I landed in Athens on 27 August 2016, stepping into a city I had only seen in photos, movies, and travel blogs. I remember feeling a mix of excitement and disbelief. I was finally in Greece, a place filled with ancient history, white buildings, and stories I grew up reading about. Everything felt new, even the simplest things like the road signs, the light, and the sound of people speaking Greek around me.

But travel rarely starts perfectly.

Within hours of arriving, jetlag hit hard. My body felt confused, like it did not know which time zone to belong to. On top of that, I got sick, which completely wiped out my energy. Instead of exploring Athens like I planned, I spent my first three days indoors, lying down, drinking water, and watching the hours pass while the city waited outside for me.

It was frustrating at first. I could hear Athens outside my window, buses passing, people talking, life moving on. But I was stuck in bed, missing the very experience I came for.

Still, looking back, it also gave me time to slow down and settle into the city in a different way.

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✅ Where to Stay in Athens

Your stay in Athens really depends on your travel goals.

If you plan to visit the islands, stay in Piraeus. It is the main port area and makes ferry travel much easier. Piraeus is practical, especially if you are doing island hopping and want early morning ferry access. Plenty of budget hotels and hostels here. 

If you want to explore the city, stay near Syntagma. Syntagma Square is central, lively, and close to major attractions like Plaka, Monastiraki, and the Acropolis area.

It saves a lot of time and energy because you can walk to many places instead of constantly relying on transport.

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✅ Where I Stayed in Athens: Chaidari

Throughout my stay in Athens, I lived in an area called Chaidari.

My house was located on a hill, and honestly, the view from there was one of the highlights of the entire trip. From above, I could see the city stretching out endlessly, layers of white and beige buildings blending into the horizon. In the distance, Athens looked calm and almost poetic, especially during sunset.

It was beautiful, but also physically challenging.

Every time I went out, I knew I would have to climb back up the hill later. Public transport like buses and taxis only dropped me at the bottom. So returning home often felt like a slow uphill hike under the sun. Some days I questioned my life choices while walking up that slope.

Still, the area itself was very convenient and practical. Within walking distance, I had:

• Mini markets for daily essentials
• Bakeries with fresh bread and pastries
• Small local restaurants
• A bus stop
• A morning market selling fresh produce

So even though it was slightly far from the city center, daily life was actually easy to manage.

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✅ What to Pack for Athens (Learn from My Mistake)

I travelled to Greece from August to mid-September, which is still peak summer season. When I packed, I thought I was being smart and “travel light.”

I was wrong.

I did not bring enough clothes and ended up repeating outfits more than I wanted to admit. Next time, I would definitely pack more properly. Here is a more realistic packing guide based on experience:

Clothing & Essentials

• Light and breathable clothing suitable for hot weather
• Sunglasses and strong sunscreen because the sun is intense
• Comfortable sneakers or flat shoes for walking long distances
• Sling bag for safety and convenience (especially for women travelers)
• Casual outfits that are easy to mix and match

One important thing: if you are visiting places like the Acropolis of Athens, expect uneven rocky paths, dust, and a lot of walking. Sandals are not a good idea unless you want very dirty feet.

Extra Tips

• Do not overpack, but also do not underpack like I did
• Bring snacks if you have dietary restrictions or prefer quick meals
• Stay hydrated at all times, especially during midday heat
• Plan outfits for comfort, not fashion

💡 Pro tip: September to October is actually one of the best times to visit Greece. The weather is still nice, but crowds are smaller and everything feels more relaxed, especially if you are planning to visit islands.

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✅ Athens International Airport Experience

I arrived at Athens International Airport at 8:45 PM. Passport control had two lines:

➡️ European passport holders (faster and smoother)
➡️ Non-European (longer queue but still moving quite efficiently)

After immigration, I collected my luggage and walked out feeling extremely tired but relieved. That moment when you finally see your luggage after a long flight always feels satisfying.

Even better, my friend was already waiting at the arrival area. That small moment instantly made everything feel easier.

