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

Updated September 2024

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, from waiters to taxi drivers, are also very friendly and eager to talk with you.

When you’re far away from home, whether traveling solo or with others, a friendly face eases any nerves from 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 of their grandmas, 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 gyros is delicious, flavorful, and filling. Feta cheese, Greek yogurt, honey, baklava, bougatsa, and 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, alarm clocks, and odometers all have origins in 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 looked down to realize that I was stepping on Plexiglas, which gave me an entire view of the ruins, which were very much alive underneath.

If you stay in the Plaka area, you’ll 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 a mini-museum of everything archaeologists have found underground while constructing the underground transportation system. It’s incredible.

The ruins of old civilizations, homes, marketplaces, places for gathering, libraries, and everything else became a foundation for how most of the world lives and functions.

It’s truly remarkable and incredible.

History is alive and well in this city, and it is embraced as it coexists with everything new. 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), people will be out almost all night grabbing dinner, drinks, or dessert 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 to Greek pop hits and other popular songs the night away, I would check out the gay district called Gazi.

It’s not too far from the Plaka area, it’s walkable, and you’ll be guaranteed a fun time bar and club hopping around it.

Or, if you’re into swanky ambiances, check out A for Athens in Monastiraki, a rooftop bar with amazing views of the Acropolis and Monastiraki Square. It will take your breath away.

If you’re into trendy, cool, stylish bars, go to Six D.o.g.s. It’s literally one of the coolest bars I’ve ever been to. It has it all: style, art, and just enough swanky feel with underground vibes. Check it out when you’re in Athens!

4. The Lifestyle

Even though the Greek economy has been suffering on various levels for a long time, I will say that the Greeks don’t let that affect them, at least on the outside. 

I found comfort in the Greeks’ ability to look past a bad situation. Whether it was a bad day or a few bad years of 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 have to do is go to a coffee shop, enjoy their Freddo cappuccino, and look around.

I’m not kidding; their outdoor seating faces toward the street, so you and your companion can hold a conversation while also looking at who’s walking by. 

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

5. The Culture

As you already know, the Greeks are responsible for how the world functions today.

Everything from how to govern countries to some of the biggest sporting events celebrated, Greece has 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 remains, and we are still very lucky to witness it all.

The new and the old – the tradition, the sacred, and the innovative.

Everything about Greece —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 it to spark your curiosity and make you want to question and find answers to things that you might not have thought about before.

It’s inspiring, and I suggest you experience and live it yourself. 

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

The Wrap-Up: Is It Worth Visiting Athens? 5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Athens, Greece

So, if you haven’t considered Athens in your list of places to visit next, again, I hope that this list inspired you 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 delivers that experience that captures the essence of Greece, new and old. 

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