Is It Worth Visiting Athens? 5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Athens, Greece

Updated January 2021

Is it worth visiting Athens? For those considering a destination that blends bustling modernity with ancient history, amazing food, and vibrant ambiance as their next destination, Athens is an ideal city to consider.

As someone who lived in Athens during a 3-month study abroad program and has visited on other occasions, I believe I can offer you good insights and reasons why this city should be at the top of your travel list.

You’re likely looking for a unique and enriching travel destination that’s both accessible and filled with culture. But let’s be real for a second: Many cities throughout the world offer unique and enriching activities with tons of culture—so why choose Athens, Greece?

For starters, Athens is welcoming and easy to explore. Despite the language barrier, the people are also very friendly and eager to talk with you, from waiters to taxi drivers.

I know that when you’re far away from home, whether you’re traveling solo or with others, a friendly face eases any nerves that come with traveling to a new destination.

Whether you’re into art, food, architecture, or history, Athens offers experiences that cater to pretty much everyone.

In this post, I will share the 5 reasons why I think visiting Athens, Greece, is worth it. I hope by the end of the post, you’ll have a better idea of what type of adventures await you there. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments below!

So, is it worth visiting Athens? Let’s jump in and see.

1. The Food

If you’ve never tried Mediterranean food before, you’re in for an amazing treat when you visit Athens.

Though many Greeks will tell you that the best Mediterranean food comes from the homecooked meals from their grandma’s who live outside of Athens, I will say that Athens still offers quite a delicious variety of Greek food.

However, with so many top-notch restaurants and dining options in Athens, you’ll never run out of food options to explore.

Everything from Greek salad to souvlaki, moussaka, and, of course, gyros is delicious, flavorful, and filling. Feta cheese, Greek yogurt, honey, baklava, bougatsa, and so much more!

Ultimately, the freshness in the food was truly what made the food even better.

>> Read More: A Culinary Tour of Greece

2. The History

Our democracy, the Olympics, philosophy, science/math, medicine, all the way to alarm clocks and odometers have origins tracing back to Greece. One of the things I found incredibly astounding was the living history in ALL corners of Athens. I will never forget the time I was in line at H&M and I looked down to realize that I was stepping on Plexiglas that gave me an entire view of the ruins very much alive underneath.

If you stay in the Plaka area, you’ll pretty much have an incredible view of the Acropolis from every point, but you will also pass each corner finding a piece of history. Each metro stop in Athens is literally a mini-museum of all the things they have found underground while constructing the underground transportation system. It’s incredible.

Ruins of old civilizations, homes, market places, places for gathering, libraries, everything that became a foundation for how the majority of the world lives and functions. It’s truly remarkable and incredible. History is so alive in this city, and it is embraced as it coexists with everything new.  It is something you have to see for yourself.

3. The Nightlife

Even if you’re not much into going out at night, the sounds of bustling restaurants, people talking over a glass of wine and dinner, people walking around in search of gelato, and people walking to find the next bar to check out, will all make you want to go out and see what the Athenian nightlife is all about. Especially in the Plaka area (by the Acropolis) there will be people out almost all night grabbing dinner, drinks, desert, or just walking around and marveling at the beauty of history and the Acropolis lit up at night. It’s honestly so beautiful, and one of the prettiest and liveliest sights I have EVER seen. 

Now, if you are into going out and having a good time dancing the night away to Greek pop hits and other popular songs, I would check out the gay district called Gazi. It’s not too far from the Plaka area, it’s actually walkable, and you’ll definitely be guaranteed a fun time bar and club hopping around this area. Or if you’re into swanky types of ambiances, check out A for Athens in Monastiraki, a rooftop bar where you’ll have one of the most amazing views of the Acropolis and all of Monastiraki square. It will take your breath away. If you’re into trendy, cool, and stylish bars, then definitely make your way to Six D.o.g.s. Literally one of the coolest bars I’ve ever been to that has it all: style, art, just enough swanky feel with underground feels. Check it out when you’re in Athens!

4. The Lifestyle

Even though the Greek economy has been suffering on various levels for what feels like a long time, I will say that the Greeks don’t let that affect them, at least on the outside.  This was something that I found comfort in, in the way that the Greeks were able to look past a bad situation, whether it was a bad day or a few bad years in national economic distress, the Greeks always made the most of it. This meant that you still saw locals going out to eat, laughing out loud when in the company of their loved ones, ready to help someone in need if they looked in front of their shops or restaurants and always, always ready to take a coffee break at cafes around Athens. My professor always said that Greeks don’t need social media to know what’s going on with other people and their lives, all they had to do was go to a coffee shop, and enjoy their Freddo cappuccino and look around. Not kidding, their outdoor seating is actually faced towards the street, so you and whoever your with can hold a conversation, but also look at who’s walking by. 

Read More: How I Manifested A Trip To Greece – And How You Can Do It Too!

5. The Culture

The Greeks as you already know are responsible for the various way in which the world functions nowadays. Everything from how to govern countries, to some of the biggest sporting events celebrated, Greece has had built a culture of innovation, curiosity, warmth, family, and natural beauty. Greece is about going forward, but not forgetting your past. Athens is where so much of that still remains, and we are still very lucky to witness it all. The new and the old – the tradition, the sacred, and the innovative. Everything from the food, the (extremely good looking) people, the history, the architecture, the scenery, the ruins, and the modern – I don’t think there is quite another place like Greece to really spark your curiosity, and make you want to question and find answers to things that before, you might have not thought about. It’s inspiring, and I extremely suggest you experience and live it for yourself. 

Read More: How I Easily Saved An Extra $1,000 For Travel Using The Acorns App

So if you haven’t considered Athens into your list of places to visit next, again, I hope that this list inspired you a bit to look deeper into a country that sometimes only gets attention for islands like Mykonos or Santorini. While those islands are also gorgeous, I feel that Athens really delivers that experience that captures the essence of Greece; new and old. 

To more travel moments like this ✨

Like it? Pin it!