What are some "out of the way" places in Athens after one visits the major sights?

We went to morning jogging at the Panathenaic Stadium. That was epic! We did more picture-taking than jogging, haha.

Visit Lycabettus Hill, Cycladic Museum, Benaki Museum and the National Garden, all are near each other.

Kerameikos Cemetery, and don't skip their museum. I don't think there were more than a dozen other visitors while I was there (end of April, pre-Covid). I liked the Cycladic Art Museum but I rushed through it because it was so cold, on a pleasantly warm day it felt well below 68F inside the museum. The Benaki collections are great, but the ancient artifacts were not well-organized and there was not enough information about individual items (provenance, age). The RS guide book has a self-guided walking tour that was very good. I also liked the National Historical Museum. Along with extensive (maybe exhaustive) history, it has a large collection of traditional costumes and the Old Parliament.

Some "out of the way" ideas once you've seen the major sites.

• The National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST) less than 10 minutes walk from the Acropolis Museum, housed in the former FIX brewery.

https://www.emst.gr/en

• The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.

A beautiful park, fountains, exhibitions, an astonishing library. To get there, a free shuttle from Syntagma square or the tram, also from Syntagma square

https://www.snfcc.org/en

• The Industrial Gas Museum. An ancient gas factory transformed into a museum, also a place for concerts and other events. Located next to the “Kerameikos” metro station, a 5-minute walk from the Kerameikos Archaeological Site.

https://gasmuseum.gr/en/

• The Exarchia district.

The “protest and anarchic” historic district. Street art, local bars and taverns, bookstores. Easy walk between the National Archaeological Museum and Lycabettus Hill.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/64ZEsAkg2fM29x7w6

• The Mets neighborhood

The Mets is a small neighborhood nicknamed "le petit Montmartre" (in reference to the Paris neighborhood) because of its “village” style with sloping streets. To be explored from the Panathenaic Stadium.
A Mets walking tour here: (with some "out of the way" places for a coffee, a drink, or a restaurant)

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1gPEJf0zLOyiCyy6PmLGWkKWfPzW2N-Y&usp=sharing

• If you like the food and market atmosphere, the Athens Municipal Market, It's no longer really "out of the way" given the many food tours that take you there. A few minutes' walk from Monastiraki Square. (with small tavernas in the market itself - only open for lunch).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/yXQR4uZmoAqJoJjs9

There are also local street markets. One of the closest to the tourist places is the one in the Koukaki district, on Friday mornings on Zacharitsa Street. A 10-minute walk from the Acropolis Museum

• In the evening, in summer: The Zephyros open-air cinema. Classic or art house films in original version. lots of nice bars and restaurants nearby.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/9umpc6oWsXkUJSUX6

Enjoy Athens! :))

Great recommendations above. Depending on interest there is a small but nice Jewish museum (you will need your passport or other id to enter) and a pinball museum as well!

People differ as to whether it's an "out of the way" place, but I'll mention it regardless. A visit to the Acient Agora should not, in my opinion, be missed. It's quite close to the Parthenon, but far less crowded, and has one of the best preserved temples in Greece.

I also think the Central Markets are a must. While there may be some tours it's mostly locals and taverna owners or go there to shop but it's open to everyone.

The produce section is across the street and filled with all kinds of produce that you may not be familiar with.

Once in a life time experience if you've never been to a major market like this. One bit of advice, don't wear sandals especially in the seafood market!

An out of there area on the north slope of the Acropolis is an area known as Anafiotika. It resembles a Cyclades village on a Greek island with white washed houses, colorful, narrow lanes and views. Takes a bit to find and a great escape from the hordes of tourists in Central Athens.

The National Gardens behind Syntagma Square is peaceful, tranquil, cool and a lovely garden area to explore.

Last contributor mentions Ancient Aagora, and I agree -- however, it will be much more enjoyable if you utiliis Steve's FREE audio guide ( Oon this Page upper LH cloick "Wathc read listen" and click Greece/Athens, and you'll see his offereings) You can download on your phone FREE a step-by-step guide to Agora.. it looks like a pile of stones, but with guidance, it is fascinating -- also explains the treasures of Agoraa Musuem, uncovered & discovered in the 20th Century ... can you imagine a pottery "vote" chard, with the name Sophocles scratched on it!?!?! BTW, Steves other FREE audio guides include V useful way to see Nat, Arch Museum without getting lost -- he gives u the 10 must-see items.

I agree with a stop at Jewish museum ... it's hidden away in midst of plaka, a quiet townhouse on side street ... very poignant & moving when u realize the tragedy for these Athens citizens despite Greece's efforts to resist Nazi plans. If you're old enough to remember the fab stage/screen perfmances of globally-knoown Actress Melina Mercouri, her Foundation (a modest building near the roman Forum area) is fascinating... check for opening hours .. it has full-floor wallsize photorama of not only her acting fame, but her crusade that brought down the 1970s "General's Coup" and her trailblazing innovations as Minister of Culture. Thrillling.

Two more specialilze museums depending on taste -- Free, open limited days is Museum of Popular Instruments... you can hear how each one soundedl.... ancient & modern... and buy CDs ... I have a "sttring concert" of banjo-ulkele type group that I play for my "greek night" street picinic each year. Another great place is the Gorgeous Mansion riight on the Promenade on S. Side of Acopolis... the Iias LaLounis Jewelry Museum ... he was Greece's "Cartier-Tiffany" level of genius ... Jackie Kennedy made him famous w Americans... his Museum shows design from ancient ci v, and you can view skiille crraftsmen workin on gold items.

We enjoyed browsing at the Athens Flea Market which was surprisingly much less crowded than the Plaka/Acropolis area. We had fun shopping for our grandchildren. It was also shady so a good respite from the sun, heat, and crowds.

We also loved the Athens Central Market which a previous poster mentioned. It's fascinating with its fish market and meat market. You should wear closed shoes while in the fish market. The fish are laid out on ice but of course the ice is melting, and the vendors also hose down their fish. So the floor is covered in fishy water. There are several restaurants in the Central Market so it's a good place to have lunch.

We loved the National Garden, which is a beautiful walk between Syntagma Square, the Temple of Olympic Zeus and the Panathinaikos stadium.