Athens’ Secret Island: A Self-Guided Walk in Anafiotika and Plaka

1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approximately)
Offered in: English and 1 more

Athens rewards those who look closely - at layers beneath a church floor, stories carved into an arch, or whitewashed walls built overnight by island craftsmen. On this walk through Plaka and Anafiotika, you'll trace the city's story from ancient ceremonial streets to a secret Cycladic neighborhood perched beneath the Acropolis.

This self guided audio tour starts at the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch, where two inscriptions tell competing stories of who really owned Athens. From there, you'll wind through Plaka’s narrow lanes, past the Church of St. Catherine—where Roman columns sit below a Byzantine chapel—and the Monument of Lysicrates, built by a wealthy citizen to display his prize. You’ll then climb into Anafiotika, a neighborhood where houses were said to have been built in a single night by stonemasons from the island of Anafi.

What's Included

Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start
Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
App for Android and iOS
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Smartphone and headphones
Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
Food and drink
Transportation

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Arch of Hadrian

This tour starts at Arch of Hadrian. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point
Temple of Hephaestus

The tour ends at the Temple of Hephestus.

Itinerary

Duration: 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approximately)
  • Temple of Olympian Zeus (Pass by)

    Pass by one of the largest temples of the ancient world, dedicated to Zeus, king of the Olympian gods. From here, you'll enjoy impressive views while discovering how this monumental sanctuary shaped the history of ancient Athens.

    Admission ticket free
  • Arch of Hadrian (Pass by)

    Walk through one of the most iconic Roman landmarks in Athens, the Arch of Hadrian, which once marked the boundary between the ancient Greek city and the Roman city of Emperor Hadrian. From here, you'll get a clear view of how Athens transformed during the Roman period while continuing your journey toward the historic heart of the city.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Discover the hidden charm of the Church of Saint Catherine, a peaceful Byzantine gem tucked away in the heart of Plaka. As you pass by, you’ll hear how this quiet corner reflects the layered history of Athens, where ancient, Byzantine, and modern life exist side by side.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Admire the elegant Monument of Lysicrates, one of the finest surviving examples of Classical Greek architectural decoration, standing proudly in the streets of Plaka. As you pass by, you’ll learn how this beautifully preserved structure reflects Athens’ classical past and its tradition of celebrating artistic achievement.

    Admission ticket free
  • Anafiotika (Pass by)

    Discover Anafiotika, a hidden Cycladic-style village tucked beneath the Acropolis that feels like a secret island in the middle of Athens. As you wander through its maze-like whitewashed alleys, you’ll step into one of the city’s most magical and unexpected neighbourhoods, where time seems to slow down completely.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Perched on the slopes of the Acropolis, the Church of Agios Georgios of the Rock feels like a hidden sanctuary above the city. As you pass by, you’ll experience a peaceful moment that contrasts with the energy of central Athens, while learning how deeply spirituality is woven into this historic landscape.

    Admission ticket free
  • Roman Agora (Pass by)

    Step into the Roman Agora of Athens, once the commercial heart of the ancient city, where trade, daily life, and civic activity took place under Roman rule. As you pass through this historic site, you’ll also see the famous Tower of the Winds, an ancient clock and weather station that reveals the scientific ingenuity of classical Athens.

    Admission ticket free
  • Ancient Agora of Athens (Pass by)

    You'll walk by the Ancient Agora of Athens, once the political, commercial, and social heart of classical Athenian life. As you pass by, you’ll discover how this open space shaped democracy, philosophy, and daily life in ancient Greece, surrounded by some of the city’s most important surviving monuments.

    Admission ticket free
  • Stoa of Attalos (Pass by)

    Walk alongside the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos, a striking colonnaded building that showcases the scale and elegance of ancient Athenian public architecture. As you pass by, you’ll get a sense of how this space once served as a bustling hub of commerce, gathering, and daily life in the heart of the Ancient Agora.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Admire the remarkably well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus, one of the best intact ancient Greek temples, standing proudly above the Ancient Agora. As you pass by, you’ll learn how this sacred site dedicated to the god of craftsmanship has survived through centuries as a powerful symbol of classical Athens.

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions
Supplied by VoiceMap Audio Tours

Tags

Private and Luxury
Private Sightseeing Tours
Audio Guides
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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