Map of Recommended Neighborhoods for Investment in Athens

Exarchia

Welcome to the gem of Athens’ street art and bohemian life— the Exarchia neighborhood!

If you’re looking to “think outside the box” and experience a different side of Athens—with plenty of street art, spectacular graffiti, and a vibrant student life—Exarchia is the place for you. The neighborhood is located in the center of Athens and is known for its unique, youthful, and lively character. Some call it “the Florentin of Athens,” as beyond its youthful vibe, it’s home to quite a few artists, writers, and intellectuals. The neighborhood’s streets are adorned with a variety of graffiti murals that are worth a tour in and of themselves, and the neighborhood also boasts an impressive and “edgy” nightlife scene. Exarchia attracts many tourists and sparks great interest among them. It is also home to one of Greece’s most prestigious institutions of higher education—the “Polytechnic” (National Technical University of Athens).

Major Attractions – The National Archaeological Museum, Stratis Hill, and the Polytechnic University.

Transportation – The nearest metro station is Victoria (Green Line); there are also several bus routes.

Apartment rental potential – students, artists and intellectuals, tourists, and young families.

Kipseli

Welcome to the neighborhood where it all happens— the Kipseli neighborhood in Athens! 

Kipseli is a huge neighborhood with over 65,000 residents; some refer to it as a district rather than a neighborhood. It is divided into various sub-areas, with the “Pokinos Negri” pedestrian street running through the center of the neighborhood, featuring well-maintained gardens alongside a variety of cafes and restaurants. The University of Economics and Business Administration is located in southern Kipseli, making it an attractive place to live for many students. It also has a diverse population from various socioeconomic backgrounds and ethnic origins—yet it has managed to maintain its status as an authentic Athenian neighborhood. The neighborhood features a variety of architectural styles, ranging from Neoclassical and Art Nouveau to Bauhaus and modern architecture.

Kipseli is currently considered one of the top real estate investment destinations in Athens, thanks to its central location, high quality of life, and proximity to the university. With the encouragement and guidance of the Greek government, there are quite a few projects underway to renovate properties and build new residential complexes—including the “Palmo” project, which is still in the marketing phase.

Would you like to learn more about Palmo’s Chrisoupoleos boutique project in the Kipseli neighborhood? Click here

Major landmarks – Kipseli Street, Fokinos Negri Pedestrian Street, Little Kipseli Square, and the University of Economics and Business Administration.  

Transportation – A wide range of bus routes; a metro line (the Yellow Line) is under construction and is scheduled to pass through Kipseli Square in the heart of the neighborhood.

Rental potential – students, young couples, professionals, digital nomads, and immigrants.

Victoria

True to its name (the Queen’s),the Victoria neighborhoodoffers a touch of historical heritage from the Old City era alongside modern life.

The Victoria neighborhood is located in central Athens, north of the historic triangle of Omonia, Syntagma, and Monastiraki. It boasts an abundance of museums, theaters, galleries, hotels, cafes, and restaurants. What makes Victoria unique is its distinctive blend of old and new, evident in the ancient buildings alongside neoclassical architecture and archaeological museums, all set against a backdrop of vibrant cultural life. Reflecting the neighborhood’s youthful, student-oriented character, Victoria also boasts an impressive nightlife scene.

Victoria is a developing neighborhood with exceptionally high potential due to its central location, government-led development, and urban renewal projects within the area. Currently, prices in the neighborhood are still relatively low, making real estate investment here particularly profitable. Palmou recently launched the “Victoria Project”, an innovative apartment complex built on the site of the city’s long-standing and well-known Filoxenia Hotel, which was once a sought-after hotel in the heart of Athens. Apartment buyers will be able to rent them out on a long-term basis or through a short-term hotel-style model. 

Would you like to learn more about buying an apartment in the Victoria project? Click here

Transportation – Metro stations (Victoria, Omonia, and Metaxourgio), various bus routes.

Apartment Rental Potential – Students, young families, tourists, digital nomads.  

Zografou

If Exarchia is the “Florentin” of Athens, then the Kolonaki neighborhood is the “Rothschild Boulevard” of the Greek capital. It is an upscale and highly prestigious neighborhood, boasting designer boutiques and luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Prada, as well as boutique shops and Michelin-starred restaurants. Kolonaki’s location is truly unique—it lies at the foot of Mount Helikitos, and from there you can take the funicular up the mountain, where you’ll find a 360-degree panoramic viewpoint overlooking all of Athens and a restaurant where you can dine against the backdrop of this spectacular scenery.

