Let’s explore the best things to do in Exarchia (or Exarcheia – Εξάρχεια), Athens’ most rebellious and artistic neighborhood.
I spent a good part of my youth in Exarchia’s loud bars and cozy little taverns. This is where we’d go for late-night drinks at legendary clubs back in the ’90s, or for coffee in the iconic Exarchia Square.
In this post, I’ll share 10 great things to do in Exarchia—from must-see spots to hidden gems—just as I’ve lived and discovered them over the years.
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Welcome to Exarchia – Athens’ Most Alternative Neighborhood
The neighborhood is known for its bold street art, edgy graffiti on just about every wall, boho cafés, and a strong counterculture that really sets it apart from the rest of the city.
It sits right between downtown Athens and the major historic sites, but it feels like its own little world. It is also very easy to get there from Omonia, Panepistimiou, or Victoria metro stations.
So, what are the best things to do in Exarchia?
Best Things to Do in Exarchia, Athens
1. Visit the National Archaeological Museum
If you love history and have a couple of extra days in Athens, don’t miss the National Archaeological Museum — it’s the largest in Greece and absolutely worth your time!
With over 11,000 artifacts, it’s one of the world’s most important museums for ancient Greek art, from 7000 BCE to 500 CE.
You can easily reach the museum by taking the metro to Omonia or Victoria stations.
If you’re planning a visit, check out my detailed guide with everything you need to know about this captivating museum.
Note: You can pre-purchase your ticket from the Museum’s official site or GetYourGuide with optional audio.
By all means, a visit to this museum is one of the top things to do in Exarchia!
2. Discover the Vegan & Oriental Street Food
You’re probably dreaming of a traditional Greek souvlaki with juicy grilled meat — and yes, you can definitely enjoy one in Exarchia.
But what if I told you there’s another kind of street food here that’s just as delicious(and maybe even better)?
A fantastic spot to try an alternative souvlaki is the Cookoomela Grill at Themostokleous St. 43-45 with 10 different souvlaki varieties: mushroom gyros, avocado, lentil kebabs, and gluten-free lettuce wraps.
Magic Kitchen is another mouthwatering, home-made plant-based food from Turkey with a large menu.
Some of its delicious food includes exceptional burgers from red beans, mushrooms, chickpeas, Arabic pies (lahmatzoun), Minor Asia pies and vegan moussaka.
It is also at Themostokleous St. 43-45, where most of the vegan shops are.
Right next to Magic Kitchen, you’ll find your perfect dessert at Baklamania.
Take your pick from baklava, little cheese-filled kantaifi rolls, vegan almond options, and all the classic favorites. And trust me—you won’t be able to resist.
You will find it at Themistokleous St. 49 in Exarchia.
3. Browse Vintage Shops
If you love searching old-looking bookstores with second-hand books, out-of-print titles, collector’s editions, and other rare and valuable finds—like stamps and vintage postcards- then you will love the book scene in Exarchia.
You will come across dozens of them as you wander around, but most of them are in Benaki, Charilaou Trikoupi, and Ippokratous streets.
There are also quite a few printing houses and some rare bookstores where they sell both Greek and other language books and antiques.
- Politeia Bookstore: the largest one with a good selection of English and other languages. At Asklipiou St. 1, 10679.
- Polyglot in Akadimias St. 84, 10678.
One hidden gem is Le Disque Noir on Themistokleous 29 — a small, low-key record shop with a focus on metal and gothic music.
4. Hike Strefi Hill
If you head uphill on Benaki or Mavromichali Street heading north, you’ll reach the slopes of Strefi Hill.
From there, it’s an easy 15-minute hike from Kallidromiou Street — and once you reach the top, you’ll be standing high above the city’s rooftops. It’s one of the best spots to take in Athens from above.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the hill was used as a mine, which disrupted its natural ecology — but thankfully, it was later reforested and turned into a green space for the neighborhood.
Today, the park looks a bit neglected, although locals do their best to protect and care for it. Still, Strefi Hill is well worth a visit for its beautiful panoramic views and is one of my favorite things to do in Athens.
