Think your ideal home might be in Athens? Here’s an overview of some of the best Athenian neighbourhoods to base your search.
While many overseas buyers are drawn to islands such as Corfu and Crete, the country’s fantastic capital has much to offer too. From the Acropolis to the National Museum of Contemporary Art, there’s an absolute abundance of history to soak up.
Then, for days when you feel more like lazing than sightseeing, the Athens Rivera – Greece’s answer to Cote d’Azur will be your go-to. It is lined with fabulous bars, pretty architecture and, of course, wonderful beaches.
Summer is hot, with highs of 33°C and up to twelve hours of sunshine a day. Even January, the month when the cold bites the hardest, sees highs of 13 degrees.
Furthermore, Athens has an effective metro system to take you to high-end shops, the supermarket, historic sites, art galleries and beyond.
And while all of these factors contribute to making Athens a great place to own a home, one big plus is how accessible it is. Unfortunately, Greece’s beautiful islands are not super accessible year-round. All of them, including Crete, have seasonal flights. While you can take a ferry to the islands, you will most likely have to get a flight to Athens first. As the capital, Athens has a steady stream of international flights throughout the year, so you will be able to get to your property there with little fuss.
Plaka, Athens’ oldest neighbourhood.
Athens’s property market
On the Greenacres property portal, you’ll find Athenian apartments listed for as little as €50,000. However, it is worth bearing in mind that these properties will need some renovating. Having said that, it is possible to find a decent, small apartment for just under €100,000.
In the last year, all of Athens has seen an increase in prices: in the centre +14.40% to 2,000(€/sqm), in the west +19.20% to 1,800 (€/sqm), and the east +11.20% to 1,951(€/sqm). The highest areas are the south 3,611 €/sqm Q3 2023), followed by the north (2,915 €/sqm).
Where to buy:
Fancy a home by the sea?
Here’s a rundown of some fantastic Athenian neighbourhoods to base your property search in.
Plaka: Athens’s oldest neighbourhood and with the nickname, “the neighbourhood of the Gods”, Plaka is a beautiful and sought-after spot to live. Its name alone is a real estate head-turner. Enjoy its pedestrianised streets, cafes, bars and the Acropolis Museum.
Exarcheia: If you’re looking for a hip, youthful scene (or, indeed, if you are a hip youth), then Exarcheia is the place to look for a home. Close to the University of Athens, its defined by its student residents, second-hand shops, affordable drinking culture and street art.
Kolonsaki: With a reputation as one of the poshest neighbourhoods in Athens, this is the place to look if you have a very healthy budget. It’s popular with diplomats and international buyers. It’ll be the friend or enemy of your calves, dependent on how you feel about hills.
Glyfada: After a home on the Athens Rivera? Then where better to look then its unofficial capital? Home to the best shopping, beaches and an 18-hole golf course, Glyfada is the favourite of many.
Convinced? Check out our properties for sale in Athens here.
Read up on why you will love Athens here.
Download our guide to buying in Greece here.
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