Guided tour of the War Museum for Kids
2026-05-02 12:30 - 13:30, 2026-05-09 12:30 - 13:30 (Europe/Athens) | War Museum, Rizari 2-4, Athens, Athens, 106 75, Greece
As part of the This is Athens City Festival, the War Museum opens its collections and invites us on a journey through Greece’s military history and cultural heritage. Through specially designed thematic tours, visitors will have the opportunity to discover iconic exhibits and lesser-known narratives that shed light on the Greek past.

The activity is intended for children aged 8 and above, accompanied by one adult.

This activity is only available in Greek.

The First Cemetery of Athens: An Open-Air Sculpture Gallery 1
2026-05-02 17:00 - 19:00 | First Cemetery of Athens, Logginou 3, Athens, Athens, 116 36, Greece
“The Athens Cemetery encompasses the entire movement of modern sculpture.”

With these words, the great sculptor Thomas Thomopoulos captured the unique essence of the First Cemetery of Athens over a century ago. As part of the This is Athens City Festival 2026, archaeologist and certified guide Michalis Giohalas will lead us through this extraordinary open-air museum, where art, history, and memory are inextricably linked. From the illustrious names of modern Greek sculpture to the poignant human stories behind every grave, this guided tour is a captivating journey through time. You will discover the hidden facets of funerary art and the very human passions that inspired it. The thirst for legacy, fierce artistic rivalries, and the unrequited loves that remain eternally etched in marble. It is a rare, reflective path of high aesthetics that invites you to uncover the history of Athens through the silent yet imposing presence of its most beautiful monuments.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Guided tour of the War Museum for Adults
2026-05-02 20:30 - 21:30, 2026-05-09 20:00 - 21:00 | War Museum, Rizari 2-4, Athens, Athens, 106 75, Greece
As part of the This is Athens City Festival, the War Museum opens its collections and invites us on a journey through Greece’s military history and cultural heritage. Through specially designed thematic tours, visitors will have the opportunity to discover iconic exhibits and lesser-known narratives that shed light on the Greek past.

The activity is intended for adults and for families with children aged 12 and above.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Guided Tour at the National Historical Museum
2026-05-03 12:00 - 13:00 | National Historical Museum, Stadiou 13, Athens, Athens, 105 61, Greece
Step inside the grand, stately building with the bronze statue of Kolokotronis on horseback out front. It’s nothing less than the Old Parliament House, the very heart of Greece’s early political acts, and it is throwing open its doors for the This is Athens City Festival.

This isn’t just a wander through a dusty museum; it’s a guided journey through the National Historical Museum. You’ll be stepping into the original debating chamber where the big decisions that shaped modern Greece were hammered out. It’s an atmospheric spot that keeps history grounded in the centre of the city. Our guide will lead you through a stunning collection that charts the Greek story from the fall of Constantinople through to the 20th century. You’ll see personal heirlooms and everyday objects from the Greek Revolution, intricate traditional costumes that are basically 19th-century high fashion, historic weaponry, and archival treasures that tell the story of a nation finding its feet.

This activity is only available in Greek.

A Three-Star Architectural Crown: The Neoclassical Trilogy of Athens
2026-05-03 17:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-10 17:00 - 19:00 | Athens Trilogy, Panepistimiou 39, Athens, Athens, 105 64, Greece
The University, the Academy, and the National Library form the absolute crown jewels of our city’s architecture, the ultimate Trilogy that defined the look of modern Athens.

But there’s way more to these marble marvels than just a good photo op. As part of this year’s This is Athens City Festival, we are hitting the pavement with archaeologist and top-tier guide Michalis Giohalas.
Michalis won’t just point at statues; he’s here to spill the secrets, symbols, and big ideas hidden behind those famous facades. You’ll discover how 19th-century architects tried to build a “bridge” between the glory of Ancient Greece and the newly formed Greek state. Think of it as a deep dive into Athens’ DNA, explaining how statues, towering columns, and tiny decorative details all played a part in a young nation’s vision.

It’s history, but with a pulse. Whether you’re a fresh arrival to the city or a long-term expat who walks past these buildings every day, this tour will make you see the centre of Athens in a completely new light.

Meeting Point: The Propylaea of the University of Athens (Right outside “Panepistimio” Metro station, University exit).

This activity is only available in Greek.

