Where do Athenians spend their time? Where do they unwind, meet friends, or enjoy their daily coffee? Where does work end and the city begin? In the new column “Meet the Athenians”, we talk to the people of Athens about the places and moments that make them love the city they call home.
In this interview Artemis Skoufou, French teacher and travel influencer @travelseriesbyartemis, talks with TO BHMA International Edition.
1) How does your work connect with the city and its people?
Athens, with its multicultural character, is like a living organism – and for me, a city is defined by its people. My profession has a direct and creative connection with the Greek capital, as the city is filled with people from diverse cultures, experiences, and needs. As a journalist, the constant search for new stories and my interest in travel leads me to meet people and ideas that enrich my work. At the same time, through social media, I communicate and collaborate with young people, which is something that excites me about the city. Athenians are restless and active, which gives my work a sense of constant change and adaptation.
2) If you had only 24 hours in Athens, describe three places you simply couldn’t miss.
Twenty-four hours in Athens are certainly not enough, but three stops can capture the essence of the city — its history, daily life, and views. I would start with a walk in around Plaka, allowing myself to get lost in its narrow streets, among neoclassical houses and small courtyards. Plaka has a traditional and charming atmosphere, offering a calm stroll while at the same time allowing you to admire the city’s history and culture, ideally ending at the Roman Agora for a brief encounter with antiquity.
The second stop would inevitably be the Acropolis, the ultimate symbol of Athens, combined with a visit to the Acropolis Museum, which perfectly completes the experience.
I would end the day on a hill – either Philopappos or Lycabettus – to watch the sunset over the city. From above, Athens seems calmer and more charming, and a beautiful sunset would be the perfect closing moment.
3) What do you really like about Athens and what would you choose to change?
What I really like about Athens is its contrasts and the energy it radiates. It is a city with a rich history, but at the same time it remains lively, restless, and unpredictable. I love how, within just a few minutes, you can move from an archaeological site to a neighborhood full of life, cafés, culture, and people from diverse backgrounds. On the other hand, something that bothers me is the city daily routine. Traffic, noise, and a lack of respect for public spaces often make Athens feel suffocating.
The city needs more organized transportation infrastructure and a more sustainability-rooted orientation. So, the lack of respect for the environment and cleanliness is something I would like to see changed, as I believe we all share responsibility for improving the quality of urban life. Perhaps that is why, living in Piraeus and loving to travel, I feel the need to escape often to the sea or nature — places where everything feels more human and balanced.
