Experience in Athens, Greece by a local

What is the student lifestyle like in Athens?

Athens is a city were you can do a variety of things. There are shops with high prices but after a bit of time you can find many more with conventional prices or student discounts (cafés, hairdressers, cinemas, etc. ). A major disadvantage is the delay of buses because of traffic or strikes.

How much does it cost to live in Athens?

• 200-300 euros for an apartment (around 50 square meters in a good central area)
• 20-30 euros per month for Internet
• 15 euros for students and 30 euros for everybody else for a monthly public transportation card
• 10 euros per month for a sim card (Vodafone or Cosmote What's Up)
• 100-200 euros per year for a gym membership (universities have their own sport activities for a lower price)
• 6-7 euros for cinema tickets (in most of the cinemas every Wednesday and Thursday it´s buy one get one free)

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Athens? Is there any advice you can give?

Accommodation in Athens is not expensive compared to other European countries. Good and safe areas, near the centre which are more expensive are Ampelokipoi, Zografou, Gizi, Goudi, Panormou, Ano Patissia, Ilissia, Pagrati.

Good sites to look for accommodation are: StayInAthens, HomeGreekHome and the ESN Athens group on Facebook.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

After spending the day in the sun and the sea, it´s time for food which is another great thing in Athens! Athens are full of taverns where you should try:

• Greek salad with feta cheese and olives
• Taramosalata
• Pastitsio
• Giouvetsi
• Soutzoukakia
• Kanelonia
• Spanakopita
• Ntako
• Kalamarakia
• Gemista
• Paidakia
• Lagos sti fado
• Giouvarlakia

Apart from the obvious and well-known tzatziki and mousakas.

The best dessert is of course Greek yogurt with honey!

I highly recommend the restaurat Ο Τζίτζικας κι ο Μέρμηγκας.

What places would you recommend visiting in Athens?

Definitely have a walk in the area of Plaka and Anafiotika (tiny streets right under the Acropolis which have a similar architecture to Anafi island which is close to Santorini).

Visit the Acropolis museum - students get free entry and you will love its architecture (you can try some delicious dishes in their own restaurant).

During summer, you should attend an ancient drama at Herodium Theatre in Athens, or for a more complete experience at Epidaurus Theatre at the city of Epidaurus.

Glifada is where you have access to the beach and you can go to the beach bars and clubs during the summer but it´s quite far from the centre.

I would also recommend a day trip to Sounio which is under an hour away from Athens to visit the ancient temple and eat at a traditional fish tavern.

Is it good to eat out in Athens? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Souvlaki places are all over Athens (as well as all over Greece) and a souvlaki costs around 2 euros so it is the cheapest, and easiest, snack to grab (for both lunch and dinner, even for breakfast after a drunken night). There are also a lot of taverns to try traditional Greek dishes. Although all over Athens you can find a variety of cuisines from around the world such as Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Lebanese, South African, Indian, Italian, French, American, Swedish, etc.

I recommend places like Kandavlos, Giasemi, Streetwok, Hot Hot Burger, Mirch and every single frozen yoghurt place during the summer!

Is the nightlife good in Athens? Where is good to go?

Athens is a big city. This means that there are a lot of choices when it comes to nightlife but it also means that transportation could be tricky after midnight when the subway closes although you can check for midnight buses. Good places to go: Kolonaki (with a lot of cafés and bars), Plateia Karitsi (bars, beer houses), Plaka (at Giasemi), Monastiraki (with a great Acropolis view), Psiri (for tsipouro which is a traditional drink), Thissio (during the summer months) and Gazi & Kipseli (for rebetadika where you can listen to real traditional Greek music much better than bouzoukia).

The most popular places are:

• Balux Cafe - The House Project in Glifada
• Minnie The Moocher - a cocktail bar in Kolonaki
• Six d. o. g. s - bar and café in Monastiraki
• Petite Fleur where they do the best chocolate ever in the world (Kolonaki)
• The Art Foundation - art gallery, bar and café in Monastiraki
• Sarakiniko (Rebetadiko)- Gazi
• Gazohori (Rebetadiko)- Gazi

What advice would you give future students headed to Athens?

In November, take part in the Athens Authentic Marathon

In May, you can also take part in the Athens Half Marathon

Both of these are a great experience which first started in Ancient Greece and continues until today. There are many different races (for example I usually run the 5 km road race which is a short distance and lasts 40 minutes) and they both have great parties as well with mass participation of people from all over the world!

You have to visit at least one of the Greek islands. Crete and Kefalonia have extraordinary beaches, Santorini has beautiful views. Mykonos, Skiathos and Rhodes have the best parties, Kekrira and Chios have well known traditions during Easter. Also the most famous ship company is Blue Star, departing from the port of Piraeus.

Before you arrive, you can also listen to some Greek music and if you ever need a cab, go with Uber.