sightseeing and historical tours in Athens, Greece airport transfers, walking tours, tours for foddies, everyday life of Greece, tours for kids.
Hidden Athens
The Valanari Waterfall is nestled close to the foothills of Penteli Mountain around 40 minutes from the Athens city center by car. This small waterfall created by the Valanari river is the only one in Athens and its crystal clear waters, coming from Mount Penteli creates a small shallow pool ideal for a dip.
Especially if you’re visiting Athens in the summer this hidden gem shouldn’t be missing from your itinerary.
Interesting facts about 🇬🇷
The Greek royal family (Ελληνική Βασιλική Οικογένεια) is a branch of the Danish royal family, itself a branch of the House of Glücksburg, that reigned in Greece from 1863 to 1924 and again from 1935 to 1973. Its first monarch was George I, the second son of King Christian IX of Denmark.
Interesting facts 🇬🇷
The Kingdom of Greece was established in 1832 and was the successor state to the First Hellenic Republic. It was internationally recognised by the Treaty of Constantinople, where Greece also secured its full independence from the Ottoman Empire after nearly four centuries.
The Kingdom of Greece was dissolved in 1924 and the Second Hellenic Republic was established following Greece's defeat by Turkey in the Asia Minor Campaign. A military coup d'état restored the monarchy in 1935 and Greece became a Kingdom again until 1973. The Kingdom was finally dissolved in the aftermath of a seven-year military dictatorship (1967–1974) and the Third Hellenic Republic was established following a referendum held in 1974.
Hidden Athens
Often brought to the limelight of both international and local media as a symbol of the Greek urban modernity and a place that sparks controversy, the Exarchia neighborhood in Athens has quickly risen to fame during the past years.
Squabbles aside, everyone can agree on one thing – the Exarchia neighborhood is one of the best places to visit in Athens. Its multicultural ambiance, picturesque streets, unique food, and bustling nightlife showcase the more alternative side of Athens that is bound to fascinate you.
Hidden Athens
Today Exarcheia is an art heaven in the center of Athens where you’ll find a myriad of concerts, theatrical plays, festivals, events, and various performances taking place throughout the year.
Lately, the neighborhood has been rapidly gaining in popularity with international travelers whose visits to Exarchia can arguably serve as an indicator that misconceptions and perceptions of the past are being constantly challenged to uncover the district for what it truly is – one of the most fascinating places to visit in Athens.
Hidden Athens
Architecture buffs looking to explore the city’s history through its buildings should definitely leave Acropolis behind for one day and head to Alexandras Avenue where they’ll find a housing complex known as Prosfygika. Prosfygika derives from the word “prosfygas” which translates to refugee and it has gotten its name because these settlements were built in the mid-30s for the refugees who came from Asia Minor during the Great Population Exchange.
The nowadays ruined blocks were once considered a modern architectural project with Bauhaus-style buildings covering eight blocks.
Hidden Athens
Akadimia Platonos (Plato’s Academy)
Another area that usually slips under tourists’ radar is Akadimia Platonos.
The historic neighborhood where around 380 BC the ancient Greek philosopher Plato founded the Philosophical Academy, nowadays features an archeological park and a digital museum focused on Plato’s life and philosophical ideas.
Hidden Athens
Diomidous Botanical Garden. The 186-hectares Diomidous Botanical Garden situated in the Haidari area is often overlooked making it one of Athens’s most beautiful secret attractions.
With more than 500 species of flora originating from all over the world, as well as native plants mentioned in Greek mythology, the flourished garden is considered to be the largest of its kind in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The fact that it isn’t located in the Athens city center and not many tourists have ever heard about it makes it the perfect destination for a relaxed walk or a Sunday evening picnic. 🌺
Hidden Athens
Nestled in a small street in the Metaxourgeio area, Latraac is Athens’ most popular skate bowl and café.
This cool spot is open every day except Monday from morning until night. You’ll find skateboarders doing their tricks in the skatepark and habitués savoring a cup of coffee, the delicious brunch, or a late-night drink at the long wooden tables.
Fun Facts 👇
Athens has more theatres than any other city in the world!
They say the world’s a stage – and that’s certainly true in Athens! With 148 theatrical stages, the city has the most theatrical stages in the world, even beating out London’s West End and New York’s Broadway. It’s fitting for Athens to hold this title since it’s the place where the art of acting and theatre was born.
Hidden Athens
This green oasis in the heart of the city center is one of the least popular attractions hills in Athens.
The reason is probably that it is located in the Exarcheia neighborhood, the so-called anarchist area which many tourists are recommended to avoid. However, this hidden gem is definitely worth being on your radar and it’s totally safe to go for a walk.
Strefi Hill offers a great view of the city and if you go for a visit in the morning you’ll notice many locals walking their dogs, jogging, or brushing up their skills in basketball in the small public court.
Fun Facts 👇
Did you know that name days are almost as big as birthdays
What’s better than having one day of the year that’s all about yourself? Having two!
Many Greek names come from religious saints and each of these saints is celebrated by the church on a specific day. On that day, people with the same name as the saint are wished a happy name day and thrown a party with family, friends and even neighbors.