Kolonki boasts a variety of museums, such as the Goldaris Museum of Cycladic Art, the Museum of Traditional Greek Costumes, the Theater Museum, the Byzantine Museum of Christianity, and the War Museum. It also features dozens of boutique art galleries showcasing all kinds and styles of art.

Major attractions – Tsakalof Street, Mount Hekabitos, various museums.

Transportation – Three metro stations: Evangelismos Station and Kolonaki Station, both on Line 4. A variety of bus routes.

Apartment Rental Potential – Affluent families, tourists, and Athenians from higher socioeconomic classes.

If you're looking for an apartment in a neighborhood that offers a high quality of life, tranquility, peace, and comfort—Pristari is the place for you.

The Peristeri neighborhood is the “Herzliya, Ra’anana, or Kfar Saba” of Athens. It is a sprawling neighborhood with 140,000 residents, featuring green parks and charming spots, and generally offering families a high quality of life and a well-maintained environment. Its most prominent park is Peristeri Park, which features an amphitheater that hosts performances and cultural events, a grove of ancient olive trees, a playground, and a café. The central square in Peristeri is Bournazi Square, a large, green square surrounded by numerous cafes and restaurants. In the past, Peristeri was considered a provincial neighborhood on the outskirts of Athens, but over the years it has become one of the largest and most popular neighborhoods in the capital.

Major landmarks – Boranzi Square, Pristeri Park.

Transportation – Anthoupoli and Agios Antonios metro stations (Red Line), a variety of bus routes, including the Kifissos Central Bus Station, from which buses depart for and arrive from the Peloponnese, Epirus, Thrace, Macedonia, and the Ionian Islands.

Rental potential – local families, well-established immigrant families, digital nomads, tourists.

Welcome to the “Miami of Athens”— the Glyfada neighborhood!

The neighborhood is considered the nerve center of the “Athens Riviera” area and is regarded as prestigious and desirable due to its proximity to some of Athens’ most beautiful beaches. If we were to compare Glyfada to a city in Israel, Herzliya Pituach would likely be the first choice, with its combination of quality of life, single-family homes, proximity to the sea, and a population of high socioeconomic status. In addition to its beautiful, golden beachfront, Glyfada features a marina, a sea turtle rescue center, and a commercial and shopping district with designer boutiques.

Major attractions – Metaxa Avenue, Kypro Street, Aspiridon Square, beaches: Glyfada, Voula Beach, Kavouri, and more.

Transportation – Connected to central Athens via a tram that runs along Poseidonos Avenue and stops at the Elliniko metro station.

Rental Potential – Families from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, affluent immigrant families from various countries, and tourists.

Ilioupoli

Are you looking for a high quality of life in the suburbs? In a quiet, peaceful neighborhood located close to the bustling city center? We’re pleased to introduce you to the Iliopoli neighborhood.

The Iliopoli neighborhood, which is comparable to northern Tel Aviv, has a population of about 26,000 and is known for its high quality of life. The neighborhood is built on a hillside with an unobstructed view of the sea and features recreational areas for families and young people, schools, shops, cafes, and restaurants. It is located about six kilometers southeast of the city center and about a ten-minute drive from the beaches of Glyfada. 

One of the unique features of Ilioupoli is that, alongside its urban character, the eastern part of the neighborhood also features a natural forest that is part of Mount Hymettus. This rare combination creates an enchanting area of walking paths and nature trails, interspersed with religious monuments such as the Church of Prophet Elias and the Monastery of Agios Ioannis.

Ilioupoli has developed significantly in recent years and is home to quite a few new housing projects at relatively affordable prices. One example of government investment in the area is the “Elinikon Smart City” project—an eight-billion-euro initiative based on an innovative ecological model, which we will discuss in more detail below. 

Major Landmarks – Veligmanis Boulevard, Ilioupoli Square, Ilioupoli Stadium, Ilioupoli Park, Pani Hill Park, National Resistance Museum.

Transportation – Located between two metro stations: Ilioupoli and Elimos. Frequent bus service.

Rental potential – local families, well-established immigrant families, tourists, and digital nomads.

