A Runner’s Guide To Athens

Let’s be frank straight off the blocks: Athens is not the simplest city for a leisurely jog—but running in the Greek capital is much easier than reputation would have it. Traffic is lighter than it used to be, pollution is no longer a problem, new walkways have sprung up and it (almost) never rains.

Granted, drivers can be impatient at stop signs and the occasional pothole remains (though plans are afoot to repave half the city’s roads within the next few years), but Athens is much more runner-friendly nowadays, and the increasing number of Athenians lacing up regularly is proof.

The 5K Ultimate Athens Route

Let’s start on the pedestrian paved road in front of the Acropolis Museum. Dionysiou Areopagitou, as the walkway is called, is one of Europe’s most beautiful avenues, and meanders halfway around the Acropolis Hill.

For the first few hundred meters, run towards Philopappou Hill, with the Acropolis towering above you, on your right. After about half a kilometer, the road will begin to crest downhill towards the attractive Thissio neighborhood. In full tourist season, this popular pocket can be hot and crowded. If so, head for pine-clad Philopappou instead.

After another few hundred meters, you’ll reach the old Thissio train station from where you can make out the Temple of Hephaestus (we locals call it Theseus) amid the trees on your right. It’s time to turn right onto Adrianou Street and weave your way into historic Monastiraki, with its tourist shops, antique flea markets, souvlaki joints, and agreeable hustle and bustle.

Continue up Areos Street, then turn left into Dexippou Street, left again into Adrianou, and into Aiolou Street, first weaving around lower Plaka, and then moving uptown towards Syntagma Square.

At the 2.5 kilometers halfway point, you’ll turn right into the busy pedestrian artery of Ermou Street and run uphill past the big international and Greek stores until you reach Syntagma Square.

Cross Syntagma Square and turn left at the Hellenic Parliament which dominates the square. Run up Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, with the National Garden on your right.

At kilometer 3.6, turn right into Irodou Attikou Street and run downhill: along the way, you will pass the Evzones’ boxes where they stand guard. You’ll also see the Maximos Mansion, the seat of the prime minister, and the Presidential Palace. Be sure to keep the National Garden on your right always.

We suggest you continue running around the Zappeion cluster to clock some more city landmarks: you’ll whip past the Fokianos vintage gymnasium, the Zappeion Hall, and the Ethnikos Tennis Club as you move along the newly pedestrianized Vasilissis Olgas Avenue, back towards the Acropolis.

At 5 kilometers from your start, you will reach the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Gates of Hadrian, the most philhellene of Roman emperors. Across the street, Dionysiou Areopagitou beckons, and a couple of hundred meters further along, the Acropolis museum, where you began.

To read this article in full and discover the 10K Athens Riviera Route, please visit: thisisathens.org

Photo Credit: Thomas Gravanis 

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