Discover your talent in sculpture, in a country where golden section was born.

The most unusual part of this Athens activity is that your art lesson takes place in a working sculpture studio linked to the armor and weapons made for Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. You begin with the ancient world, then handle real sculpting tools and shape your own Hermes face from Cretan clay under Manos’s patient guidance.

I like the private, hands-on format and the fact that you leave with something you made yourself. I also like the mix of art, ancient Greek customs, wine, and video-game props. The main consideration is location: the studio is in Kallithea rather than beside the Acropolis, and the finished piece is handmade, not polished like a museum replica.

Key points

• Make a Hermes face from Cretan clay using air-dry clay and traditional sculpting tools.
• Meet Manos, an encouraging instructor who adapts the pace to your skill level.
• See Assassin’s Creed Odyssey armor and weapons made by the studio team.
• Tour a mini-museum and ancient-style room before beginning the workshop.
• Learn about lost-wax casting, stone carving, Greek sculpture, and wine in one compact visit.
• Take your finished artwork home as a personal Athens souvenir.

A sculpture class with a video-game twist

Athens has no shortage of ancient statues, but this experience lets you try the work yourself. At Ancient Symposium, you do not only look at sculpture from behind a rope. You touch the tools, learn what they do, and use clay to build a face with your own hands.

The studio team also created armor and weapons for Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. That connection gives the visit an unexpected modern angle. If you know the game, seeing the helmets, blades, and other pieces in person adds a fun surprise. If you do not, the props still help show how historical ideas are carried into film and game design.

The workshop is led by Manos, a sculptor and artist who receives especially strong praise for his patience and clear instruction. He gives you enough direction to get started, then lets you work at your own pace. That matters because clay can feel awkward at first. You do not need a background in art, and you do not need to arrive with a talent for drawing faces.

The activity lasts about two hours. That is long enough to make a real piece without taking up an entire day of sightseeing.

Starting in the ancient room

The visit begins at Doiranis 39 in Athens, in the Kallithea area. The studio is near public transportation, though one visitor found it was a walk from a Kallithea hotel and another specifically advised taking a taxi. I would allow extra time for the trip, especially if you are coming from central Athens and have a fixed class time.

Before the clay comes out, Manos shows you the ancient room and talks about art and wine in ancient Greece. This introduction gives the workshop some context. You are not simply copying a decorative object. You are hearing about the setting in which sculpture, craft, food, and wine were part of daily and ceremonial life.

The space also includes a small museum or gallery. It contains sculpture-related objects, studio pieces, and the Assassin’s Creed material. One particularly appealing detail is the family connection: three generations of sculptors have worked in the family. That makes the room feel like an active artistic workplace rather than a standard tourist classroom.

The gallery visit is brief, but it adds value to the price. If you enjoy objects, tools, and behind-the-scenes work, plan to look closely instead of rushing toward the clay table.

Handling tools used by sculptors

Next, you are introduced to a selection of sculpting tools. You learn how they are held and what each one can do. This is a small but important step. Clay behaves differently depending on whether you are removing material, pressing a line, smoothing a surface, or adding detail.

The session also covers techniques connected with ancient sculpture, including lost-wax casting and carving precious stone. You will not complete a bronze casting or carve a gemstone in two hours. Instead, these subjects help you understand the wider craft. The discussion shows how a finished statue begins with planning, shaping, and patient control of material.

I like this part because it turns the studio tools into more than props. You begin to see why a face can look simple from a distance but require careful work around the eyes, nose, mouth, and hair. It also makes a useful link between the tools on the table and the armor and weapons displayed around the room.

Shaping the Hermes face from Cretan clay

The main project is a face of the god Hermes made from air-dry clay. You work with Cretan clay and use the provided tools to model the features. The goal is not to produce a perfect classical statue. The goal is to understand the process and finish a piece that carries your own handwork.

Manos demonstrates each stage and helps you correct details as you go. His role is important here. Several visitors describe him as patient, encouraging, and good at giving just the right amount of support. He does not appear to take over the project. Instead, he helps you make decisions and finish details that may be difficult on a first attempt.

You may begin by wondering if the final face will look like the example. Do not set your expectations too high. Handmade clay has character, and your result may be uneven. That is part of the appeal. You leave with something personal rather than a factory-made souvenir from a gift shop.

The activity can work for couples, families, solo visitors, and people who think they have no artistic ability. A couple can make matching or contrasting faces. A solo participant may receive more direct attention, especially in a private booking. Since only your group takes part, the class can feel relaxed instead of like a large workshop where you must keep up with strangers.

The Assassin’s Creed connection

The video-game connection is not the whole experience, but it is a memorable bonus. Ancient Symposium helped create armor and weapons for Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and the studio displays some of these pieces.

For fans of Ubisoft or the Assassin’s Creed series, this can be the highlight before the clay work begins. You get to see the physical side of a world usually experienced through a screen. The swords and helmets also give you a useful comparison: both game props and clay sculpture depend on shape, surface, and attention to detail.

If you are not a gamer, you can treat this section as a look at practical prop-making. It shows how artists translate ancient Greek styles into objects for a modern production. The contrast between the old techniques discussed in the room and the game-related pieces makes the visit more varied.