Pangrati

Remember the enormous size of Pristari, Aglao, and Zografo? Well, Fegarti is a whole different story.

The Fegarti neighborhood in Athens is a modest-sized neighborhood whose population consists mainly of Greeks of middle- to upper-class socioeconomic status. Over the years, Fegarti has become home to artists, actors, intellectuals, hipsters, and members of Athens’ young middle class. It cannot be described as “upscale and pretentious” like the neighborhoods mentioned earlier, but it is certainly considered a high-quality, affluent neighborhood.

Fegarti attracts many investors both because of its central location in the heart of Athens and because of the momentum of development and growth it is currently experiencing. One of its most distinctive landmarks is the Kallimarmaro Stadium—a spectacular stadium built entirely of white marble, where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. Adjacent to the neighborhood are the Zapion Gardens (“National Gardens”), which feature more than 60 dunams of well-maintained paths, fish ponds, ducks, fountains, and some 500 varieties of trees and plants.

Major landmarks – Klimamero Stadium, Zapion Gardens, Varnava Square, Profitis Ilias Square, Plastira Square, Pegarti Square, Proskopon Square, Pegarti Park.

Transportation – The nearest metro station is Evangelismos (Blue Line); there are a wide variety of bus routes.

Rental Potential – Greeks from the middle to upper socioeconomic classes, young families, artists and intellectuals, tourists.

 Ambelokipi

Are there any doctors in the audience? The Amblokipi neighborhood is considered particularly popular among students, families, diplomats, and medical professionals, due to the fact that it is home to quite a few hospitals and a medical school.  

The neighborhood is actually a large district of Athens located just a few kilometers from the city center. The name means “vineyards,” as Ambelokipi used to be a quiet, green village. Over the years, the area has developed and become one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Athens, especially for those seeking a high quality of life.

The neighborhood is home to the home stadium of the long-standing soccer club “Panathinaikos,” the police headquarters, the U.S. Embassy, and, as mentioned, dozens of medical centers. The neighborhood’s main street, Vasilis Sofias, has become a symbol of Athens’s fascinating architectural development, featuring a mix of neoclassical and modern avant-garde styles.

Major landmarks – Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Panathinaikos Stadium, Athens Concert Hall, Panormou Street, Liberty Park, Platia Mavili.

Transportation – Two metro stations (Panoramo and Ambalokipi) that connect to the Blue Line, as well as a variety of bus routes.

Rental potential – middle- to upper-class Greeks, students, young families, ambassadors, doctors, and medical staff.

Kalithea

Are you looking for a quiet neighborhood with ocean views, located between the bustling city center and the beautiful beaches of the Athens Riviera? You’ll find all this and more in the Kalithea neighborhood.

The Kalithea neighborhood (“Beautiful View”) is spacious and home to universities, parks, shops, cafes, and restaurants. It is considered one of Athens’s most affluent neighborhoods and offers excellent public services, ranging from educational institutions to hospitals. Athens’ main thoroughfare, Syngrou Avenue, runs through the neighborhood.

Kallithea is located near some of Athens’ most popular attractions, such as the Acropolis and the Athens Marina. The neighborhood is also home to the innovative and impressive “Stavros Niarchos” Cultural Center, which is worthy of a few lines of its own. This striking, angular architectural structure, completed in 2017 and designed by the renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano, houses the National Library of Greece—a massive library with a modern, contemporary design. The center also features an opera house and a spacious park.

It is important to note that Kalithea is home to two universities and a technical college, which creates a constant demand from students for apartments in the neighborhood. 

Major landmarks – Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Davaki Square, Harokopio University of Social Sciences, Panteion University of Political Sciences, Sivitanidios College (the oldest technical school in Greece), the Olympic Sports Complex, the Touch Museum, Kallithea Waterfront Park, and Smyrnis Neas Alsos Park.

Transportation – Two metro stations and a variety of bus routes; the neighborhood’s location on Sigro Boulevard provides easy access from there to anywhere.

Rental potential – upper-middle-class families, students, tourists.

Kolonos

Close to downtown, quiet, unpretentious, and considered a prime investment destination—welcome to the Klonos neighborhood.

