Athens Old Town: Greek Olive Oil & Herbs Tasting

Athens has a fine way of teaching you about Greece through a small glass, a slice of bread, or in this case, four extra virgin olive oils. This quick tasting takes place at Brettos, the city’s oldest bar, where rows of wine and spirit barrels add plenty of atmosphere before the lesson even starts. I like the historic setting, and I like that an expert explains how the oils differ instead of leaving you to guess. The main catch is the short 20-minute format: one session was reduced to about three minutes when the guest arrived alone.

I also like the simple pairing with Greek herbs, which gives the tasting a useful food angle. You are not only sampling oil but learning how it works with local flavors. A glass of wine is part of the stated experience, though drinks and food are listed separately from the included oil and herb tasting, so check exactly what your booking covers.

Key points at a glance

• Four Greek extra virgin olive oils: Taste several oils side by side and learn to notice their differences.
• Herb pairings: Try Greek herbs with the oils to see how seasoning changes the experience.
• Brettos Bar in Plaka: Meet inside one of Athens’ oldest drinking spots, surrounded by colorful wine and spirit barrels.
• A 20-minute lesson: This is a compact activity that fits neatly between sightseeing stops near the Acropolis.
• English-speaking instruction: The session is designed for English speakers, with time for questions when the group is engaged.
• Optional extra time: Stay after the tasting for drinks and finger food at an additional cost.

Brettos Bar, a colorful start in Plaka

Your meeting point is Brettos Bar in Plaka, Athens’ old town. Look for the bar, then follow the step on the right-hand side and ask for the olive tasting booked in your name. That instruction matters because the tasting may happen in a specific part of the bar rather than at the most obvious table.

Brettos is not a plain classroom. Its walls and shelves are lined with many different barrels of Greek wine and spirits, giving you an immediate sense of place. The setting helps this short activity feel connected to Athens rather than like a generic food sample in a hotel room.

The bar is close to the Acropolis, so you can fit the tasting around major sightseeing. I would place it before or after a visit to the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, or a walk through Plaka. Allow a few extra minutes to find the entrance and settle in, even though the formal tasting itself lasts only 20 minutes.

Four oils, one useful lesson

The main event is a side-by-side tasting of four Greek extra virgin olive oils. That comparison is the point. A single spoonful can tell you that an oil tastes grassy, peppery, mild, fruity, or bitter, but four samples help you notice the range more clearly.

Your English-speaking instructor explains the difference between olive oil, virgin olive oil, and extra virgin olive oil. That basic distinction is useful because many visitors use the terms loosely. Here, the lesson gives you a framework for reading labels and making sense of what you taste.

The session is meant to help you spot differences with an expert’s guidance. You can ask questions and compare impressions as you move from one sample to the next. If you enjoy food markets but often feel unsure what to buy, this is a practical introduction rather than just a quick sip and goodbye.

The experience does not provide a full meal. Think of it as a focused tasting lesson. You are sampling oil with herbs, not sitting down to a broad Greek cooking class or a long lunch.

Greek herbs change the flavor

The oils are paired with some of Greece’s finest local herbs. This adds a helpful second layer because olive oil rarely works alone at the table. Herbs show how the same oil can taste different when joined with another ingredient.

For you, the useful takeaway is not only which oil you prefer. You also get ideas for how Greek seasonings can work with oil in food. The activity does not list a full recipe lesson, but the pairings make the tasting more practical than sampling oil by itself.

The tasting suits curious eaters who want a small connection to Greek food culture. It is also a good choice if you have already spent the morning looking at temples and museums and want something sensory and relaxed. Just keep your expectations in line with the timing. The herb portion is part of a compact lesson, not a long demonstration.

The wine portion needs a booking check

The activity description includes a glass of wine, and the experience is held at a wine and deli cellar. One detailed session included a pleasant glass of white wine, and another included the chance to taste wine as well as olive oil. That makes sense in a bar filled with Greek wine and spirit barrels.

At the same time, the stated inclusions list only the four extra virgin olive oils with Greek herbs, while food and drinks are listed as not included. I would confirm the wine arrangement when booking or before the tasting begins. The exact offering may depend on the package you select.

If wine is included, it gives you a pleasant finish and lets you compare your favorite oil while you relax. If it is not, you can still order drinks or finger food after the lesson, but those cost extra. Brettos’ location makes this easy, since you do not need to move to another restaurant immediately afterward.

How much personal attention should you expect?

The best version of this activity is a small group with an instructor who takes time to answer questions. One session was praised for a friendly host named Irini, who explained the oils carefully and gave the group time to ask questions. That is exactly what you want from a tasting: not a memorized speech, but a conversation that helps you understand what is in the glass.

Group size can affect the quality of the experience. In a lively small group, you may hear other people compare what they taste, which can sharpen your own palate. If you are the only person booked, the session may be much shorter and less interactive. One solo participant received the four oils, heard a talk of roughly three minutes, and then was left with a very good glass of white wine.

