Inside Athens’ Architectural Marvels: Open House Athens 2025

Athens meets architecture in its annual spring event, Open House Athens (OHA). The 12th edition of OHA 2025 kicks off with parallel architectural events starting Saturday, March 29, and culminates with the famous Open Tours of the city’s finest public and private spaces on April 5-6.

Originating in London in 1992, Open House has become one of the most significant global platforms for promoting architecture. This project invites everyone to experience the architectural heritage of a city by opening the gates of private and public buildings for a weekend each year, transforming the city into a living museum where buildings themselves are the exhibits.

This year, approximately 500 volunteers will guide participants through Athens’ iconic spaces, offering free access to explore the city’s architectural gems. Attendees will have the chance to learn about the historical and cultural significance of these sites while discovering the hidden stories behind some of Athens’ most remarkable buildings.

The theme of this year’s event, “Future Heritage – The Architecture of Today, the Heritage of Tomorrow,” highlights the role of architecture in shaping future cultural heritage. It not only emphasizes contemporary design and innovative approaches but also celebrates the preservation of historic monuments and the restoration of existing buildings.

Athens Open Walks: March 29-30

One of the key parallel events of OHA 2025 is Open Walks, which offers a chance to explore three of Athens’ lesser-known neighborhoods with fascinating architectural and historical significance.

The Mansions of Kifissia
March 29-30, 11am-3pm

Walk through Kifissia’s green suburb and explore its stunning “mansions,” which feature a range of architectural styles influenced by Central Europe. These villas were once home to wealthy owners, each contributing to the area’s unique character. Walks will start every 30 minutes from the Kifissia Grove. For more info, click here.

Kypseli Through Fokionos Negri St.
March 29-30, 11am-3pm

Explore the architectural transformation of Kypseli, once a suburban area that evolved into a densely built urban environment. The area showcases urban mansions and the early influence of Modernist architecture. Visitors will learn about the development of this area through its public spaces and the creation of Fokionos Negri, a green lung in the heart of Kypseli. For more info, click here.

“Unveiling Athens Through Light”
March 29-30, 7-8:30pm

In collaboration with IFI Lighting, this event highlights the city’s architectural heritage through innovative lighting. Explore the Stoa Hippokratous, the National Theatre, and the neoclassical Fresh Hotel, as lighting brings new life to their historic details and narratives. For more info, click here.

70 Buildings Open Their Doors: April 5-6

On April 5-6, Open House Athens 2025 will offer free access to over 70 buildings, including residences, offices, museums, and more. The tours showcase this year’s theme of “Future Heritage” by exploring how contemporary architecture can preserve the historical identity of buildings, repurpose spaces, and incorporate sustainable practices. No reservations are required for the tours, which will be guided by volunteers.

To see the full list of participating buildings and the schedule for the Open Tours, visit the official website.

Open Tours Highlight Buildings

American School of Classical Studies at Athens 

Architectural complex consisting of the Gennadius Library, built in 1923 according to the designs of architect Stewart Thompson, Cotsen Hall, built in 2005 according to the designs of architect I. Vikelas, and the ‘Ioannis Makrygiannis’ wing, inaugurated in 2018. The three buildings will be open to visitors.

Iliou Melathron

The neoclassical building with the characteristic two-storey loggia, was built in 1881 after the designs of Ernst Ziller and today it houses the Numismatic Museum of Athens. The renovation was carried out by E. Misailidou-Filippopoulou and M. Chrysoulaki in 1984 and by E.Androutsou in the beggining of the 21st century.

The British School of Athens 

The British School at Athens (BSA) was founded in 1886. Nowadays it has grown to become a dynamic hub for research into all aspects, providing a ‘home from home’ in Athens for postgraduate students and researchers. The BSA site at present comprises several buildings set in a green oasis. These include the Macmillan Hostel (1897, later extended), an extensive library (including the Finlay common room, Penrose Memorial Library, 1904; the Payne Room, 1938; extensions in 1965-67 and 1985; and the Kollakis Wing, 2007) which is open to both BSA members and public readers, and the Marc and Ismene Fitch Laboratory for Archaeological Science (established 1974, extended 1987).

The Old Stock Market

The building that housed the Athens Stock Market from 1934 to 2005 was constructed in 1931 based on designs by architect Nikolaos Zoumboulidis, and it was vertically expanded between 1965-1968. Today, it operates as a venue for various events and will be fully restored in the future under the supervision of the National Bank.

Piraeus Tower

The landmark of Piraeus, the second tallest building in the country, began construction in 1972, remained unfinished for decades, and was fully reconstructed in 2021-23. Today, it stands as Greece’s first ‘green’ and digital skyscraper.
The original design in the ’70s was undertaken by the architectural office of Alexandros Loizos, in collaboration with Ioannis Vikelas and Dimosthenis Molfesis. In 2020, after an international competition, the architectural firm PILA took on the design of the facades, and the office ASPA – KST designed the commercial spaces, while the new general architectural study was entrusted to Betaplan. Implementation of the project was undertaken, among others, by Dimand and Prodea Investments.

10AM LOFTS

A former industrial building transformed into a unique complex by Gavalas Ioannidou Architecture and Studio Andrew Trotter, from 2016 to 2021.

Melas Mansion

The former Post Office, the largest private building of its time in Athens, was built in 1874 based on designs by architect Ernst Ziller. The complete restoration of the protected building’s shell was carried out in 1979 under the supervision of the National Bank. Inside, it features a closed atrium with surrounding colonnades. On the ground floor, its central hall is used for events and lectures, while a wing houses artworks from the National Bank’s art collection. The upper floors accommodate office spaces for the Bank’s units.

Onassis Library

A neoclassical building of the early-twentieth century, designed by Anastasios Metaxas, has been transformed into a library for the Onassis Foundation in 1991 by Vasilis Tsegkis.

Additional Events
Open House Athens 2025 offers much more than the tours themselves, featuring a range of parallel events from March 29 to April 4. Distinguished architectural firms based in Athens will guide visitors through their spaces, discussing contemporary architectural issues and their unique design approaches.

In addition, the Made in Athens program invites photographers, ceramists, jewelers, digital artists, bookbinders, bakers, and retailers to open their creative spaces to the public. This initiative aims to connect visitors with both traditional and contemporary production processes.

For more detailed information about all the parallel events happening during OHA 2025, please visit the official website.