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✅ Getting from the Airport into the City

Athens has a pretty straightforward transport system from the airport.

I took the metro, which was clean, easy to use, and well connected. I rode all the way to Agia Marina, the last stop on that line. The journey took about an hour, giving me time to just sit, observe, and slowly take in the fact that I was finally in Greece.

If it is your first time in Athens, your main stop should be Syntagma. It is central, well connected, and a good starting point for everything.

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✅ Public Transport in Athens

Getting around Athens is manageable once you get the hang of it. I mostly used the metro and buses. They were reliable, though occasionally, I took taxis when I was too tired to wait for buses.

Where to buy tickets:

• TFA Tickets app (digital ticket purchase)
• Metro station counters (physical tickets)

A single ticket costs around €1.40 and is valid for 90 minutes across multiple transport modes (Metro, Bus, Train and Tram). Taxi not included.

What I liked most was the flexibility. You could switch from bus to metro without paying again, as long as you stayed within the time limit. It made moving around the city feel more seamless. This system is actually very budget-friendly if you plan your routes properly.

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✅ What to Eat in Athens

Food was one of the biggest challenges for me as a Muslim traveler because halal options were limited and pork is very common in Greece.

So I had to adapt. Most of the time, I relied on:

• Cooking simple meals at home using groceries
• Buying snacks like biscuits and instant food
• Eating bakery items when needed
• Trying street food when possible

One thing that really helped was buying groceries from local morning markets. Even though it required a 15 to 20-minute walk, it was worth it because I could control what I eat.

Street food highlight:

• Crepes. Seriously everywhere in Athens and very good.

One thing I noticed in Greece is how restaurants often serve bread and water before you even order. It feels small, but it creates a welcoming atmosphere.

One dish that stayed in my memory was a beef cooked in tomato sauce. Simple, comforting, and full of flavour. I later tried recreating it because I could not forget how it tasted.

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✅ Places You Should Not Miss in Athens

Athens is compact in terms of major attractions, which makes it very walkable.

📍 Syntagma Square
Home of the Greek Parliament and the famous changing of guards ceremony. A must-see for first-time visitors.

📍 Monastiraki Flea Market
Full of energy, packed with souvenirs, antiques, and small shops that pull you in even if you are just browsing. It is fun to walk around.

📍 Ancient Agora of Athens
Ancient Agora of Athens gives you a glimpse into ancient daily life, surrounded by ruins and historical structures. Entry fee: €8 (around RM37.10 per person)

📍 Acropolis of Athens
Acropolis of Athens is the main highlight. It is the most iconic ancient site in Greece and absolutely not to be missed. Standing there feels surreal, like you are inside history rather than just observing it. Entry fee: €20 (around RM92.70 per person)

📍 Temple of Olympian Zeus
Massive ancient ruins that show how grand Greek architecture used to be.

All these places are close enough that you can explore them in one full walking day if you start early.

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✅ Things I Learned About Greece

Here are some real observations from my experience:

• Greeks are polite when speaking to tourists, but conversations among locals can sound very loud
• Pickpocket awareness is important in crowded tourist areas
• Coffee culture is everywhere, cafés are part of daily life
• Restaurants often include free bread and water
• Avoid showing an open five-finger hand gesture near someone’s face as it can be considered rude
• Dressing is generally casual and relaxed
• Santorini is not the only beautiful island, there are many others worth exploring
• Island hopping can be expensive, so budget carefully
• Currency used is Euro (€), which can feel expensive depending on exchange rates

Rough conversion:
1 Euro is around RM5 (varies slightly)

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✅ Final Thoughts

Athens did not welcome me in the way I expected, but it gave me something better, a slower, more honest introduction to Greece.

From recovering in a quiet room on a hillside in Chaidari, to slowly walking through ancient streets filled with history, the city felt like a mix of struggle and beauty at the same time.

It was not a perfect start, but it became a meaningful one.

Next stop: Santorini.

Continue here:

Santorini, Greece : Everything I Loved and What You Should Know Before You Go

Love, Hani 🌻

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