About Attica |
Athens is the type of city you just feel doesn't belong on this Earth. Rather, it belongs to a mythical world, one ruled by Gods, where nymphs moved about, where titans roamed the planet, and so on. However, Athens is pretty much a real city in this day and age. It's the capital city of Greece, as a matter of fact. And when you visit it, it looks just as mythical as you'd have imagined. With a little contemporary touch, of course!
With a population of 3.153 million people, Athens is one of the most crowded cities in Greece. They also mostly speak Greek so it's better you learn the language in order to understand them. Though don't let that stop you from traveling here. After all, the warm Mediterranean climate makes up for it. Though it's generally hot all year round here, it can get pretty cool at times. Since it's a coastal city, you can expect that the breezes here have a little bit of the salty sea in them, making for quite the scent! As for the currency? It's the Euro all the way!
Since it's practically summer all year long in Greece, many may argue that there's no particular season that's the best time to visit Athens. But that's not entirely true! While yes, visiting Athens—and the rest of Greece for that matter—is great no matter the time of year, it's during the months of March to May and September to November, that the weather is just right. Springtime in Athens, in particular, gives you ample sunshine that's not so intense you risk getting sunburnt. And more importantly, these months are generally the most peaceful, seeing the fewest hordes of tourists in the year.
It's easy to think that Athens is one whole historical district. As the capital city of Greece, a country known for its ancient history, you might expect this place to look like an archeological site. However, the neighborhoods in Athens are pretty different than all that. There are more upscale areas like Kifissia, home of the elites in the Greek capital. Or Kolonaki, a district known for its commercial establishments and nightlife hotspots. And even Plaka, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Athens, is all about peace and quiet. You can find your own luxury home in any one of these places so that you can settle down here too!
While the Acropolis is the crown jewel of Athens, it isn't the only worthwhile place to see in the city. There's Anafiotika, for example, which is a pretty famous corner. Offering up a slice of the Greek countryside in the capital city, it's one of the best Instagram-worthy spots in Athens.
Beyond the Greek ruins and temples, there's also the Panathenaic Stadium, which is quite an architectural marvel. Imposing with its massive size and grandiose appeal, it's often among the main highlights whenever the Greek capital would host the Olympics. And one that's relatively unknown, don't miss out on Lake Vouliagmeni. It's a magical spot that's worth taking a day trip for!
If someone were to tell you that Athens is actually an affordable city to stay in, would you believe them? If you don't, the joke's on you because it actually is! You don't need a whole lot of money to enjoy just a day in Athens. Of course, if you prefer to frequent the swanky and more upscale establishments, you'll really have to spend a lot. But overall, you can get by easily without having to shell out a ton of money.
In fact, renting a place here will only cost you around €300.00 to €1,200.00 a month! And for food? €55.48 will get you a lot in a standard grocery store.
Now, let's talk about manners! If you don't know what the Greeks consider good and bad manners, you're in trouble! These people are loud and proud of their culture, after all, and that includes their customs. One wrong move and you'll never hear the end of it!
For instance, don't get offended when locals get a little too personal with their questions, even when they just met you. That's simply how they are. If you're not comfortable sharing too many details about yourself, politely state your discomfort. Also, at the dinner table, refusing food is a huge no-no! Don't ever do it unless you have a good explanation to back up your refusal!
How does one get around Athens though? Do you really need to ride a donkey just like in the movies? The answer is a big fat... maybe? If you want to, what's stopping you? Though the most efficient way to travel in the city is through its public transport. The metro system here works just as well as those in other European capital cities. There's even a separate railway that can exclusively take you to the more suburban areas of the city. And for the taxis? You can easily rely on a transportation app when it gets too difficult to hail one on the street.
If you're traveling to Athens as a tourist, you might want to get travel insurance before getting here. Though Greece's healthcare system is universal, it only allows access to legal residents and citizens. Those who aren't will have to rely on private and travel insurance to get coverage here. And trust that you'll need it too! Some of the finest hospitals in the country are located in the capital city and they can get costly. The likes of The Central Clinic of Athens S.A. and The General Hospital of Athens Laiko can cost you a pretty penny without insurance so better to be safe than sorry!
Meaty kebabs, delicious sticks of souvlaki, and, of course, a nice serving of Greek yogurt! These are just some of the mouthwatering dishes and delicacies you should expect in Athens. You're in the Greek capital, after all. You'll find that the authentic cuisines served in the traditional Greek restaurants here are better than anywhere else in the world
And that’s on top of the other countless culinary hotspots just waiting to fatten you up. After every meal, you'll think twice about wearing an authentic toga that'll expose your body!
Even though Greece isn't a Christian country, many people in Athens still celebrate popular holidays. Of course, this includes Christmas Day, Easter Sunday, and the like. Though since the Greeks follow the Julian calendar, expect some of their dates to differ from the other countries'. For instance, Easter Sunday for most countries this year was on April 21, 2020. But the Orthodox Greeks celebrated theirs on May 2, 2020. Then, of course, there are the public holidays, which include Greek Independence Day (March 25), Labor Day (May 1), and Ohi Day (October 28), among many others.
Traveling to Athens as a tourist is all well and good, but it's completely different from actually relocating here. For that, you'll need this separate guide to help you out.
It lays out quite the framework of what you need to know, what you need to do, what you need to have, what you need to get, and what you need to have done even before moving here. Just follow the guide faithfully and you won't fail in your stay here in Athens.
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