Experience in Athens, Greece by Athanasios

What is it like to live in Atenas? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Great city, but a bit hectic and overcrowded. Most regions are kept clean, air pollution is manageable, noise pollution on the other hand is high. It's a fun place for a young person to live with myriad of choices for nightclubs, bars, restaurants and taverns.

What is the student lifestyle like in Atenas?

Student life in Athens isn't the easiest as with other greek cities, mostly due to the sheer size of the city and the lack of an extended and regular metro / train network. Students tend to live with their families, all over Attica and the ones that come from other cities tend to rent in places around the big unis like Exarcheia, Kypseli, Zografou etc.

How much does it cost to live in Atenas?

Athens and Greece in general is quite cheap compared to the west European cities. Rent for a small single bedroom apartment goes from 250-450, rest of the monthly costs will go for around the same, depending on your daily lifestyle ofc.

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

It's very easy to find, if you know where you want to live ofc... You can go to websites like Erasmusu and there are plenty of options for every type of person you are. I would avoid ground and penthouse level apartments though, as they are far more likely to get robbed.

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

Food in Athens is great wherever you go, the central touristy places like Monastiraki, Plaka etc, or the south riviera like Vouliagmeni offer worse quality and more expensive options, but it's still much better than average.

What places would you recommend visiting in Atenas?

Depends on the type of person you are. If you like hills and awesome views go to Lykavittos, Strefi, Filopapou, Tourkovouniam.

Museums are also everywhere with the best being the National Archaeological Museum in Exarcheia, but also the Acropolis museum, the benaki museum and others.

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

It's the best thing to eat out in Athens, the options are countless, cheap and high-quality. Best spots are in the centre regions like Pagkrati, Kolonaki, Thiseio etc but avoid the touristy options of Monastiraki and Plaka, not that they're not good, they're just pricey.

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

If you like bars and clubs go the centre, but also Kifisia, Glyfada, Nea Smirni, Vouliagmeni, Chalandri, Kerameiko/Metaxourgio etc. They are everwhere.

What advice would you give future students heading to Atenas?

Try to find a place near your uni or at least near a metro/train line that connects close to your uni. It might cost a bit more but will save you so much time and rest. The Greeks are friendly people, helpful and so fun if you open up to them. Try to.

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