Most location-independent entrepreneurs do not stay long in Athens. And that’s a shame, because the Greek capital is a bustling metropolis with a pleasant climate even in winter. Find out what Athens has in store for digital nomads here!
The Greek capital, most travelers do not stay there long. Because the islands would be so much more attractive. Okay, I admit it: it is not the most beautiful city in Southeastern Europe, but it is one of the most vibrant! In January and February 2023, I stayed in the Hellenic capital for two months and had the time of my life!
Pros and cons of Athens
After my two-month stay, I can draw up the bilan. There are many more advantages than disadvantages, see:
Benefits of Athens
- Climate: even in the middle of winter, the mercury easily shows 17 degrees Celsius
- Sightseeing: don’t stare blindly at the concrete, because there really is so much beauty there
- Food and drink: Greek cuisine is enormously rich in flavor and bad coffee can be found virtually nowhere
- Mountains and sea: if you are tired of the city bustle, sandy beaches, steep cliffs and high mountains are within easy reach
- Huge cultural offer: there are a huge number of museums and events you have throughout the year
- Nightlife: bars with fluorescent tubes, underground taverns and big fancy halls with hip Balkan music; Athens is a veritable paradise for night owls
- Public transport: this is very well arranged and cheap, with public transport you can get literally everywhere
- Affordable: for such an international city, everything is actually still very affordable, especially compared to Amsterdam or Brussels
- Knowledge of English: despite Greek being a totally different language (including different writing), the average Athenian can speak English well.
Are you a digital nomad and prefer a cold climate? Then consider Canada as a destination. Check out the ‘Calgary for digital nomads’ guide here.
Disadvantages of Athens
- Crowds: this is one of the most hectic cities in Europe
- Traffic jams: driving, don’t even get started
- Vast: Athens really is a huge city, often it takes you an hour and a half to get from one side of the city to the other
- Noise: belongs to such a gigantic city; this city doesn’t actually sleep
- Writing: is actually not a disadvantage, if you can sound it out a little bit. Then you will also immediately recognize the destinations listed on the buses. Because there is only room for Greek letters there. So, try reading Greek.
Practical information Athens
The Greek capital is, by Southeast European standards, very well organized. If you want to settle down in Athens for a while, this information can get you started:
Public transportation in Athens
This is, as described above, wonderfully well organized and inexpensive. Backbone of the network is the subway, which consists of three lines. Metro Line 1 is a photogenic old line that locals call the Ilektriko, it runs mostly above ground. Lines 2 and 3 are modern and run underground. A tram also runs along the coast and from downtown to the coast. Buses come every two minutes (!) in some places, but all follow their own unique routes. Tip: Use Google Maps and be patient, and you’ll be fine.
Furthermore, the government is working hard to further roll out the Suburban Rail, which currently allows you to get as far as Korinthos and Chalkida.
A monthly ticket for public transportation costs 27 euros and puts you on the ATH.ENACARD, the local public transport chip card or Mobib. With this, you can get as far out of town as Magoula and Koropi. Traveling by subway to the airport is another story: for that you pay a surcharge of as much as 9 euros. The bus is a cheaper alternative, but takes longer and is often stuck in traffic.
Looking for a Mediterranean nomad destination closer to home? Then consider the Côte d’Azur. Check out the “Côte d’Azur for digital nomads” guide here.
Living in Athens
Although the Athenian housing market does not escape inflation either, it still remains cheaper here than in the Benelux. In the winter of 2023, it was still possible to rent a 40m2 apartment for €500 a month, but prices were rising rapidly.
Airbnb offers interesting long stays with good all inclusive rates: you can search for apartments including gas, water, electricity, TV and internet in a targeted way on this platform. By the way, hot water is often produced by the sun in metal water tanks you see on the roofs! You only turn on your water heater when it’s cloudy.
Calling and internet in Athens
Because Greece is in the EU, you don’t pay roaming if you use a Belgian or Dutch SIM card. Calling, texting and mobile Internet access probably won’t cost you anything extra, provided you don’t go over your limit.
Local internet is not among the fastest in Europe, for example, the average download speed until recently was 30 mmbs, but with a little good searching you can find stays with speeds of at least 50 mmbs. Need even faster internet? Then find a good coworking space.
Location-independent work in Athens
As a nomad, you can work virtually anywhere, provided you have good internet. Work can be done at the following places:
- Just in your temporary residence, such as an Airbnb.
- In coffee bars, although one is beginning to limit that in popular downtown places. Interesting detail: having a coffee by yourself and working at your laptop is a fairly new phenomenon in some places in Greece. Even in a metropolis like Athens.
- Coworking spaces can also be found in lots of places, with new ones being added regularly.
- Cultural Center Stavros Niarchos: in the national library and on the covered terrace you can find nice chairs to work for a while. Great views and very beautiful light you get for free.
Would you also like to work location independent? Then read here how to become a digital nomad!
Contact with other nomads or locals
This option was not necessary for me because I already knew people here. If you want to get to know other nomads, there are facebook groups like Digital Nomads Meetup – Athens. These people meet weekly and seem to be having the time of their lives. Another interesting group is Digital Nomads in Greece.
Prefer to get to know locals? If so, especially avoid the tourist center and seek out the social spots in the residential areas. Greeks seem to be more socially minded than the Dutch or Belgians and often start a conversation spontaneously.
For digital nomads, separating work from home can be challenging. Want to know how to do that better? Then read here how to keep your work and personal life separate.
Athens off the beaten path
The imposing Athenian tourist sites are world famous. You will encounter those anyway as you explore the city. But since you have more time as a nomad, you can also see and do lots of other things. Therefore, below are some tips to make your stay even more enjoyable!
Unknown Athens
- Kypseli: a multicultural neighborhood in the north of the city. On the car-free boulevard Fokionis Negri you will find a covered market hall full of local initiatives, some good coffee bars and the Blank Wall Gallery, often featuring high-level photo exhibitions.
- Exarchia: a neighborhood full of street art and alternative stores and entertainment venues. The anarchists left a firm mark on this neighborhood.
- Hills: Athens is full of rocky points you can climb. Strefi and Elikonas are interesting examples. Nice to know: on such hills it is often really quiet and you will encounter animals, such as Greek land tortoises.
- Piraeus: a suburb surrounded by the sea. In the Peiraiki district you have a rocky coast with decent waves, in the center of Piraeus very popular and very mundane streets. Furthermore, in the docks at the metro and train station, you can see the boats leaving for the islands. In contrast, the Mikrolimani and the Pasalimani are more tourist-oriented ports.
- Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center: a huge complex with national library, opera and much more. Around these buildings and on the roof is an impressive garden planted with olive trees. From the highest point you can see the harbor and the islands.
- Old Airport Ellinikon: it is located in the south of the city. In the winter of 2023, old aircraft from Olympic were still here. In the coming years, this old airport site will be transformed into the massive park The Ellinikon.
- Kifisia: a northern chic suburb with luxury stores and leafy streets.
- Nea Filadelfia: an entertainment district in the north of Athens that can also be very pleasant in the afternoon.
- Lipasmata Multifunctional Park: an old seaside industrial site converted into a city park. You’ll find this in the western suburb of Drapetsona. Reminds a bit of the landscape parks in German industrial cities.
- Kallithea: a large middle-class suburb between downtown and the sea. Here you will find hidden gems such as Tavern Ramona with outstanding food and drinks.
Day trips from Athens
- Parnitha, an imposing mountain above Athens of no less than 1413 m high. This can be reached by public transportation: take the metro to Kifisia terminus and continue by bus 504 to Thrakomakedones neighborhood. From there you walk up to the cable car station. Using the cable car from the local casino, you travel up the high mountain. For hikers, this cable car is free. On the mountain you will encounter deer and find an abandoned sanitarium.
- Elefsina: an interesting industrial city west of Athens, also cultural capital of Europe in 2023. Here you have two types of heritage: ancient ruins and industrial monuments. A city in change, like Enschede or Charleroi.
- Lemos Peninsula: this is found just outside the southern suburb of Vouliagmeni. A rocky area a few kilometers long. Walk past all the tourist infrastructure. At the end you have a fantastic view of the coast and it is wonderfully quiet.
- Salamina: a surprising island without tourists. From Piraeus, take the bus to the port of Perama. A ferry leaves for Salamina every 15 minutes. On this island you have the historic core of the eponymous town of Salamina with old chapel on a rocky point with 360-degree views. This island is really quite surprising. The islanders will also be strangely surprised to see you, because foreign tourists are not used to them here.
- The Holy Monastery of Kaisariani: an ancient monastery on a hill in the cypress forests. On weekends, the place is crowded with day-trippers.
- Davelis Cave in Penteli: an old little church at the entrance to a pretty big cave. Very impressive! In addition, you will also find an unused tunnel.
- Korinthos, an hour’s travel by Suburban Rail: instead of going to the ruins, you can go to the modern city. There you have fishing districts, no-frills beaches and lots of merchants. Greece as it is, without bells and whistles.
- Chalkida on the island of Evia: this is the terminus of the Athens Suburban Rail. Really worthwhile because of two seas that meet. Four times a day the current changes, a super interesting phenomenon that you can see virtually nowhere else. There is also an ancient mosque, a castle on a hill and a huge walking zone along the waterfront.
Conclusion
Although Athens is not the first choice for digital nomads, it is a very surprising city. Well organized, cosmopolitan, nice weather and lots of opportunities for digital nomads. Certainly don’t mistake the concrete for the sea and mountains are nearby.