Athens for the soul: a reflective solo travel guide

The 2017 version of me would be so surprised that I am writing this blog, but in my opinion Athens has to be one of the most underrated capital cities in Europe. It certainly didn't impress me when I first visited, but since then, Athens has grown on me, and today I call it home away from home. It is one of those cities where you need to know where to go and what to do, to truly enjoy it. Since the Greek capital was my home for over a year, when it comes to exploring it, especially solo, I am certainly qualified to give advice. So, here comes my ultimate solo travel guide to Athens.

Athens really comes alive at night!

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Now, let’s talk about Athens — a city that proves solo travel can be just as soulful as it is adventurous.

Where to stay

Athens and the city centre itself are quite small actually, but its surrounding areas reach far out. So, you have lots different options to choose from, as they are all well-connected via public transport. If you want to stay central, and be able to walk around the Acropolis for your morning walk, you can stay in Plaka, but this is going to be very touristy (sometimes even in off-season). If you want to stay in the city I would recommend Kolonaki, which is a very trendy neighbourhood with lots of restaurants and shops nearby. Another good option is Kato Petralona. Even on foot you can reach the centre in about 20 minutes, but the atmosphere is more residential. The same applies to Pangrati, you can reach the city centre by walking about 25-30 minutes. Even Kallithea can be a nice option, you will have to take a bus or metro to reach the city centre, but in return the area will be more quiet and local. An if you are like me, and want to stay close to the coast, Alimos or Glyfada can be good options. If you want to stay even closer to the nicest beaches and areas, book something in Vouliagmeni! This is a very upcoming area, and honestly around here, you will have just as great of an experience as on any of the islands. There are nice beaches and restaurants around, so if you are craving a slow-travel holiday with an occasional trip into the city, you will love this area! Getting around in Athens is pretty easy using public transport and a single fares start as little as €1.20. But buses may test your patience sometimes, so that is something to be prepared for. I would generally recommend staying somewhere on the metro or tram line. The latter may be slower than the buses, but since the buses are unreliable, it can be the quicker option. You can also use Freenow or Uber, the former is favoured in Greece so might give you better service.

Staying in Alimos means beach bars are at your doorstep

If you end up staying in Vouliagmeni, this can be your morning walk view

When to visit and how long to go for 

Athens is way more than a day-stop before visiting an island, it is a vibrant capital, and you can easily spend 4-5 days there, exploring underrated spots and hidden gems. If you are a digital nomad I would even consider it for a few months, if you love staying outside of the city and going for a beach walk every morning sipping matcha. The best time to visit is April-May in my opinion (and at some point I have experience all 4 seasons). You can also visit in June or Sept-October to avoid the peak tourist times. But spring in Greece is magical, lots of flowers blooming, the air is fresh, but warm enough to enjoy the beach on a hotter day. If you want a truly special experience I would recommend visiting Athens in Easter time. The traditions are beautiful, from hundreds of people lighting up candles on the Lycabettus hill to fireworks, Easter is hugely celebrated in Greece. Perfect if you are looking for an authentic experience, you won't be disappointed. Greek Independence day (25th of March) is another great time to visit, from military parades to traditional dances, you can enjoy lots of different traditions at first hand.

April-May are my favourite months to be in Athens

Now, let's talk about things to do solo in the Greek capital.

Skip the Acropolis

I am going to start by saying something that may be controversial: visiting the Acropolis isn't a must. The Parthenon can be seen from many spots in the city, especially from rooftop bars, and even if you were to buy the ticket, pretty much everything in the Acropolis area is like the Mona Lisa, you can only admire them from a distance. So, if you are not keen, I think skip it. Unless you visit on any of the days (which also happen to be off-season) when it's free to enter. I think then its worth it. It is free for everyone on March 6 (Melina Mercouri Memorial Day), April 18 (International Monuments Day), May 18 (International Museum Day), October 28, the last weekend of September (European Heritage Days), and on the first Sunday of each month from November 1 to March 31 (note: these dates are based on official Greek cultural guidelines, but always double-check before your visit as free admission days may vary each year). I think taking a long walk around it and watching the sun go down on the Aeropagus or Philopappos hill with a nice coffee (or my choice, kombucha) in hand is a much better experience. You will see most of the Acropolis for free and if you find the right spots, without lots of tourists.

