Athens, Greece

Athens is the capital of Greece, one of the oldest cities in the world — history stacked on history, ancient ruins sitting next to coffee shops and street art.

I genuinely didn’t think I was going to like Athens that much. I was wrong. I loved the vibe, the streets, the energy — I felt like a queen walking around. And the men here have a bit of confidence to them — they’ll approach you, invite you out — but they’re respectful about a no. Tinder seems unnecessary in this city.

Time of Year I Visited

I went in April. I organised a quick vacation around a Wim Hoff workshop I wanted to attend. The weather was good enough to go to the beach — just needed a light jacket at night.

Did I Feel Safe?

I felt safe overall. Athens has a low rate of crime against women specifically, and violent incidents involving tourists are genuinely rare — most of what affects visitors is petty theft in crowded spots like the metro or busy squares, not anything aimed at women. Areas like Omonia Square have a rougher reputation at night, so I’d avoid lingering there after dark, but in the areas I was in I never felt unsafe.

Where I Stayed

Lávventura Hotel: Good location — walking distance to the main sights and close to Little Kook, which is worth knowing about (see below).

What’s Worth Doing

Little Kook: A café near the hotel with an Alice in Wonderland theme, inside and out. I didn’t order anything, but it’s so fun to just walk through for a minute and feel like Alice. I went during the day and at night to see the difference in ambiance — both were worth it, and the night version felt even more surreal.

Lycabettus Hill: The highest point in Athens, with panoramic views over the city and the Acropolis. Insider tip: don’t follow the crowd to the bar area on the right when you reach the top — go left instead. Nobody’s there, and the view is just as stunning, if not better. The colours looked AI-generated. They were not.

Areopagus (Mars Hill): The rocky hill at the foot of the Acropolis. Another great sunset option, more central, no climb required to the same degree — and you get a perfect view of the Acropolis from up there.

Anafiotika: Monastiraki and Plaka are great neighbourhoods to walk around — narrow streets, tavernas, the Acropolis looming above. And tucked at the foot of the Acropolis is Anafiotika, a tiny hidden neighbourhood — whitewashed houses, narrow winding lanes, bougainvillea everywhere. It looks like it was airlifted straight from a Greek island into the centre of the city. Built by immigrants from the island of Anafi, and it genuinely feels like it. Worth wandering through, no agenda needed.

The Beaches Nobody Talks About: Athens has beaches, and beautiful ones. I went to the Vari area and the water colour was unreal — the kind of turquoise you’d expect on a Greek island, not next to a capital city. I also went to Lake Vouliagmeni, a thermal lagoon nearby — warm mineral water, beautiful setting, genuinely surreal to swim in.

Athens Coffee Culture: The coffee in Athens is great and you should try it. I went to Melina Cafe — perfect spot to sit, drink coffee, and watch people walk by. Athens rewards that kind of slow, unhurried time.

FN Fashion (Kolwnou 1, Athens 104 37): An enormous amount of affordable, stylish clothing. Bring cash — they charge significantly more if you pay by card. You can’t try things on either, but the prices are low enough that it’s worth the risk.

What I Ate

Sarri’s Souvlaki: The best souvlaki I’ve had anywhere. Cheap, simple, and extraordinary. Go hungry.

Lukumades (21 Eolou St, Aghias Irinis Square): Try the loukoumades here — traditional Greek donuts, small fried dough balls usually drenched in honey and cinnamon. This spot does endless variations beyond the classic.

For the Gym Rats

I went to a gym called Gym Look and paid for a day pass — pretty good to keep training while travelling.

How Long Did I Stay?

3 days. I feel Athens deserves more than just one day — there’s enough between the city, the beaches, and the sunsets to fill that time easily.

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