{"id":1327,"date":"2025-04-26T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-26T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/?p=1327"},"modified":"2025-04-29T13:06:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T13:06:32","slug":"i-explored-europes-most-boring-city-and-found-it-bursting-with-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/26\/i-explored-europes-most-boring-city-and-found-it-bursting-with-life\/","title":{"rendered":"I explored Europe\u2019s \u2018most boring city\u2019 and found it bursting with life"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Athens has a reputation for being dirty, but there\u2019s treasure to be found in the Greek capital (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Having read some downright withering reviews on Reddit<\/a>, I imagined Athens<\/a> to be a dirty, boring and overwhelmingly hectic city.<\/p>\n

But while the rundown outskirts are certainly serving \u2018shabby chic\u2019, the heart of Greece<\/a>\u2019s ancient capital is extraordinarily beautiful.<\/p>\n

With labyrinthine cobbled alleyways, thousand-years-old ruins and street art that rivals Berlin<\/a>, the birthplace of democracy gets an unfair rap.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re into architecture, food, mythology or lying horizontal on the beach, Athens has something for everyone \u2014 it\u2019s time it gets the clout it deserves.<\/p>\n

I spent four days in the \u2018Cradle of Western Civilisation\u2019 to find the best it has to offer tourists in 2025.<\/p>\n

First impressions of Athens<\/h2>\n
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Fresh off an Aegean Airlines flight from London, I bundle into a taxi for the 40-minute drive to NEW Hotel, a modern five-star that\u2019s as much an art gallery as a place to sleep.<\/p>\n

Through the car window, I hear the sounds of the city: horns honking and street vendors chattering.<\/p>\n

Having read dozens of blog posts declaring Athens to be the ugliest, most degraded city in Europe, my expectations were low.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s a tourist trap, but the Acropolis is a sight to behold (Picture: Alice Murphy)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But largely thanks to my accommodation, first impressions were good.<\/p>\n

Right in the historic heart of Athens, NEW Hotel is young and modern, with a terrace that captures a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding districts. Double rooms start from \u00a3238. <\/p>\n

Designed by acclaimed Brazilian architects Fernando and Humberto Campana, each floor of the hotel reflects a different element of Greek culture, from shadow puppetry to ancient sculptures.<\/p>\n

Gazing out, I see a city humming with life, and prominent landmarks, including the Acropolis and Syntagma Square. It doesn\u2019t look so dirty to me.<\/p>\n

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Rooftops abound across Athens, and are one of the nicest ways to get a sense of the city (Picture: Supplied)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Things to do away from tourist traps<\/h2>\n

From quirky flea markets to creative ceramics, Athens surprised me at every turn.<\/p>\n

Right in the thick of things is Monastiraki Flea Market, a treasure trove of vintage bric-a-brac where you can find everything from handmade jewellery to custom guitars. <\/p>\n

Named one of Europe\u2019s best vintage markets by Lonely Planet, the cobbled streets are quaint and cheery, and a lovely place to spend a few hours. <\/p>\n

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Monastiraki Flea Market is a treasure trove of bric-a-brac (Picture: Alice Murphy)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are countless street food joints to recommend, but I suggest resting your feet at Cafe Avissinia, a cute bistro that serves traditional Greek fare with a view of the stalls from its terrace. The market is open daily dusk to dawn.<\/p>\n

If high-end shopping is more your thing, head to Ermou Street, just below Syntagma Square. You\u2019ll know you\u2019re walking in the right direction when you start to see determined shoppers marching around clutching Zara and Sephora bags.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tAlternative Greek destinations tourism hasn’t ruined yet\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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