How to Hunt the Best Erasmus Apartments in Athens (At Prices That Feel Like Robbery)
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Finding Erasmus housing in Athens doesn’t have to be a nightmare. This no-fluff guide helps you dodge scams and rent smart — at student-friendly prices.
Let’s get one thing straight...
If you’re coming to Athens for Erasmus and hoping to find a cheap, central, and actually livable apartment… you’re not alone.
You and every other student, digital nomad, and last-minute planner... are all about to descend on the same listings like hungry pigeons on a koulouri.
But here’s the thing nobody tells you:
The game is rigged—unless you know how to play it.
We’ve seen students score sunlit 2-bed apartments in Koukaki for €350 each…
While others are crying in €600 shoeboxes above Monastiraki with a broken fan and a club underneath.
Same budget. Vastly different experience.
This guide?
It’s your secret weapon.
A field-tested, bullshit-free strategy to hunting Erasmus apartments in Athens like a local... at prices that’ll make your Greek landlord regret his listing.
Step 1: Understand the Jungle Before You Enter It
Athens isn’t one city.
It’s a cluster of mini-worlds, each with its own energy, street noise, and landlord quirks.
You can grab a freddo in a leafy Pangrati café surrounded by bookish locals…
Then hop on the metro and 15 minutes later, you’re in Exarchia... graffiti-covered, alive, political, and buzzing with student life.
Head north, and Kypseli hits different—louder, more diverse, and full of flavor.
Or go west to Sepolia and Kolonos, where the tourists disappear and the square meters stretch.
Each neighborhood is its own vibe... and your rent, lifestyle, and sanity depend on choosing right.
Best Neighborhoods in Athens for Erasmus Students (Ranked by Real-Life Vibes)
Athens is a city of contrasts. One street has cozy cafes and student co-ops.
The next?
A shuttered bakery and a mystery smell.
If you’re here for Erasmus, your neighborhood can make or break your semester.
So let’s break down where to live and why it matters—with zero sugarcoating.
Exarchia — For the Free Spirits
Forget the headlines. Exarchia isn’t dangerous—it’s alive.
It’s where you’ll find political posters next to vegan falafel joints. Graffiti that actually means something. Late-night conversations on balconies.
Yes, it’s noisy. Yes, there are protests sometimes.
But for Erasmus students who want culture, community, and chaos with charm... this is your holy ground.
Vibe: anarchist café meets philosophy class
Best for: creatives, activists, musicians, night owls
Bonus: walking distance to the center, tons of affordable eats
Pangrati — For the Chill Intellectual
Pangrati is what happens when you mix students, artists, old Greek grannies, and craft beer.
It’s calm without being boring. Urban without the chaos.
Expect leafy squares, rooftop cinemas, record stores, and espresso bars that serve freddo with a smile.
It’s a little more expensive than Exarchia, but also cleaner and quieter.
Vibe: curated Instagram feed—but real life
Best for: introverts with social lives, study-and-walk people, anyone who likes brunch
Bonus: easy access to center, National Gardens, and some secret rooftop views
Kypseli — For the Adventurous & Social
Kypseli is a melting pot.
Nigerian markets. Balkan grill joints. Underground galleries. Vegan bakeries.
It’s a little wild, a little noisy, and packed with real life.
Rent is cheaper. Apartments are bigger.
But you’ll want to know your block before you commit—some streets are gold, others are… not.
Vibe: chaotic good
Best for: social butterflies, polyglots, people who actually use the word “community”
Bonus: huge Erasmus presence and some serious hidden gems
Kallithea — For the Strategic Thinker
Kallithea doesn’t try to be cute.
It’s practical. Affordable. Connected.
You’ve got tram lines, bakeries on every corner, and actual Greeks living their lives.
It’s a local neighborhood with student prices, and the sea is a quick tram ride away.
You won’t find rooftop yoga—but you will find a clean 2-bedroom with a balcony and functioning AC.
Vibe: quiet streets, family-run tavernas, old-school Athens
Best for: budget hunters, sea chasers, low-key lifestyle folks
Bonus: close to Stavros Niarchos Foundation + coastline
Sepolia — For the Quiet Hustler
Not flashy. Not touristy. That’s what makes Sepolia great.
It’s a working-class neighborhood that gives you space, silence, and cheap rent... without sticking you out in the suburbs.
The metro station gets you downtown fast, and you’ll find legit bakeries, old-school butchers, and zero overpriced coffee shops.
Vibe: residential, practical, a touch vintage
Best for: focus-mode students, low-budget, high-efficiency living
Bonus: metro access, good deals on spacious flats
Kolonos — For the Under-the-Radar Explorer
Kolonos is like that one friend who doesn’t talk much...but always knows where the best food is.
It’s still flying under the radar for most Erasmus students. Which means you’ll find larger apartments, lower prices, and fewer tourists.
Close to universities and walkable to central areas if you’re into urban strolls.
