📓 Athens 📖 📸 🎥 📎

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Attractions

Daytime Life

Nightlife

Evaluation of Athens

Athens, often underestimated compared to other European capitals, is actually a kaleidoscope of emotions, history, encounters and flavors. Here, every traveler can find their own space, whether they are passionate about culture, cuisine, or nightlife; one of the aspects that struck me the most during my stay was the food: Greek cuisine is a triumph of authentic and bold flavors, almost always centered around meat prepared in the most different ways and served with the classic traditional sauces (in particular the Greek sauce, queen of every table). Throughout the trip, I chose to taste only local dishes , letting myself be guided by the scents that came out of the taverns and the advice of the locals, and I can say with certainty that in Athens I ate better than in any other city visited before.

For those following a vegan diet, however, finding alternatives can be challenging, since most dishes are based on meat and dairy products, while pizzerias or international options are quite rare. On the other hand, everything is incredibly affordable, accommodation, transport, food and entertainment are all within reach, allowing you to enjoy the city without too many worries.

From the very first steps I sensed how open and sunny Greek people are , always ready to lend a hand or offer a smile, capable of making you feel at home even when you're hundreds of kilometers away from everything familiar.

Of course, Athens is also pure history: the Acropolis, with its temples overlooking the city, magnificent Syntagma Square, and an endless series of museums and archaeological sites are must-sees for anyone wishing to immerse themselves in Greece's glorious past.

The city also has a modern and rebellious soul that reveals itself especially in its most alternative neighborhoods. My absolute favorite is Exarchia known as the anarchist district, where the walls are covered with murals and the atmosphere is different from any other place, made up of out-of-the-box premises, independent bookstores, young people who meet to discuss, play, live the night in an alternative way, even here, among the murals and hidden squares, there is no shortage of taverns where you can eat and drink well without spending too much.

Athenian nightlife pulses between Exarchia, with its underground clubs, and the Plaka district, home to countless discos and pubs of every kind.  What struck me most is that, unlike in many other European cities, here you don't need to book anything in advance, just show up, pay the entrance fee  and enjoy the night in total freedom, as it should be everywhere.

Another distinctive aspect of the Greeks is their remarkable openness, both mentally and socially. The city is full of gay clubs, and I was struck by how natural it was to see many same sex couples exchanging affectionate gestures on the streets, while heterosexual couples were actually fewer. That confirms how much the free spirit of Greece is still alive today, perhaps more than ever.

It is no coincidence that Greece has long been considered the cradle of sensuality and desire, and walking through Athens, you immediately feel that this energy of freedom and transgression has never faded.

Athens is a city that truly has it all: history, culture, extraordinary food, genuine hospitality, and a vibrant nightlife. It was one of the best travel experiences of my life, a place where I felt free to be myself and to discover a reality as rich as it was surprising. If you want to know more, I suggest you also read my article "Tales from Greece", where I tell in detail the emotions and encounters of my unforgettable trips in Greek land.

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