A Walk in Controversial Exarcheia District (Self Guided), Athens, Greece

A Walk in Controversial Exarcheia District, Athens

A Walk in Controversial Exarcheia District (Self Guided), Athens

Exarcheia is a hip haven of bohemian cool with a controversial past. This neighborhood of artists, students and intellectuals among others hit the headlines in 2008 for riots and troubles after a policeman shot and killed a 15-year-old boy. There is a shrine to the teenage student, set in a wall covered in graffiti. Exarcheia is also the home of the University of Athens, where there was a massive uprising in 1973 against the then ruling military junta. Many of today鈥檚 students live in the area, contributing greatly to its cool, laidback vibe. See lots of examples of free expression on the neighborhood鈥檚 buildings, their bricks and plaster used as canvasses for wall art and graffiti.

The heart of the neighborhood is Exarcheia Square, a small plaza with caf茅s and fast food restaurants. On its west side is an old blue building, one of the first apartment buildings in Athens. After relaxing in the square, take to the streets that surround it and explore their shops.

There are also a number of good dining options in Exarcheia with lots of well-priced tavernas and restaurants. For music fans, there are several rock clubs which also feature other musical genres such as live jazz and blues. This is also a great place to hear traditional music, played on such instruments as a bouzouki.

How it works: A discovery walk features a route using which you can explore a popular city neighborhood on your own. This walk, along with other self-guided walks in over 1,500 cities, can be found on the app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" which can be downloaded from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app's built-in GPS navigation functions allow following this walk route with ease. The app works both online and offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 51爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Athens

Guide Name: A Walk in Controversial Exarcheia District
Guide Location: Greece » Athens
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Discovery)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Author: emily

1) 32 Panepistimiou Street, National Library

2) Academy of Athens

3) Navarinou Park

4) Navarinou Park

5) The Blue Condominium of Exarcheia

6) Kallidromiou Street

7) Kallidromiou Street

8) Kallidromiou Street

9) Exarcheia Square

10) Patission Street corner with Kapodistriou Street

11) 28 Oktovriou 44, National Archaeological Museum

12) Old Summer Theatre

13) Athens University of Economics and Business

Walking Tours in Athens, Greece

Create Your Own Walk in Athens

Creating your own self-guided walk in Athens is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Walking Tour Around the Legendary Acropolis

Also called "the sacred rock", the Acropolis was home to temples and sanctuaries throughout recorded history, and is a symbol of the city of Athens. Its religious importance was paramount to the ancient Greeks, and the buildings on the summit still capture the essence of their classical architecture. You can see the temples from most parts of the city, which adds to the feeling that this... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles

Plaka Attractions Walking Tour

In the shadow of the Acropolis stands Plaka, the most picturesque and oldest district of Athens, with continuous habitation from antiquity until today. The 鈥渘eighborhood of the Gods鈥�, as it is called, is like a romantic, atmospheric trip to old Athens adorned with antiquities, historic 19th-century buildings, museums and Byzantine churches.

From the vibrant Syntagma Square walking down... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles

Athens Introduction Walking Tour

Athens, the cradle of Western Civilization and one of Europe's oldest cities, originated between the 4th and the 3rd millennia BC. The story of Athens stems from a mythological contest between the goddess of wisdom and warfare, Athena, and the god of the sea, Poseidon. Both deities vied to become the city's patron. Poseidon's gift of a saltwater spring was deemed impractical,... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles

Walking Around the National Garden

The National Garden is an impressive, historic park in the center of Athens, complete with artificial streams and duck ponds. Formerly known as the Royal Garden, it was commissioned by King Otto鈥檚 queen, Amalia, in 1838, reason why it is located directly behind the Old Palace (currently the Greek Parliament building). Not only is it a welcome refuge from the swirl of traffic just outside the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles

Athens Food Walking Tour

Traditional Greek cuisine is one of the healthiest in the world, and prices in all but the flashiest establishments afford excellent value. The prevalence of vegetable and dairy dishes makes eating out a delight for non-meat eaters. Carefully selected appetizers (tzatz铆ki, dolm谩des, kalamar谩kia) can constitute a full meal. Greece鈥檚 most famous slow-cooked oven dish, however, is probably... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

A Self-Guided Food Walk in Athens

Just as many things in Greece, dining in Athens is very much laid-back with the majority of local eateries seeing patrons begin to congregate for dinner only after 8 pm. Eating-wise, the Athenians favor simplicity, leaning to the more casual and not so pricey tavernas where food is plentiful. To...

15 Best Cafes in Athens

While in Athens it is immediately noticeable that the local cafe culture thriving. Through this directory you will get a chance to visit very different establishments, ranging from "kafenia", to hip, modern coffee shops and get first hand experience of the diversity of contemporary Greek...

Souvenirs Shopping: 19 Uniquely Greek Products to Bring from Athens

A cradle of European civilization, Greece, in general, and Athens, in particular, have long been - from the days of the Roman Empire up until present - the lure for travelers and history buffs seeking to find and bring home something memorable. Today's Athens (much as its ancient self) offers a...

Where To Stay in Athens, Greece - Guide of Best Areas and Hotels