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Athens Food Tour

Backstreet Plaka: Exploring the Culinary Heart of Athens

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On this food tour in Plaka, we’ll explore how this ancient district shaped both the growth of modern Athens and the palette of its locals, visiting the hidden gems of this otherwise touristy neighborhood.

ABOUT

The historic Plaka district might be one of Athens’ most popular tourist destinations, but there’s another side to the area that visitors rarely see – one where the city’s ancient heart beats a little louder. Under the shadow of the Acropolis, this is the place that saw the birth of classical Greek and Western civilization and also the turbulent arrival of Christianity. There are traces here of the ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans, found in the ruins, churches, local houses and – most importantly – in the food.

On this tour we will explore the Plaka’s culinary diamonds in the touristy rough while at the same time getting a sense of how this ancient district shaped the growth of modern Athens. Our first stop will be in one of Athens’ finest bakeries, where we will try handmade goods that have been part of the Athenian diet since ancient Greek and Ottoman times. From there we will make our way into the backstreets of the Plaka, beyond the throngs of tourists and into an area that is one of Orthodox Christianity’s biggest religious centers. We will visit an establishment where priests from all over the world come to buy their vestments and then move on to a hidden house verandah where we will sample fragrant Greek coffee along with kollyva, a unique dish that has been served to lighten the mood at funerals since antiquity.

Crossing the outcrop of the Acropolis, we will visit the scenic neighborhood of Anafiotika – a jumble of whitewashed homes built in the 19th century by refugees from the Greek islands – where we will stop by a family-run store that stocks hard-to-find seasonal products from across Greece and drop into a local institution famous for its meatballs bathed in a cumin-scented tomato sauce. Moving on to nearby Syntagma, a market area since Roman times, we will get a taste of Greek kebab, made with tender loving care by the same family for three generations, and will then go behind-the-scenes at an old-fashioned tradesmen’s canteen, where the local workers choose their food directly from the many pots in the kitchen. We will finish our tour on a sweet note: at one of Athens’ oldest patisseries, where we will try classic desserts based on recipes from the island of Hydra. Like everything else tasted on this food tour in Plaka, these are dishes with ancient roots, yet they are still alive as ever in today’s Athens.

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DETAILS

  • Group size: 2-7
  • 5.5 hours
  • Monday-Saturday 9:30am
  • Syntagma Square - Monastiraki Square
  • Culinary Backstreets
    Price: Adults x $140

Dietary

Some, but not all, stops can be altered for vegetarians and pescatarians, but not for vegans. Can accommodate gluten-free diets. Alcohol is served.

Mobility

Includes some stairs, not for mobility impaired. Includes visits to old city of Plaka. Children welcome.
REVIEWS
Secret spots, amazing views, knowledge concerning the city's trees, fruits, communities, development, along with the best bites ever.... Read more Read less
The tour was incredible!... Read more Read less
I never thought I could again feel so refreshed in my hometown.... Read more Read less
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How are you dealing with COVID-19 risk on your walks? We have reinforced our commitment to safety with new guidelines to assure maximum safety of our guests on our walks in terms of social distancing and hygiene while maintaining the quality of the experience. For more details on our precautions, read here. Our routes have been altered during this period of time to ensure the safety of our guests, guides and community. Our cancellation policy is extremely flexible to deal with changes in travel plans.
What are the current travel restrictions or requirements in Greece? You can read the full travel regulations by location for Greece here. Starting June 15th, 2020, there will be no quarantine requirements for guests entering Greece. Our cancellation policy is extremely flexible to deal with changes in travel plans. Please contact us for specific questions on travel restrictions.
What is included in the fee? In addition to your Culinary Backstreets guide, all food consumed on the walk – almost a dozen different edible specialties – are included in the price. A limited selection of alcohol is served on the walks and is included in the price.
Why is the Culinary Backstreets tour more expensive than some other walking tours? Our approach is different than most tour companies. Each of our culinary walks is the outcome of considerable research. We work with academics in the field and our own team of experienced professionals – both guides and local journalists. Our ongoing publishing of articles, from restaurant reviews to features about the intersection of food and culture, constantly feeds new material into the culinary walks, so they evolve and constantly improve. Though costly, we believe that this is how to create the quality experiences we strive for. We practice honest tourism and would never accept a free lunch or any sort of commission. On the contrary, we are proud to know that the money spent during the culinary walk goes to support businesses that we believe in, helping to preserve the social and cultural fabric of the cities we love so dearly.
How does the payment process work? Once you have made a reservation, we require the full fee to be paid in order to complete the online booking. Our online booking system uses Stripe to process secure payments.
What is your cancellation policy? 90% will be refunded if given 1 week notice prior to walk and 50% will be refunded if given 72 hours notice or more. Less than 72 hours is non-refundable.
Are your walks public or private? How many people are on them? Our walks are 2-7 people and are open to the public. If you would like to do a private walk, you can book it for a supplement by selecting book entire excursion. If it is not available on booking, we may be able to arrange one for an additional fee. Please contact us at walks@culinarybackstreets.com for more information.
Can I get a discount if I join more than one walk? Yes, we offer a 10% discount to those who join more than one walk. Please email us at walks@culinarybackstreets.comif you’d like to join multiple walks.
Are your walks suitable for people with food allergies? This can vary based on a number of factors, including the food item in question. Please email us at walks@culinarybackstreets.com to discuss your situation before booking. The Plaka walk can accommodate participants who do not eat fish, seafood, or pork. Dairy and nut allergies can also be accommodated. Please always note your dietary restrictions on your booking. Participants with allergies to raw tomato, raw onion, raw garlic, mint or bell peppers can join this walk.
Are your walks suitable for vegetarians, pescetarians and vegans? We do not recommend this activity for vegans but vegetarians and pescatarians will only have to pass on a few offerings. In general, our Downtown Athens walk is more flexible in terms of dietary restrictions. Participants with allergies to raw tomato, raw onion, raw garlic, mint or bell peppers can join this walk.
Are your walks gluten-free? Our Downtown Athens walk is the most suitable for gluten-free needs, but the Plaka route can also be modified to accommodate a gluten free diet.
How physically demanding is the walk? This walk includes a few hills and stairs, we do not recommend this walk for participants with mobility issues. Though punctuated by plenty of stops, it can be strenuous at times. Our Downtown Athens is less physically strenuous.
Can children join the walks? Of course! We offer a 50% discount to children ages 12 and under, and we charge $25 for children 6 and younger.
Can you pick me up from my hotel? How will I return, once the tour is over? Our tour prices don’t include transportation to and from the tour. If you book a tour, you’re responsible for arriving to the pre-arranged meeting spot on your own. Once the tour is over, we will help you get an authorized, safe taxi to your hotel, or provide directions on public transportation, if you’re interested in that.
How much food will I get to try? This is really up to you. We generally make between 9 and 12 eating stops on our walk and try to include some breaks from eating along the way. The price includes as much food as you’re open to trying. We offer a suggested portion size at each stop and you can take our recommendation if you’d like. Our walks often involve street food and sharing food.

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Guests

Adults
Age 13+
Children
Ages 7-12
Children
Ages 6 & under
Backstreet Plaka: Exploring the Culinary Heart of Athens
Adults x $140
Total
Fee includes everything consumed on the walk.
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