My Private Tour Athens
Art Tour Athens
Why contemporary art in Athens? Why Athens?
Athens, the cradle of Western culture has more to offer than only the Acropolis and souvlaki. The metropolis at the Eastern border of Europe has turned in the last years into a hotspot of contemporary art. Despite the severe financial problems that brought the development of the country to a halt the will to live and the joy of the Greeks remained unstoppable.
The biggest push in contemporary art came unexpectedly with the financial crisis which lasted from 2009 till 2018. The government collapsed and so did the biggest part of the private sector. Only shortly before, from 2000 till 2007 Greece experienced a new period of financial well-being due to big amounts of foreign capital flooding in. That’s when a considerable part of society started to discover the world outside of Greece. Young Greeks and especially artists returned from trips, studies and residences in Berlin, Paris, London, Madrid with new ideas and inspiration. After the first shock they denied the crisis to rule their lives. They decided to take the lead and started low budget art projects, exhibitions and festivals. Since the world was looking towards Greece this updraft did not remain unnoticed.
In 2017 Documenta, the world’s most significant exhibition for contemporary art held its opening reception for the first time outside of Germany: in Athens! By then it was already no secret anymore and the word spread quickly: Athens is the new Berlin.
Tour Examples
Dates and lenght of the tour by arrangement
Each tour can be customised individually
Tour 1: Welcome to Athens I Lycabettus I Art in Kolonaki
Meeting at Dexameni Square. Walk to the cable car station in Kolonaki that leads up to Lycabettus hill. While enjoying the grand view over the city, introduction to the history of Athens (pointing to the respective landmarks Acropolis, Philopappos, Pnyx, Pireas and Salamis) and bridge to the modern times (Greek Revolution, the modern city, the 20th century historical events, the ancient and the old Olympics, the recent financial crisis and the rebirth of the young art scene that led to the documenta14 exhibition).
Walking down Lycabettus Hill and visiting a contemporary art show at the Benaki or Cycladic Museum and/or two or three selected art galleries in Kolonaki. Where possible an introduction by the artist / art dealer can be arranged.
Short lunch break in Kolonaki. After lunch continuation of the gallery tour.
Tour ends at 6pm.
Evening program (theater, music, dinner) upon arrangement.
Tour 2: Changing of Guards I EMST I Galleries and Art Spaces around Monastiraki
Changing of Guards ceremonies take place at the Presidential Mansion and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is off Syntagma Square below the Hellenic Parliament. After a short metro ride visit of the Contemporary Art Museum EMST, which is housed in the former FIX brewery.
After lunch break we walk through the old town below the Acropolis and visit two or three more art spaces. The tour ends in the area of Monastiraki Square.
Evening program (theater, music, dinner) upon arrangement.
Tour 3: Psyrri walk I Galleries and Art Spaces Metaxourgio and Exarchia
Visit and meetings with founders of art spaces in the Metaxourgio and Exarchia district. Both neighbourhoods have largely contributed to Athens’ fame of being a young art city. In Metaxourgio, named after a silk mill, young entrepreneurs and artists have settled in old factories and warehouses and have established a thriving art and restaurant scene. We start in the morning with a strole through the Psyrri district that has become famous for its graffiti culture and arrive in Metaxourgio after half an hour. We visit two important art galleries. Later we move to Exarchia, by taxi or by bus.
Lunch in the neighbourhood of Exarchia in a iconic restaurant. Exarchia has always been a melting pot for bohemians, artists, anarchists and partisans. An exciting and sometimes turbulent area, far away from mass tourism. Recently Exarchia has been revived by young artists opening studios and non-commercial art spaces. End of tour at 6pm.
Evening program (theater, music, dinner) upon arrangement.
Options:
The tour can be adapted individually:
From 1 to 6 days and from 1 to 22 people (bus size!)
And or including:
Ancient Greece (Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Archaeological Museum, Philopappous hill and other sites)
Private Collections (Benaki Pireos, Goulandris Museum, Theocharakis Foundation, Onassis Ready, SNCCF-Niarchos and more)
Public, historic buildings and private, historic mansions
One day boat tour to the island of Hydra (May-October) to the contemporary art scene
One day tour to visit a performance at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus (with contemporary productions and English sub-titles)
Each tour can be customised individually
Tour 1: Welcome to Athens I Lycabettus I Art in Kolonaki
Meeting at Dexameni Square. Walk to the cable car station in Kolonaki that leads up to Lycabettus hill. While enjoying the grand view over the city, introduction to the history of Athens (pointing to the respective landmarks Acropolis, Philopappos, Pnyx, Pireas and Salamis) and bridge to the modern times (Greek Revolution, the modern city, the 20th century historical events, the ancient and the old Olympics, the recent financial crisis and the rebirth of the young art scene that led to the documenta14 exhibition).
Walking down Lycabettus Hill and visiting a contemporary art show at the Benaki or Cycladic Museum and/or two or three selected art galleries in Kolonaki. Where possible an introduction by the artist / art dealer can be arranged.
Short lunch break in Kolonaki. After lunch continuation of the gallery tour.
Tour ends at 6pm.
Evening program (theater, music, dinner) upon arrangement.
Tour 2: Changing of Guards I EMST I Galleries and Art Spaces around Monastiraki
Changing of Guards ceremonies take place at the Presidential Mansion and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is off Syntagma Square below the Hellenic Parliament. After a short metro ride visit of the Contemporary Art Museum EMST, which is housed in the former FIX brewery.
After lunch break we walk through the old town below the Acropolis and visit two or three more art spaces. The tour ends in the area of Monastiraki Square.
Evening program (theater, music, dinner) upon arrangement.
