Things to do in Athens: Unusal activities and places!
Athens does not host only ancient stuff (and great food) but you can also see unsual attractions or do some unusal things!
Let's explore some of them!
Unusual annual activities (on specific dates)
Row in an...ancient warship!
Rally Acropolis
Athens Flying week
Athens Authentic Marathon
Unusual activities year round
Exit War Zone
Limba
Visiting the Hellenic Air Force Museum
Avyssinias Square: A collector's paradise
Swim in the thermal lake of Vouliagmeni
Night open-air theatre
Unusual places near Athens
Marathon - Marathon Lake - Dragon Houses
The Paiania cave
The Ntavelis cave
The Parnitha Sanatorium
The Lavreotiki UNESCO Geopark (Unesco)
Unusal annual activities (on specific dates)
1. Row in an...ancient warship (July 2024, exact dates to be announced)
The ancient trireme "Olympias" is the only real replica of the famous warship of the Athenians that helped them to win the biggest naval battle of antiquity against the Persians. It is a reconstruction of an ancient Athenian trireme and an important example of experimental archaeology. It is also a commissioned ship in the Hellenic Navy of Greece, the only commissioned vessel of its kind in any of the world's navies.
Every year, on July, the Greek Navy organises three (3) voyages in which anyone can participate at a very small price. You may also visit the Averof, another famous WWI battleship. So, if you want to have the experience of rowing in a replica of this legendary vessel, just contact us!
Official website: https://averof.hellenicnavy.gr/en/
2. Athens Flying Week (14-15 September, 2024)
An airplane lover? The Athens Flying Week, that takes place annually, is the biggest air show in the Balkans and was recently awarded by the European Airshow Council. Located in Tanagra, an hour's drive from Athens (there are buses to take you there) it has, among others, a specially designed raised grandstand that provides spotters with the ideal angle for unique shots of the aircrafts and spectators a higher vantage point of view of the show. New and old fighter planes participate and acrobatic teams give great shows. Tickets start from only 5 Euros!
Official website: https://www.athensflyingweek.gr
3. Rally Acropolis (5-8 September, 2024)
The "Rally of Gods" as nick-named in Greece, will be held from 5 to 8 September, 2024. It is considered an extremely difficult rally due to the terrain and weather conditions. There have been enormous "fights" in the 70 years of this rally, the most famous being the "battle of giants", in 1982, between the legendary Audi Quatro and Lancia Delta where the winner was, for the first time a woman (Michelle Muton with Audi). If you are a motor sports fan, it would be a great experience to combine with your visit in Greece.
Official website: https://www.acropolisrally.gr/2024/en/
4. Run the Authentic Marathon! (10 November, 2024)
This is a rare experience as this is not a usual Marathon but the authentic one. You run on the same road that the ancient Athenian runner (likely Phidippides) followed to announce the victory of the Atheninans in the Marathon battle, and died from exhaustion! After all, it's not easy to partcipate in a battle and run afterwards with a 10 kilos shield for 42 kilometers! (Don't worry, you are not obliged to do the same). There are also smaller distances (5 and 10 kilometers) if you wish. Just keep in mind that if you want to participate, you must register by June, latest.
Official website: https://www.athensauthenticmarathon.gr/site/index.php/en/
Unusal activities (all year round)
5. Exit War Zone
If you, somehow, want to experience war but don't want to become a mercenary, the next best solution is in Athens! The Exit War installations will give you a thrill as it is not virtual, but war scenarios with real actors. So take your team there and do your best! It's not easy to win.
Their installations are in two locations, just a bit afar from Athens center (15-20 minutes drive), but the experience is worth it! Different scenarios for kids
Website: https://www.exitwar.com/
6. Limba Rage Room
Are you angry? Really angry? This is the place to be! The Limba room is a place where you can break anything you want (however you will have to pay for it, there's no such thing as a free lunch). A funny break from everyday routine, without the danger of getting arrested!
TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g189400-d11978109-Reviews-Limba_RAGE_ROOM-Athens_Attica.html
7. Visiting the Greek Military Airplanes Museum
Not far from Athens is the Hellenic Air Force Museum that hosts many military (mostly fighter) airplanes that were used in the course of time. If you are a plane lover you can visit, on weekends only (however, groups can visit any day, with prior communication). Check their website for more details.