Colonos’s second name is “Akademia Platonos,” named after Plato’s Academy in ancient Athens. It is located in northeastern Athens, near the historic Syntagma Square–Monastiraki–Plaka triangle, making its location particularly attractive. Near the neighborhood is the Kerameikos Forest, one of the largest forests in Athens, offering natural scenery and attractions.

Kolonos is characterized by high demand due to its proximity to central Athens and its location between metro stations and commercial and cultural areas. As a result, the area features quite a few student apartments, apartments for young couples, and Airbnb listings.   It is considered a preferred destination for real estate investors due to the neighborhood’s future development plans, which include the construction of parks and investment in metro lines. However, real estate prices there are still attractive and have not yet skyrocketed.

An interesting archaeological site in Colonos is the “Academia Platonos” Park, which contains the ruins of Plato’s first Academy from antiquity (387 B.C.). The very act of walking along the park’s paths is directly linked to the Western philosophy founded by Plato, according to which walking outdoors and physical movement are driving forces behind the development of thought and philosophy.

Major landmarks – Colonos Square, Colonos Hill, Plato’s Academy Park, Colonos Theater.

Transportation – Larissa Station is located between two other metro stations, Attica and Metaxourio. There are a variety of bus routes.

Rental potential – young families, young couples, students, and tourists.  

Sepolia

The Spolia neighborhood is a quiet, upscale neighborhood that is home to young families and students and boasts a rich cultural life—just a short distance from downtown Athens and the historic triangle.

This is a middle-class suburban neighborhood west of central Athens, featuring theaters, green spaces, cultural institutions, and archaeological sites. The neighborhood borders Highway 1, which runs north to south and connects Athens with Thessaloniki.

An interesting and noteworthy landmark in the neighborhood is the Kapnergostasio Center for Culture and the Arts, built on the ruins of an old tobacco factory that was completely destroyed by fire in 1925. After the fire, the factory ruins were covered with a massive, earthquake-resistant glass roof, and today the center serves as a hub for Athens’ contemporary art scene and houses the Parliament Library.

In recent years, urban development and infrastructure upgrades in the neighborhood have made investing in it particularly worthwhile. The amenities and living experience the neighborhood offers, along with its proximity to the vibrant city center, play a key role in the rise in real estate values there, making it a magnet for investors.

Major Attractions – The Giannis Antetokounmpo Municipal Sports Center (named after the NBA star who was born and raised here), the Kapnergostasio Cultural Center.

Rental potential – young couples, families, students, and tourists.

Transportation – Sepolia Metro Station, various bus routes.

Piraeus

Hand on heart, how many of you knew that Piraeus is a port city in its own right and not “just” Athens’ famous port?  

Because Piraeus is so close to the capital, Athens, some people tend to lump them together, but in fact they are two different cities that belong to the Attica region. You might be surprised to learn that Piraeus is a bustling, vibrant city that is definitely worth a visit and deserves special attention. It also offers significant real estate potential.  

Piraeus is located 11 km southwest of central Athens and has a population of approximately 164,000. It is considered the fourth-largest city in Greece. In addition to the commercial port of Kenatra, which is considered one of the largest ports in Europe, it also has two other military ports, Za and Monichia. Over time, Piraeus has established itself as a world-class maritime transportation hub and a major global corridor. The port includes a luxury marina area, which attracts affluent residents and businesspeople to Piraeus, and there is no shortage of tourists who want to stay in Piraeus for a night or two before taking a ferry to one island or another, or on their way back to Athens. The city is home to dozens of seaside taverns, pubs, clubs, a bustling promenade, museums, and shopping boulevards.

Major Attractions – Zia Marina, the Archaeological Museum, the Hellenic Maritime Museum, the Olympiacos Stadium (Karaiskakis), the Kastella neighborhood, Mikrolimno Harbor, the Railway Museum, and the Piraiki Peninsula.

Transportation – Piraeus Metro, a wide range of bus routes.

Rental potential – local residents, port workers and ship crews, tourists, businesspeople, and affluent residents in the more exclusive and upscale section of the marinas.

Patisia

There’s “Petisia Above” and “Petisia Below”—but one thing’s for sure: there are real estate opportunities here, and plenty of them.