Aeropagus hill gives you the perfect view of the Acropolis

As you can see the Parthenon is visible from most rooftops around the city

Watch the sunset at Lycabettus hill

Or the sunrise, depending on whether you're an evening or morning person. The Lycabettus hill will give you an amazing view of the city, including the Acropolis. On the way up there are many spots where you can take a little break, slow down and just enjoy the view. On your way down you can stop at Cafe Lycabettus for a well-deserved cold drink. The prices are decent, and it is one of those places that doesn't feel awkward visiting alone, perfect for travelling solo. I have actually listed it as one of my favourite food spots in the city, if you want to save some foodie heaven recommendations, make sure you read my blog on the topic here.

Lycabettus is a great spot, whether you love a sunrise or sunset

Visit the Oaka Olympic stadium

Another sunset spot, you see there are some pretty amazing sunset views in Greece in general, and Athens is no exception. And if you appreciate architecture, you will love this one. Even though the Olympic stadium is not as well kept as it could be, at sunset the works of Calatrava are still pretty impressive. It is a metro stop, so does not take a lot of effort to visit in golden hour.

A quiet sunset spot far away from the noise of the city

Explore Kifissia

A few stops away from the Olympic stadium you will find the old-money neighbourhood of Athens. Tourists are nowhere to be found, and you can enjoy a nice brunch or dinner in one of the beautiful restaurants, followed by some window shopping. The area is small and well-kept, much cleaner than central Athens. If you want to spend a morning or afternoon among people, but don't crave the busyness of the city centre, make sure you pay a visit to Kifissia.

Compact and well-kept, this is Kifissia

Take yourself on a dinner date in a marina

You know I love dining solo, it is one of my favourite parts of travelling the world alone (if it scares you, make sure you check out my guide on the topic). Athens really comes to life in the evening, and it has lots to offer on this front. There are several ports that you can visit for sunset, followed by a nice dinner or dink solo. Depending where you are you can choose which one you want to visit, Flisvos, Mikrolimano and Pasalimani are all areas filled with inviting restaurants, but you can also find more budget options for a take-away coffee, ice-cream or snack.

Mikrolimano Marina

Full-moon in Pasalimani Marina

Flisvos Marina is a busy but non-touristy spot, perfect for a solo dinner date

Spend a day in Vouliagmeni

Even if you are not a beach person I would highly recommend visiting this area, as the views are incredible and you will have some pretty nice food spots around as well. If you want a recharging, slow-travel day this is the right spot for you! You can take a good book with you and spend all day by the water even in spring/autumn weather. If you want you can even venture further out to different beaches from here using public transport, just keep in mind that it might take you longer to get back than what Google Maps suggests.

Vouliagmeni area

You can find some nice private and public beaches in the area, perfect for a slow day

My favourite public beach in the area, small but feels more local and clear

Visit an Orthodox church

Even if you are not a religious person, these churches offer a calming and uplifting experience. Many of them are often open to the public during the day to visit, and sit in silence. Practising silence and slowing down seem easy in these beautiful and holy buildings, something that can add value to your solo trip. Use this time to reflect, practise gratitude and give thanks for your travel opportunities. My favourite one is the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation of Virgin Mary. Even though it can get a bit touristy, everyone respects the rules, so it is always silent.

The gold and blue combination makes me feel so calm, a few quiet minutes here feel healing

Hope that you enjoyed yet another solo travel guide. Athens is more than a city of ancient ruins — it’s a place where history and heart meet. Travelling solo here reminded me that courage often looks like booking a one-way ticket and trusting yourself to find your way.