Athens Old Town: Greek Olive Oil & Herbs Tasting

Olive oil tastes better with a little guidance. This quick Plaka tasting takes you into Brettos, Athens’ oldest bar, where an English-speaking expert helps you compare four Greek extra virgin olive oils with local herbs. I like the short 20-minute format, which fits neatly between sightseeing stops, and I like the setting, with its rows of colorful wine and spirit barrels. The main point to consider is the brief running time: if you want a long food lesson, this may feel rushed.

The experience costs $23 per person and takes place close to the Acropolis. I especially like that you are not just handed four oils and left to guess the difference. You are shown how to taste them and how herbs change the experience. Still, the quality may depend on the person leading the session. Irini, one host, has been praised for taking time with questions, while one solo participant received only a very short explanation.

Key points to know before booking

• Four Greek extra virgin olive oils: You compare four oils rather than sampling just one house favorite.
• Herb pairings included: Local Greek herbs show how aroma and flavor change when combined with olive oil.
• Brettos Bar setting: The tasting happens inside a famous old Plaka bar lined with barrels of Greek wine and spirits.
• Only 20 minutes: This is a compact lesson, useful before or after a visit to the Acropolis.
• Wine details need checking: A glass of wine is described as part of the experience, but food and drinks are also listed as extra costs.
• Easy central meeting point: Find Brettos, use the steps on the right-hand side, and ask for the olive tasting booked in your name.

Four oils in the heart of Plaka

This experience begins in Athens’ old town, Plaka, one of the most convenient areas for a short tasting stop. The meeting point is Brettos Bar, described as the oldest bar in Athens. It is close to the Acropolis, so you can fit the activity around major sightseeing without arranging a separate transfer.

Finding the exact entrance matters. Once you reach Brettos, follow the steps on the right-hand side and ask for the olive tasting booked in your name. You do not need a hotel pickup, and no transfer is included, so plan to reach the bar under your own steam.

Inside, the setting does much of the work. Brettos is known for its many wooden barrels holding Greek wine and spirits. That gives the tasting a sense of place that a plain shop counter would not provide. You are not tasting olive oil in an anonymous conference room. You are doing it in a working bar and deli cellar in the middle of old Athens.

The central activity is a comparison of four Greek extra virgin olive oils. The expert pours the oils for you and helps point out the differences. The point is not simply to decide which one tastes best. It is to notice how each oil smells, feels, and finishes on the palate.

That distinction is useful when you shop for olive oil later. Bottles labeled virgin olive oil and extra virgin olive oil are not automatically interchangeable, and the session aims to explain the difference between olive oil, virgin olive oil, and extra virgin olive oil. In only 20 minutes, you get a practical introduction rather than a full agricultural or culinary course.

How the herb pairings change the tasting

Olive oil can taste sharp, grassy, mild, peppery, or fruity. Tasting it alone gives you one impression. Adding herbs gives you a second way to understand how it might work in Greek cooking.

The experience includes some of the finest Greek herbs, paired with the oils. You learn which combinations work well and how the herbs affect the taste. This is one of the more useful parts for anyone who plans to cook at home, since herbs turn a basic oil tasting into a lesson in everyday food.

I would pay attention to the pairing method rather than rushing to name a favorite oil. Try to notice whether an herb makes an oil seem softer, stronger, fresher, or more savory. The expert is there to help you spot these changes, which can be difficult if you have never tasted olive oil in a structured way.

The short format means you should keep your expectations sensible. This is not a full meal, and the included portion is the oil and herb tasting. Finger food and additional drinks can be enjoyed at Brettos afterward for an extra cost. If you arrive hungry, do not assume the tasting will replace lunch.

What the 20-minute lesson feels like

The advertised duration is 20 minutes. That makes this a useful add-on to an Athens day, especially if your schedule already includes the Acropolis, Plaka streets, or nearby museums.

A typical session moves quickly. You arrive at Brettos, check in at the steps on the right, and meet the person handling the tasting. Four oils are poured, the expert explains what to look for, and the herbs are tasted alongside them. A glass of wine is also described as part of the activity, although the formal details list only the oils and herbs as included.

That small mismatch is worth noting. The description presents a glass of wine as part of the experience, while the extra-cost information says food and drinks are not included. If the wine is important to you, ask Brettos to confirm exactly what your $23 covers before booking. You can still stay longer for drinks and finger food if you wish, but those cost extra.

The pace can vary. One participant who was alone at the session described a very brief explanation of about three minutes before being left with a glass of white wine. That suggests the experience may feel thin if demand is low or the host treats it as a quick pour rather than a lesson.

On the other hand, Irini received strong praise for taking her time, explaining the oils, answering questions, and offering different combinations. The best way to get value from the session is to ask questions. Ask what makes one oil extra virgin, how to use each oil, and which herb pairing the host prefers. A quiet group can work in your favor if the host is willing to talk.

Brettos Bar gives the tasting its character

The venue is not a minor detail. Brettos is part of the appeal because the bar’s wine and spirit barrels create an atmospheric backdrop for Greek food and drink.

