Democracy Experiential Workshop Activity on Pnyx hill, Athens

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours

Mobile ticket

Head to the historic site of Pnyx for an interactive session, featuring dialogues and role-play. Become a citizen of classical Athens, voting and speaking on a city matter, through a journey 2500 years back in time. Experience the ancient democracy at the inspired location which hosted the Athenian Public Assemblies, with direct view of the Acropolis, next to the carved steps of the speaker's platform. Led by a facilitator with a background in Classical Studies, this workshop is an introduction to Athenian democracy, suitable for anyone over the age of 10.

-Learn about Athens at a landmark of democratic history

-Interactive workshop explores the real story of democracy

-Put yourself in the shoes of a voting Athenian

-See the historic location that hosted Athenian Public Assemblies

-Use unique replicas of ancient Greek objects.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

This workshop is an outdoor experience therefore it requires good weather. In case it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be notified at least 3 hours ahead, and will be offered the option to choose between a different date, a similar workshop, or a full refund.

Language is plain English. There will be no difficult words or terminology.

There are no toilets or canteens on the hill - you may find one close to the meeting point.

As this workshop takes place at a Historical site, involving Heritage and Cultural aspects, all participants are required to respect ethic, law and respectful conduct etiquette (soberness, cleanliness, photo/video shooting, dress-code, loudness etc) and be respectful and polite during the entire session. Our facilitator has the right to terminate your participation without any refund in case your behavior is disrespectful in regards to the place or the people.

Suitable for adults and teenagers over 10 years old. Underaged participants CANNOT book alone, at least one adult should book too, who is also responsible to supervise them.

Attending this workshop in public space means you consent to photo/video shooting which may occur within the course of this service, including the future publication of this material by us or the other participants. You may withdraw your consent at any time (before or after the workshop) by contacting us in writing. We shall not be held accountable for pictures and videos of you, taken by others during our services and for the use of such photo and video materials by those third parties.

Facilitators/ Instructors are First Aid trained & certified, however, by law, they are not allowed to provide any medication, so please have your medication with you (especially for allergies, since you will be outdoors).

There will be a 300m uphill walk in order for us to arrive at the Pnyx speaker’s platform, which could be physically demanding. Please ensure that you wear comfortable shoes and clothes and that are suitably fit to allow full participation.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Become a citizen of classical Athens at the archeological site of Pnyx Hill, the original location of the Athenian Public Assembly, with an amazing view of the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Start with a brief introduction on the theme, given by your interpreter with the Socratic method, a shared dialogue between teacher and students. Continue with a 300-meter uphill walk, leading you to the ancient vema—the stone platform where speakers once addressed the citizens of Athens. Upon arrival, you’ll settle in the nearest shaded area to take part in a dynamic role-play: a recreation of an ancient Assembly meeting. You’ll debate a case scenario, speak your mind, cast your vote, and even use a replica of an ancient water-timer just as they did in the classical era. Next, experience the dramatic tradition of ostracism. Identify the “dangerous citizen”, inscribe their name on your ostracon, and symbolically exile them from the city. Each participant will carve and keep their ostracon as a unique commemorative piece. To conclude the experience, enjoy a brief tour of the hill, followed by the Exploration Game — a fun team challenge (This game is available for groups of 4 or more.)

What‘s Included

Usage of the Waterthief (ceramic water-timer, replica of the ancient object)

Liability Insurance

Ostrakon (ceramic voting disk, replica of the ancient object), use it and keep it as commemorative

Expert facilitator

Local VAT 24%

NOT a guided tour. It is an interactive history workshop for beginners focusing on Democracy..

Options

Shared small group

Shared small group: Join a small group of a maximum of 10 participants

Private Tour

Exclusive Democracy Workshop

Reviews

5.00

22 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Unrepeatable experience
A282HU,,Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very good organization, carefully designed program for high school students, the teachers well trained with understanding of the needs of children, with courtesy and patience.
Fun and engaging democracy workshop
Trusha P,,Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great fun being Athenians on Pnyx Hill! Eleneora was really lovely and engaged our Ancient Greeks enthusiastic child really well! We were lucky to be the only ones in the workshop and we all thoroughly enjoyed it! Highly recommend and really want to come back to do the philosophy workshop one day!
Outstanding Learning Experience
682nitind,,May 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I was very pleased to have organized and participated in an engaging and highly experiential workshop on ancient Athenian democracy and its lesson for today. Facilitated by the enthusiastic Renia and Alexi, I watched as the group of university students that I had brought from Toronto, Canada, who did not have a background in philosophy, classics nor political science, become willing to actively listen and participate in the workshop was illuminating. I appreciated the clarity of the instructional materials and case study scenarios and the opportunity to perform historically signifiant roles, thereby giving students insights into Athenian social organization and political and civic life. The various activities, including one in which involved testing students and staging a competition on their knowledge acquisition of the various monuments and relics at Pynx Hill was enthralling. Hellas Revival was a pleasure to work with administratively as well. Highly recommended.
Make sure to do this
briantG1035MK,,Mar 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A wonderful experience with the family to immerse ourselves in the history and the site. My daughter and my mom both loved it.
Really cool experience on Pnyx Hill
B6700BTgianlucam,,Nov 4, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We attended the workshop about democracy on Pnyx Hill with a group of young guys and girls(16-22yo), we were really happy and we recommend the experience!
The most wonderful and fun activity in Athens!!!!!❤️👏❤️
panagiotaa347,,Mar 9, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We did the Democracy program in Pnyka and had a fantastic time!!!! The organization was perfect and the people wonderful!!! We played and learned through games information that we had never heard before and we all had so much fun, adults and children!!! The most interesting and fun thing you can do in Athens!!! Thank you very much!!!
Our entire family loved it!
ChrisLUSA,,Feb 6, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Amazing experience, we all loved it! It is a fun and educational activity and I highly recommend it for families with teenagers as ours. My son proved himself a great orator, while my daughter surprised us with her solid arguments. It was definitely the best couple of hours that we spent together as a family in Athens.
Unique and Authentic!
fabiann803,,Nov 19, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Unique and authentic experience, we got substantial information on how politics evolved until the birth of democracy 2500 years ago, and then we acted as citizens, spoke and took decisions and voted on ostrakons! Olga was an amazing instructor she makes it look as if we knew many things already. The place is also wonderful, it is the real location where the ancient people gathered to vote, right opposite the Acropolis with great view.
Cannot recommend it enough!
D6176PPjasmine,,Oct 14, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Cannot recommend it enough! Beautiful location with Acropolis view, very close to Acropolis. The tour was amazing! Best thing my family did in Athens (3 teen girls) ! Learned a lot about the history, but most important in a fun way, we spoke, we voted, we took roles. My teens did not allow me to show the action pictures, but well I hope I gave an idea. The price is for 5 persons.
Highly recommended
BrianO1037,,Aug 11, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a great activity for the kids. They learned fun facts about democracy in Ancient Greece. The setting, the content, and the length were just perfect. Thank you for this experience!