The idea of living in Athens as a digital nomad seems like a dream.
Strolling through the whitewashed streets, admiring ancient ruins, surrounded by the sparkling Mediterranean…What more could you ask for?
With the launch of a new remote worker visa on the horizon, Greece is quickly becoming a top digital nomad destination – and for good reason. The welcoming culture, warm weather and low cost of living make it an ideal place to base your laptop lifestyle.
If you’re considering making the move, keep reading to find out what life is really like as an Athens digital nomad.
Still wondering how to make this whole digital nomad thing happen? Check out the Laptop Lifestyle Blueprint, your guide to setting up an online business in just 30 days, so you can travel the world full time and build your own freedom lifestyle!
Greece Basics
Language: Greek
Currency: Euro
Majority Religion: Greek Orthodox
Fun Fact: While Greece is known for its stunning beaches and Mediterranean views, 80% of the country is made of mountains, making it one of the most mountainous countries in Europe!
When to Visit Athens
If you’re planning on becoming an Athens digital nomad, try to time your visit for sometime between March-June or September-November. These months provide the best weather, with warm (but not scorching) temperatures.
You’ll find Athens overrun with tourists from July-August, and the weather cooler and wetter from November-March. That said, Athens is a great year round destination! Prices will be lower during the winter low season, so that’s something to keep in mind if you’re traveling on a budget.
Pros and Cons of Life as an Athens Digital Nomad
Wondering how Athens stacks up to other digital nomad destinations? Check out our other destination guides!
- Lisbon Digital Nomad Guide
- Da Nang Digital Nomad Guide
- Chiang Mai Digital Nomad Guide
- Canggu Digital Nomad Guide
- Tulum Digital Nomad Guide
Cost of Living for Athens Digital Nomads
Although Greece may be pricier than some digital nomad destinations, it’s still very affordable compared to the rest of Europe.
Your cost of living as a digital nomad in Greece will depend on where you choose to live and how extragently you spend, but expect to pay between $600-950 USD/month for an apartment.
Eating out can range anywhere from $5-15 USD a meal. Local tavernas offer cheaper options, especially at lunchtime, coming in around $2-6 USD.
Here’s a breakdown of what we spent living in Greece as digital nomads:
Again, it comes to lifestyle and how much you’re willing to spend on certain categories. We paid extra for things like taxis to the airport, eating out twice a day, and multiple coffees everyday. We also spent another $300 USD on entertainment and travel, which isn’t included in the final estimate.
You can see a detailed breakdown of our budget in this video or read the blog post here!
If you eat locally and stay outside the tourist areas, you can definitely get by on less! The average cost of living for Athens digital nomads is around $1,400 USD/month. Save money by renting long term, walking as much as possible, and shopping at local markets.
Related Post: How Much Money Do You Need to Save Before Moving Abroad?
Housing
How to find housing as an digital nomad in Greece
Athens digital nomads usually choose to stay in either a coliving space or a rented apartment. Popular coliving options include Selina Theatrou and Ilior.
If you decide to go the apartment route, you can usually find listings and recommendations in the Athens Digital Nomad Facebook group, or by searching on Nestpick or AirBNB.
Popular Neighbourhoods for Athens Digital Nomads
The best neighbourhood for an Athens digital nomad depends on what you’re looking for.
The Kypseli area is full of activity and artists, with bustling farmers markets, cute cafes, and a bit of a hipster vibe.
For old world charm, try Plaka, the neighbourhood right at the base of the Acropolis. It’s touristy, but beautiful. If I were to live in Athens again I would choose the Psyri area of Plaka.
If you want a more local vibe, head to Koukaki. This area is super walkable and has everything you need (shops, restaurants, groceries). This is where we lived in Athens and I loved it!
Where to Work as an Athens Digital Nomad
Coworking Spaces
Selina Coworking
Selina is both a coworking and coliving space, located in the historic Theater Square. The space features an onsite cafe, a wellness center, and plenty of events to keep you busy. From art nights to live music and yoga classes, there’s always something going on at Selina.