Historical Walk: "Sabotage and Street Protest in Occupied Athens"
2026-05-04 18:00 - 20:30 | Athens Trilogy, Panepistimiou 39, Athens, Athens, 105 64, Greece
Renowned historian Menelaos Charalampidis leads an immersive journey through the heart of the occupied city, tracing the footsteps of one of the most dynamic resistance movements in Europe.
This isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a vivid reclamation of the city’s soul. As you walk, the routes of protesters, strikers, and saboteurs who defied the Axis occupation come to life. From the first major student mobilisation on 25 March 1942 to the bloody clashes on Panepistimiou Street in July 1943, every stop acts as a “window” into a city that refused to stay silent.

Uncover the “hidden geography” of the resistance, from the daring sabotage at the ESPO offices to the heroic strikes at the Telephone Company and the Ministry of Labour. This is a visceral experience that invites you to see the streets you cross every day through a fresh lens, discovering the dense mosaic of courage that defines the Athenian spirit.

Meeting Point: The Propylaea of the University of Athens (Right outside “Panepistimio” Metro station, University exit)

This activity is only available in Greek.

The Journey of the Serenade
2026-05-04 19:00 - 21:30 | Holy Church of Saint Catherine, Chairefontos 10, Athens, Athens, 105 58, Greece
If you’ve ever wondered what Athens sounded like before the hum of motorbikes and the thump of basslines, follow this group of traditional kantadoroi (troubadours). They are taking to the cobbled streets below the Acropolis to revive the lost art of the Athenian serenade.

Love songs and melodies once flooded the city’s historic neighborhoods, serving as the ultimate way to confess a secret or share a moment of collective emotion. As you stroll, following the voices through the shadow of the Acropolis, the city’s past starts to feel incredibly present—a beautiful reminder that some things, like a perfect melody under the stars, never go out of style.

Discover the National Typography Museum (MET)
2026-05-06 10:30 - 12:00 | National Printing House Museum, Kapodistriou 34, Athens, Athens, 104 32, Greece
A visit to the National Typography Museum and its historic collection. Visitors will have the chance to closely examine representative samples of the mechanical equipment and printed products of the Typography. Additionally, they will get familiar with traditional printing techniques and the working conditions of the printer profession.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Presentation of Τhe House of General Napoleon Zervas
2026-05-06 11:30 - 12:00, 2026-05-07 11:30 - 12:00 | House of General Napoleon Zervas, 9 Kallergi, Athens, 104 37, Greece
Τhe House of General Napoleon Zervas opens its doors for a series of special presentations. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the spaces where the General lived and discover historical material that highlights the united national resistance against the occupying forces during the years 1941–1944. Through personal belongings and historical narratives, the life and actions of Napoleon Zervas are brought to life, offering insight into the events that shaped the history of Athens and Greece.

The presentations will take place every Wednesday and Thursday in May, in small groups of up to 10 people.

Bookings open one week before each event, at 12:00 noon.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Thematic Tour: The Depiction of the Face through the Collections of the National Gallery
2026-05-06 14:00 - 15:00 | National Gallery – Alexandros Soutsos Museum, 50 Vasileos Konstantinou, Athens, 116 34, Greece
In the main building of the National Gallery, the public has the opportunity to participate in a thematic tour dedicated to the art of portraiture. The tour explores the timeless need of artists, as well as historical figures, to keep their likeness alive through the centuries, beginning with the simple, and almost ascetic forms of the Saints in the late 16th century.

As the tour progresses towards the present day, visitors observe radical changes in materials and techniques, discovering how the long tradition of painting was transformed to render human psychography with a contemporary perspective. It is a journey into the gaze and the form, illuminating the evolution of identity and artistic expression through the treasures of the country’s most important gallery.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Guided Tour: Nikolas Klironomos Retrospective “1985–2025”
2026-05-06 17:30 - 19:00 | The City of Athens Gallery, Municipal Gallery of Athens, Athens, Athens, 104 36, Greece
We invite you to a series of guided tours of the Nikolas Klironomos retrospective, a tour covering forty years of continuous artistic creation. The tour highlights the creator’s dual nature as both painter and set designer, revealing how he “stages” his canvas to transform images of the city and its people into poetic narratives.

As we navigate through his works, we will discover how everyday life meets the dream and how the changing seasons are captured through bold colours and special materials that provide movement and vitality. This is an opportunity to delve into the unseen aspects of time and human existence, understanding how Klironomos manages to give a monumental character to the small, fragmentary moments of our lives. An experiential tour that speaks straight to the heart and memory, offering a comprehensive look at the work of one of the most versatile creators on the contemporary Greek scene.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Historical Walk: "Women in the Resistance"
2026-05-06 18:00 - 20:30 | Athens Trilogy, Panepistimiou 39, Athens, Athens, 105 64, Greece
History is often written in the singular, but the soul of Athens was defended by many. As part of the Athens City Festival 2026, historian Menelaos Charalampidis invites us on a specialized commemorative walk through the city streets, illuminating a pivotal yet often overlooked chapter: the defiant role of women during the Occupation.

