NEED TO KNOW IN 2025
Athens has solidified its position as a global meeting powerhouse in 2025, recently breaking into the ICCA Top 10 worldwide congress destinations. The city’s evolution from a historical stopover to a sophisticated, tech-forward hub is now complete, offering a seamless blend of ancient heritage and ultra-modern infrastructure. Athens is currently defined by the rebirth of its most iconic landmark: The Ilisian. Transforming the legendary former Hilton, this multi-dimensional “experience ecosystem” is the city’s most significant private investment in hospitality. At the same time, Athens is entering a bold new era of coastal regeneration, anchored by the Ellinikon, Europe’s largest urban redevelopment project. By late 2025, the project will have reached a “mature phase” of construction, while major infrastructure like the Poseidonos Avenue underpass and the Vouliagmenis Mall will be well underway.
Complementing this, starting in 2026, the historic Taekwondo Olympic Arena will be radically overhauled into a state-of-the-art Metropolitan Conference and Concert Centre, finally providing the Athens Riviera with a high-capacity, world-class MICE hub that bridges the city’s historic centre with its futuristic southern coastline.
DID YOU KNOW?
While every visitor knows the Acropolis, few planners realise that Athens hides an underground river and a network of secret subterranean venues. The National Garden and the Ilissos riverbed areas conceal hidden vaults and neoclassical basements that have been repurposed into exclusive, high-concept pop-up event spaces. Additionally, the First Cemetery of Athens is not just a burial ground but a “sleeping” open-air sculpture gallery with works by world-renowned artists, offering a serene and profoundly artistic backdrop for quiet, reflective morning tours or photography workshops that remain entirely off the typical tourist radar.
BEST INCENTIVE IDEA IN 2025
“The Battle of the Gods: An Interactive Mythic Odyssey.” In 2025, the ultimate team-building experience takes place within the ancient ruins and hidden alleys of the Plaka district. Teams are “recruited” by digital avatars of Olympian gods via a custom-built augmented reality (AR) app. They must navigate the city to solve riddles at the Roman Agora, perform traditional Sirtaki moves in a secret courtyard to earn “ambrosia,” and compete in a mini-Olympic challenge at the marble Panathenaic Stadium. The experience culminates in a “Feast of the Gods” gala dinner on a private rooftop overlooking the illuminated Parthenon, where the winning team is “crowned” with handcrafted silver laurel wreaths. It perfectly blends high-tech navigation, physical activity, and deep cultural immersion.
PERFECT GIFT
The must-have gift for 2025 is a piece of modern Athenian ceramics. Moving beyond traditional replicas, a new wave of local designers is creating minimalist, functional art inspired by the geometry of ancient Greek pottery. Specifically, look for a hand-thrown “Skyphos” (drinking vessel) finished with a contemporary matte glaze, often packaged with a small vial of PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) Athenian Olive Oil. It is a gift that represents the city’s “Metropolis of Art” status—blending 3,000 years of craftsmanship with the sophisticated aesthetic of modern Athens.
TOP 5 EVENTS IN 2025
1. This is Athens Agora: (April 2025): The signature B2B tourism event that brought together leading international and Greek tourism professionals, focusing on contemporary tourism trends, sustainability, and networking. The edition reinforced Athens’ profile as a modern, inclusive destination, creating business opportunities through targeted discussions and connections with global industry buyers.
2. This is Athens City Festival (May 2025): A month-long urban takeover with over 300 events, including “Urban Picnics” at Plato’s Academy and street parties on Athinas Street.
3. Athens Marathon. The Authentic (November 9, 2025): The world’s original marathon, finishing at the historic Panathenaic Stadium, offering unparalleled atmosphere for corporate running teams.
4. SNFCC Christmas World (December 2025): A spectacular holiday festival at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre featuring ice skating on the canal and world-class light installations.
5. International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) (December 20, 2025): A massive gathering of global tech leaders, showcasing the city’s ability to host high-spec, large-scale scientific congress
