Ever tried taking a picture of the stadium and a cat gets in your shot? Or maybe you’re at the port waiting for your ferry only to find a cat waiting for one too. Either way, you have probably noticed there are cats almost EVERYWHERE in Athens! Whether they’re posing on motorcycles, under cars, on top of vehicles, or basking in the sun, not a day will go by where you won’t see a cat (or maybe ten). Seldom will you find a malicious cat. Most of them are friendly felines (or scaredy cats) when it comes to human interaction.

While Athens is a very accessible city, it is always helpful to have apps on your phone to guide you through the winding roads. Whether this is your first time in Greece or your thirtieth, apps make everyone’s lives easier. Below is a list of our 16 favorite applications that you can download right onto your phone. All of these apps are free on the app store and do not require in-app purchases. Most of these apps are not limited to Athens, but can be used in other parts of the county and beyond. Note: Many of these apps do require the user to have data while in Greece. CYA can recommend students to phone companies that offer pre-paid sim cards for students to purchase while in Greece.

Studying abroad in Greece provides students a plethora of sites, views, and places to visit. CYA organizes three field trips a semester to different regions of Greece. However, there’s much more to see beyond those field trips. Previously, we compiled a list of must-see Greek islands, now we’ve asked CYA students, faculty and staff for their favorite places to visit in mainland Greece.

During my time here in Greece, I’m taking a beginning modern Greek class, MGKL 101. I had very little knowledge of modern Greek before arriving in Athens, so I was excited, but nervous, as learning new languages doesn’t come easily to me.

Our Greek professor, Marinetta Papahimona, encourages us to go out and practice our Greek: “While many people you will meet in Athens want to practice their English, you should stress that you want to practice your Greek.”

Just a few blocks from CYA, a farmer’s market, or λαϊκή, takes place on Archimidous street every Friday. Since CYA students do not have classes on Fridays, it’s an excellent time to get fresh fruit and vegetables for the week. I went to the market with the aim to practice my Greek and made a short video about some helpful Greek phrases that I use a lot at the market. Enjoy!

1. Souvlaki (Greek: σουβλάκι [suˈvlaci]) 

The most popular Greek fast food and a no-brainer for all CYAers. Tender pieces of meat tossed in herbs and grilled on skewers, served in warm pita bread and topped with juicy tomatoes, onions fries and tzatziki.

Coffee is no joke in Greece. During our CYA orientation, we learned how to make frappé, an iced coffee, shaken by hand. As every student will tell you, coffeeshops are essential for studying, socializing and caffeinating. Here we’ve gathered students, staff and faculty picks for the best cafes in Athens: