Athens Old Town: Greek Olive Oil & Herbs Tasting

The clever part of this Athens tasting is its setting: you step into Brettos, the city’s oldest bar, with rows of colorful barrels around you, then learn to tell four Greek extra virgin olive oils apart. It is a quick lesson in one of Greece’s most important foods, not just a snack stop.

I like the small-scale format and the chance to pair oil with Greek herbs rather than tasting oil on its own. I also like the glass of wine at the end, especially since you can stay for more drinks or finger food if you want. The drawback is clear: at only 20 minutes, the experience can feel rushed, particularly if you arrive alone or expect a full food tour.

Key points to know

• Four oils in 20 minutes: You taste four Greek extra virgin olive oils and compare their differences with an English-speaking guide.
• Brettos Bar setting: The tasting takes place at Athens’ oldest bar in Plaka, close to the Acropolis and surrounded by wine and spirit barrels.
• Herb pairings: Local Greek herbs help show how olive oil works with other familiar flavors.
• Wine included: You receive a glass of wine during the session, though extra drinks and finger food cost more.
• Guide quality can shape the visit: Irini has been praised for taking time with questions and explaining the oils carefully.
• Useful for a short break: At $23 per person, it works best as a compact Plaka activity rather than a full meal or long culinary tour.

What this Plaka olive oil tasting really offers

I see this experience as a short food lesson with a drink, set inside a memorable old-town bar. You are not signing up for a long cooking class, a market walk, or a full Greek meal. You are paying for a focused introduction to olive oil, herbs, and wine in central Athens.

The session centers on four types of Greek extra virgin olive oil. A local English-speaking guide helps you compare them and explains the difference between olive oil, virgin olive oil, and extra virgin olive oil. That basic vocabulary is useful because menus and food shops across Greece use these terms often, and they do not all mean the same thing.

The tasting also gives you a practical way to think about oil. Instead of treating every bottle as interchangeable, you consider differences in flavor and how each oil works with herbs. The supplied information does not list the exact olive varieties or regions, so you should not expect a detailed tour of every producing area in Greece. The focus is on tasting and simple instruction.

At $23, the price makes sense if you want a structured introduction and a drink in a distinctive place. It makes less sense if you mainly want a large serving of food. The included tasting is oil and herbs, not lunch, and food and additional drinks are extra.

Entering Brettos, Athens’ oldest bar

Your meeting point is Brettos Bar in Plaka, the old town area below the Acropolis. Find the bar, follow the steps on the right-hand side, and ask for the olive tasting booked in your name.

The setting is a major part of the appeal. Brettos is known here as the oldest bar in Athens, and its interior includes many barrels of Greek wine and spirits. That gives the tasting more character than a plain room with a row of sample cups. You are already in one of the city’s most atmospheric areas before the lesson begins.

I like this location for practical reasons, too. It is in the heart of Plaka and very close to the Acropolis, so you can fit the tasting around sightseeing. You do not need a separate transfer from your hotel, and the activity does not include one. Plan to make your own way to the bar.

Because the meeting point is inside a working bar, you should pay attention to the directions. Do not simply wait outside and assume the activity will find you. Go in, use the steps on the right, and identify yourself by the name on the booking.

Four oils, herbs, and a glass of wine

The main tasting includes four Greek extra virgin olive oils. Your guide pours the oils and helps you notice how they differ. The details supplied for this experience do not specify the individual labels, regions, or olive types, so I would treat the session as a beginner-friendly comparison rather than a technical certification class.

You also taste Greek herbs with the oils. This is a useful touch because it turns the lesson toward everyday eating. You are not only asked to sample oil and judge it; you get a sense of how herbs can change the experience and work alongside the oil.

A glass of wine is part of the session. One particularly positive account describes a very good glass of white wine, enjoyed after the oil tasting with a favorite oil. That gives you a relaxed finish rather than ending immediately after the last sample.

The order matters. First, you learn the basic terms. Then you taste the oils and herbs. Finally, you can settle in with wine. In a 20-minute session, that sequence keeps things simple, though it leaves little room for a long conversation.

Why the guide matters in a 20-minute session

A short tasting depends heavily on the person leading it. A good guide can turn four pours into a clear lesson. A rushed guide can make the same activity feel like four samples placed in front of you.

Irini has received especially strong praise for being friendly, explaining the oils carefully, and taking time to answer questions. If she is leading your session, ask about the differences you notice instead of quietly tasting and moving on. The best use of your limited time is to ask direct questions about flavor, herb pairings, and the terms extra virgin and virgin olive oil.

The English instruction is useful for visitors who want a straightforward explanation without needing specialist food vocabulary. Still, the experience is not presented as a long lecture. You should expect a fast learning masterclass, not an hour-long seminar.

There is also a real variation in how personal the session may feel. A private or very small group can give you more room to ask questions. One account describes a solo booking where the explanation lasted only a few minutes before the participant was left with the wine. That is the main warning to keep in mind. The quality may depend on group size, timing, and who is available to lead the tasting.