Through personal testimonies, rare documents, and vivid storytelling, the footsteps of iconic figures like Lela Karagianni, Elektra Apostolou, and Ioulia Bimba come to life. From the protesters who stood unflinching before enemy tanks to the female partisans of the eastern neighbourhoods, the city reveals a different, fiercely dynamic face.

This isn’t just a journey through the struggle for liberation; it’s the story of women claiming a new place in post-war society. Join us for an experience that bridges past and present, inviting you to “re-read” the history of Athens through the voices of the trailblazers who were kept on the margins for far too long.

This activity is only available in Greek.

A Guided Tour in the World of Niki de Saint Phalle
2026-05-07 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-09 12:00 - 13:00 | MOMus-Museum Alex Mylona, Agion Asomaton Square 5, Athens, Athens, 105 54, Greece
The This is Athens City Festival 2026 invites you to dive into the revolutionary world of one of the 20th century’s most fearless icons. In these two specially curated guided tours of the exhibition “From Shooting to Freedom,” you’ll discover how Niki de Saint Phalle transformed pain and rage into a lasting celebration of colour and rebirth. This is the first time her work has been presented on this scale in Greece, tracing her journey from the radical Tirs (shooting performances) to her exuberant, world-famous Nanas.

Through a vibrant collection of paintings, collages, and sculptures, the exhibition unfolds like a child’s game, yet retains the raw power of a woman who challenged every boundary of art and society. Catch these rebellious masterpieces tucked into the intimate spaces of the MOMus-Alex Mylonas Museum, across from the Parthenon.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Guided Tour at the City of Athens Museum
2026-05-08 12:00 - 13:00 | The City of Athens Museum, 5-7 loannou Paparrigopoulou, Athens, 105 61, Greece
The City of Athens Museum (Vouros-Eutaxias Foundation) will welcome us for a rather special look at the capital’s modern history. The tour spans two iconic buildings that tell the story of a city finding its feet.
We start at the legendary “Old Palace”, the first residence of King Otto and Queen Amalia. It’s a space deeply intertwined with the very first steps Athens took as a modern European capital. Here, you’ll see the city through the objects and grand rooms that helped define its new, royal identity.

The journey then moves into the second building of the complex, the former home of the Dekozis-Vouros family. This is where things get personal. It offers a much more intimate glimpse into Athenian “high society” life, revealing the aesthetics, the daily habits, and domestic charm of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Through these collections and the stunning architecture itself, you’ll witness the trajectory of a city that was rapidly expanding and shaping its modern self. It’s a tour that beautifully bridges the gap between Athens’ grand political history and its private, everyday heart.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Historical Stroll with Dr. Iordanis Papadopoulos: Makriyianni
2026-05-08 18:30 - 21:30 | Acropolis Metro Station, Makrygianni 9, Athens, Athens, 117 42, Greece
Step into an urban stroll through the Makriyianni district, where ancient beauty meets the grit of modern Athenian life. Led by Dr. Iordanis Papadopoulos, an expert in Political Philosophy, this tour invites you to decode our urban identity, viewing the iconic shadow of the Acropolis not just as a backdrop, but as a living witness to a city that refuses to forget.

The journey begins in the silent galleries of Roman villas and moves through the turbulent memories of the “”Dekemvriana””, the violent clashes in December 1944 that marked the beginning of the conflict that later escalated into the Greek Civil War, which once haunted the old Gendarmerie building. As you walk down the grand Dionysiou Areopagitou, you’ll uncover the influence of foreign archaeological missions in Koukaki, before stopping at the Theatre of Dionysus to discuss the deep-rooted link between Democracy and Ancient Drama.

The route winds past the Asklepieion and the legendary “”Klepsydra”” spring, eventually reaching the Areopagus (Mars Hill), where St. Paul once preached before the “”Altar of the Unknown God.”” Dr. Papadopoulos masterfully assembles the fragments, from the Golden Age to the 1821 Revolution and the Civil War, connecting history to personal experience in a way that makes the stones speak.

Meeting Point: Acropolis Metro Station, Makriyianni exit.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Guided Tour of the "Elytis House" Museum
2026-05-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Elytis’ House – Museum, Polygnotou 7, Athens, Athens, 105 55, Greece
A unique opportunity to get up close to the personal and intellectual world of Odysseas Elytis through a special guided tour of the “Elytis House” Museum.

