Ancient Greek technology, and marvel at the intelligence of ancient Greeks through reconstructed, interactive machines and guided tours. Next, continue your walk to Dexamenis square. It is a sanctuary that has been associated with modern Greek culture and literature. Your final stop will be at Mount Lycabettus cable car, from where you can reach the top of the mountain and enjoy striking panoramic views of the city.
The architecture’s walk (map)
Start: Syntagma square – End: Church of Saint Theodores
Duration: 1 hour
Start your walk from the central Syntagma Square opposite the Greek Parliament and head to the Numismatic Museum. It is one of the most important of its kind in the world. Next, walk by the Athenian Trilogy, including the National Library, the University, and the Academy of Athens. Pass by the central and historical Klafthmonos square and reach the Museum of the city of Athens, where the past and present of the city connect. Lastly, end your walk at the Church of Saints Theodores, one of Athens’s most important Byzantine monuments.
Our delegates, if they choose to have the aforementioned walks, they can either enjoy the routes themselves or they can arrange for a tour with Greeking.me, a creative travel agency designing authentic experiences in Greece for discerning travelers. Greeking.me offers a special 10% discount for all their services especially for GMW2022 Foreign Delegates. Use coupon code GMW2022