Best Street Art Athens Greece: Cool Graffiti Art, Murals and More

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Why You Should Take an Athens Street Art Tour

There are a lot of practical reasons to take a Street art tour in Athens. First, a lot of the best art Athens has is located in non-touristy, industrial areas that can be hard to find on your own. Also, going with a guide will give you context. A lot of street art in Athens is politically motivated. It was nice to have a guide explain the political and economic tensions that have been going on in Greece for the past few decades. But best of all, your guide will make sure you see all the best works of art in downtown Athens, Greece. From Athens graffiti to large murals, stencils, and more, you’ll see all the best street art in Athens, Greece.

Taking a street art tour is also a great activity if you plan to visit Athens as a solo traveler. Walking tours like this are a great way to get the layout of the city and learn a few tips from an experienced guide.

street art of smiling faces of men and women on a building — *Untitled* by Alexandros Vasmoulakis in Psyrri, Athens

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Personally, I think this incredible art scene is better than anything you’ll see in some stuffy fine arts gallery. You’ll also learn about all the top graffiti artists and Greek street artists, and the long history of public art. Bottom line, get a guide.

African street art in Athens — Artist unknown

Which Greek Street Art Walking Tour Should I Take?

I highly recommend this amazing street art walking tour. It’s operated by Alternative Athens and offers a small group setting of no more than 12 people. When I took my tour there were only 2 of us, which guaranteed a great experience with lots of personal attention. Our guide explained a lot of the history of the city, local politics, and the artists behind the amazing works of art. We also had plenty of opportunities to snap great photos for Instagram.

On this 3-hour tour, you’ll travel through industrial areas, and old parts of the city to see the best street art in Athens with your street artist guide. We even had a little time for breaks to use the restroom and get a cup of coffee.

For those of you with mobility issues, you’ll be happy to know the tour was along paved streets and sidewalks with minimal hills and no stairs.

When possible in this post I’ve credited the artists. For some of the works, I, unfortunately, do not have names. If you happen to know one of the artists I missed, please add it to the comments below so I can properly credit them.

Zeus with Grapes street art in Athens — Zeus with grapes by Antonis Hambas

Why Is There So Much Graffiti in Athens?

You may notice there’s a lot of graffiti in Greece. In fact, Athens has some of the most graffiti of any city worldwide. Many say this is due to the high youth unemployment rate combined with periods of economic and political unrest and the city’s law enforcement being stretched too thin to do much about it.

Regardless, many people think Athens’ graffiti problem isn’t really a problem at all. It’s an art movement. In fact, Athens has some of the most amazing graffiti you’ll ever see. It’s not just vandalism. The street art scene is filled with deeper meanings and isn’t just relegated to simple tagging.

Ino Street art of two business men in Athens Greece — Street Art in Athens Greece by Ino

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The Best Street Art in Downtown Athens and Who Is Ino?

Ino is the best-known (or unknown) artist in the Athens street art scene. While his large-scale murals can be seen all over Athens, often commissioned by the owners of these buildings, his true identity remains unknown.

Mona Lisa Eyes by Ino — Da Vinci Inspired Mural by Ino

girl with bird by Ino — *Freedom for Sale* by Ino

street art by Ino a faceless busness man clenches his fists as money flies away — *Snowblind* by Ino

street art by Ino a woman pulls a ski mask over her face — Apocalypse Now by Ino

Some of My Other Favorite Street Art in Athens

Street art of a car on fire with the text "Light Your Future Bright" — *Light Your Future Bright* by Barba Dee

Street art in Athens by Leonidas Gianna Kopolous — Art by Leonidas Gianna Kopoulos

street art in Athens Parrot by @Mite.Art — Art by @mite.art

street art by Kez in Athens — *Zero Stigma* by Kez

Street Art Athens "Loser" sign — Artist unknown

Best Street Art Athens by Simoni Fontana — Art by Simoni Fontana, the queen of Greek street art.

street Art Athens Greece — Artist unknown

composer Mikis Theodorakis by Hambas — Composer *Mikis Theodorakis* by Hambas

Graffiti Athens by Birdcap — Art by Birdcap

Impressionist woman Greek Street Art — Artist unknown

Small Street Art Athens — Artist unknown

street art in Athens by Vasmou — *Untitled* by Alexandros Vasmoulakis aka Vasmou

athens graffiti artists silver faces — Artist unknown

WD (Wild Drawing) Balinese Street Artist

Streets graffiti in Athens — Art by Billy Gee

Access Control Street Art Athens — *Access Control* by Ino

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Still Want to Explore Athens Street Art on Your Own?

There are a few great neighborhoods for spotting some of the most amazing street art.

Exarchia: Exachia is home to a bevy of politically motivated street art, particularly on Tzavella Street. The area is also home to multiple coffee shops, street food carts, and taverns. It is well worth taking the time to Explore Exarchia, Athens’ Alternative District.

Gazi: An area best known for its cultural center, leather tanneries, and the Pavlidis Chocolate Factory on Pireos Street. The old tram depot has one of Ino’s best pieces, “Last Supper In Athens.”

Last Supper in Athens by Ino — Ino’s Last Supper in Athens

Omonia: This is home to the oldest square in Athens, Omonia is also a great location to check out some amazing street art. It’s home to works like “He Is Praying For Us” by Tsankanos, as well as Ino’s “Snowblind.”

Street art Prayer Hands - He Is Praying For Us — *He is Praying for Us by Pavlos Tsankonas*

Metaxourgio: an area redeveloped at the end of the 19th century, Metaxourgio is home to The Little Paris Art Festival. Top Murals in this neighborhood include “Knowlege Speaks, Wisdom Listens” by artist Wild Drawing and “So Many Books, so Little Time” by Simpleg.

Psirri: Psirri Athens street art is a popping scene. It’s also a nightlife hub and home to one of my favorite pieces, “All Dogs Go to Heaven” a portrait of canine Loukaniko, a dog who famously showed up repeatedly at demonstrations during the time of Greece’s debt crisis and became a symbol of rebellion and freedom.

The Psyrri neighborhood is found opposite Monastiraki on Ermou Street Athens.