The Patisia neighborhood is a quiet neighborhood in northwest Athens, close to the university. Its population consists mainly of families and students looking for an apartment near their place of study. As mentioned, the neighborhood is divided into two areas—Upper Patisia (Ano Patisia) and Lower Patisia (Kato Patisia). In Upper Patisia, there is a shopping center near the metro station with a variety of stores, as well as prestigious private schools, including the Italian International School and Lycée Léonin—the largest and most prestigious school in Greece, affiliated with the Catholic Church. In Lower Patisia stands the Church of “Agios Andreas,” built in the 16th century. In addition, the neighborhood is home to the large and famous Titan concrete plant. 

Petisia is a developing neighborhood, so real estate prices there are still low and attractive, but it certainly has great potential. The tranquility and quality of life the neighborhood offers, combined with its proximity to educational institutions such as the university, make it an attractive destination for real estate investors from around the world.

Key locations – Patision Avenue, Acharnon Avenue, the University of Business Administration near the neighborhood, and Koliatsu Square.

Transportation – Ano Patissia Metro Station, various bus routes.

Rental potential – students, families, "Titan" factory workers, digital nomads.

Neos Kosmos

The Naos Kosmos (“New World”) neighborhood lives up to its name—once a neighborhood teeming with auto repair shops and commercial buildings, whose population consisted mainly of blue-collar workers, this southern neighborhood has experienced a renaissance and renewed growth with the opening of art spaces, restaurants, theaters, and bars among the neighborhood’s old buildings.

In a sense, it can be compared to Haifa’s Lower City, which in the past was also primarily home to Haifa port workers; however, over the years, it has developed an art scene, a hipster culture, nightlife, and a vibrant cultural scene that have “revitalized the area.” Among the manifestations of the cultural renaissance experienced by Neos Cosmos are: the Delirium Art Gallery, the “Symptom” art space, the “Onassis Stage” center for cultural events and live music performances, various ceramics studios, murals on the walls of basketball courts, and even branded electric cars parked near the light rail line. Residents and tourists in Neos Kosmos can enjoy a wide variety of restaurants and bars, as well as a dynamic and lively atmosphere.

Major attractions – parks (Hill Saint John Hunter, Lambrakis Hill, Syngrou, Smyrnis Neas Alsos), and Kynosargous Hill, which offers a 360-degree view of Athens.

Transportation – Neos Kosmos Metro Station, a wide variety of bus routes.

Rental potential – young people, students, families, digital nomads, tourists.

Votanikos

The Votnikos neighborhood is considered a popular neighborhood, in part because it is home to the Faculty of Agriculture, which has approximately 4,000 students.

It is located west of the Acropolis and near the popular neighborhoods of Keramikos and Gazi, and is considered attractive to Greek students and young families. The neighborhood offers a strong sense of community and convenient transportation access to all parts of Athens, and the presence of the university ensures high and consistent returns for investors in its properties.

Key locations – the Faculty of Agriculture, Technopolis (Athens Convention Center).

Transportation – Keramikos Metro, various bus routes.

Rental potential – students, families, young couples.

Kaisariani

The Kaisariani neighborhood is part of the eastern suburbs of Athens, along with Ambelokipi, Pegrati, Zografou, and other neighborhoods—an area that combines the convenience of proximity to the city center with a more relaxed and quiet lifestyle compared to the bustling city center.

Historically, in 1922, Kisariani served as a large refugee camp for refugees from Smyrna in Anatolia—later known as Izmir in Asia Minor. The neighborhood’s new homes were built on the ruins of the dilapidated houses that had been used to house the refugees. The Kisariani neighborhood still partially retains its old, traditional Greek character; it is home to many taverns and cafés serving authentic local cuisine, and there is no shortage of places where you can hear excellent Greek music. The neighborhood also boasts an abundance of public facilities, universities, schools, parks, and restaurants.

Major Attractions – Altar of Freedom Memorial Park, National Resistance Museum.

Transportation – There is no subway in the neighborhood, but there is a wide variety of bus routes.

Rental potential – families, students.

Attiki

The Attiki neighborhood in Athens is another popular destination for investment or residential living—a neighborhood in the northern part of central Athens that is considered to be developing and offers a wide range of public services, parks, educational institutions, restaurants, and cafes.  

One of the things that sets Attiki apart is the blend of old and new, of tradition and modernization—an element reflected in the architectural styles that combine historic neoclassical buildings with contemporary modern homes. In the past, Attiki was a residential area for people who came to work in Athens. Over the years, it has undergone restoration and renovation, and today offers a variety of housing options alongside a wide range of cultural and recreational activities. In addition, Attiki serves as an important transportation hub, as Attiki Square is considered a major transportation route to a variety of destinations both within and outside Athens.