Making the most of twenty minutes

You will get more from this activity if you arrive ready to taste actively. Pay attention to the differences between the oils instead of treating them as simple dips. Notice what changes when herbs are added, and ask the guide to explain why one pairing works better than another.

I would also arrive with a clear idea of what you want from the session. If you want a fast introduction before dinner, 20 minutes is enough. If you want a long food conversation, detailed regional background, or several dishes, this activity will feel too brief.

The short duration can be a benefit in Plaka. Athens sightseeing often involves heat, hills, crowded lanes, and long museum visits. A compact stop gives you a chance to sit, taste something local, and have wine without giving up half a day.

It also fits neatly before or after a visit near the Acropolis. The bar is close to the monument, and the activity requires no transport arranged by the provider. Just leave enough time to find Brettos and reach the correct steps inside.

Staying for drinks and finger food

The booked activity includes the four olive oils and Greek herbs. Food and drinks beyond the stated tasting are not included, although you can remain at the bar afterward for additional drinks and finger food at your own cost.

That option improves the value for some people. You can begin with the formal tasting, then turn it into a longer aperitif if the setting suits you. The wine included in the activity gives you a starting point, while extra orders let you decide how much more you want to spend.

I would not book this expecting a complete meal. The supplied details do not promise a menu, a substantial plate, or a fixed food pairing. Think of the finger food as an optional add-on, not part of the core price.

The bar setting may suit couples, friends, and solo visitors who want a drink with a little context. It may be less suitable for anyone looking for a quiet, formal tasting room. Brettos is a bar first, and the atmosphere is part of the experience.

Is $23 good value?

At $23 per person, you are paying for four oil samples, herb pairings, instruction in English, a glass of wine, and the location. That is fair value if you care about Greek food and want a compact activity near major sights.

The cost becomes less attractive if you measure value by quantity. You do not receive hotel transfer, a full meal, or unlimited drinks. Extra food and drinks cost more, so set a spending limit before you decide to stay.

I especially like the value for a first visit to Greece. Olive oil appears at breakfast tables, tavernas, bakeries, salads, and food shops, yet many people use the words extra virgin and virgin without knowing the difference. This tasting gives you a basic framework you can use during the rest of your trip.

The rating of 4.2 from 41 ratings suggests a generally positive experience with some unevenness. The strongest results seem to come when the guide takes time to explain and answer questions. The weakest point is the possibility of a very brief explanation if the session is lightly attended or handled quickly.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to anyone who likes food lessons but does not want to commit to a long class. It suits couples, small groups, and solo visitors who have a spare 20 minutes in Plaka. It is also a handy choice if you want something relaxing between sightseeing stops.

It works particularly well for:

• First-time visitors who want to understand Greek olive oil
• Food-focused visitors who enjoy tasting rather than just eating
• People staying or sightseeing near Plaka and the Acropolis
• Anyone who wants a glass of wine in an unusual old-town bar
• Visitors with a short schedule

I would think twice if you want a substantial meal, a long guided visit, or detailed information about Greek olive-growing regions. You should also be comfortable with the possibility that the presentation may be very short. If you want a more personal session, ask questions early and make use of the guide while the tasting is underway.

Practical details before you go

The activity lasts 20 minutes, with starting times subject to availability. The instruction is in English. You meet at Brettos Bar rather than receiving hotel pickup, and you need to find the steps on the right-hand side inside the bar.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans change: you can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Athens schedule.

The price is listed at $23 per person. The included portion is the tasting of four extra virgin olive oils with Greek herbs. The glass of wine is described as part of what you taste during the session, while additional food and drinks cost extra.

I would place this activity on a day when you are already in central Athens. It is not worth arranging a long cross-city trip for 20 minutes, but it is easy to add when you are exploring Plaka or visiting the Acropolis area.

Should you book the olive oil tasting?

Book it if you want a short, local food experience in a memorable bar and you are happy with a light tasting rather than a meal. The four oils, Greek herbs, wine, and central Plaka location make it a sensible small addition to an Athens day.

Skip it if you need a long class, guaranteed personal attention, or a filling food stop. The best version depends on the guide and the pace, so arrive prepared to ask questions. For $23, I see it as a pleasant introduction to Greek olive oil, with the historic Brettos setting doing almost as much work as the tasting itself.

FAQ

Where does the olive oil tasting take place?

It takes place at Brettos Bar in Plaka, Athens’ old town. The bar is described as the oldest bar in Athens and is close to the Acropolis.

How long does the activity last?

The tasting lasts 20 minutes.

How many olive oils will I taste?

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

Are Greek herbs included?

Yes. The four olive oils are tasted together with Greek herbs.

Is wine included?

A glass of wine is included as part of the tasting experience. Additional drinks cost extra.

Is food included?

Food is not included in the booked activity. You can stay afterward for finger food, but it costs extra.

What language is the instruction in?

The instructor leads the activity in English.

Is hotel transfer provided?

No. Hotel transfer is not included. You need to make your own way to Brettos Bar and ask for the olive tasting booked in your name.