Olive oil lessons, fast and fun. In Plaka, close to the Acropolis, you pop into Brettos Bar and taste four Greek Extra Virgin olive oils with local herbs and a glass of wine, all in English. I love how short it is and how the host (often Irini) makes the differences click quickly.

The one thing to keep in mind: because it runs 20 minutes, the storytelling can get more streamlined if the group is very small. Still, you leave with a clear, practical sense of what you’re actually tasting when you buy olive oil in Greece.

Key highlights to look for

• Four extra virgin olive oils, compared side by side: you train your palate fast instead of sampling randomly
• Herbs paired with olive oil: you learn which flavors make sense together
• Host Irini and the English-led guidance: you get straightforward explanations and time for questions
• A glass of wine at the end: it’s not just included, it’s part of the tasting flow
• Historic Plaka setting at Brettos: barrels of Greek wine and spirits set the mood before you even start

Olive oil in Plaka: the smart way to learn in 20 minutes

If you want a classic Athens flavor experience without turning it into an all-day event, this tasting fits the bill. The format is a quick masterclass: you taste, you compare, and you learn the language of olive oil—plus herbs—while everything stays relaxed.

What I like most is that the time is used well. Instead of a lecture, you get hands-on comparison with multiple oils, then you get guided pairing with herbs. Add in a glass of wine and you’ve got an easy activity that works even if you’re only in Athens for a short time.

And yes, it’s in the old town area of Plaka, so the experience sits inside the real atmosphere of Athens. You’re not going to a sterile classroom. You’re stepping into the vibe of an old bar and tasting room at Brettos, where you can also see barrels of Greek wine and spirits around you.

Finding Brettos Bar in the old town (and why location matters)

This is one of those activities where the meeting point is half the fun. You’ll walk through Plaka, the historic old town, and then head to Brettos Bar, described as the oldest bar of the city. The venue is in the heart of the old town and very close to the Acropolis, which makes it easy to slot in around sightseeing.

Your practical move: find Brettos Bar, then follow the step on the right-hand side and ask for the Olive Tasting Booked in your name. It’s a simple setup, but it’s also the kind that rewards arriving a little early—so you can settle in and not feel rushed.

Location also changes how you experience the tasting. When you’re surrounded by the old-town lanes, the smells and the mood feel more connected to what you’re learning. Olive oil and herbs aren’t abstract here. They’re part of the local food culture you see all around Plaka.

The four olive oils: what you’re really learning to taste

The centerpiece is tasting four types of Greek Extra Virgin olive oil. That number matters. One oil is just a flavor. Four oils becomes a comparison exercise. You start noticing patterns—how intensity changes, how bitterness and fruitiness can shift, and how certain oils feel more peppery or smoother.

The expert guide helps you spot differences during the tasting so you’re not guessing. You taste each oil, then you compare with the others in sequence. This is the fastest way to learn what separates one extra virgin olive oil from another, because your palate is still calibrated from the last sip.

You’ll also get the basic framework for what the terms mean—olive oil versus virgin and extra virgin—so you know what the labels are trying to tell you. That’s useful if you plan to buy olive oil as a souvenir, cook with it at home, or just want to order confidently at a Greek restaurant.

A helpful detail: the tasting isn’t just about swallowing small samples. It’s about noticing. You’re guided to focus on the differences, then apply that learning as the session moves into herbs and wine.

A quick reality check on the short session

Because it runs about 20 minutes, the tasting stays focused. That’s great for busy schedules. It can also mean the tour doesn’t stretch into a long story about every possible growing region or production step.

If you happen to be the only person booked, the pacing may get tighter. One experience described had very abbreviated explanation and then a glass of white wine left on the side while the host stepped back from extended narration. The wine was still very good, but the more detailed back-and-forth was shorter than expected. So if you’re the type who loves deep Q&A, plan to ask your questions right away.

Greek herbs and pairings: why this part is more than a side dish

Olive oil gets attention, but herbs are where it gets interesting. The tasting includes samples of the finest local herbs and guidance on how they pair with olive oil. This part helps you go beyond “this olive oil tastes good” into “this combination makes sense.”

In a practical sense, herb pairing gives you a roadmap for eating. If you know which herbs bring out certain olive oil traits, you can replicate the experience at home. It also makes olive oil shopping easier: you’re less likely to buy purely by hype and more likely to buy what matches how you plan to use it.

You’re also learning in context. You’re not just handed a plate of herbs and told to sample. The flow links the oil you just tasted with the herbs you’re about to try. That’s how the pairings stick in your head.