Tour 3: Psyrri walk I Galleries and Art Spaces Metaxourgio and Exarchia
Visit and meetings with founders of art spaces in the Metaxourgio and Exarchia district. Both neighbourhoods have largely contributed to Athens’ fame of being a young art city. In Metaxourgio, named after a silk mill, young entrepreneurs and artists have settled in old factories and warehouses and have established a thriving art and restaurant scene. We start in the morning with a strole through the Psyrri district that has become famous for its graffiti culture and arrive in Metaxourgio after half an hour. We visit two important art galleries. Later we move to Exarchia, by taxi or by bus.
Lunch in the neighbourhood of Exarchia in a iconic restaurant. Exarchia has always been a melting pot for bohemians, artists, anarchists and partisans. An exciting and sometimes turbulent area, far away from mass tourism. Recently Exarchia has been revived by young artists opening studios and non-commercial art spaces. End of tour at 6pm.
Evening program (theater, music, dinner) upon arrangement.
Options:
The tour can be adapted individually:
From 1 to 6 days and from 1 to 22 people (bus size!)
And or including:
Ancient Greece (Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Archaeological Museum, Philopappous hill and other sites)
Private Collections (Benaki Pireos, Goulandris Museum, Theocharakis Foundation, Onassis Ready, SNCCF-Niarchos and more)
Public, historic buildings and private, historic mansions
One day boat tour to the island of Hydra (May-October) to the contemporary art scene
One day tour to visit a performance at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus (with contemporary productions and English sub-titles)
Services
Travel planning and advice in advance. Each tour is tailored to individual requirements.
Tour host: Jordanis Theodoridis
Tour languages: Swiss-German, German or English
Price: Flat rate per day (8hrs) EUR 450 (1-6 persons)
Please contact me for larger groups
Contact: jordan@0010.ch
Not included:
Transfers by taxi, bus, boat or other means
Entry tickets to museums and sites
Official guide to the archaeological sites
All meals and beverages
Flight to Athens
Accommodation in Athens
Travel recommendations:
Hotels Athens:
Perianth, https://perianthhotel.com
The Ziller, https://thezillersathens.com
Electra Metropolis, https://www.electrahotels.gr
Athens Capital Center Hotel, https://all.accor.com
Elia Ermou Athens Hotel, https://www.eliaermouhotel.com
These Hotels are located in the city centre close to Syntagma Square.
Flight:
Swiss and Aegean offer several daily flights from Zurich to Athens. International airport Eleft. Venizelos is connected with the city centre by metro, shuttle-bus or taxi.
Note:
The booking of the flight and the hotels is carried out independently by the participants.
The tours begin every morning at 10am with a little introduction by Jordanis Theodoridis.
A short lunch break is scheduled. Tours end at around 5-6 pm.
Evening program (theater, concerts, restaurants, etc.) can be arranged.
The tours are held in English, German or Swiss-German. Artists/curators speak Greek or English.
Tour guides to the Acropolis and its museum speak English, German or Swiss-German.
Tour host: Jordanis Theodoridis
My background is Greek, I speak Greek and my upbringing is Swiss. Art is my passion.
In the last 20 years as managing director of the Swiss gallery widmertheodoridis, I have developed an extensive professional network in the gallery business. By presenting and organising more than 120 exhibitions and more than twenty national and international art fairs I have gained a sound knowledge of the contemporary art world. On behalf of widmertheodoridis I have developed art tours, lectures and art education workshops.
Since 2015 widmertheodoridis has been doing business in Greece and can rely on a extensive network of contacts with local artists, galleries, museums and curators. My art tours have started in 2017 in Athens and have also included Berlin, Paris and Venice–from two to twenty participants. In the meantime these art tours have become my main activity and passion.
Tour host: Jordanis Theodoridis
Tour languages: Swiss-German, German or English
Price: Flat rate per day (8hrs) EUR 450 (1-6 persons)
Please contact me for larger groups
Contact: jordan@0010.ch
Not included:
Transfers by taxi, bus, boat or other means
Entry tickets to museums and sites
Official guide to the archaeological sites
All meals and beverages
Flight to Athens
Accommodation in Athens
Travel recommendations:
Hotels Athens:
Perianth, https://perianthhotel.com
The Ziller, https://thezillersathens.com
Electra Metropolis, https://www.electrahotels.gr
Athens Capital Center Hotel, https://all.accor.com
Elia Ermou Athens Hotel, https://www.eliaermouhotel.com
These Hotels are located in the city centre close to Syntagma Square.
Flight:
Swiss and Aegean offer several daily flights from Zurich to Athens. International airport Eleft. Venizelos is connected with the city centre by metro, shuttle-bus or taxi.
Note:
The booking of the flight and the hotels is carried out independently by the participants.
The tours begin every morning at 10am with a little introduction by Jordanis Theodoridis.
A short lunch break is scheduled. Tours end at around 5-6 pm.
Evening program (theater, concerts, restaurants, etc.) can be arranged.
The tours are held in English, German or Swiss-German. Artists/curators speak Greek or English.
Tour guides to the Acropolis and its museum speak English, German or Swiss-German.
Tour host: Jordanis Theodoridis
My background is Greek, I speak Greek and my upbringing is Swiss. Art is my passion.
In the last 20 years as managing director of the Swiss gallery widmertheodoridis, I have developed an extensive professional network in the gallery business. By presenting and organising more than 120 exhibitions and more than twenty national and international art fairs I have gained a sound knowledge of the contemporary art world. On behalf of widmertheodoridis I have developed art tours, lectures and art education workshops.
Since 2015 widmertheodoridis has been doing business in Greece and can rely on a extensive network of contacts with local artists, galleries, museums and curators. My art tours have started in 2017 in Athens and have also included Berlin, Paris and Venice–from two to twenty participants. In the meantime these art tours have become my main activity and passion.