The museum’s permanent exhibition brings the life and work of the great Nobel laureate to life, featuring precious manuscripts, rare Greek and foreign editions, and artworks that illuminate his multifaceted creativity. A central highlight of the experience is the reconstruction of his study. this is the authentic space where the poet worked continuously from 1962 until the end of his life, surrounded by his personal belongings and archives. A journey into the heart of Greek letters. The visit will allow visitors to breathe in the very atmosphere where some of the most significant works of world poetry were born.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Presentation of the Philhellenes’ Monument on Vasilissis Sofias Av. and Wreath-Laying Ceremony
2026-05-09 11:00 - 12:00 | War Museum, Rizari 2-4, Athens, Athens, 106 75, Greece
On Saturday 9 May, we honour the memory and contribution of the Philhellenes. The event includes a presentation of the Philhellenes’ Monument on Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and the official wreath-laying ceremony. The meeting point is at 11:00 a.m. in the courtyard of the War Museum (corner of Vasilissis Sofias Ave. and Rizari Street), in a modest ceremony highlighting the enduring bonds of friendship and the support of foreign fighters for Greece.

Free admission with advance booking required. To register, please send your full name, affiliation, mobile contact number, and email to info@phmus.org.

This activity is only available in Greek.

St Dionysius the Areopagite, The Saint of Athens: Guided Tours of the dedicated Churches I
2026-05-09 12:00 - 13:30 | Holy Church of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, 34 Skoufa, Athens, 106 72, Greece
The This is Athens City Festival invites you to step inside one of the city’s most prestigious landmarks for a tour that’s as much about art history as it is about faith. Guided by art historian Despina Paraskeva, we’re exploring Agios Dionysios on Skoufa Street, often called the “Saint of Athens”, to see what happens when the biggest names in modern Greek art collaborate on one project.

One of the grandest churches in central Athens, this landmark represents a true artistic collaboration. Your journey begins with the architectural vision of Anastasios Orlandos, before moving to the beautiful frescoes by Spyros Vassiliou. It comes with close-ups at the intricate woodcarvings of Theofanis Nomikos and the stunning mosaics born from a rare collaboration between Fotis Kontoglou and Stefanos Xenopoulos. It’s a fascinating glimpse into how ancient tradition and modern artistic flair meet in the heart of Kolonaki.

To make the experience truly immersive, the tour is set to the sound of Byzantine chanting, creating an atmosphere of total tranquility and mystique. Don’t miss this dedicated guided tour of the Catholic Cathedral, a moment that creates an artistic dialogue between two faiths and two distinct expressions of modern Greek creativity, right in the heart of the urban fabric.Meeting Point: Entrance of the Holy Church.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Guided Tours of the Cavafy Archive
2026-05-09 13:30 - 17:30 | Cavafy Archive, 16B Frynichou, Plaka, 105 58, Greece
This year, the This is Athens City Festival marks its fifth anniversary with a truly special collaboration. We’ve teamed up with the Onassis Foundation to invite you on a deeply personal journey through the life of one of the world’s most influential poets. For the first time as part of the festival, we’re stepping inside a stunning 1910 listed building on Phrynichou Street. Since late 2023, this spot in the heart of Plaka has become the new home of the Cavafy Archive, and now, its doors are opening for a series of exclusive guided tours.

It’s a rare chance to get up close and personal with the world of C.P. Cavafy by wandering through five specially curated rooms that recreate the atmosphere of his legendary home in Alexandria. Among the treasures, you will find personal relics such as original furniture, mementos, and even the poet’s death mask, alongside a remarkable collection of 966 surviving volumes in the library. The experience also showcases inspired art, with works ranging from Theodore Ralli and Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika to contemporary artists moved by his poetry. Perhaps most poignantly, the tour reveals the universe of Cavafy’s Athens through personal diaries and glowing letters from literary greats like Angelos Sikelianos, revealing the poet’s deep, timeless connection to this city.

To celebrate this new partnership, the Onassis Foundation is offering 20 free guided tours throughout the month for festival-goers. It’s a wonderful opportunity to dive deep into history, memory, and world-class art.

This activity is only available in Greek.

First Cemetery of Athens: An Open-Air Sculpture Gallery II
2026-05-09 17:00 - 19:00 | First Cemetery of Athens, Logginou 3, Athens, Athens, 116 36, Greece
While Halepas’s “Sleeping Maiden” is undoubtedly the most iconic sculpture in Athens’ First Cemetery, the beauty of this open-air museum goes far beyond its famous headline acts.

