Four olive oils, one quick lesson. This Athens Old Town stop turns Plaka wandering into a focused extra virgin olive oil tasting with Greek herbs, plus a glass of wine, guided by an English instructor. I like the straightforward format—taste 4 different EVOOs side by side—and I like that you also learn how herbs pair with olive oil, not just how to say the right words. The only drawback: it’s designed as a 20-minute masterclass, so there may be less time for extra questions if the group is very small.

In practice, the experience starts with an easy walk through Plaka to Brettos, the old bar known for barrels of Greek wine and spirits. If your time slot is light, you might be the only person, which can make the tasting feel more like a quick, efficient run than a long talk (though your drink can still be great). Either way, you’re right in the center of Athens old streets, very close to the Acropolis.

After the formal tasting, you can stay longer at an extra cost for drinks and finger food—handy if you want your olive oil lesson to turn into a relaxed stop. Just note that hotel transfer and food/drinks beyond the included tasting aren’t part of the $23 price.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• Four EVOO tastings in one short session, with help spotting differences
• Greek herb pairing so you understand what works with olive oil
• Wine included to finish your round of flavors
• Brettos Bar location in Plaka, near the Acropolis and easy to combine with sightseeing
• A real host matters, and Irini in particular was praised for taking time and answering questions

Plaka to Brettos: the convenient Athens base

This experience is built for people who want something smart and local without adding stress to their day. You’ll meet at Brettos Bar, the oldest bar of Athens, in Plaka—walkable, central, and close to the Acropolis area.

What makes this start feel good is the setting. You’re not stuck in a generic tasting room; Brettos is known for visible barrels of Greek wine and spirits, which sets the mood that you’re learning flavors tied to real places and real products. When a tasting starts in a lived-in bar environment, it tends to feel less like a lecture and more like food-and-drink culture.

You’ll also want to plan for the “find us fast” part. The directions are simple: look for Brettos Bar, then follow the step on the right side and ask for Olive Tasting Booked in your name. That’s helpful because you’ll be in a crowded old-town area where a clear cue saves time.

The 20-minute EVOO showdown: what you taste and why it works

At the heart of the activity is the point of the whole thing: tasting four types of Greek extra virgin olive oil. You’ll sample them with an expert who helps you spot differences, so it’s not just drinking oil and hoping it makes sense.

Why this format is such good value: olive oil is one of those products that sounds simple until you taste variations. In a short, guided sequence, you get enough repetition to notice differences, but you don’t lose your morning or afternoon to a long class. At $23 per person for 20 minutes, the best way to judge value is whether you’re buying guidance and comparisons—not just a few sips.

You also get the learning component baked in. The session covers the basics of olive oil, virgin olive oil, and extra virgin olive oil, so you leave with a clearer idea of what people mean when they talk about grades. Even if you never become an olive oil nerd, you’ll be better equipped to choose what you want to buy at shops back home or during future trips.

Greek herbs with olive oil: the pairing lesson you can use

The tasting isn’t only about olive oil by itself. You’ll also taste Greek herbs and learn how they go with olive oil. That matters because herbs are where olive oil turns from a product to a flavor system. In other words: olive oil isn’t just for bread—it’s part of how Greeks build simple, everyday taste.

This is also where the host’s approach can really change your experience. Some tastings speed through the “differences” part and skip the practical pairing. Here, the pairing is explicit: you’ll taste herbs alongside the oils and get help understanding the combinations.

And this is one of the most praised parts of the experience. A host named Irini was highlighted for being both friendly and knowledgeable, taking time to explain, and answering questions. If you enjoy asking “why does this work?” type questions, this format is built for you.

Wine at Brettos: a smooth finish, not the main event

You’ll enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the tasting. Wine is a nice closer because it gives your taste buds something else to anchor to after you’ve been comparing olive oil and herbs.

One review specifically mentioned white wine, so it’s reasonable to expect that at least some sessions finish with white. Since the session is only 20 minutes, the wine portion is best thought of as part of the tasting arc, not a full wine lesson.

If your goal is relaxation, this final glass helps. You’re not rushing off immediately after the tasting; you get to sit with your favorite oil and enjoy the drink that matches the vibe of Brettos.

Where you are in Athens while this happens

You’re in Plaka, which means you’re surrounded by the kind of streets where you can fill time easily before or after your slot. The activity starts at Brettos, and you’re close to the Acropolis, so you can pair this with a sightseeing route without a lot of transportation planning.

One practical advantage: the experience is short. That’s ideal for Athens days where you want one “structured” activity but still want freedom to roam. If you’re planning a longer day, this timing also helps you avoid choosing something that eats half your afternoon.

