Athens, Greece, is extremely underrated for a capital city

Hello!

I wanted to share my experience visiting Athens, especially from the perspective of a solo female traveler. Before my first trip to Athens this past April, I was honestly a bit nervous. I had heard so many negative opinions about the city—people saying it was dirty, dangerous, and not worth the visit. A few even told me they regretted their time there. I started to wonder if I had made a mistake booking my trip.

But let me tell you, when I arrived, my experience was completely different from what I had expected.

First of all, I stayed in Koukaki, and I felt extremely safe during the day. Athens is full of rich culture, and there's so much to see and do. The Acropolis and the Olympic Stadium alone are absolutely breathtaking, and that’s just scratching the surface. Sure, some people complain about the old, crumbling buildings, but if you approach the city with an open mind and a desire to experience something new, you'll find beauty everywhere. Plus, there are plenty of modern buildings scattered throughout the city as well.

As for the complaints about the city being dirty, I honestly didn’t find it any worse than parts of Paris or certain areas of London. Yes, there’s a lot of graffiti, but that’s part of the urban charm, and it doesn’t take away from the incredible sights Athens has to offer.

The people in Athens are so hospitable and kind. I had no issues communicating in English throughout my trip, and I was amazed at how cheap everything was, from food to Ubers—especially considering it’s a capital city. It’s important to note, though, that salaries in Athens aren’t great, so I always made it a point to tip when I could, even though it’s not strictly necessary.

If you’re looking for an authentic Greek experience, I would honestly recommend skipping the more touristy spots like Mykonos and Santorini. Instead, spend some time in Athens, and maybe hop on a boat to explore the nearby islands. I fell in love with the city so much that I ended up returning just a month later.

Now, a word of caution: while I felt completely safe during the day, I wouldn’t recommend walking around too much at night as a solo female, especially in areas like Omonia. But overall, I felt safer in Athens than I did in Paris.

So if you’re on the fence about visiting Athens, don’t be. It’s an incredible city with so much to offer, and I think it deserves way more love than it gets. Has anyone else had a similar experience with Athens? Would love to hear how your trip has went, and particularly if any men have solo travelled i would love to hear if your experience was any different