The Attiki neighborhood is part of a larger region known as the “Attica Region,” which includes parts of Athens as well as other areas between the Aegean Sea and the Attica Mountains. Among these areas, Attiki has a distinctly urban character and convenient access to public services, which makes it attractive to families seeking a place with a supportive community and a rich cultural and recreational life, as well as to real estate investors from around the world.

Major Landmarks – Attiki Square.

Transportation – Attiki Station on the Metro, part of Line 2.

Rental potential – local families, well-established immigrant families, students, digital nomads, and young couples.

Egaleo

Aglao is considered a quiet and peaceful neighborhood that bears some resemblance to Neve Tzedek or Kerem HaTeymanim in appearance, as it, too, features small buildings and narrow streets.

It is located about four kilometers west of downtown Athens and is ideal for families, seniors, and anyone looking for a neighborhood with a more relaxed and peaceful pace compared to Athens’ livelier and more dynamic areas. The neighborhood has almost no commercial areas and is considered a very attractive place to live for those seeking a quiet and clean environment. The neighborhood has a population of about 90,000 and is home to popular educational institutions such as the Technological Educational Institute of Western Greece and the University of West Attica. Consequently, demand from students for apartments in Aglao is very high. Aglao has a rich history, a unique character, and a blend of residential, commercial, and cultural attractions.

Key Institutions – the Technological Institute of Greece, the University of West Attica.

Rental potential – students, families, tourists.

Gyzi

The Gizi neighborhood is located northeast of the historic triangle in central Athens and is known for its blend of tradition and modernity—making it a fascinating place for both locals and tourists.

The neighborhood has a quiet atmosphere and is home to both families and students, due to its proximity to the University of Business Administration and Economics. In the center of the neighborhood is the Athens Central Court, flanked by a spacious park. The neighborhood has a rich history dating back centuries and is known for its traditional taverns, cafes, and bars. Gyzi Square (Plateia Gyzi) is a central square that serves as the heart of the neighborhood; some might see a resemblance between it and Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv. Gyzi is considered popular among Israeli investors due to its affordable purchase prices compared to the rest of Athens. Pedion Areos Park serves as a green oasis within the urban landscape.

Major landmarks – Gizi Square, Padioun Oreo Park.

Transportation – A wide variety of bus routes; there is no subway.

Rental potential – students, middle-class families, immigrants.

Illion

The Ilion neighborhood is located in the southern suburbs of Athens and is known for its picturesque surroundings.

Ilion features a mix of apartment buildings, townhouses, and single-family homes, and many of its streets are lined with trees and green spaces, giving the area a peaceful, suburban atmosphere. The neighborhood is known for its strong sense of community, and residents often come together for local events, festivals, and cultural celebrations.

Ilion is close to the Athenian Riviera and offers easy access to beautiful beaches and resorts. From Ilion, there is easy access to downtown Athens, which increases interest in and demand for apartments in the neighborhood among young people and students who work and/or study in the city center. It is also located near important cultural sites in Athens, including museums, public parks, and various recreational venues.

Rental potential – young people, students, families.

"The Smart City" Ellinikon

Dubai is right here: If you're thinking about buying an apartment as an investment in Greece, you should start memorizing this name right now—Elinikon.

The smart city, located about a 20-minute drive from central Athens, is a massive investment project worth approximately eight billion euros—the first of its kind and scope in Europe—for a futuristic tourist city located south of Athens. Ellinikon, which is currently under development, is being built on the ruins of Ellinikon International Airport, which closed in 2001. It is expected to include 8,000 residential units, five-star hotels, a vast and innovative park spanning approximately 600 dunams, shopping centers, restaurants, a marina, a casino, and a massive seaport that will accommodate, among other things, cruise ships. In addition, the city will feature the 200-meter-tall Riviera Tower, which will contain 169 apartments spread across 50 floors.

One of the highlights of the smart city is Ellinikon Metropolitan Park, a vast park designed with the climate crisis and the need to reduce carbon emissions in mind. It is expected to be about 70 percent the size of Central Park in Manhattan. The new park will feature over 3.3 million native plants, including 31,000 new trees representing 86 species—with all landscaping irrigated using 100 percent recycled water collected from a treatment plant to be built on the site.