You’ll also find an open-air theater, a basketball court, and a playground for children.
5. Explore the Traditional Taverns in Exarchia
Rozalia & Achilleas Vergina taverns
If you are looking for excellent traditional food in Athens’ center, then you should definitely visit one of the many taverns in Exarchia.
In the pedestrian area of Valtetsiou 59, there are two taverns opposite each other that I highly recommend, Rozalia and Achilleas Vergina.
There are at least 10 taverns around the blocks of Valtetsiou and Em. Benaki, plus a few more hidden gems worth checking out as you head toward Strefi Hill.
Rozalia has a lovely yard, whereas Achilleas serves its traditional Greek food in the pedestrian area.
Cretan Tavern Rakoumel
Around the corner from those taverns on Benaki 71, there is Rakoumel, an authentic Cretan cuisine mezedopolio (small tapas tavern).
Here you can taste traditional stuffed zucchini blossoms, eggs with staka (Cretan butter), mizithra cheese pies, and, of course, the beloved Sfakian pie with honey.
Yiantes
Yiantes restaurant is just a short walk from Exarchia Square, at 44 Valtetsiou Street. It has the cutest courtyard that feels like something out of a storybook, perfect for a relaxed meal any time of day.
This spot was one of Athens’s first to focus on organic food. Everything is made with care, looks authentic, and comes straight from local producers. Its menu focuses on Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.
H Avli
Avli is a laid-back eatery in Exarchia that feels like you have been magically transported to a little village taverna. You’ll find it on Methonis 43 pedestrian street, which already gives off quiet village vibes.
Definitely ask about the daily specials — there’s always something unexpected and delicious. And from the regular menu, two standouts are the eggplant tzatziki with pomegranate syrup and their mouthwatering boureki.
Ama Lachi
Last stop is at Kallidromiou 69 Street, the Ama Lachi tavern in a lovely yard full of trees and flowers.
This lovely space was once the schoolyard of a primary school in the 1960s — you might even spot the old water fountains where children once drank.
It has traditional Greek cuisine with a twist, with dishes such as the pork chops with rum or the chicken skewers with yogurt-tahini sauce — both are absolute must-tries!
And don’t miss the homemade kavourmas with hummus — it’s a dish worth getting excited about. Open daily from 10 am to 1 am.
6. Walk Athens Silicon Valley Street: Stournari
Back in the early ’90s, Exarchia became a hotspot for tech lovers, with tons of computer and electronics shops popping up along Stournari Street and the nearby side streets.
Stournari runs right next to the National Technical University of Athens and ends at Exarchia Square. You’ll still find new desktop towers, laptops, all kinds of hardware, spare parts, and software — plus great deals on refurbished PCs and laptops.
The largest shops you can visit here are Plaisio at Stournari 24, Cosmodata at Stournari 27, and Dshop at Stournari 23, but there are dozens of other shops that you can explore.
7. Walls That Talk: Discovering Street Art in Exarchia
In Exarchia, every wall, alley, and even abandoned building tells a story — of rebellion, resistance, and free spirit. Since the 1973 Polytechnic uprising, the neighborhood has been a center of demonstrations and political activism.
You’ll find graffiti that speaks out against capitalism, supports anti-state groups from around the world, or honors individuals who died in prison or were victims of police brutality.
The artwork constantly evolves, changing with current events — but sometimes, it’s just a burst of color, a line of poetry, or a quiet message meant to stop you in your tracks and make you feel something.
One of the most famous murals in the area is “Wake Up” by INO, found just off the square at 13 Koletti Street.
If you’re into street art, here are a few streets you shouldn’t miss:
- Themistokleous Street – famous for its powerful, politically inspired murals.
- Tositsa Street – packed with graffiti that speaks to social issues.
- Tzavella Street – Bright, colorful pieces that add life to the area.
The best way to explore it? Just wander around, camera in hand, and see what catches your eye.
