Olive oil can taste like weather and fruit. In Athens old town Plaka, this quick stop at Brettos Bar turns a simple pour into a real comparison, with four Greek extra virgin oils plus herbs and a glass of wine. It is hands-on, small-footprint, and easy to fit between sightseeing.

I especially like that you walk to an actual working wine-and-deli spot where you can see the atmosphere of the place, not just sit in a studio. And I like the focus: olive oil quality, herbs that make sense with it, and what to look for when you taste.

One possible drawback: the whole thing is only 20 minutes, so if the group is tiny (or you’re the only one booked), the explanation can feel a bit shorter.

Key things you will notice right away

• Brettos Bar in Plaka: an old Athens anchor you can reach on foot, with barrels of Greek wine and spirits nearby
• Four tastings, side-by-side: you sample 4 types of extra virgin olive oil so you can actually compare
• Greek herbs paired with oil: you taste herbs with the oils to learn what blends well
• A glass of wine included with the session: you finish with a sip designed to match the tasting
• English instruction: the instructor guides you through what you’re tasting and why it differs

Where Brettos Bar makes the tasting feel like Athens

If you only do one food-related activity in Athens old town, make it this one. The meeting point is Brettos Bar, described as the oldest bar of the city, right in Plaka. You get that classic old-street feeling as you stroll in—then you arrive at a place that looks and smells like it’s been doing this for a long time.

Brettos is also a smart location for logistics. You are near major sights, including the Acropolis area, so this tasting works like a reset button. I like activities that do not force you to plan a whole new day around them, and this is built for that.

When you arrive, you are meant to follow the steps on the right-hand side and ask for the Olive Tasting Booked in your name. That detail matters because Plaka has lots of small entrances and half-hidden doors—this keeps you from wandering.

The 20-minute flow: oils, herbs, and one glass of wine

This is a fast learning masterclass, timed for real life. Plan on 20 minutes of guided tasting.

Here’s the structure of what you can expect once you’re seated:

• You start with an introduction to olive oil basics, specifically extra virgin olive oil and what makes it different from other categories.
• Then you taste four types of Greek extra virgin olive oil. The expert helps you notice differences, so you are not guessing.
• After the oils, you shift into the herb part. You taste the herbs and learn how they pair with olive oil.
• At the end, you get a glass of wine and you enjoy it alongside what you enjoyed most from the oils.

The practical value here is that you do not just receive information—you taste the product and connect it to the explanation. In other words, you come away with a more personal sense of what Greek extra virgin olive oil tastes like, not just a list of terms.

Also, you can stay longer after the 20 minutes if you want drinks and finger food. That is optional and at an extra cost, but it’s a nice option if you want the tasting to turn into a relaxed late-afternoon moment.

How to taste four extra virgin oils without overthinking it

The magic of this experience is the comparison. Many tastings give you one oil and tell you it’s great. This one makes you taste four types, so you can start building a mental map.

Your expert helps you spot differences, but you can also use your senses in a simple, useful way. Try this while you taste:

• Smell first, before you swallow. Olive oil aroma is often where the personality shows up.
• Sip small. You are tasting four samples, so pace yourself.
• Notice intensity: some oils feel peppery or more robust, others feel lighter.
• Pay attention to aftertaste. That lingering feel helps you remember what you liked and why.

Because the session is short, you should not chase perfection. Your goal is to walk away with at least one oil you truly enjoy and understand how it differs from the others.

And if you’re the type who worries about doing it wrong, relax. The whole point is that the instructor guides you through it, and the tasting order is designed to make the differences noticeable.

Greek herbs: learning the pairings that actually make sense

The herb pairing is one of the best parts, because it turns olive oil from a standalone product into a flexible ingredient.

You taste “some of the finest Greek herbs” alongside the oils, and the guide shows you what works. This matters because pairing is where most people get stuck after a trip. You might buy olive oil at home, but then you freeze when it comes time to use it.

Once you have experienced the herb-and-oil combinations, you’ll have a clearer idea of what to try next:

• Think about fresh, herbal flavors that complement the oil rather than covering it.
• Expect the herbs to shift the mood of the taste—sometimes making the oil feel brighter or more grounded, depending on the pairing.

