At first glance, Athens appears to be a city covered in graffiti, but if you delve deeper and know where to look, it becomes evident why the city is renowned for the quality of its street art. This half-day guided tour takes you around some of Athens’ lesser-visited quarters, introducing you to murals created by some of Europe’s leading street artists. Your insider guide will offer context to the often thought-provoking works, explaining the political or social circumstances that inspired them, and talk about the different techniques and motivations of the artists.
You can take this half-day tour with a private guide or join a small group. Either way, you’ll meet your guide at the orange Visit Attica box at Thissio metro station. You’ll set off from here to explore the local districts and the sometimes gritty streets of Gazi, Metaxourgeio and Psirri.
As you meander the streets, your guide points out large-scale commissioned artworks as well as hidden statements on the state of the Greek nation today.
Throughout the area you’ll find lively, and often transformative public murals that play with styles, messages and ideas in profound ways. Your guide will fill you in on the artists’ backgrounds, reputations and inspirations, and explain that many of the key players are graduates from Athens School of Fine Arts.
The professional nature of the works can be seen in their technical skill as well as their careful treatment of meaningful subject matter. From INO’s shadowy, black-and-white realism to Alexandros Vasmoulakis’ vibrant, surreal faces, you’ll see a great cross-section of work and be treated to engaging artistic discussion.
Much of the current crop of street art is a reflection on the Greek economic crisis, and your guide will explain how the walls and buildings of the city became a living canvas at the height of the crisis, breathing new life into fading areas and creating a sense of hope for the future.
Once you’ve seen the most significant and interesting murals in the area, your guide will lead you to Monastiraki Square where your tour will finish.