Exarcheia Neighbourhood: Sweet Sins & Anarchy
On this Athens walking tour, we’ll head off the beaten track to Exarcheia, the most alternative neighbourhood in Athens, and one that retains an unconventional, youthful identity thanks to its residents. This is where youth culture blends with revolutionary ideas, street culture and creativity. Exarcheia is the home of students, anarchists and lefties, intellectuals, artists, refugees and old local families, giving the area a lively yet local feel.
Get ready to explore the backstreets of the neighbourhood where amazing contemporary art spaces sit alongside second-hand vinyl stores, vintage fashion stores and independent coffee shops, and see why Nick Cave and the Tindersticks choose Exarcheia for all-night drinking sessions!
Heading off from Panepistimio metro station and the impressive surrounding buildings, we’ll start our tour by sipping a Greek coffee and sampling traditional loukoumades, sinful, Greek-style doughnuts. Continuing our walk, you’ll hear stories of the neighbourhood related to the recent history of the country.
Before walking up to Strefi Hill where you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of Athens and a different perspective of the Acropolis not often seen, we’ll explore stunning Kalidromiou street with its neoclassical buildings, street art, vintage stores and old coffee shops.
Our next stop will be a local sweets shop established in 1915 where you’ll savour its tasty ice cream flavoured with dry figs and tsipouro, a grape-based alcoholic beverage.
Leaving the sweets shop, we’ll continue our walk through the Exarcheia district, passing by the oldest open-air cinema of Athens. Open-air cinema culture is an important part of Athenian life during the summer. Keep it in mind and why not come back later to watch a movie under the stars?
The Exarcheia walking tour wouldn’t be complete without passing through the main square, the symbol of urban resistance, riots and anarchists, completely covered in graffiti and political posters while being surrounded by buzzing alternative cafes and restaurants.
Before getting back to the meeting point, you’ll have the opportunity to taste more sweet delights at two more stops.