[Europe Journey #2] My Personal Gyros Grand Prix / For Late Arrivals, Staying Along the Blue Line Is the Smart Choice

Europe Trip Part 2 (still haven’t finished Part 1…!)

This time I went from Chiang Mai, Thailand → Athens, Greece.
A one-way ticket from Chiang Mai cost around ¥60,000–70,000 (roughly €400–470).
Total travel time: 28 hours — quite a long journey.

Itinerary Notes

From Bangkok to Athens, I had a layover in Dubai.
I arrived in Athens at 10:30 PM, which just about gave me enough time to catch the metro to the city (Line M3 = Blue).

The last metro usually leaves the airport around 11:20 PM (always double-check the current schedule).
Late at night, the airport bus (e.g., X95 to Syntagma Square) can also be a good option.
If you’re booking a hotel, staying near the M3 (Blue) line makes check-in much easier.

Metro Map

Hotel Mix-Up (Athens Hawks Urban vs Athens Hawks)

Here’s where I messed up.
I had booked Athens Hawks Urban, but there’s also another place called Athens Hawks in the city. I only realized the mistake after getting off at Monastiraki Station.

Since the hotel was a bit far from the center, and I had a suitcase with me, I ended up walking almost an hour at night. With light luggage it would’ve been around 40 minutes, but honestly, if you’ve got heavy bags, just take a taxi. Somehow, I made it there.

Good point: the hotel had a coworking-style shared space on the second floor, which was perfect for getting work done.
I usually book through booking.com, and I always check whether the common area looks good for working before confirming.

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Local Food = Gyros

I spent most of my time working after arriving, but of course, I got hungry.
My go-to was Greece’s beloved street food: Gyros.

A fluffy pita bread, filled with tzatziki sauce (yogurt + garlic + cucumber), plenty of meat and vegetables — super filling and satisfying. Near the hotel, I could get one for just €3.5, making it a great budget meal too.

Here are some of the gyro spots I tried in Athens:

Steakhouse Nostimoulis

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Metro… νοστιμιές (Metronostimies)

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SOUVLAKI ΤΥΛΙΞΕ ΤΟ

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Pita Pan

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Tylixto Greek Wrap

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🏆 Winner: Steakhouse Nostimoulis
This place was the best! The tzatziki sauce was extra garlicky — amazing with beer — and still only €3.5, very kind on the wallet.

Ordering tips:

Many places let you choose between “wrapped in pita” or “served on a plate”
Common meat options: pork, chicken, or mixed
Let them know if you have any allergies (like tomatoes)

Must-See: The Parthenon

When it comes to sightseeing, the first stop is obviously the Parthenon — the symbol of Athens. Entry was €30 (ouch).

But just walking around the Athens city center is beautiful in itself. The streets are charming, and with so many cafes, it’s easy to stop and rest whenever you get tired.