Experience in Athens, Greece by evita

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

Ι love living in Athens, because it has many different choices to entertain your self and many different places to visit. There is the center of Athens (Syntagma, Akropoli, Monastiraki, etc. ) wich has historical meaning and much interest, and at the same time there are many many places to go out and have fun. In the the Southern Suburbs, someone can find beaches, beach bars and cafes, and shaped places to take a walk by the sea. Νorthern suburbs are closer to the mountains and the green element of nature (many trees). But there, the transportation is not very good and life is more expensive.

I totally recommend Athens for living, because I love how open people are, and how many different places and interests someone can achieve in a quite small city like this.

What is the student lifestyle like in Athens?

Student lifestyle is very nice in Athens. All universities are close to the center of Athens, and have good transportation. Except from some universities which you can reach using the bus from a close metro station. So usually, we go to our universities taking our lessons and afterwards we go somewhere with our friends to drink coffee an take advantage of the sun and the mild weather. The most popular places to go for coffe in the center, are at Monastiraki, Thisio, Plaka, etc. , which are historical centers and cafes have wonderful views. Aghia Eirini Square is also great and always full of students! I love drinking freddo in such places, because I take advantage of the warm weather and see other people in my age having fun too. Kolonaki has many cafes and bars too, and it is close to metro station Panepistimio, Evaggelismos. This place is chosen by many young people to drink coffe or drinks, and it is a bit more formal and expensive than other places in the center of Athens. Also wonderful is drinking coffe to tha seaside cafes, at Pireus, Palio Faliro (Trokadero), Alimos, Glifada, etc. Someone can use the tram to reach these places, and it is definitely worth it! Other customs greek students are, is going somewhere eat meze and drink wine or ouzo, at any time of the day they want.

How much does it cost to live in Athens?

Athens isn't expensive to live. Rents are accessible, especially close to the center, which is much easier to live at. Depending on the area you choose to live and go out, the cost goes up and down. For example Nouthern Suburbs are much more expensive than the center.

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

No it isn't difficult at all but it is very important to choose the right area. Always living close to the center makes things easier. A very good choice with good transportation, close to the center and with logical prices, is Pagkrati, which is close to Evaggelismos metro station. Other good choices are Ampelokipoi and Panormou, which are nices areas close to center with logical prices. Nea smirni is a very nice choice for me, as it is very close to the center and to the seaside at the same time, but there is no metro station there, only tram and bus stations. The best areas to live at in Athens though are Northen and Southern Suburbs, but I wouldn't recommend it to a student, because prices there are much higher and the transportation could be better.

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

I Greece we all eat souvlaki! It is the most cheap, delicious and quick dish someone can choose. Also seafood is great here, and we usually drink ouzo or wine at the same time.

What places would you recommend visiting in Athens?

The best places to visit in Athens in my opinion, are the historical center and the seaside area. Except from Acropolis, which is the most famous part, Ermou, Monastiraki Square, Thisio, Dionisiou Aeropagitou, Anafiotika, Plaka, Lykabitos, Archea Agora, Kolonaki, etc. are great places to have a walk and spare time.

Seaside destinations are Flisvos and Trocadero (at Paleo Faliro) which combines entertainment, pleasant walk beside the marines, Glifada, Pireus, Alimos. Sounio is a great destination too, but it is out of Athens.

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

It is good to eat at specific places. Food is not expensive here, as we have souvlaki, the greatest choice! Someone should also taste falafel and loukoumades at Eolou street.

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

I was waiting for this question. Nightlife here is great! And we have maaaaany choices for each night, as everything is close and the big variety! Gkazi is a place full of bars staying out all night with free entrance. Kolonaki has also many bars, a bit more formal and better dress code. Same at Nothern Suburbs. Chalandri is for drinking a drink until 3-4 am. Kolokotroni steet (near Syntagma) has many cocteil bars staying open until 3 am. A very good choice is Clumpsies near to Panepistimio. Aghia Eirini has also nice bars. Skyfall and White are two clubs at Zappeio with great views! At summertime everyone chooses Southern Suburbs which has great seaside clubs and bars! Alimos has plenty of choices! "Akanthus" is the greatest club for me. Also "Akrotiri" and "Island" are great seaside choices. But close to them there are many bars with loud music, like Penarrubia, Bolivar etc. Glifada has many such bars too.

Northen Suburbs are usually chosen at the winter. Kifissia, Erithrea and Chalandri are some such places to visit. If you come to Athens you shoud definitely go to Egaleo, Psirri, Anafiotika and Pireus to drink wine, raki and other local drinks like rakomelo, oinomelo, etc., eating a meze. It is very usual here and full of young people! BaRaki at Aghios Dimitrios, is a place with greek music an greek wine too.

What advice would you give future students heading to Athens?

I advise them to have great time, drink a lot and try greek habits! like going to cafes and raki bars. I also recommend to take advantage of the warm weather and the small size of the country, so have many trips and visit Islands! Summertime is always better in Greece, so I definitely recommend choosing the spring semester if they come for one semester erasmus programme. If they come for the whole year that would be even better. :)

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