If you are reading this, congratulations! You just completed the Athens City Bike tour! After your tour we are certain that you have a better overview of the city and you already feel like a local! Because we understand it all sounds Greek to you, we have prepared this complete list with all our stops, accompanied with photos of all the places we saw during the tour, to make it easier for you to remember and go back and explore each location further during your stay!
Distance: 9 km
1st stop: Dionysiou Areopagitou street (Acropolis view)
Credit: This is Athens
During our first stop we orientated around the Acropolis neighborhood. We passed by Areopagitou street where the Acropolis Museum and the Odeon of Herodus Atticus are located. By the statue of Maria Kalas we had the chance to marvel and take a picture of the imposing Acropolis hill where the Parthenon, Athens’ most important and known landmark is located.
2nd stop: National Observatory
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
At the end of Areopagitou street we turned left and made our 2nd stop in Phillopappou hill.
After a short walk up the hill we had the opportunity to marvel at the panoramic view of Athens from the well hidden spot of the National Observatory, the oldest research foundation in Greece.
3rd stop: Ancient Greek Cemetery of Kerameikos
Credit: Google maps
During this stop in Gazi area, we stood on the bridge above the Electric Railway that goes to Piraeus and saw the Technopolis of Athens, the cultural centre of the city where many events such as concerts, exhibitions and art shows take place. This is also where the Industrial Gas museum is located. We also saw the Lycabettus hill, one of the most popular and worth visiting places in Athens with an incredible view of the city. After leaving the bridge, we cycled by the Cemetery of Kerameikos, one of the most important monuments in Ancient Greek History. The area took its name from “keramos”, which means pottery in Greek, from the numerous pottery workshops that existed in the area before it was turned into a cemetery.
4th stop: Psirri
Our next stop was the colorful and vibrant neighborhood of the ‘artists’, Psirri neighborhood. Through the colorful graffiti on the walls we had the chance to delve into Athens’ modern history and explain the importance of the local favorite area which has now become a hot spot for instagram worthy coffee shops and alleys.
5th stop: Thission
Credit: Booking.com
After Psirri we cycled back to the Thission area, where the neoclassical buildings line the streets alongside open-air cafes, cosy wine bars, and rooftop restaurants with views of the Acropolis. Here we saw a lot of handicraft stalls and got to view the Acropolis hill from a different point of view.
6th stop: Ancient Greek Agora + Roman Agora
Credit: Wikiwand
Next, we stopped in front of the Gate of the Ancient Roman Agora (Forum), the first commercial centre of Ancient Athens. This is where the Tower of 4 Winds and the Fethiye mosque are located. A little further down we saw the Ancient Greek Agora where the impressive Stoa of Attalos is located.
7th stop: Plaka Neighbourhood
Credit: Matador Network
After we cycled by the Roman + Greek Agoras we had the opportunity to see one of Athens’ busiest market streets in Plaka neighbourhood. The cobblestone streets lined with tiny shops selling jewellery, clothes and local ceramics, sidewalk cafes and family-run tavernas give this area the feeling of a village. Nearby, we got a glimpse of the whitewashed homes of the Anafiotika neighbourhood which give the small enclave a Greek-island vibe.
8th stop: Athens city Cathedral
Credit: History Hit
During this stop we took a break by the imposing Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens which was built using marble from 72 demolished churches! The Cathedral remains a major landmark in Athens and the site of important ceremonies with national political figures present, as well as weddings and funerals of notable personalities.This is also where one of the oldest churches in Athens is located, to the immediate south of the Cathedral, the church of ‘ St Eleftherios’ also called the “Little Mitropoli”.
The spacious square in front of the Cathedral is surrounded by many coffee shops, restaurants as well as shopping spots which we had the opportunity to visit during our 15 minute break.
9th stop: National Gardens
Credit: Steven Liroy
Next, we rode through The National Gardens, the biggest public park of the city in the centre of Athens, directly behind the Greek Parliament. This beautiful green oasis offered lots of shady spots with many benches for picnicking, cafes, duck ponds and even a small zoo.
10th stop: Presidential Mansion
Credit: Dreamstime
During this stop in front of the Presidential Mansion, the official residence of the President of the Hellenic Republic, we watched the Change of the Guards. This special unit of the Hellenic Army, also known as Tsoliades, who guard the Presidential Mansion have become symbols of bravery and courage for the Greek people.
11th stop: Panathenaic Stadium
Credit: Athens by Locals
Our next stop was the glorious Panathenaic Stadium ( Kallimarmaro) , one of the main historic attractions of Athens,and the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble.This Stadium is the finishing point for the annual Athens Classic Marathon as well as the last venue in Greece from where the Olympic flame handover ceremony to the host nation takes place.
12th stop: Zappeion Exhibition Hall
Credit: Greek Reporter
Our next stop was at one of the most significant buildings in Athens and one of the oldest venues for cultural and scientific events in Greece, the Zappeion Exhibition Hall. The Zappeion megaron is next to the National Gardens of Athens in the heart of Athens, Greece. It is generally used for meetings and ceremonies, both official and private and is one of the city’s most renowned modern landmarks.
13th stop: Temple of Olympian Zeus / Hadrian’s Arch
Credit: BrewminateOur last stop before we returned to our meeting point was another landmark of ancient Greek history, Hadrian’s Arch. This monumental gateway spanned an ancient road from the centre of Athens, to the complex of structures on the eastern side of the city that included the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Behind the Arch, we took a glimpse of the remains of the former colossal temple dedicated to the father of gods, Zeus.
*Kindly note that the itinerary of the tour might have changed slightly , where deemed necessary, from your tour leader.
