We are always on the lookout for great places to live as digital nomads. Athens became top of mind while we were figuring out where to go in Europe. Since Greece was high on my bucket list and a dream destination for me, we decided to head over to spend two months as digital nomads in Athens.
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Is Athens a Good City for Digital Nomads? (My 2-Month Experience)
Athens is an incredible place to live as a digital nomad, and this is without a doubt speaking from experience. Last year, in 2025, we spent 2 months in Athens, one month in July and the other in October. It was actually really interesting staying in the city during 2 different seasons. The cost of living is more affordable, the food is so good, and Athens is an awesome travel hub to get to the Greek islands or other international destinations. We loved our neighbourhood so much in July that we stayed in the exact same neighbourhood again in October. I’d go back to Athens in a heartbeat again and truly think it’s a great place to work remotely.
Best Places to Stay in Athens for Digital Nomads & Remote Workers
Exarcheia: Our Personal Favourite Neighbourhood & Where we stayed
When looking for an apartment, it was important for us to stay in more of a local area. Since we wanted to immerse ourselves in the daily living experience in Athens, we wanted to stay away from the typical tourist area of Plaka. This search led us to Exarcheia, and we loved this area so much that we stayed there again for our second month in Athens.
Exarcheia has a raw feeling mixed with the low-key but also upbeat social energy. There are tons of amazing cafe bars and local restaurants. There is artwork and graffiti all over, and it feels like such a unique place. There is a large police presence in that area as well, but we didn’t notice any issues in the area when we stayed. We did see online that this area can become unsafe in the evenings. This was not something we personally witnessed; however, it is something to consider while you determine which area is best for you.
Every evening we would go out for a walk and explore the neighbourhood. We are wine and craft beer enthusiasts, and this area has lots of unique and local places to choose from! Another really cool thing about this area is that you can go for a sunrise hike at Lycabettus Hill. We did this the first week we stayed in Athens. It only takes about 30 minutes, but let me tell you it was a climb for us! Catching the sunrise was so beautiful, and I highly recommend you do this experience!
Koukaki: Best Neighbourhood for Quieter Living & Close to Tourist Highlights
Koukaki is a pretty neat area that still has some local charm while being quite close to the tourist area of Plaka. You’ll be well within walking distance to the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, and Temple of Olympian Zeus. Koukaki is actually home to a couple of our favourite places, being Strange Brew (brewery) and Sugar Killer (ice cream shop). The area is certainly quieter and more low-key. This could be a great option if you want to stay as digital nomads in Athens, want a local feel and walking access to some of the tourist destinations.
This would personally be tied for my second choice on where to stay. If you are staying as a tourist for a shorter time, then this just might be the perfect area to be!
Psiri: Best Central Area Dining & Nightlife
We explored Psiri a few different times while trying our new restaurants and bars. The area is overall pretty busy, and could be a great location to set up as a digital nomad. This area does feel a little bit more touristy, but there is tons to do in the area. One of the most unique restaurants we went to in Psiri is Little Kook. It is an absolute must to go and check it out. Although it’s very touristy, it’s worth it to at least go and check out the AMAZING decorations. We were there just before Halloween, and the decorations were absolutely insane.
It’s tied for second place with Koukaki in terms of where to stay as a digital nomad in Athens. I liked that this location is so close to the trendy restaurants and bars near Exarcheia, yet you can get to some of the main attractions with ease. There is a lot going on in this area, so if you prefer a busy nightlife, then this might be for you.
Syntagma & Monastiraki: Best Area for Transportation & Shopping Access
Syntagma & Monastiraki areas are right close to each other and are quite convenient locations. There are plenty of shopping areas nearby, well located to transit hubs, and closer to the touristy areas. Well, it does miss the mark a bit in terms of a true local feel, but it does have a convenient location to get to. Syntagma Square is the origin place to catch the airport bus, making it super handy if you already live in that area. Monastiraki is located in a prime touristy area, as you’ll find things like Monastiraki Square and the Museum of the Ancient Agora.
Best Digital Nomad Cafes in Athens to Work From
I’ll be honest, almost every day we worked from our apartment and then ventured out after work to explore our new neighbourhood. With that said, I loved how so many cafe bars are open all day from early morning hours to well into the evenings. Cafes are everywhere in Athens, and you’ll easily be able to find a place to work.
