Athens: Exarcheia, a hidden gem in the heart of Athens, Self-Guided mobile tour

Exarcheia, a hidden gem in the heart of Athens invites you to a place far removed from the tourist predictability to be found in more popular spots.
Exarcheia Square is the obvious point for a first and good introduction to the feel and spirit of this neighborhood. It is defined by two landmarks: the Three Cupids’ statue and the Blue Apartment Building. The latter was built in the 1930s by a pioneer of the Greek modernist movement. It became famous for the vibrant blue colour of the exterior walls. Today it may have faded but the memories and the stories of the people who lived here are alive and well.
Themistokleous Street hosts cafes, bookstores, apartment blocks dating back to the days of WWII, summer cinemas, theaters, social spaces, etc. It ends on Kallidromiou Street, one of the most picturesque streets of Athens that is transformed each Saturday morning with the colours, fresh smells and fragrances of the local produce street market. A short walk will bring you to Strefi Hill, offering an unimpeded view of Athens all the way to the sea. In December 1944, the leftist forces of ELAS placed two small cannons here and shelled downtown Athens.
Valtetsiou Street is home to two culinary institutions: “Rosalia” tavern was built on the spot where at one time stood the house of Augusta, a woman with such horrifying looks that, during the Nazi occupation, mothers would threaten their children she would come for them if they did not eat their food. After her disappearance the neighbors found out that she was an active member of the Resistance. And on a hot summer night could you think of anything better to do than sipping a cold drink while enjoying a movie? In the “Riviera” open-air cinema you eat snacks, drink refreshments and watch movies sitting in a verdant courtyard. Mesologgiou Street will be forever associated with Alexis Grigoropoulos, a young student murdered by a police officer, a crime that sparked the riots of December 2008, a prelude to the ongoing Crisis.
As you make your way towards the National Archaeological Museum, it would serve you well to remember that Exarcheia is a place where everything is possible. You can even see Lady Gaga standing at the “Music Machine” music store, sticking an autographed poster of her new record on the shop window.
To take this self-guided tour you will need the app on your iOS or Android device.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Visit the historic Vox Cinema that was rescued thanks to the local residents’ mobilization and is now a monument of contemporary culture.
• Explore Νavarinou Park, a parking lot that was transformed into a verdant oasis through the collaborative effort of the locals.
• Eat at Avli, a tavern with a beautiful courtyard that serves a variety of dishes cooked with fresh seasonal products.