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.
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New legislation
Recent changes introduced by the Turkish government has made short-term rentals for under 100 days more restricted. Keep an eye on Reddit threads for up-to-date assessments of how the new legislation is impacting short-term rentals in practice.
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.
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The yen is currently at a 34-year low
While this is undoubtedly a negative for the Japanese, it makes for an exceptionally good time to visit Japan from abroad. Although this trend is unlikely to reverse significantly in the short term, it's still worth checking before visiting.
Read moreFor 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.
I've written a guide on how to structure your day to get the most out of the time difference.
Without doubt, being able to speak Spanish with a degree of fluency is a huge asset when visiting South America. I had always put off visiting the continent due to my Spanish skills not extending beyond requesting a "cerveza grande".
But even with my incredibly primitive linguistic capabilities, it was not in any way to the detriment of the trip. English is spoken sparsely, but armed with a few phrases, some polite enthusiasm and a translator, it shouldn't deter you from visiting.
Given the instability in Argentina over the past few years, I found that most advice on key topics, even if written within the last 12 months, bordered on being dangerously outdated.
I have attempted to summarise some of the most misleading points I encountered.
Card availability is now excellent across the city. Even if you are purchasing a single empanada, bananas from a greengrocer, or buying cans of beer off a man in the street before a football match. Some businesses may offer a 10% discount if you use cash, or charge a small surcharge for card payments.
"It's difficult to get a SUBE card"
This was true in recent years, as there had been a shortage of the cards across the city due to a lack of the plastics needed to create the card. I had no problems going to the nearest off-licence and getting a card on my first attempt. It's worth asking your Airbnb host who may have a spare.
The biggest misconception that may still linger, even if you are reading articles from 2023. If planning on eating out heavily, then expect European prices or even higher on more imported day-to-day goods. Eating out aside, day-to-day expenses are still good value by global measures.
This advice would continue to make sense for Americans who already have dollars, but I wouldn't recommend making an effort to purchase with the intent of exchanging them on the ground. Collecting money via Western Union was convenient and good value, which I would recommend to anyone visiting from outside the US.
"Make sure you get the blue-dollar rate"
The dramatic stabilisation of the peso by late 2024 means that this difference is nowhere near as significant as it was 12 months ago. At the time of writing, there was only a 10% difference between the official and blue rate. If you are only in the city for a short period you may not even have to grapple with this.
"Restaurant service is poor"
I did see some evidence of this, especially in cheaper, traditional restaurants. In comical fashion, drinks would not appear or the bill would never materialise. In more contemporary outlets, it was never a problem.
"It is a football mad city"
There is absolutely no doubt that this is as true as ever in 2024.
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