As part of the This is Athens City Festival 2026, archaeologist and guide Michalis Giohalas invites us to step off the main path. We’ll be heading up the winding, uphill trails to discover a lesser-known but equally breathtaking side of Modern Greek sculpture. Far from the usual tourist spots, you’ll encounter imposing mausoleums and monuments where a grand passion for legacy meets a crushing, powerful silence.

In this unique space, the mortal world seems to hold a quiet conversation with the immortal. This tour shines a light on hidden masterpieces and the moving human stories behind them, offering a deeply personal look at the artistic and historical heritage of Athens.

Meeting Point: Main Entrance of the First Cemetery of Athens (at the end of Anapafseos Street).

This activity is only available in Greek.

A Remembrance Route for Τhose Who Didn't Make It - 1940-1944
2026-05-10 11:00 - 12:30 | Third Cemetery of Athens, Thivon & Kotyoron, Athens, Athens, 184 54, Greece
This Remembrance Route is a moving tribute to the thousands of anonymous victims of the Great Famine during the Nazi Occupation of Athens, as well as those who fell before the firing squads. This walk unfolds the harrowing yet deeply human stories of our city and its people who didn’t make it through one of the dramatic chapters of our city’s history. Simultaneously, the Third Cemetery of Athens is reintroduced to the public as a vital historical landmark, a sacred space of memory for those who never lived to see our country free.

Leading this evocative journey is Zetta Antonopoulou, Historian-Archaeologist and Head of the Cultural Heritage Department of the City of Athens.

Meeting Point: Entrance of the Third Cemetery

This activity is only available in Greek.

“In the Footsteps of the Philhellenes” – Walking Tours with Guided Commentary in the Heart of Athens
2026-05-10 11:00 - 13:00 | Rallou Manous Square, Rallous Manou Square, Athens, 105 57, Greece
Sundays 10 and 17 May are dedicated to those who loved Greece and sacrificed themselves for its freedom. The activity “In the Footsteps of the Philhellenes” offers a live guided tour through the heart of Athens, connecting emblematic landmarks with the figures who shaped the Greek War of Independence. Participants will follow a rich itinerary that includes:

The Russian Church and the Anglican Church (where the remains of Frank Abney Hastings are kept).
Historic Plaka, the Church Residence, the Finley Residence, and the Hill School.
Stops at the statue of Lord Byron, the bust of Jean-Gabriel Eynard, and the Monument of Lysicrates.
References to the sieges of the Acropolis.

Meeting point: Rallou Manou Square, at the Russian Church of Athens (Syntagma)

This activity is only available in Greek.

From Dourgouti to Neos Kosmos: Routes through the History of the Settlement
2026-05-10 11:00 - 13:30 | Syngrou Ave & George Horton, Syngrou Ave & George Horton, Athens, Greece
Historians Eleni Kyramarghiou and Nikolina Myofa invite us on a powerful historical walk in the heart of Neos Kosmos. The tour traces a century of life in Dourgouti, a neighbourhood that emerged from the shanties of Armenian and Asia Minor refugees of 1922 and evolved into a mosaic of successive waves of refugees and migrants.

Through selected points of interest, we follow the transformation of the area from an informal settlement into organised state-built housing complexes, bringing to light memories and stories that have shaped its identity. This is a route that goes beyond documenting architectural change, highlighting instead the resilience, cohesion, and social history of one of Athens’ most emblematic refugee neighbourhoods.

Meeting point: Gefyra bus stop – uphill on Syngrou Avenue (service road of Syngrou Ave & George Horton Street)

This activity is only available in Greek.

Guided Tour of the Museum of the City of Athens
2026-05-11 12:00 - 13:00 | The City of Athens Museum, 5-7 loannou Paparrigopoulou, Athens, 105 61, Greece

Guided Tour: Maria Callas Museum
2026-05-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Maria Callas Museum, Mitropoleos 44, Athens, Athens, 105 63, Greece
The Maria Callas Museum invites us on a moving tour into the world of the 20th century’s leading soprano. Through a specially designed guided experience, visitors have the unique opportunity to discover the most iconic moments of her career, while exploring the unknown, personal aspects of the journey that established her as a global opera icon.

The narrative brings her path to life beyond standard exhibition texts, illuminating her artistic legacy and complex personality directly and experientially. This is an experience tailored to its audience, offering a deep look at the woman and the artist who changed lyric theatre forever, right in the heart of the city she loved so dearly.

This activity is only available in Greek.