Stone Soup
Located in the heart of Athens, Stone Soup has been hosting digital nomads in Greece since 2014. They’re heavily involved in the local tech and entrepreneurial scene, so if you’re a techie digital nomad this could be a great place for you!
With fast wifi, three different workspaces, and a rooftop garden, Stone Soup makes it easy to get work done.
Impact Hub
The Athens outpost of Impact Hub offers both private offices and a communal workspace, both with fast wifi and lots of natural light. They also organize regular workshops and events for Athens digital nomads.
Cafes for Athens Digital Nomads
For the full list of working cafes, check out our post on the best coffee shops in Athens for digital nomads!
Dope Coffee
The Underdog
The Underdog is another great working option for Athens digital nomads. The coffee and food are delicious, and the outdoor area is stunning (though in the summer it may be too hot to work outside).
Yellow Cafe
Yellow Cafe is another popular spot for digital nomads in Greece. Unlike many cafes in Athens, there are always people working and studying at Yellow. The warm and inviting atmosphere is great for concentration and productivity.
Kinono
Kinono is both a great place to work and one of the best brunch spots in town. The wifi connection is strong and the spacious seating area means there’s almost always a table open.
Kain
Kain is a trendy bar and cafe located in one of Athens’ most beautiful neighborhoods, Mets. The wifi is strong and the cozy art deco environment is the perfect place to get some work done. In the evening, you can finish your day with one of their signature cocktails!
Internet and SIM Cards
One of the downsides of being a digital nomad in Greece is the slow wifi in many apartment buildings and public areas. I recommend trying the cafes or coworking spaces mentioned above and making one of those your regular work place.
That said, we were able to get by and host Zoom calls, etc. from our apartment. We just had to deal with the spotty connection and slower uploading speed.
If your phone is unlocked, you can purchase a local SIM card in Greece. We used Vodafone and paid around $35 USD/month for unlimited data. Some digital nomads in Greece also use Cosmote.
Transportation for Athens Digital Nomads
Athens is a very walkable city. The only reason we took taxis was either to get to the airport, or to escape the summer heat! If you can’t find a taxi, Ubers are also readily available. A trip anywhere in the city will cost around €4-7.
Food
Eating Out
Tis Theatrou to Steki
Authentic, cheap and delicious – a winning combination at Tis Theatrou to Steki! This local taverna serves up lunch-sized sharing plates for around €3 each. Try the black eye bean salad, fava (chickpea dip) or boiled spinach and zucchini with lemon olive oil.
Esperides
Located just a short walk from the Roman Agora, Esperides can be found along the staircase leading up to the Acropolis. At night, the area comes alive with live music and a younger crowd. Take your seat on the rooftop terrace and enjoy the spectacular views of the Acropolis.
Kalamaki Kolonaki
No Greece digital nomad experience is complete without some traditional souvlaki! Kalamaki Kolonaki offers a simple but diverse menu, with generous portion sizes and gluten free options as well. They don’t take reservations, but the food is worth the wait!
Freddo Coffee
Groceries
Digital nomads in Greece will be pleasantly surprised by the cost of groceries, with prices much lower than the rest of the EU. Fresh fruit and vegetables are available at all the local markets. You’ll also find a wide variety of honey, olives, cheese, and other Mediterranean fare.
Things to See and Do in Athens
The Acropolis
Starting with the most obvious… First on the itinerary for most Athens digital nomads will be the world famous citadel, which sits overlooking the city.
When most people think of the Acropolis, they picture the Parthenon, but the citadel is actually a complex of different buildings and temples. Don’t miss the Propylea, the Erectheion and the Temple of Athena Nike.
Explore Athens’ rich history at the Acropolis Museum, located on the southern slope. The museum is built overtop the ruins and houses thousands of ancient artefacts. It’s a history lover’s dream!
The Temple of Hephaestus
Less famous, but equally impressive as the Parthenon is the Temple of Hephaestus. This ancient building was dedicated to Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom, and Hephaestus, the god of fire and metalworking.
It was built in the 5th century BC – after construction was delayed for three decades prior, due to funds and labour being redirected towards the Parthenon.