This is also why the location helps. You are in an old town shop environment where herbs and wine are part of everyday life, not just a staged lesson.

Wine at the end: a calm finish that feels tied to the tasting

A glass of wine is included as part of the session. It’s not a random add-on.

The idea is that you finish with wine and enjoy it with what you picked as your favorite oil. That small connection turns the end of the tour into a reward, not a transition to something else.

If your travel style is more relaxed—less museum shuffle, more food-and-drink pacing—this fits. You’re not spending hours in a formal setting, and you’re not required to commit to a full meal. You can treat it like a short palate refresh.

The host experience, especially in small-group moments

This tasting lives or dies on the quality of the guide. The best signal here is that the session is led by an instructor named Irini at Brettos Plaka. People describe her as friendly, attentive, and taking her time to explain and answer questions, then guiding the tasting so you actually taste the differences.

That host energy is why the experience tends to feel personal, even though it is short. If you enjoy one-on-one style teaching—where you can ask what you taste and get an answer—this is a strong match.

One heads-up from the timing: because the session is only 20 minutes, if the group is very small, the story part can feel abbreviated. You still get the tastings, herbs, and wine, but you might get less verbal background than you expected. If you want maximum explanation, try to book a time when more people are likely to be around.

Price and value: what $23 buys you in real terms

At $23 per person for about 20 minutes, this is priced like a focused specialty tasting, not a long food tour.

Here’s what you get for the money based on what’s included:

• Tasting of 4 extra virgin olive oils
• Tasting of Greek herbs with the oils
• A glass of wine with the session
• Guided instruction in English

The value angle is simple: you’re paying for multiple product samples plus guided comparison, in a very convenient spot. You are also paying for time efficiency. If you have only a half-day in Plaka, this can deliver meaningful learning without draining your schedule.

Since food beyond the included items is not part of the price, you can keep it lean. If you want to turn it into a longer stop, drinks and finger food are available at extra cost—so you control how far you go.

Who should book this olive oil tasting, and who might skip it

This works best if you:

• Want a food-and-drink experience that is easy to fit near the Acropolis area
• Like tasting comparisons, not just a single sample
• Enjoy learning from a guide but don’t want a multi-hour commitment
• Are curious about Greek extra virgin olive oil and herb pairings you can use at home

You might consider skipping or pairing it with another activity if you:

• Want a long, deep, hour-by-hour explanation. This one is fast.
• Prefer to do bigger group tours where the pacing includes more conversation with strangers.

If your goal is a relaxing, short, high-signal experience in Athens old town, this fits nicely.

Quick practical tips before you go

• Go with curiosity, not questions you feel “should” be answered. The guide helps you notice differences as you taste.
• Plan to walk there through Plaka. It’s part of the experience.
• After the 20 minutes, if you’re still hungry for more, you can stay for drinks and finger food at extra cost.
• If you think you’ll buy olive oil afterward, taste with that in mind. Your favorite oil is your best shopping compass.

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

Yes, if you want a short, satisfying food lesson that actually changes how you taste. The combination of four Greek extra virgin oils, herb pairing, and a wine finish makes it more than a snack stop. And the fact that the session is led by Irini at Brettos Plaka gives it a human, attentive feel that people highlight.

Book it if you’re in Plaka anyway and you want something hands-on you can complete in one sitting. If you prefer long-form tours or you want a big meal, then treat this as a palate-focused add-on rather than the main event.

FAQ

How long is the Athens Old Town olive oil and herbs tasting?

It runs for 20 minutes.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Brettos Bar, the oldest bar in Athens. Find Brettos in Plaka and ask for the Olive Tasting Booked in your name.

What is included in the $23 per person price?

You’ll taste four types of Greek extra virgin olive oil with Greek herbs. You also receive a glass of wine as part of the session.

Is the instructor available in English?

Yes, the session is taught in English.

Can I stay longer after the 20-minute tasting?

You can stay longer for drinks and finger food, but that would be at an extra cost.

Is free cancellation available?

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