The wine moment: why they give you one glass

At the end, you get a glass of wine included with the tasting. This isn’t random. It acts like a palate reset and a finishing note to the session.

Even if you’re mainly there for olive oil, the wine helps keep the experience enjoyable and social—especially if you’re pairing your favorite oil with the flavors you’ve just learned. In one account, the host paired the wine moment with letting guests enjoy it with their preferred oil, which makes the final minutes feel like a payoff rather than a formality.

The wine also turns the whole session into something you can do after a day of walking. You get a small, structured learning activity, then you can relax for a moment with a drink in hand.

Brettos and the old-bar feel: a tasting with atmosphere

The setting matters more than people think. Brettos Plaka is positioned as a long-running old bar and deli cellar, and it shows in the way the space feels lived-in rather than staged. You’ll see barrels of Greek wine and spirits as you make your way in, so the place already feels connected to the ingredients.

You also get the benefit of being in Plaka. This area has that slow, walkable old-town rhythm. Even if you’re already sightseeing near the Acropolis, stepping into a small tasting room right in the old lanes can make your day feel more personal and less like a checklist.

And because the activity is led by a guide in English, you’re not stuck translating or guessing what to look for. The host helps you understand what you’re tasting without turning it into a complicated chemistry lesson.

Price and value: is $23 worth it?

At $23 per person for a roughly 20-minute tasting, the value comes from three things bundled together: four extra virgin olive oil tastings, Greek herbs pairing, and a glass of wine, all guided in English.

If you try to recreate this on your own, you’d likely pay for tastings (or buy multiple bottles) and still miss the guided comparisons. The tour’s main financial value is not the olives and herbs alone. It’s the coaching—helping you identify differences and learn what to look for on labels and when you buy later.

Is it a big “food tour” with a lot of plates? No. Food beyond the tasting isn’t included. But the experience is positioned as fast learning and a satisfying finish. One extra detail that boosts value: after the tasting, you can stay longer and enjoy additional drinks and finger food if you want, for an extra cost. That turns the 20-minute session into an optional longer hangout in the same spot.

So I’d think of it as a high-impact mini-lesson, not a full meal deal.

Who this olive oil and herbs tasting is best for

This works particularly well for:

• First-time olive oil buyers in Greece who want to understand what extra virgin means and how to compare oils
• Food-curious visitors who like guided tastings but don’t want a long schedule
• Couples or solo travelers who want a calm, central activity in Plaka
• Anyone who appreciates small, host-led experiences where you can ask questions as you go

It’s also a good option if your plan includes Acropolis time. Because it’s close to the Acropolis, you can turn your day into a tight route: sightseeing, then a short tasting that feels like a reward.

The one drawback to plan around (and how to get the best version)

The short format is a feature, but it can also limit interaction. If your group is small, the explanation may be more condensed. That doesn’t mean you won’t taste great oils or enjoy the wine. It can mean you get less extended storytelling and fewer pauses.

To get the best version of the experience, do two simple things:

• Ask your questions early, right when the guide is describing what makes each oil different
• Pay attention while tasting—so you’re learning in real time, not trying to catch up after

That way, even if the pacing is quick, you still get the core payoff: you come away with practical tasting instincts.

Should you book Athens Old Town olive oil tasting at Brettos?

I’d book it if you want a compact, guided olive oil learning experience in a real old-town setting. The combination of four olive oil tastings, herb pairing, and a glass of wine for $23 is strong value, especially when you’re learning how to tell the differences instead of just sampling.

I’d skip or choose another style of food experience if you’re craving a long sit-down lesson, lots of extra food included in the price, or extensive back-and-forth for a large group. The experience is designed to be short, and interaction time depends on how many people show up.

If you’re in Plaka anyway, this is the kind of stop that makes your Athens day taste more like Greece and less like a checklist.

FAQ

What’s included in the Athens Old Town olive oil tasting?

You get a tasting of four types of Greek extra virgin olive oil along with Greek herbs, plus a glass of wine.

How long is the experience?

The tasting lasts about 20 minutes.

Where do I meet for the tasting?

Meet at Brettos Bar in Plaka. Follow the step on the right-hand side and ask for the Olive Tasting Booked in your name.

Is there wine included?

Yes. You’ll enjoy a glass of wine as part of the experience.

Is the instruction available in English?

Yes, the instructor guides in English.

Is hotel transfer included?

No, hotel transfer is not included.

Can I eat more after the 20-minute tasting?

You can stay longer and enjoy additional drinks and finger food, but those are extra cost.

What’s the price?

The price is $23 per person.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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

Can I reserve without paying right away?

Yes. The option is reserve now & pay later.

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