Magpie
5.0(31 reviews)

Exarchia: Taste of Utopia

From$135
5.5 hours
Athens, Greece

About this activity

This 6-hour tour includes more than a dozen essential bites, sips and stops that illustrate the history and culture of this iconic and complex district.

Highlights

  • Exarchia culinary walking tour experience.
  • Authentic Greek food and wine tastings.
  • Discover Exarchia street art culture.
  • Epic souvlaki tasting in Exarchia.

Full description

On this tour, we will trace the evolution of Exarchia through its food culture. We’ll visit an old-school pastry shop opened in 1915 and a classic delicatessen for a tasting of products from the Mani region — olives, halva, honey and other artisanal products. We’ll have delicious rustic savory pies like the ones mothers from all over the country send to their children when they are away in college. We’ll visit a diner serving traditional specialties not usually found outside of Greek homes. In view of some of the city’s most famous political street art, we’ll stop for a series of meze at an ouzeri frequented by community organizers. Along the way, we’ll visit a number of spots that local activists had “taken over” to better serve the community, including a park like no other. There will also be an epic souvlaki tasting, a special bite at a Cretan canteen and, at an underground cellar, a wine tasting focused on native grape varieties and a final digestif of tsipouro.

Included / Excluded

  • Guided tour through Plaka and Anafiotika neighborhoods
  • Tastings of traditional Greek dishes and local specialties
  • Wine tasting featuring small Greek producers
  • Transportation to and from the meeting point

Meeting point

Start Location

Panepistimiou, Athens, Greece

Important information

Know before you book

  • The tour is conducted in English; proficiency is recommended.
  • Some stops may not be suitable for individuals with mobility impairments due to stairs and uneven terrain.
  • The tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately for the weather conditions.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes for the cobblestone streets.
  • Bring a light jacket or sweater as evenings can be cool.
  • Ensure you have a valid ID if you plan to participate in wine tasting.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts

More than one week before the beginning of the activity: 90% Refund Less than one week before the beginning of the activity: 50% Refund Less than 72 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: No Refund

Reviews

5.0(31 reviews)
Google
oliver sands
Sep 2026
5.0

We recently did the food tour of Kichijoji and had the best time. Our guide, Michelle, was incredible. She was the perfect blend of knowledge, fun and passion, and she introduced us to a diverse range of food offerings and venues. I would highly recommend jumping on one of Michelle's tours with Culinary Backstreets as it was the highlight of our 5 day stay in Tokyo. Cheers, Oliver & Ged

Google
Erin McCaughey
Aug 2026
5.0

The tour was awesome and we highly recommend. We were expecting a larger group but were excited to show up to a private tour with Kasumi. She made the tour very personal and did an excellent job making the tour feel casual while teaching us lots of new things. She had the cultural knowledge and also mentioned that she continues to learn every time she takes a new group around. Some of the restaurants and shops we stopped at had lovely owners and workers, who were willing to teach us and share their knowledge happily. It was a good mix of foods and Kasumi made sure we were well hydrated and had plenty of time to rest on a hot day. We had a great day and we highly recommend it!

Google
Lynda Royal
Jul 2026
5.0

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Ken. He is an interested and interesting tour guide and it was a wonderful well-paced day. This was our second time doing this tour in Tokyo. No regrets, worth every cent. Culinary Backstreets Tours are the best food tours we have done everywhere in the world.

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