The interior of the temple displays incredible sculptures and murals, depicting the Labours of Hercules and Theseus, and other heroes of Greek mythology.
Wander the streets of Plaka
Plaka is a welcome oasis from the congestion of the city. Lying in the shadow of the Acropolis, the picturesque streets are lined with lush pink flowers and charming local shops. Athens digital nomads flock here for shopping, dining out at the specialty food shops, and the fantastic nightlife scene.
Visit the ancient Agora
The Agora was the centre of life in ancient Greek cities – it housed bustling markets, international merchants, and public gatherings of all kinds. The ruins of the Athens Agora comprise more than 30 distinct buildings and monuments.
Hire a local guide or browse the Museum of the Ancient Agora to learn more about Athens’ fascinating history.
Mount Lycabettus
For sweeping views over the city, head to Mount Lycabettus. Standing at over 300 metres high, this limestone peak provides a complete panorama of Athens. The summit is free to climb on foot, but if you’re here in the summer I’d recommend taking the cable car!
Day Trips for Athens Digital Nomads
Delphi
If you’re going to be staying awhile as an Athens digital nomad, the oracle at Delphi is a must-see. Located on Mount Parnassus, it’s about a two and half hour drive from the city – which can be done as a day trip, but I recommend staying overnight so you’re not rushed.
A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important religious centers in ancient Greece, pilgrims used to travel to Delphi from all over the world to hear the oracle of Apollo speak. Nowadays, it’s home to stunning ruins and an archaeological museum.
Mycenae
Another legendary location in Greek mythology, the archaeological ruins of Mycenae are located about an hour and a half from Athens. This fortified citadel dates back to the Bronze Age and many of the ruins are still well-preserved.
Escape to an island
If you need a break from the Athens city life, visit one of the nearby islands. Just a 40 minute ferry ride away, the Island of Aegina is home to the Temple of Aphaia Athena and the Sanctuary of Apollo, plus another Archaeological Museum (yes another!). But arguably the best thing to do on the island is relax and take in the spectacular sea views.
Greece Digital Nomad Visa
Any non-EU citizens visiting Greece require a visa. If you plan on staying for less than 90 days, you can simply get a tourist visa on arrival.
There’s been a lot of talk recently about the government’s plan to launch a visa for digital nomads in Greece. The new visa would provide tax breaks and allow digital nomads in Greece to stay up to two years, with potential for permanent residency.
This visa hasn’t officially been rolled out yet, so make sure to check for updates before planning your trip! You can read more about the Greece digital nomad visa here.
Other Tips for Digital Nomads in Greece
Greece is generally a very safe country, but you should always travel with insurance. I recommend Safety Wing for digital nomads in Greece.
While wifi is readily available in Athens, it’s harder to come by on many of the Greek islands. Check ahead if you’re planning a trip further afield, and bring a VPN as backup!
Greeks prefer to deal in cash, which may be inconvenient if you’re used to paying with credit. Make sure to stock up whenever you see an ATM.
Ready to become an Athens digital nomad?
Life as a digital nomad in Greece is laidback, peaceful and unhurried. If you’re looking for a place to unwind, Athens might be the perfect base for your laptop lifestyle.
Follow me on Instagram and subscribe on Youtube for more digital nomad content just like this, including this video on daily life as a digital nomad in Greece!
Keep Reading
The Ultimate Digital Nomad Packing List for Women
10 Best Things About Living a Laptop Lifestyle
How to Quit Your 9 to 5 and Travel the World Full Time
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hi, i'm Amanda
Three years ago, I chose to quit my corporate 9-to-5, sold all my belongings, and booked a one-way ticket to Thailand. I had no real plan—just a burning desire to see the world and a bone-deep certainty that there was more to life than my mind-numbing day job.
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Hey there, I’m Amanda Kolbye. I’m on a mission to help female entrepreneurs acquire business tools & knowledge so they can create generational wealth and a life where you never think “is this it?” In our world, women become unstoppable. In our world, limitless is the only boundary we adhere to.
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