Official website: https://www.haf.gr/en/history/museum/information/
8. Swim in the thermal lake of Vouliagmeni
Included in the "Natura 2000 Network" this place is considered of "outstanding natural beauty" by the Greek Ministry of Tourism. This small thermal lake, in Vouliagmeni area, in the Athenian riviera, offers its mineral waters (22-24 C) to all those looking for a soothing swim with one of the most fascinating views in Athens! There are many myths that surround it but it is true that it has 14 underwater tunnels and one reaches 800 metres in length, the longest in the world! There's a restaurant/cafe and, although prices are above average, consider making yourself a gift.
Official website: https://www.limnivouliagmenis.gr/en/
9. Avyssinias Square: A collector's paradise
Coins, stamps, typewriting machines, old books, vinyl records etc. If you are a collector, this is an interesting place the biggest collection of antique stores. The stores are also antiques as the state forbids any changes in them, so time stands still in this place! As it is just next to the Monastiraki Flea Market, it's easy to find it and get lost into the vintage items or rare collections! Good luck with your search of treasures but if you don't find any, you can still go to the historical Cafe Avvysinia or the cosy bars like Voila Athenes and Loukoumi vintage bar.
TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g189400-d198948-Reviews-Avysinias_Square-Athens_Attica.html
10. Night open-air theater (mix of various ancient tragedies and comedies)
A small group of actors perform a mix of mythological stories as well tragedies and comedies of ancient Greece (in English). It takes place in an open-air place with a nice view to Acropolis.
Unusual places in Athens or nearby
11. The Dragon houses (along with Marathon)
No, the dragons don't live there any more but if you want to see their houses it's a half day excursion! Starting from Athens, you visit Marathon battlefield, the Tomp and the lake, then take the ferry across to Evia island (40 minutes) and drive up to these strange ancients structures known as the "Houses of the Dragons" near Styra. These buildings are ancient and still a mystery to archeologists. The bigger and most impressive ones are on top of mountain Ochi, but it takes a 2,5-3 hours hiking (difficult terrain) but you see the three houses that are within easy reach. There are also some great tavernas nearby! We make tailor made tours, contact us if interested!
Resources:
https://www.greece-is.com/news/scientists-investigate-ancient-riddle-evias-dragon-houses/
https://www.esag.swiss/regional-studies-surveys/drakospita/
https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Marathon
12. The Paiania cave (Koutouki)
Among the many caves of Attica (Athens Metropolitan region), this one is the most beautiful. Only a 40-60 minutes drive from city center, depending on traffic, you can find yourselves in the world of the underground! Always a nice experience for kids and adults alike, make sure to wear proper shoes and keep in mind that temperature inside is always 17 Celsius (63 Fahrenheit), so don't go with just...your swimming suit! Tickets are cheap and nice memories are guaranteed!
13. The Davelis cave (watch out! paranormal phenomena reported)
Supposed to be the hideout of a thief, nick-named Davelis, from whom it was named, this cave isn't anything fancy, but the various rumors that exist have given this place fame as a center of paranormal phenomena, there are lots of urban myths about it. In the ancient times it was a sanctuary of ancient Greek god Pan and there were quarries of marble (used for the building of Acropolis), while later a Byzantine church was built in the entrance. In any case, if you encounter any mysterious situations in there, please do let us know! Good luck!
TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g11750264-d15739818-Reviews-Davelis_Cave-Penteli_Attica.html
BBC article: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20190228-athens-bizarre-underground-phenomenon
14. The Parnitha Sanatorium (for ghostbusters only!)
This place is considered haunted for many decades. Near the Parnitha casino (you may take the lift to go), it started as a sanatorium, then became a hotel until it closed its gates in 1985. Ever since, it has been completely abandoned however it became the epicenter of ghost hunters. There are numberless stories about it, all creepy. Anyways, do not go there at night, as drug users can be inside it! Next to it, you will also find the Park of the Souls, an open area, where there are many carved wooden logs in the shape of human beings, a tribute to all those who died in this sanatorium.
Greek Reporter: https://greekreporter.com/2014/01/21/the-greek-haunted-building-on-mount-parnitha/
Atlas Obscura: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/park-of-souls
15. Lavreotiki UNESCO Global Geopark
Not far from Athens, is the place where Athenians mined silver, lead and other materials for thousands of years. The area has been included in the UNESCO geoparks, for its history and huge diversity. The mining district is unique in its mineralogical features. Currently, out of the global known mineral species, nearly 12% are present in Lavreotiki UNESCO Global Geopark, making it a natural mineralogical museum.
You may visit the area with a tailor made tour (contact us, if interested) as well the small but rich Minerals Museum in the traditional fishing town of Lavrion . Plus, you can combine this tour with a visit in Poseidon's temple in Sounio and the Vouliagmeni lake!
UNESCO: https://www.unesco.org/en/iggp/geoparks/lavreotiki
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