What if the Greek capital was your next destination? Blending modernity, history and tradition, Athens is attracting more and more digital nomads. And the Greeks have understood this! By developing coworking spaces and granting certain tax breaks, is Greece on its way to becoming the new Eldorado for the self-employed? One thing is certain: the personality of this European metropolis is increasingly intriguing. The cost of living, the proximity of the islands, the mild weather (and the souvlakis) are certainly not to blame. To make working in Athens as a digital nomad an unforgettable and productive experience for you, check out our recommendations.
The capital’s many workspaces
Coworking spaces
In recent years, the number of coworking spaces has exploded in the capital, to the delight of digital nomads and expatriates alike. Like the development of start-ups, the concept is also spreading among Greek youth. Prices range from €10 to €15 per day. Most spaces offer a monthly or weekly subscription with the option of participating in certain events and activities (conferences, yoga classes, gym, outings, etc.).
Here are the coworking spaces we’ve tested for you:
- Impact Hub (Psirii)
- Selina Theatrou (Omonia)
- Stone Soup (Omonia)
- The Cube (Historical center)
- Tzaferi 16 (Gazi)
Although quite far from the city center, it’s impossible not to mention the library of the Stravos Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. A real favorite, this place is totally free and open to all.
Digital-friendly coffee shops
Greece’s coffee culture is as ubiquitous and impressive as its gastronomy. But above all, the specialty coffee scene is booming, offering many options for digital nomads who want to change work environments regularly and appreciate good coffee. Coffee shops are now to be found on almost every street corner! Here are some places where your computers won’t be a problem:
- Little Tree Book: the bookshop café ;
- Six D.O.G.S : the hybrid bar;
- Third Place: one of the city’s best cafés;
- KICK: Kipseli’s little nugget;
- Dope Roasting Co: the ideal location.
Hosting solutions for digital nomads
The concept of co-living
The concept of co-living is colocation version 2.0. Perfect for digital nomads, it’s all about creating a real community with pleasant common spaces conducive to work. While retaining the privacy of your own home, you’ll be able to network with other freelancers. Not bad, eh? Good news: the concept is slowly beginning to conquer the city! The Selina coworking space, mentioned above, is also a well-known co-living space. Although we haven’t tested it, Ilior is another space that seems to be particularly appealing to the community.
Apartment rental in Athens
Depending on the season, you’ll need to choose your accommodation well in advance. The price of an Airbnb in Athens is relatively high, despite the discounts often applied to long-term rentals in the off-season. But Airbnb or Blueground rentals are still the best choice if you don’t want to do anything other than put down your suitcases.
Planning to stay longer than 6 months? The Spitogatos and Xe. gr websites offer properties for rent or sale throughout Greece.
Athens’ most livable neighborhoods
Location is an important consideration. But which neighborhood to choose as a digital nomad? It’s hard to answer, because it all depends on what you’re looking for. Athens is a very large city, with many neighborhoods each with its own soul and charm. Choose a location to suit your lifestyle, your expectations of your stay and your way of working.
Here’s a selection of neighbourhoods that might appeal to you:
- Pangrati
- Kipseli
- Plaka/Psirri
- Koukaki
The best time to work in Athens
Visiting and working in Athens out of season will make your experience even more enjoyable. Spring and autumn are therefore the best seasons to visit: temperatures are mild and tourists have all but deserted the city. The period from March to June or the months of September and October allow you to explore the historic sites without being disturbed by the influx of tourists. And sometimes even benefit from preferential rates! Similarly, if you’re planning to explore the islands, the beaches and restaurants are less crowded.
Meetings between self-employed workers
The “Digital Nomads Athens”Facebook group offers a wealth of information on accommodation, tips and ideas for meetings between travelers from all over the world. Another group, this time French-speaking, is full of advice, suggestions for outings and events: “Les Français d’Athènes”. So, are you ready to join us?
For more information on life as a digital nomad in Greece, check out the interview with Jérome Bajou, co-founder of the WorkFromNaxos website.
Jennifer P.