Transportation – Two metro stations and an elevated train line (tram) are expected to be built in the new city.

Rental potential – tourists (short-term rentals), families, business travelers, resort employees, digital nomads.

When – The first phase of the city’s construction is expected to be completed in less than two years. The city is expected to continue developing over the next decade until its construction is completed.

Psyri

Another neighborhood vying for the title of “the Florentin of Athens” is Psiri.

Like Exarchia, Psiri is a neighborhood with a youthful, bustling vibe, a vibrant art scene, and lively nightlife. It’s located just past Syntagma Square, Plaka, and Monastiraki, and is close to all the main attractions. As in Exarchia, in Psiri you’ll discover an impressive graffiti scene that’s worth a whole fascinating tour among the many murals that adorn the neighborhood’s streets. 

Pasiri boasts unique street art and an abundance of galleries and workshops. In terms of nightlife, it offers a variety of clubs and bars featuring live music until the wee hours of the night. Alongside its modern atmosphere, Psiri also boasts a rich history, as the area was once home to temples and landmarks such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Theater of Dionysus. It’s worth noting that Psiri is home to the Chabad House of Athens as well as a kosher restaurant called Gostijo, which is a plus for Israelis interested in buying an apartment or settling in the area while also enjoying a touch of Jewish tradition and a connection to their roots during their stay there.

Major landmarks – Monastiraki Square, Athinas Street, the Temple of Zeus, the Theater of Dionysus, and the “Little Cook” café, known for its colorful design that looks like something out of a fairy tale.  

Transportation – The metro station at Monastiraki Square, various bus routes.

Rental Potential – Young people, artists, intellectuals, digital nomads.

Plaka 

If you're going to get lost in the alleys of Athens—do yourself a favor and make sure it's in Plaka.

What more can be said about this famous and picturesque neighborhood nestled at the foot of the Acropolis, where you can wander for hours and enjoy charming nooks, pastoral cafés, and traditional Greek food? It is Plaka, and nothing else. It is one of the most central neighborhoods in Athens, if not the most central. It borders Monastiraki Square, Syntagma, and the Parliament building to the north, and the Acropolis to the south.

The main street in the Plaka neighborhood is Adrianou Street, which divides the neighborhood into two areas: the upper level (“Ano Plaka”) and the lower level (“Kato Plaka”). Wandering through its alleys is a wonderful experience during the day and is considered one of the “must-do” experiences for any tourist in Greece—but at night, the experience takes on an even more spectacular dimension with the sight of the illuminated Acropolis up on the hill.

As you wander among the romantic cafés and works of art, you’ll come across “pieces of history” such as the ancient and Roman agoras, the “Tower of the Winds,” and more.

Transportation – The nearest metro station is at Syntagma Square.  

Rental potential – tourists , digital nomads, die-hard Athenians, and enthusiasts (who can afford to rent in Plaka).

Koukaki 

Have you explored Plaka, visited the Acropolis, and are you looking for a moment of peace away from the hustle and bustle? Feel free to set your Waze (or rather, Google Maps, since the Waze app is less popular in Greece) to Kokaki.

The neighborhood is located at the foot of the Acropolis and offers a blend of tranquility and urban vibrancy. It has a pleasant atmosphere with tree-lined streets, cafés, and a sense of authentic Greek charm reflected in its taverns and local cuisine. The neighborhood is popular among locals and offers a variety of high-quality restaurants and bars; it also appeals to young people who want to live in a quiet, peaceful area that’s still within walking distance of Plaka, Syntagma Square, and downtown Athens in general.

If you've ever wondered about the origin of this amusing name, Kokaki is named after a Greek businessman named Georgios Kokakis, who once built a large factory in the area. The neighborhood has developed significantly in recent years and is considered a prime residential destination; given its rising status, it is also a prime destination for investors.

Major Attractions – the Acropolis Temple , the Acropolis Museum, the National Museum of Modern Art, Philopappou Hill, and the Museum of Senses for Children and Teens.

Transportation – Syngrou Fix Metro , Acropolis Metro, and various bus routes.

Rental potential – Local Greeks, tourists, families and adults from the middle to upper socioeconomic classes, students, and digital nomads.