Capital city in Attica, Greece
Athens for solo travelers
Is Athens good for solo travel?
Walkable, affordable European capital with ancient sites, rooftop bars, good food and island ferries from nearby ports. Summer heat, graffiti-heavy streets and petty theft around Omonia and the metro are the trade-offs.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 5/5 · Excellent for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Widely spoken |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women in most areas. Avoid empty streets near Omonia at night and watch drinks in bars where strangers approach you. |
How to meet people in Athens
Social hostels in Psyrri and Koukaki, free walking tours, Acropolis-area bars, language exchanges, run clubs on Lycabettus and coworking events at Impact Hub.
Good things to do alone
- See the Acropolis at opening time, before the heat
- Walk up Lycabettus Hill for sunset
- Eat souvlaki and meze in Monastiraki's side streets
- Take the tram to the Athens Riviera beaches
- Visit Varvakios market and the Central Market
Where to stay in Athens
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Koukaki–Makrygianni | First-timers: Acropolis views, quiet streets, cafés, metro |
| Pangrati | Long stays: local cafés, parks, relaxed residential feel |
| Exarchia–Kolonaki | Students, bars and bookshops (Exarchia); upscale cafés (Kolonaki) |
| Psyrri–Monastiraki | Nightlife and rooftop bars; noisy at weekends |
| Neos Kosmos | Cheaper rents near Syngrou-Fix metro, local feel |
Solo travel across Greece
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Athens | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Chania | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Crete | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Rhodes | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Corfu | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Thessaloniki | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Naxos | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Paros | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Zakynthos | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Meteora | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Ios | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Lefkada | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Nafplio | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Hydra | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Peloponnese | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Thassos | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Santorini | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Mykonos | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Milos | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Kos | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Kefalonia | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Halkidiki | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Skiathos | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
Quick answers
Is Athens good for solo travelers?
Excellent for solo travel (5/5). Walkable, affordable European capital with ancient sites, rooftop bars, good food and island ferries from nearby ports.
How do you meet people in Athens?
Social hostels in Psyrri and Koukaki, free walking tours, Acropolis-area bars, language exchanges, run clubs on Lycabettus and coworking events at Impact Hub. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Athens?
Widely spoken.
Is Athens safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women in most areas. Avoid empty streets near Omonia at night and watch drinks in bars where strangers approach you.
More about Athens
Going to Athens solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Athens meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.