I did my research before booking my trip to Athens. I asked people what they thought. Most people told me not to go because it’s too big of a city. They said I would be disappointed. But, the question lingered: Should I visit Athens, Greece?
If you know anything about me, you’ll know that the more people tell me not to do something, the more I’m going to defy you.
I booked my ticket to Athens from Berlin and decided to stay in Athens for 7 days.
My Take on Athens
Athens, a bustling, ancient city. This urban environment is covered in urban clash from modern times. Graffiti is everywhere. The people are hustling. Venders around every corner. At the same time, you have ancient relics. The Acropolis towers over the city. Monuments standing tall around every corner and like any European city, you have random statues of angels as you walk around.
Other Neighborhoods in Athens Worth Visiting
Athens is beautiful yet very urban. I love graffiti and urbanization. I’m a city boy, born and raised in LA.
Downtown Athens has a pedestrian boulevard filled with clothing stores and restaurants like only Europe can do. You will find anything you want.
If you’re interested in a more obscure neighborhood try Exarchaia. It’s considered the anarchist neighborhood of Athens. It’s filled with graffiti, art stores, tattoo parlors, and a University.
Plaka, the historic part of Athens is adorable and worth a visit. Plaka has all the unique restaurant experiences you want to have. It also has the most unusual souvenir shops I’ve seen in Europe so far. You can buy several funny souvenirs, from penis bottle openers to funny condoms.
There are several sites I didn’t get to see while I was here but I do have to say I think 7 days was too long in Athens. I got bored after 3 days.
So, Should You Visit Athens on Your Trip?
After this trip, I realized Athens is not as fun as other cities I’ve been to. It’s beautiful, yes but seven days is too much. I would say skip Athens, but if you go, realize that you can see everything in the city in three days.
Greece is for Greek islands. I should’ve planned this one better and hopped around the islands more.
I spent a lot of money while I was in Athens but that’s my fault because I wanted to taste everything. The prices are a little on the high side, but not as bad as other European cities.
Let me break it down for you:
- Lots of great ruins.
- Don’t spend more than 3 days there. I spend 7 and it was too long.
- Go island-hopping afterward.
- Its a little expensive but not as much as other European cities.
- It’s full of graffiti and urban chaos (which I love by the way.)
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