Experience in Athens, Greece by chryso

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

Living in Athens since I was born I have to admit that I love this city.The historical city center(plaka,ermou str. and monastiraki) will thrill you.The people are very friendly and they will always try to help you as long as you ask them. Except from some periodical transportation issues,due to peaceful protests, everything is functioning good.The bureaucracy might sometimes seems tricky but other you will always have someone to help you with it.The city itself is very nice, either you chose the city centre, the nord suburbs or the coast line arean such as Glufada,Voula, Palaio Faliro, Neo Faliro and Piraeus. I would defenetely recommended

What is the student lifestyle like in Athens?

Athens being the Greek capital hosts many universities ,private and public, so there are numerous opportunities for students concerning happy hours in bar and restaurants and entertainment vacilities. being cinema complexes such as 'village' offer student prices and you also have discount in transportation fees

How much does it cost to live in Athens?

Living in Athens is not that expensive but still there things that you need too be aware of such as the recent rising in the food products or the electricity bills. But other than than as I mention before as a student you have many discounts from cafes to cloth shops(not the expensive brands-usually local shops)

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

Is not difficult to find accommodation in Athens but i would recommend before signing any papers either see the place in person or by photos,as you would do in any other country. My favorite places to stay in Athens is Piraeus,Neo Faliro or Gazi and Ampelokipoi.

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

The food is delicious! Greek local cuisine is unsurpassed! very healthy since is based upon the Mediterranean nutrition and extremely tasteful! The flavors ,the aromas would be something you will never forget. As Greek 'fast food' you can consider souvlaki, tasteful and fillling, with many choises to make it-type of sandwich someone could say.Other than that do not miss out to try pastitsio, fakes, greek version of carbonara spaghetti , lemon chicken with oven potatoes, mpekri meze, kleftiko ,tzatziki and many many others.take advantage of the taverns that serve local dishes from all the parts of Greece

What places would you recommend visiting in Athens?

Athens is a very beautiful city but usually people are falling for the so called tourist traps.Places to visit and hang out are: Plaka, Ermou, Suntagma, Kolonaki, Amplelokipoi, Psuxiko, Agia Paraskeui, Kiffisia, Chalandri , Gazi, Monastiraki, Kallithea, Piraeus(Pasalimani, Mikrolimano, Marina Zeas, Peiraiki, Terpsithea and downtown Piraeus)

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

Mostly is safe to eat outside in Athens even from the people that sell food in the street(like souvlaki on stick), do not be afraid to try out sweets and other types of cookies that people are selling in the street as well. There is a variety for places to eat and prices to pay starting from 10e per person until as many as you want to pay for a good meal.Nice places to go and eat are located all over Athens ,I would say in Plaka, Kolonaki, ampelokipoi and Piraeus are the most concetrate ones to pick from

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

Nightlife in Athens is something that surpasses you. You can find places that open round 8 in the evening and last until 3-4 a.m and clubs that operates around 12 to 6 a.m (usually people go those after 1 a.m. Big Bar areas are located: Agia Paraskeui Square, Chalandri square, Panormou, Kolonaki, Monastiraki, Psurri , Karitsi, Pasalimani, mikrolimano and peiraiki.

What advice would you give future students heading to Athens?

Be prepared to have fun, do not be afraid to speak with locals, get in touch with other university students as they can help them around and enjoy the most of life in the Greek way!If you have the time visit one of the islands close to athens such as aigina,poros,methana,agistri and my favorite spetses!