Top Cafe choices in the Exarcheia Area To Work From Are:
- Tigré – Local vibe, and they have larger tables inside to work from
- Hours: Open from 9am – 1am on weekdays and 10am – 1am on weekends
- Bayard Café Bar – Smaller working tables, but a hidden gem cafe bar
- Hours: Open from 8am – 12am on weekdays, 8am – 1am on Saturdays, and 10am – 12am on Sundays
- KALDI Καφεκοπτείο – Specialty coffee and prime work spot
- Hours: Open from 7am – 9pm on weekdays, 8am – 8pm on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays
Practical Tips for Living in Athens as a Remote Worker
My top tip would be to bring your electronics with you if you can. We had sold our computer monitors before coming to Athens, thinking that it would be super easy to pick one up from Facebook Marketplace or other second-hand electronic shops. While we were fortunate to find a monitor right away on Facebook Marketplace, we had a VERY tough time selling it when we were leaving.
Typically we travel with our own monitors and nomad gear, but this was a special circumstance as we were moving around quite a bit and needed something to use in the interim, as a laptop just wouldn’t cut it.
Although there are plenty of stores to purchase new laptops, monitors, etc. I’d suggest bringing your own and save the headache.
Internet Speed, eSIMs & Co-Working Spaces
We got an apartment off of Booking.com and also Airbnb while staying in Athens. Our apartment from Booking.com was easily the favourite of the two we stayed in, and it was actually a bit cheaper as well. Well, I’d love to recommend the apartment we stayed in; it’s no longer listed online.
Before booking your stay, be sure to connect with the host and inquire about internet speeds. This is always helpful so you can check ahead of time if the internet speed is suitable for your work needs.
We have used many different eSIMs on our travels and highly recommend using GlobalYo. We love that they have regional plans at affordable prices, and we were easily able to travel to different countries in Europe and not have to change our eSIM at all.
There are many Co-Working Spaces in Athens, and they do have a lot of great reviews. Although we didn’t sign up for any as we worked in the apartment, they can be a great spot to grab a desk and connect with other nomads. While I can’t comment on my experience using these spaces, you can check out some popular co-working spots below:
Getting Around: Metro & Airport Bus
Athens is a very easy city to walk around and explore. Almost always, we chose to walk; however, we did use the metro a few times. The metro was super easy to use, and we just used our credit cards to punch in and out, which was very convenient.
Each trip is a flat rate of €1.20, with the exception of heading to the Airport.
The Airport bus is without a doubt the way to go when going to and from the airport. Taking a taxi can get quite expensive, as a one-way trip is over €50.00. The Athens Airport bus is only a €6.00 ticket, and it’s truly not that much longer than taking a taxi.
July Heatwaves vs. October Bliss: How Seasonality Impacts Nomad Life
We stayed in Athens for the month of July and October in 2025. The heat in Athens in July is no joke. It was VERY hot. We barely went out during the peak daytime hours as it was such a high, dry heat. This, however, worked out well for doing laundry during the day, as it dried so quickly haha. That being said, there were wildfires just outside of the city that were a little alarming to us. It didn’t impact where we were staying, but it’s something worth noting.
The October weather was very nice. We found ourselves outside a lot more throughout the day. We were still wearing shorts and t-shirts during this time and experienced little rain. Athens is truly such a fun and exciting city no matter when you go, but I would have to give the hat tip to the shoulder seasons when the weather isn’t quite so hot!
FAQs About Digital Nomad Life in Athens
How expensive is Athens for digital nomads?
Relatively speaking, Athens was quite affordable for us to live as digital nomads. We chose to stay in a more local area, and we preferred month-long stays in order to secure a more favourable rate. I would estimate monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment to be around €1500.00; however, you could certainly find cheaper or more expensive places based on your work style and needs. We didn’t use a co-working space and instead used the desk in our apartment.
We had a good mix of eating at home as well as dining out and eating local foods. One of the best ways to save money too is to order on local apps. We often find discounts on take-out food options this way.
Is Exarcheia safe for digital nomads and solo travellers?
We felt very safe in Exarcheia as digital nomads. This area is not touristy at all, and there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and hidden gems located here. There is a large police presence every evening; however, we didn’t experience or see any issues at all during our 2 months here. We have seen online that this area can become unsafe at night. While we personally didn’t experience this, it is certainly worth mentioning as you determine which area is best for you, especially if you are a solo traveller!
