Hidden Gems You Must Visit While on a Trip to Athens

Athens, the birthplace of the Western civilization can be called a city where each stone speaks about gods, philosophers and empires. Although the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Ancient Agora tend to be the focal point of interest, the city is much more than its postcard buildings. Above the beaten tourist paths there is another, more homely Athens – the one whose cobblestoned streets, secret gardens, artistic community, and even its local allure are yet to explore.

Athens today is a lively amalgamation of old and new, the structure of ancient ruins and buildings has been placed next to hip cafes, and classical theatre stages have been placed beside street art, while the traditional tavernas are filled with vibrant young people. The only way to get to know Athens is visiting the hidden places, where the real Athenian spirit exists and where authenticity still prevails.

This is a list of some of the best secrets in Athens that will make your trip more interesting and amazing. It is made of places that will bring something out of the ordinary.

1. Anafiotika 

Hiding right under the powerful Acropolis, Anafiotika seems a fairy-tale village of Cyclads which has fallen directly into the centre of Athens. Constructed in the 19th century by the artisans of the island of Anafi, this neighbourhood is a part of labyrinths of whitewashed houses, vivid blue shutters, and small and twisting streets, overgrown with bougainvillea.

When you are strolling around this quiet oasis, it is difficult to imagine that you are in a giant metropolis. Car horns are substituted by the ringing of church bells in the distance, and cats are sleeping listlessly in the doorways of the sun. It is the best location to have a morning walk or take a spontaneous walk of photo taking.

Travel Tip: Go in the morning when the city is asleep, and you can experience the uncongested beauty. Bring your camera in every direction; it is a postcard.

2. Philopappos Hill

Tourists come to the Acropolis to see the view but locals are aware that Philopappos Hill has an equally beautiful panorama but without the tourists. This green oasis is found in the very southwest of Acropolis and is filled with history and myth.

The highest point is the Philopappos Monument, a mausoleum made of marble, honoring a Roman prince, and located close by is the Prison of Socrates, where the philosopher supposedly was detained before he was executed.

It is actually magic in the evening. When the sky is flushed with gold and pink, it is possible to observe how the Acropolis shines in the background of the Aegean Sea. It is a scene of calmness and almost Godlike.

Travel Tip: Pack a picnic and some local wine. It is one of the most romantic sunset places in all of Athens.

3. The Museum of Cycladic Art

The Museum of Cycladic Art is often overlooked in favor of the National Archaeological Museum, its real treasure and those wishing to explore the ancient culture and design. The museum is devoted to the prehistoric Cycladic civilization (3200-2000 BC) and has beautiful marble figurines, which are rather modernly simple.

The peaceful galleries are made in a minimalist style offering the artifacts to speak on their own. Rotating exhibitions of ancient Greek culture and Cypriot culture can also be found along with Cycladic art.

Travel Tip: The rooftop cafe is not to be overlooked, even though it is one of the most serene places in the city center, it is still the best place to reflect on whatever you have seen.

4. Psiri

Psiri is the place to be in order to experience the heartbeat of modern Athens. Formerly an area of the working-class, it has developed into a vibrant, bohemian neighbourhood with its graffiti artworks, live music, and tavernas in every turn.

Psiri is full of artisans and boutique shops where people can buy handmade jewelry, vintage goods, and Greek leather sandals by day. It becomes a cultural theme park full of fun, glass clinking and the smell of grilled souvlaki at night.

You should not fail to notice the colorful murals that decorate the neighborhood – it is the tale of contemporary Athens as seen by its artists.

Travel Tip: Dine in an old fashioned ouzeri (a local bar serving ouzo and small dishes). It is the best place to blend with the locals and have a taste of real Greek food.

5. Kaisariani Monastery

Kaisariani Monastery is only a few minutes away from central Athens but it seems like a universe. This is a 11th-century Byzantine monastery nestled in the forested sides of Mount Hymettus and overlooked by olive trees, wild flowers and birds.

The frescoes in the monastery, the ancient stone walls, and peaceful tranquil courtyards make the monastery one of the most serene places near Athens. Most Athenians visit this place to have picnics, hiking and meditation.

In addition to one being beautiful, Kaisariani provides a glimpse into the history of spiritual life in Greece, as a reminder of a slower, more reflective pace of life.

Travel Tip: Have a little hike in Mount Hymettus with your visit. The paths present picturesque scenes of Athens and the sea out there.

6. The Numismatic Museum

Not many tourists are aware that one of the most interesting collections of ancient currency in Europe is located in Athens. The Numismatic Museum located in the neoclassical mansion of renowned archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann (the discoverer of Troy) is a museum full of over 600,000 coins, medals, and seals dating back to ancient Greece and even the modern times.

Both coins are pieces of art, narrating the tales of kings, empires, and trade routes that used to unite the ancient world. However, whether you are a history lover or not, the building itself with its complicated mosaics and frescoes is an object worth seeing.

Travel Tip: The cafe inside the museum located in a green courtyard is one of the best secrets in the city where you can have a peaceful cup of coffee and have a glimpse of the art and history.

Concluding Remarks: Athens outside the Acropolis

Athens as a city is one that encourages curiosity. Though the splendor of its ancient monuments will always awe, the real magic lies in its back streets, in unusual monasteries and its artistic alleyways.

These more secret treasures provide a glimpse of the real beat of the city: people laugh in cramped cafes, artists put pictures on fading walls and history is humming under your feet.

Then the next time you go to Athens, take an itinerary. Avoid the throngs on an afternoon in Anafiotika, or climb Philopappos hill to watch the sun set or have a cup of coffee in the garden of the Numismatic Museum. Since there are occasions where the best moments are those at the places that are not covered in the guide books.