You can look around before or after the tasting, but the activity itself is focused on the oils and herbs. Do not expect a guided walking tour of Plaka or a history lecture about Brettos. The old town location simply makes the tasting easy to combine with other plans.

I like this kind of stop because it asks little from your schedule. Athens sightseeing can involve long stretches on foot, heat, crowds, and plenty of ancient stone. A brief seated tasting gives you a change of pace without taking half a day.

The trade-off is that you do not get a full market visit, farm visit, cooking class, or formal meal. If you want to see where olives are grown or learn how oil is produced from harvest to pressing, this session is too limited. It gives you a first taste of the subject, not the whole story.

The value of $23 per person

At $23, this is reasonably priced if you want a focused introduction and a pleasant stop in central Athens. The cost covers access to four oils, the herb tasting, and expert guidance. The value rises if you use the lesson to understand what you are tasting rather than simply swallowing four samples.

The price is less attractive if you expect substantial food, a long wine tasting, or a full hour of instruction. Food and additional drinks are not included, and staying at the bar afterward adds to the bill. The activity works best as a small experience between larger plans, not as the main culinary event of your day.

I would also compare the price with your interest level. If you already know Greek olive oils well, four samples in 20 minutes may not offer much new information. If you usually buy olive oil by reading only the front label, the expert explanation can make the fee worthwhile.

The presence of a glass of wine may add to the value, but because the inclusion details are not perfectly clear, confirm this first. You should not book on the assumption that a full wine tasting or food plate comes with the base price.

What the strongest hosting can add

The most positive experience comes from a host who treats the session as a conversation. Irini was praised for being friendly, explaining the four oils carefully, answering questions, and allowing time to enjoy a favorite oil with wine.

That matters because olive oil tasting can feel technical at first. You may notice bitterness or pepper but not know if those qualities are good or bad. A good host gives those sensations a meaning and helps you connect them with how the oil could be used.

The session is conducted in English. The listed instructor language is English, so you should be comfortable following a short explanation in that language. There is no indication of other languages being offered.

The group size may be small, but it is not promised as a private session. A small group can mean more time to ask questions. A solo appointment can also be less engaging if the explanation is delivered too quickly. I would treat the host as an important part of the experience and arrive ready to participate rather than wait silently for a formal presentation.

Who should book this Athens tasting

I would recommend this activity to you if you want a short, low-effort food experience in a central location. It suits first-time visitors who are curious about Greek ingredients but do not want to commit to a long cooking class.

It is also a good fit if you are already planning to visit the Acropolis or walk through Plaka. The location makes it easy to place before or after those sights. The 20-minute length leaves plenty of room for your main sightseeing plans.

You may also enjoy it if you like buying local food products during a trip. The lesson gives you a better vocabulary for comparing oils and understanding how herbs can be used with them.

I would be more cautious if you need a substantial meal, dislike alcohol-related settings, or want detailed production information. Brettos is a bar, and the experience centers on tasting rather than cooking or visiting an olive farm.

Families can decide based on the age and interests of their children, but the provided details do not specify child pricing or a special children’s format. The same applies to accessibility information, which is not provided. If either point matters for your booking, ask before reserving.

Practical timing and booking advice

The activity has starting times that vary by availability. Since it lasts only 20 minutes, you can place it into a flexible part of your day, but leave enough time to find Brettos in Plaka and check in at the right-hand steps.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Athens schedule is still changing.

I would not schedule it so tightly that you arrive seconds before the start. The meeting instructions are simple, but Plaka’s lanes can be confusing, and the tasting is short enough that a late arrival could take away a large part of the lesson.

Afterward, you can remain at Brettos for drinks and finger food at an additional cost. This gives you the option to turn a 20-minute stop into a more relaxed break, but you are free to leave once the tasting ends.

Is the Greek olive oil tasting worth booking?

Book it if you want four Greek extra virgin olive oils, local herbs, and a central Plaka setting in a compact format. The $23 price is fair for a short introduction, especially when the host takes time to explain the differences and answer questions.

Skip it if you are looking for a full meal, a long class, or a detailed look at olive growing and production. Before paying, confirm whether the glass of wine is included, since the activity description and inclusion details are not fully consistent.

My practical call: this is a pleasant small stop for curious food lovers, especially when paired with a day in Plaka or at the Acropolis. Go in expecting a quick tasting, ask questions, and judge the value by the quality of the explanation, not by the amount of 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, then follow the steps on the right-hand side. Ask for the olive tasting booked in your name.

How long does the experience 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 tasting includes Greek herbs paired with the olive oils.

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes. The listed instructor language is English.

Is a glass of wine included?

A glass of wine is described as part of the activity, but the formal inclusion details list only the four olive oils and Greek herbs. Food and drinks are also marked as not included, so confirm the wine details before booking.

Can I order food or more drinks afterward?

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

Is hotel transfer included?

No. Hotel transfer is not included, so you must make your own way to Brettos.

Can I cancel the booking?

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