The studio’s collection also gives you something to talk about while your clay firms up. This is not a silent technical class. The cultural conversation is part of the experience.

A personal souvenir, not a standard Athens trinket

The biggest practical advantage is that you take your finished artwork home. Manos carefully boxes the piece, which is useful because air-dry clay can be fragile. You should still handle it with care during the rest of your trip.

A handmade face has more meaning than a mass-produced magnet or printed postcard. It records the time you spent in the studio, the mistakes you made, and the details Manos helped you finish. Years later, you will know exactly where it came from.

There is one practical limitation. The artwork is not a finished ceramic object fired in a kiln. The information describes it as air-dry clay, so treat it as a delicate souvenir. Pack it carefully and avoid placing heavy items on top of it.

What the $58.05 price includes in value

At about $58.05 per person, this is not the cheapest short activity in Athens. The value comes from the combination of several elements rather than from the clay alone.

You receive roughly two hours of private instruction, access to the studio and collection, an introduction to ancient Greek art and wine, contact with sculpting tools, a discussion of techniques, and your own artwork. You also get direct time with Manos instead of a large group demonstration.

I think the price makes the most sense if you want an activity that is both cultural and creative. A standard museum visit may give you more ancient objects, but it will not let you make one. A basic craft class may offer hands-on work, but it may not include the ancient room, the mini-museum, or the Assassin’s Creed material.

For a family or couple, the cost also buys a shared memory rather than separate souvenirs. For a serious art student, the class may be too short for advanced technique. For a casual visitor, it offers a friendly introduction without requiring a full day of study.

Timing, transport, and the private format

The experience runs Monday through Sunday, with listed hours from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Availability should be checked before you plan around a particular time. One late-evening booking was accommodated, which suggests some flexibility, but you should not assume every time is open.

The meeting point is Doiranis 39, Athina 176 72, Greece. The activity ends at the same location. Public transportation is nearby, and a taxi may be the easiest choice if you are carrying bags, arriving from central Athens, or visiting in the evening.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation is received at booking. The activity is private, with only your own group participating. That makes it a good choice if you want to ask questions freely, work slowly, or avoid the pressure of a crowded class.

Most people can participate. The class does involve handling clay and tools, so anyone with specific mobility or hand-use concerns should ask the provider before booking. The supplied information does not give detailed accessibility arrangements.

Who will enjoy this Athens workshop most

I would choose this activity for you if you like making things, enjoy ancient Greek culture, or want an Athens experience that is less passive than sightseeing. It works especially well for:

• Couples looking for a shared souvenir
• Families with children or teenagers who enjoy hands-on activities
• Assassin’s Creed fans interested in the game’s physical props
• Art beginners who want gentle instruction
• Solo visitors who prefer a private class
• Repeat Athens visitors seeking something beyond major museums and monuments

It may not suit you if you want a polished professional sculpture, a long technical course, or a tour located in the historic center. You also need to accept that your clay face may look more charming than perfect. The instructor can help with form and detail, but he cannot replace hours of practice.

Tips for getting more from the visit

Book ahead if your Athens schedule is tight. The activity is often reserved around four weeks in advance, so last-minute availability cannot be counted on, even though a late booking was accommodated in one case.

Wear something you do not mind getting dusty or marked with clay. The information does not specify a dress code, but hands-on sculpture is less relaxing if you are worried about your clothes.

Arrive with enough time to find Doiranis 39. A taxi can save time, while public transportation is also available nearby. If you are walking from a hotel in Kallithea, check the route rather than assuming the studio is right around the corner.

Ask questions during the ancient art and wine discussion. The session is not only about producing a face. The context helps you understand why the tools, materials, and forms matter.

Finally, leave room in your luggage for the boxed sculpture. Your artwork is part of the experience, not an extra detail.

Cancellation and booking details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted. The cut-off follows local Athens time.

The activity provider is Ancient Symposium. Confirmation arrives at booking, and you use a mobile ticket.

Should you book this sculpture class?

I would book it if you want to make something, meet an active artist, and see a side of Athens that combines ancient craft with modern pop culture. Manos’s patient teaching is a major reason the class works for beginners, and the private format keeps the pace comfortable.

The best reason to go is not the promise of producing a museum-quality Hermes. It is the chance to handle clay, learn how sculptors think, see unusual armor and weapons, and carry home an object that you shaped yourself. If that sounds more appealing than another hour of looking at statues, this is a smart use of two hours in Athens.

FAQ

Where does the sculpture class take place?

The meeting point is Doiranis 39, Athina 176 72, Greece, in the Kallithea area of Athens.

How long does the experience last?

The workshop lasts approximately two hours.

What will I make during the class?

You will make a face of the god Hermes using air-dry clay. The activity description also refers to creating a human face or clay mask.

Can I take my sculpture home?

Yes. You take your finished artwork home as a souvenir, and the piece is boxed for transport.

Who teaches the workshop?

The class is taught by Manos, a professional sculptor and artist connected with Ancient Symposium.

Will I see Assassin’s Creed Odyssey props?

Yes. The studio displays armor and weapons connected with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, including pieces made by the team for the game.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is the studio near public transportation?

Yes. The meeting point is near public transportation. A taxi may also be useful depending on where you are staying.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refunded.