If you prefer a guided tour and to see Exarchia like a local, then book your spot now!
8. Experience the Café Culture
I’d normally suggest checking out Exarchia’s main square — a historic spot, full of life, with iconic cafés and a mix of all kinds of people.
However, in the past few years, the square has been boarded up due to ongoing construction for the new metro station, so it’s not the most picturesque spot to have a coffee… at least for now.
But there are plenty of other choices to have a coffee or a snack in Exarchia.
Most of them are gathered in the pedestrianized part of Koletti Street – the part between Botasi and Themistokleous streets and the block formed by Koletti, Mesologgiou and Lontou.
A very cool spot to check out is the traditional café “I Mouria” which has been in the same spot since 1915.
Here you can sip on a strong Greek coffee, a glass of ouzo, tsipouro, or an ice-cold beer — all perfectly paired with tasty bites like dolmadakia (stuffed vine leaves), spicy salami, local cheeses, and fresh bread.
But most of all, it’s a spot for people who love tradition, real hospitality, and good company. (Charilaou Trikoupi 87, 10681).
9. Shop at Kallidromiou Open Market
Kallidromiou is right at the slope of Strefi, named after the Kallidromos hill that can be found in Thermopylae.
And every Saturday, it turns into a colorful fruit and vegetable market. Here, smaller producers from all over Attica gather to sell their fresh goodies at reasonable prices.
You go there for the experience and perhaps grab some fruit for your day, but as music is playing everywhere, before you know it, you may find yourself drinking ouzo at one of the many cafés in Kallidromiou.
Even if you don’t buy anything from the market, this is where the road for Strefi Hill starts, and here are also my favorite Ama Lachi tavern and Paraskinio cafe.
10. Pedion tou Areos Park
Pedion tou Areos is not exactly in Exarchia, but it’s right on the edge—just a 10-minute walk from Exarchia Square. It’s one of the biggest parks in Athens and a great spot to slow down.
You can go for a walk, grab a coffee from a kiosk, or just relax under the trees.
Locals come here to jog, walk their dogs, or meet friends on a bench. It’s not fancy, but it has a raw charm and some cool statues and corners to explore. If you’re staying in or around Exarchia, it’s totally worth a visit for some green space and fresh air.
Where to Stay in Exarchia
If you’re thinking about staying in Exarchia, keep in mind that the neighborhood mostly offers apartment rentals rather than hotels. But there are still a few great hotel options worth considering.
For a superb stay close to everything, you should choose ZEN Neapoli Penthouse Apartment, a spacious apartment with two bedrooms and a living room.
Areos Hotel, located next to the large Pedion tou Areos park, has bright and comfortable rooms plus a spacious terrace with stunning views of Lycabettus Hill.
Finally, the beautiful Strefi Hill Suites are built right on the slopes of Strefi with a stunning terrace.
Quick Links for Exarchia
- Best Hotel in Exarchia: ZEN Neapoli Penthouse Apartment
- Nothing beats renting a car — total freedom to explore Greece.
- 🎥 YouTube Video: A visit to the Archaeological Museum and Exarchia.
Exarchia Athens FAQs
Is Exarchia Safe?
Yes, it is. As always, just use common sense—avoid dark, remote alleys if you’re walking alone.
It’s also a good idea to check your travel dates—try to avoid visiting Exarchia around November 17 or the first week of December when large demos are organized.
Where is Exarchia?
The Exarchia neighborhood is north of Athens’ city center, next to the upscale Kolonaki area.
How did Exarchia get its name?
Its name comes from a merchant from Epirus named Exarchos, who ran a large general store on Themistokleous Street.
How to get to Exarchia
You can reach Exarchia easily via Omonia or Victoria metro stations—it’s just a short walk from either. Taxis are also an option, but parking in the area is very limited. If you’re in the city center, you can walk from Syntagma Square in about 15 minutes.
Conclusion
So, are you ready to explore Exarchia? Let me know in the comments which of these activities you’d love to try first!
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Happy and safe travels,
Evgenia
