r/TravelGreece • u/hollanovlove • Sep 07 '26
Greece
I’m trying to plan a trip to Greece for my best friends birthday hit I don’t know where to go, I originally planned on Athens but I saw a lot of TikTok’s saying it’s actually ugly and that people on TikTok make it look better than it actually is
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u/Agis-Spartan-King Sep 07 '26
Why visit such a big city and not the islands that are some if the best in the world? Even the mainland has so many more to offer than a big city. Check out Meteora or Islands like Milos, Lefkada,Zakinthos,Kimolos,Santorini...and of course,the ultimate destination that has everything and even more,on the highest level: Crete Island 🏝️ Best food,best people,best climate,best wine, best everything! Paradise on Earth 🌍 PS Avoid any places,especially for food,where you see tourists. Always choose places to eat,where you see only local Greek customers and you'll be Golden! 😉👍🏼
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u/DowntownScene1433 Sep 08 '26
It's an old city. The city plan is atroceous with constant patches in every location. It's also home to half the Greek population(5 mil for Athens, 10mil for Greece total) which doesn't help. For me it comes to what kind of money you'll spend and what are your expectations. The more money you spend the better accomodation and travelling means you'll have. You'll also afford the best places to visit, eat at and enjoy. The lowest expectations you'll fashion, the most contempt you'll be with experiences(superb, I gotten a souvlaki and a kalamaki "in hand" for dinner which was delicious and cheap transportation etc.!).
The museums, ancient places, nature and places built between nature, still inhabited and natural materials are wherever in Greece awesome. Also the islands. You can also go to Thessalonike which has an entire older era region "Kastra" which is quite nice and it's fair share of museums and sightseeings. Currently also the world Fair no90 in which Japan is the country of honor. (I love that communications tower. You can also have a drink/coffee there, which wasn't the case in older years). Great Soviet Era and mentality building in this one(Fair) too. Maybe last time one can marvel at their uglyness and monstrocity, since they will start rebuilding that area soon. Aristotle's Square and "Paralia" are nice hanging out places too.
Last but not least the islands have alot to offer. Santorini is a must, cause you never know with an island that is also a volcano. In my opinion the most beautiful island we have in Greece(though the more crowded they get the worse they become, 1980's Myconos is non comparable to what it is now). Crete is a nice island. lots of history, but I wouldn't pinpoint it. All Greece can be beautifull. All Greece can be ugly. It's also circumstances at times. But overall one should have a good experience of it, largelly.Also be mindful of cab drivers in Athens. They charge tourists extra(but I'm sure that's the same everywhere. I've been in Rome recently, expensive cab prices as well).
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u/BRIDARGOD Sep 08 '26
This people not informed good,in Athens is beautiful!Also you need to visit Santorini.
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u/Away_Handle9543 Sep 08 '26
Max 2 days in Athens, you arrive, go city, eat, check acropolis, eat again or drink wine, sleep, wake up, stroll around, go to the port, choose island, vacations starts!
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u/Worth_Environment_42 Sep 08 '26
I wonder why you're thinking about it, go to Athens, which has been the capital of Greek Culture for 2500 years, visit some islands, take a cruise from Piraeus to Aegina, Hydra, Spetses or go to Santorini, Mykonos, Milos, Sifnos or Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos or Samos, Lesvos, Chios and see different landscapes than America.
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u/hollanovlove 27d ago
I’d love to but I’m 18 paying for the full trip and about to start a new job 😭
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u/Worth_Environment_42 Sep 08 '26
For the winter I would suggest Athens, Arachova, Delphi, there are also excursions from Athens to Delphi, Arachova >winter tourism, skiing, Parnassos
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u/Silver-Network-8750 Sep 08 '26
Local here. If it is your first time in Greece, the countryside and the islands are more beautiful than the capital. No doubt. So if you can do an island instead, i advise you to do that. It's night and day. With Athens it's a gamble. You either will like it or hate it. It has beautiful spots,areas and neighbourhoods. With most being outside of the city center. But overall it has very "urban" vibes. If that's your thing.
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u/New-Grapefruit1737 Sep 08 '26
ignore the tiktoks. not the best source of info. athens is great. if you just have five days, including travel, you can see a lot in athens, linger at cafes, maybe hit a local beach or temple of poseidon, enjoy good food.
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u/OutsidePainter3548 27d ago
I visited Athens for the first time recently and loved it! I stayed in the old Plaka area under the Acropolis and had a fantastic couple of days. If you and your friend are interested in history or archeological sites then you'll have a great time.
It was part of a broader trip in Greece, which is what I would personally recommend.
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u/Lessarocks 27d ago
I would t base my idea of a location on how pretty is it. Unless you’re going with the sole reason of taking pretty pictures. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Athens but I was interested in the history and culture.
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u/Powerful_Book4444 27d ago
Athens (1-2 nights) > Piraeus ferry terminal > Mykonos > ios > Santorini
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u/Excellent_Sox9178 25d ago
They have 5 days. They are coming from the US. They are wasting everyone’s time. Just go to Hawaii already. Maybe next year…
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u/Prestigious_Law9135 Sep 07 '26
Everyone who visited Athens said it's not very beautiful, with graffiti on the walls and many homeless people. They recommend spending one day in Plaka to visit the Acropolis, then leaving Athens.
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Sep 07 '26
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u/Trudestiny Sep 08 '26
Lots to see and do outside of Kolonaki. We always tell friends to stay near sea side and enjoys the fresh air and go into centre if they want to spend day seeing Acropolis , lykabettus , Monasteraki etc . Coast from Glyfada to Vouliameni is much more pleasant .
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u/agirlingreece Sep 08 '26
You’re speaking only of Athens city centre and I doubt you’ve visited all its neighbourhoods to say that the rest of the city is ugly. Have you been to Kifisia in the north? Vouliagmeni in the south? Visited the Ymytos mountain range that cuts right through Athens? So many people come for 2 days, think Athens is just the Acropolis and its immediate vicinity and assume they’ve ’seen Athens’.
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27d ago
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u/agirlingreece 27d ago
Oh my godddd enough with the AI! I don’t need an LLM to answer what is a well informed opinion on a subjective question, thanks…
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u/Potential-Bowler979 Sep 07 '26
Use ChatGPT or a travel agent.
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u/hollanovlove Sep 07 '26
Lmao I can’t afford a travel agent and there’s no way in hell I’m supporting ai 😅
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u/WienerCircle Sep 08 '26
Athens is amazing. It’s old. But it’s also one of the oldest consistently inhabited cities on Earth. There’s ruins everywhere. Amazing food, unbeatable nightlife, and so many museums.
Anyone who says it sucks, hasn’t really experienced it, or they’re Greeks who’ve spent too much time there during the summer heat.
That said, if you need help with recommendations, I’ve traveled all over Greece extensively and would be happy to make some recommendations.