What’s included (and what you’ll pay extra for)

Included in the price:

• Tasting of 4 extra virgin olive oils
• Tasting with Greek herbs
• A glass of wine

Not included:

• Hotel transfer
• Food and drinks beyond what’s included in the tasting

This distinction matters for value. If you expect a full meal, you’ll be disappointed. If you want a focused flavor lesson and then maybe a longer drink stop, the design makes sense.

After the tasting, you can stay longer and enjoy drinks and finger food if you like, but that’s at an extra cost. So think of the booking as the short guided part of your visit, with optional add-ons if you’re still in the mood.

Price and value: $23 for a focused flavor education

For $23 per person and 20 minutes, you’re paying for three things:

1) guided help to compare four EVOOs

2) the herb pairing portion

3) included wine

If you’ve ever done food tours that take 2–3 hours, you know the time cost is the main hidden expense. Here, the time is controlled. The biggest question for value is whether you’re the type who likes bite-sized learning you can carry into shopping and cooking later.

Also, the location is part of the value. Being in central Plaka near the Acropolis means you’re not paying for a transfer or losing time to long travel across Athens.

The one caveat is that a very short session can mean less dialogue. In a case where someone is the only attendee, the tasting explanation may move faster and the story length can be shorter. That doesn’t remove the tasting itself, but it changes the “tour guide experience” side.

Instructor-led tasting: English and the difference a host makes

The instructor is listed as English, which is a big plus if you want to ask questions about what you’re tasting. A tasting works best when you can connect the flavors to something you can remember later, like why one oil tastes sharper or how herbs change the impression.

While you can’t predict every detail of how the host runs your session, reviews give you a strong clue about what stands out: careful explanations and lots of helpful answers. Irini was specifically mentioned for being very nice, very knowledgeable, and for taking her time to explain differences and pairings.

So if you care about learning more than just “tasting,” choose a time slot where you’re not rushing right after. That way, even with a short masterclass, you’ll be in a better mood to absorb.

Making the most of your visit: simple, practical tips

First, arrive with a small plan. Plaka streets can be lively, and you’ll want to hit Brettos right on time so your 20 minutes doesn’t shrink.

Second, keep expectations aligned: this is a fast learning masterclass, not a long workshop. If your idea of a perfect tour includes a lot of back-and-forth discussion for an hour, this may feel tight. But if you want a smart sampler with guidance, it’s a good match.

Third, think like a buyer. After tasting multiple EVOOs and herbs, you’ll be better at recognizing what you like. Then you can use that taste memory later when you’re looking at olive oil bottles in shops.

Finally, don’t forget the option to stay. If the wine and finger food sound appealing after, you can extend the experience informally at Brettos, using the tasting as your warm-up.

Who should book this olive oil and herb tasting?

This activity fits best if you:

• want a short Athens activity that still feels meaningful
• like food and drink learning you can do while walking around
• want a guided comparison of four extra virgin olive oils
• enjoy herb-and-oil pairings more than just tasting oils alone

It’s also good if you’re near the Acropolis and want a central stop that doesn’t require logistics like transfers. If you’re traveling solo or in a very small group, you may still get a great tasting experience—just know the pace of explanation may compress depending on attendance.

Should you book Athens Old Town Greek Olive Oil & Herbs Tasting?

Book it if you want a high-efficiency, guided olive oil experience in Plaka. For $23 and 20 minutes, you get a structured comparison of four EVOOs, herb pairing guidance, and a glass of wine—all in a setting tied to Athens bar culture at Brettos near the Acropolis. It’s the kind of stop that makes your later olive oil purchases smarter.

Skip it if you’re craving a long sit-down lesson, lots of extended conversation, or a meal included in the price. This is short on purpose, and food beyond the tasting is extra.

FAQ

Where does the tasting take place?

You meet at Brettos Bar, the oldest bar of Athens, in Plaka. Follow the step on the right hand side and ask for the Olive Tasting Booked in your name.

How long is the experience?

The tasting lasts 20 minutes.

What is the price?

The price is $23 per person.

What do I taste during the session?

You taste four types of Greek extra virgin olive oil and also Greek herbs.

Is there wine included?

Yes. You enjoy a glass of wine during the experience.

Is food or drinks included besides the tasting?

Food and drinks are not included beyond what’s part of the tasting. Afterward, you can stay for drinks and finger food for an extra cost.

What language is the instructor?

The instructor provides the experience in English.

Do I need hotel transfer?

No. Hotel transfer is not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve without paying right away?

Yes. There is reserve now & pay later, meaning you can book and pay nothing today.