Athens took me by surprise. I have been to countless European capital cities, and expected Athens to be similar. I had a view Athens would be a comparable experience to Rome. Both ancient anchor cities of great ancient civilizations, and both capital cities of in modern day European countries. Both countries are part of the EU, where over the years certain EU standards and the free movement of people and goods have led to a certain comfort level of consistency now while traveling Europe.

However, as life has taught me many times, assumptions and expectations need to be validated. Athens has a grittiness to it that is much different than I expected. You can tell that the economic prosperity of other parts of the EU, had not made it’s way to Athens. Much like you hear in the news, this part of the world had not fully recovered from the financial collapse and the issues that had plagued it in years past. These issues have taken their toll. Buildings were a bit dilapidated. Normally I love to explore neighborhoods off the beaten path. In Athens, to my surprise, was the first EU Capital city where I did not feel comfortable doing so in all neighborhoods. I stayed in a 4 star hotel that was across the street from a neighborhood full of refugees and brothels. Unfortunately, this neighborhood was between my hotel and the center of town.

Once you peel back this layer of disrepair, Athens does have a wonderful character to it. People are kind. The non-tourist food scene is phenomenal. New artistic chefs opening restaurants in neighborhoods you would much rather not venture in to but the food is fantastic. If you like history, the old sites are quite impressive. The old market streets have been taken over by modern commercial stores, and they were crowded, but clean and safe. These were very similar to the pedestrian only shopping areas of Brussels and Rome.

I feel that Athens can be done in 3 or so days. On my next trip to Greece, I shall heed the much given advice to venture to the islands. I did not have time on this trip to explore anything outside Athens. Now there is an excuse to go back.