Athens - A love letter to Greece

The moment we flew into Athens International Airport, both my partner and I were instantly drawn to the exuberant, easy going lifestyle of the capital. From the kind ticket lady behind the train station booth to the energetic bar tenders behind the bars, everyone made time for us.. This place stole our hearts, hid it in its graffiti back streets and refused to let them go. So lets give some love to this bustling, ancient city as we make our way through the top ten things that will have you falling in love with Athens.

Amazing Transport System

The Athens Metro system has three lines running throughout the city and connects to the bus routes, tram system and the suburban railway. The cost of a train ticket is also very cheap. We bought a 3 day tourist ticket which cost 20 Euros (Yes 20 euros!). This included all bus routes, tram systems, all three train lines and it even allows you to take the train from the airport, into the city and then vice versa, as well as all areas on the outskirts of the city. Phew!

2. LGBTQ+ Friendly

Greece is very accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals. We felt comfortable holding hands and no one paid us attention. We saw many gay and lesbian couples showing affection to one another and it was lovely to see a restaurant worker smile at us when I gave my partner a little peck on the cheek. It shows how much we take for granted the simple things in life and Athens certainly added the warm fuzzy feels.

Mojitos in Juan Rodriques - Athens, Greece

3. Roof Top Bars Galore

Come the summer, the roof top bars become a heaven of parties, get-togethers and dance, while the sun sets, the music pulsates and the views are stunning. Plus the cocktails are not too bad either. Hint hint, the mojitos are the best we’ve ever tried if you pay a visit to Juan Rodriguez Bar in Psyrri. If you want to explore the roof tops without the hustle and bustle, the best time to visit is in the late morning or early afternoon when the roof tops are less packed and the city washes away its hangover.

DAVE ‘Son of a Brown’ Roof top Hotel - Athens

4. The Greek Food is literally a godsend

You will never eat food quite like what the Greeks have to offer. From its tasty Greek salads to it tender chicken souvlaki. The food is sensational and I am not exaggerating. My partner and I are not usually big salad eaters but since trying the feta cheese mixed with tomatoes and olive oil, we have become obsessed. For the days we spent in Athens, I’m pretty sure our cholesterol dropped due to the ripe, fresh food Athens provides. And don’t get me started on the sweet deserts (ok we cheated a bit). I think you will understand when you see the massive chocolate cake and ice cream below.

5. The Friendliest People

The people in Athens (hell in the whole of Greece) are so friendly and kind. If you are lost and need advice, don’t hesitate to ask someone. People in the city will be happy to give you directions and a big plus is that a lot of the residents speak fluent English.

6. Graffiti

No matter where you go, whatever you do, there will be graffiti art on every street corner, etched along its back alleys and its markets, immersing you in their creative space. Athens is a haven for the arts and its graffiti is no exception. If you’re not a big fan of the creative touch then my advice is to try and embrace it. There is a lot of artists in this great city and they all want you to be immersed in their story. Best places to visit to get your creative juices flowing are Exarchia, Monastiraki, Psirri and Metaxourgeio districts.

7. Cheaper than the small Islands

During our travels around Greece, we found that the small islands such as Zakynthos and Kefalonia can be quite pricy when it comes to eating out. Meals can cost around 15- 20 euros each. However to our surprise, Athens is really cheap. We found a restaurant that costs only 12 euros for 2 people and the food was still as fresh and tasty! Bargain.

8. The Architecture will blow your mind

Of course a lot of people come here for the neoclassical buildings such as the Acropolis Parthenon and Temple of the Olympian Zeus but wherever you go in the city, you will always be left amazed by the spectacle of Athens’ historic infrastructure. Everywhere you look, there are masses of white stone buildings, which will take your breath away. Rather than take transport, its sometimes best to just walk and take in the sights at your own pace. Make sure to wear comfy shoes though.

9. Laid back lifestyle

Every restaurant we ate at, my partner and I noticed that the waiters didn’t look stressed or anxious. Even though they were attending tables loaded with families, the atmosphere was chilled and the waiters were extremely relaxed. It was an eyeopener to see the laid back lifestyle of Greek culture and we absolutely loved it. Ok they forgot to bring olive oil to the table after we asked them twice but who cares, we were that chilled, we could have camped out over our table for the night.

10. The History

With Athens being one of the oldest cities in the world, the name lives up to its reputation. With a vast amount of history stretching from the Greek gods to their temples, it is sure to blow your mind. Make sure to visit the museums and soak up all the unique stories Athens has to offer. For example, did you know that Ancient Greeks use to go to the gym naked, as it was seen as a tribute to the gods? The word ‘gymnasium’ also means ‘school for naked exercise’. However I don’t think we would get away with that today as we might be thrown in jail.

If this list doesn’t give you a taste for all the love that is Athens or makes you want to explore this incredible city then you’re missing out. It needs to be on everyone’s bucket list!

Until next time.

MiniatureTravels