Vibe: gritty, authentic, solid
Best for: lone wolves, value hunters, students who don’t need a scene to thrive
Bonus: real-deal Greek life with plenty of space to think (or party… quietly)
And Two “Meh” Areas You’ll See A Lot
Just to keep it real, here are a couple areas that look good on paper—but often disappoint.
Victoria
Cheap? Yes.
Central? Technically.
But it’s noisy, a bit rough, and doesn’t give you that “I live in Athens” magic.
You can find decent spots here, but you have to dig hard and visit in person.
Ampelokipoi
A concrete jungle of government buildings and grey balconies.
Feels more like an office park than a student hub. Not bad… just blah.
Avoid?
Anywhere that sounds “too close to Omonia” unless you're into loud, sketchy energy and zero sleep.
Want even more local insight? We’ve broken down these areas in even more detail—like where to get cheap freddo, which blocks to avoid, and where the real student parties happen.
Check out:
Step 2: Know Where (and When) to Look
When to start? If it’s June or July, you’re already late. If it’s August, you're in the red zone.
Start early. Like April–May early.
That’s when the good flats get scooped by the fast and the smart.
Where to search?
HousingAnywhere – The classic. Tons of listings. Tons of junk. Learn to filter.
Facebook groups – “Erasmus Athens 2025–2026 Housing” is your goldmine.
RoomsAthens.com – Expert student housing. Fully furnished. No fake listings. (Duh.)
Word of mouth – Ask other Erasmus alumni. You’ll be shocked how often flats go off-market this way.
Red flags to watch:
Listings with no photos? Trash.
Listings with too many photos? It’s probably an Airbnb masquerading as student housing.
Listings that say “air conditioning” but it’s one sad unit in the hallway? Pass.
Step 3: Negotiate Like a Balkan God
You can negotiate almost every student apartment in Athens.
Greeks are used to cash deals, word-of-mouth contracts, and last-minute tenants.
The price they list isn’t holy—it’s a starting point.
How to lowball without being an asshole:
Be polite. Be direct. Say you’re a student. Say you’ll stay 5+ months. Say you’re tidy.
Offer a lower rent if you pay a few months upfront.
Ask: “What’s the lowest you’d accept for a long-term Erasmus student?”
If it’s a landlord over 50? Offer to pay cash. (You didn’t hear this from us!)
Greek phrase to seal the deal: “Είμαι φοιτητής Erasmus και θα μείνω αρκετούς μήνες. Μπορούμε να συζητήσουμε την τιμή;” (“I’m an Erasmus student staying for a few months. Can we discuss the price?”)
Step 4: Fully Furnished or GTFO
If there’s no bed, desk, fridge, or Wi-Fi, it’s a trap.
You’re not here to haul furniture up five flights of stairs in 40°C heat like a local uncle in 1996.
You’re here to live, study, party, and travel.
Look for places that offer:
A real bed (not a fold-out couch)
Working AC (non-negotiable in Athens summer)
Washing machine
Decent Wi-Fi
A desk (even if you’ll only use it 2 out of 5 days)
Pro tip: Flats with full kitchens and good windows are underrated. Your sanity will thank you.
Step 5: Beat the Airbnb Invasion
Here’s the dark truth: Airbnb has wrecked the center of Athens.
Many landlords would rather chase tourist money than host students for 5 months.
But you have one advantage:
Tourism drops in fall. Landlords get desperate. Strike then.
If you're flexible with your move-in date, wait until late September.
That €900 Airbnb suddenly turns into a €500 long-term lease.
RoomsAthens, for example, specializes in students.
And after hosting literally thousands of your mates over the last decade... we know exactly how to make your life in Athens awesome.
Bonus? Our rooms are priced fairly and built for longer stays, not weekend drunks from Berlin.
Step 6: Check the Commute — Not Just the Rent
A €350 room an hour away by bus is not a deal.
Athens traffic is a daily hell-loop.
You want to be close to the metro or tram—end of story.
Use this rule: If you can’t get to the city center or your campus in 30 minutes door to door, don’t rent it.
Check Google Maps at rush hour. Not just 11am when traffic looks fine.
Bonus: Insider Tactics from Seasoned Erasmus Survivors
Split a 2-bed flat with a buddy. Two students in a proper flat > one in a tiny room
Ask landlords for a discount if you don’t use AC. Works surprisingly often
Bring your own router if Wi-Fi sucks
If the mattress sucks, buy a €40 topper. Game-changer
Final Word: You’re Not Just Renting a Room
You’re setting up the basecamp for what could be the best 5–6 months of your life.
Your apartment shouldn’t be a box you sleep in.
It should be a cool, safe, social space where memories happen—sunburns heal, hangovers fade, and group dinners get unreal.
And if you want a head start?
Yeah, this is where RoomsAthens comes in.
We know what Erasmus students actually need.
No scams. No “oops, there’s no AC.”
Just clean, central, student-friendly housing that lets you focus on living—not panicking.
📍 Ready to hunt smart, live better, and keep your budget tight?
Check our listings now before the good ones vanish → www.roomsathens.com
