Athens
Assured summer sun and plenty of Gyros.
.jpg)
It's cityscape is visually dominated by ancient landmarks, including the Acropolis. Today, Athens thrives as a modern metropolis, offering a plethora of restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, and a lively nightlife scene.
Ideal spot for a month-long stay during the European summer. Would revisit and aim for May or September.
Ideal spot for a month-long stay during the European summer. Would revisit and aim for May or September.
Ideal spot for a month-long stay during the European summer. Would revisit and aim for May or September.
Ideal spot for a month-long stay during the European summer. Would revisit and aim for May or September.
Having enjoyed a short stay in Athens a few years back, it was the ideal candidate for a trip in the the summer of 2022, where the main criteria was finding a location with assured summer heat.
Considering it's status as a global tourist attraction, accommodation is still relatively affordable compared to other main European capitals, especially outside of the peak summer months.
A solid selection of coworking spaces but perhaps not as many as you would expect from a city of it's size and stature. After viewing several, i was very happy with my choice of Stone Soup.
Like anywhere in Greece, there are an infinite array of coffee shops but wifi is not the most reliable so you would be best opting for a dedicated space.
Not many European capitals can compete with Athens when it comes to value. Eating out and drinking is well priced and there are no shortage of more sophisticated higher end options.
For a city of its size and stature, Athens truly meets expectations in this regard. Especially during the summer months, when visitor numbers swell, the city has a lively ambience, with areas surrounding the Acropolis consistently busy.The pleasant nighttime temperatures encourage people to stay out late, enjoying the numerous dining and nightlife spots.In particular, Exarchia has a uniquely unpredictable and rebellious character, which contrasts well with the more sophisticated areas of the city centre.
Greece is based in Eastern European Time, perfect if you are used to working in European hours, one hour ahead of CET.
Athens is enormous and unless you want to be spending a lot of time on the metro, you'd be best off considering options within walking distance to the centre.
I spent 6 weeks working from Stone Soup and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for space to work from within Athens. It's by no mean the sleekest or most polished space, but the team running it are great, there is generous desk space and it also has a large roof terrace which you have access to, giving incredible views over the city.
It's based in a great location in town and they often put on social nights, a great place to meet the international audience I found working from there.
Greece introduced a Digital Nomad Visa in 2021, allowing remote workers to reside for up to two years. From January 1, 2024, applications must be submitted through Greek consulates abroad, not in-country. The visa provides access to 26 Schengen countries but requires spending at least six months in Greece. Digital nomads can bring family members.
Only a short ferry journey away from the main Pireaus port of Athens, Agistri is an ideal place to spend a day on the beach. The island has plenty of small shops to stock up on essentials and some restaurants for evening meals.
Having spent 6 weeks there, I would have no hesitations in recommending Athens as a summer destination. Even with temperatures routinely in the mid 30s, the heat was not too much of a concern, with AC availability widespread.
It's worth noting there is something of an exodus from the city in the month of August as Greeks head to the islands for summer vacations. You're better off swerving that period unless you are craving some form of urban isolation.
During the mid summer months there's no shortage of things to do in the city itself and there is an infinite number of islands to explore, reachable from the ferry port or by plane.
If planning on doing a lot hiking or exploring outdoors, you may be better off arriving before June, where the threat of wildfires puts many outdoor spaces out of bounds.
As you may suspect, Athens is a year round global tourist destination pulling in people from all corners of the globe. There's a prominent remote working community in the city with the coworking space I worked from being a good mix of individuals from mainly across Europe within Greece. I found Athenians on the whole to be as a friendly and welcoming as you would expect from such a large touristic city.