Athens is the Lovely Normal
A year ago, exactly a year ago, from 2 to 8 October 2025, I visited Athens and spent 7 days there.
Most of my friends told me it's too much for one city, and that Athina doesn't deserve more than 2 days of sightseeing, and I should've gone to some islands too.
I told them I didn't go there for sightseeing, I went there to "live" the city, immerse into it.
Athina doesn't have that breathtaking fancy architecture like Vienna, Prague, Paris or Budapest. But it has a casual warm everyday flair about it, I called it "The Lovely Normal", because Athina doesn't even try to impress you or look stunning in your eyes.
Somehow I still keep getting back to those strolls in the streets, those casual vibes.
I stayed in a hostel in Psyrri, but visited other neighborhoods like Thiseio, Kolonaki, Makrigianni, Plaka, Anafiotika, Ermou, ... And all of them gave an authentic chill allure, where you feel like you're joining daily life.
I usually move a lot during my trips and combine many cities, but with Athens I chose to slow down and relax, this way I got to really savour the city, literally.
And speaking of savouring, 7 days weren't even enough to all the amazing Greek food, in fact, the other big reason I decided to spend 7 days is to eat as many food options as I could, and man that was a great decision, I can say with confidence that Greece has the best food in all my trips, and I'm from Tunisia where we also have a very rich and varying food culture.
Now whenever I remember Athina I have a good feeling, what felt usual and regular back then, like a stroll in the streets near the central market, now feels nostalgic and emotional.
Not every city speaks to me like that and earns a great place in my heart, I only had this kind of connection with Madrid, Lisboa and Napoli.
Athina holds a special place in my heart and I will certainly come back at some point, and I'll also visit some of the islands.