Some, like Marios and Marias, even have two name days a year!
Hidden Athens
There is a small street called Melanthiou in the area of Psiri, in the center of Athens. In the last few years, this area transformed from a drug area into a cyclists’ joint. 🚲
At Melanthiou street you will find everything and everyone who has ties to the bike philosophy: the bike stores, cafes, the Bondex cyclist couriers, graffiti stores, creative design studios and many cyclists as well. 🚲
The best time to visit Melanthiou street is in the afternoon when people are gathered at small tables by the road and it all creates one company. 🚲
With a bike or not, take a break at this spot during your city walk in Athens’ center. 🚲
Fun Facts 👇
There are more than 4,000 traditional dances in Greece!
With all those theatrical stages, there’s bound to be some dancing in Greece. In fact, the Greeks love dancing so much, there are over 4,000 official traditional dances in Greece. They originate from all over the country and you’re sure to find a place where you can kick up your heels on your trip to Greece.
📜 Ancient Greece consisted of around 1500 independent states, the biggest one was Athens.
International Greek Language Day
The date of February 9 was selected because it is also the official commemoration day of the Greek national poet Dionysios Solomos, who wrote the Greek national anthem, titled ”Hymn to Liberty” (Ύμνος εις την Ελευθερίαν).
The main aim of the recent initiative is to celebrate the vital, fundamental role played by the Greek language in the shaping of Western civilization throughout the centuries.
The Greek language is currently spoken as a first language by approximately 13 to 14 million people in Greece, Cyprus and around the world.
Hidden Athens 👇
To Treno 🚂 sto Rouf Apovathra Open Air Bar
Escape to the verdant, cool, open-air "Apovathra" of the Railway Carriage Theater to Treno sto Rouf and enjoy cocktails, snacks, movie screenings and unexpected live music events among the olive trees, the blooming oleanders and the illuminated wagons.
It Is the open-air cultural platform of the Railway Carriage theater to Treno sto Rouf, and enjoy exotic cocktails, delicious dishes, hip DJ sounds, video screenings, stand-up comedy nights, performances and unexpected live music events.
Fun Facts 👇
80% of Greece is made up of mountains 😀
When you think of Greece, you probably picture sandy shores, blue ocean, whitewashed buildings and blue domes. But one of the most surprising facts about Greece reveals that the majority of the country is actually mountains. It’s one of the most mountainous countries in Europe, with 80% of the country covered in mountains.
Hidden Athens 👇
To Treno 🚂 sto Rouf New Wagon
The New Wagon, the newest carriage in the Railway Carriage Theater has 12 compartments, in which every spring the Festival of Young Artists and art events are held.
Fun Fact 👇
Did you know that the patron of Athens is Goddess?
Athena is not only the Patron of Athens, but also the Goddess of warfare, strategy and wisdom. As the myth goes, Athena was chosen to be the Patron of Athens after she won the people over with the gift of an olive tree. Poseidon offered the city water, but they deemed Athena’s gift to be of higher value.
Hidden Athens 👇
To Treno 🚂 sto Rouf Theater Wagon
The Theater Wagon is a fully-refurbished air-conditioned Italian passenger wagon dating from 1950. It has been transformed into a small, charming and fully-equipped theater stage which hosts theatrical and musical performances, lectures, etc. It is fitted with a mechanism which simulates the motion of a train travelling along the railway lines.
Fun Facts 👇
Have you heard that Greece is the third largest producer of olives?
Speaking of olive trees, Greece produces 2.2 million metric tons of olives each year. The only countries to beat Greece are Spain and Italy! Greece has more varieties of olives than any other country in the world!
Hidden Athens 👇
To Trano 🚂sto Rouf Wagon Restaurant
The Wagon Restaurant is a restored pre-war dining car, which is now a restaurant. Guests can enjoy a meal in the authentic, romantic atmosphere of a bygone era or attend art installations, live music shows, photo exhibitions and innovative artistic events, depending on the artistic program of each season.
Fun Facts 👇
The “Evil Eye” is the most common superstition among Greeks
The evil eye has become a popular jewelry piece in many different places, but for the Greeks, it has a much deeper meaning.
More than for aesthetic reasons, many Greeks carry this token around for security, as it is believed that it can protect you from any curses an angry person might throw your way. Better safe than sorry!
Hidden Athens
To Treno 🚂 sto Rouf Wagon Βar
The Wagon Bar is an old wooden cargo, used to transport "eight horses and twenty men" during the Second World War. Nowadays it opens as a bar until late at night, with music, DJs, drinks and snacks. It also often hosts site-specific performances. In this atmospheric and cosy wagon guests can enjoy a drink, meet the artists from the various performances or can even hold a party. During the summer months the wagon also operates as the outdoor Bar “Apovathra”.
Fun Facts 👇
Hanging onions for the New Year :)
This New Year's Eve tradition has nothing to do with vampires. Rather, the Greeks believe that onions are a symbol of rebirth, and so they hang the pungent vegetable on their doors in order to promote growth throughout the new year. Greek culture has long associated this food with the idea of development, seeing as all the odorous onion ever seemingly wants is to plant its roots and keep growing.
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