That does not make a private tasting automatically bad, but it does show the risk of a fixed 20-minute activity. If you want a detailed lesson, ask questions early and clearly. If the host moves quickly, say that you would like to compare the oils or learn more about the herb pairings.

The value of 23 dollars and 20 minutes

At $23 per person, this is priced as a short specialty tasting rather than a meal. The value depends on what you want from your Athens day. Four oils, guided instruction, and a historic bar setting can make the price reasonable if you are interested in Greek food and want a compact activity.

The timing is especially useful. You do not need to reserve half a day, arrange transport, or travel outside central Athens. The bar is in Plaka and close to the Acropolis, so you can add the experience to a sightseeing plan without giving up a major part of your afternoon.

On the other hand, 20 minutes is not much time. If the wine is not included in your package, the price buys a tasting lesson rather than a drink-centered outing. You should not book this expecting a full meal, a long wine class, or a detailed cooking workshop.

I see the strongest value for someone who enjoys small, local food experiences and wants to learn something they can use later. If you are mainly looking for a place to sit with a glass of wine, you may prefer to visit Brettos separately and spend more time at the bar.

Where this fits in an Athens day

Plaka is one of the easiest areas in Athens for combining sights, food, and short activities. You can schedule this tasting around a walk through the old town and then continue toward the Acropolis. Its central position also means you can make a quick stop instead of arranging a special journey.

I would avoid booking it at the exact end of a tight sightseeing schedule. The tasting is short, but finding Brettos, locating the correct step, and getting settled still takes a little attention. Give yourself a cushion, especially if you are walking from another part of central Athens.

The activity works well in several kinds of itineraries:

• Pair it with an Acropolis visit if you want a food stop nearby.
• Place it between museum visits for a change of pace.
• Use it as a relaxed introduction to Greek ingredients early in your trip.
• Schedule it before an evening meal if you want ideas for how olive oil and herbs fit into Greek cooking.

You do not need hotel transfer. The meeting point is Brettos Bar, and you make your own way there.

Who will enjoy this tasting most?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a gentle introduction to Greek olive oil without committing to a long class. It also suits couples, food-focused visitors, and anyone who enjoys learning the story behind familiar ingredients.

Families may find the short length convenient, though the data does not specify a minimum age or child policy. Wine is part of the described experience, so check the booking details if children are joining you.

This is also a good choice for people who like structured tastings but do not want a large production. The most positive sessions had a friendly host, clear explanations, four oils, herb combinations, and time for questions. That is a lot of useful information in a small package when the session is handled well.

I would be more cautious if you want a guaranteed long conversation or a full food spread. The experience can feel brief, particularly when only one person is booked. The listed rating of 4.2 from 41 reviews suggests generally good results, but not a uniform experience for every booking.

Small practical details that matter

Book with the flexible cancellation option if your Athens schedule is still shifting. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at once.

The instruction language is English. The listed duration is 20 minutes, with starting times based on availability. The activity provider is Brettos Plaka, Wine & Deli Cellar.

Food and drinks beyond the stated tasting are not included. If you want finger food or additional drinks, plan to pay extra. You can stay longer after the lesson, which is useful if the bar appeals to you and you are not in a hurry.

The most important tip is simple: find Brettos, use the step on the right, and ask for the olive tasting booked in your name. Once inside, tell the host if you want more detail. The compact format rewards an interested participant.

Should you book the Athens olive oil tasting?

Book it if you want a short, central Athens activity with a real food focus. The four-oil comparison and herb pairings give you more to take home than a single sample, and Brettos adds a memorable old-town setting. The $23 price is fair for a 20-minute lesson if the wine arrangement matches your expectations.

Skip it if you want a full meal, a long class, or a guaranteed private conversation with an instructor. The experience can be excellent when the host takes time, as Irini did in one detailed session, but a solo booking may move very quickly.

For most food-curious visitors already exploring Plaka, I would book it as a compact add-on, not as a major Athens attraction. Confirm whether the glass of wine is included, arrive ready to ask questions, and treat the tasting as a useful pause between the Acropolis and the next plate of Greek food.

FAQ

Where does the olive oil tasting take place?

It takes place at Brettos Bar in Plaka, the old town of Athens. The bar is close to the Acropolis.

How do I find the meeting point?

Find Brettos Bar, follow the step on the right-hand side, and ask for the olive tasting booked in your name.

How long does the activity last?

The scheduled duration is 20 minutes.

How many olive oils do I taste?

You taste four different types of Greek extra virgin olive oil.

Are Greek herbs part of the tasting?

Yes. The four oils are tasted together with Greek herbs, and the instructor explains how the herbs pair with olive oil.

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes. The instructor language is English.

Is wine included?

A glass of wine is described as part of the activity, but the listed inclusions only specify the four oils and Greek herbs. Confirm the wine arrangement for your booking.

Can I order more food or drinks afterward?

Yes. You can stay longer at the bar and enjoy drinks and finger food, but these cost extra.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.