The city is flooded with tourists every year (Image: Getty)
A city in swamped by every year has been described as “unbearable” as pessimism grips residents.
The density of people, and , as well as “awkward” walking on “very badly maintained” paths create a sense of “insecurity”, and make it hard to truly enjoy Athens, it has been said.
A rise in the number of visitors from abroad has also provoked a housing crisis, locals say, which has pushed people to leave because they can no longer afford to live in the ancient city.
Athens is a draw for people overseas because of its historic and cultural importance. Known as the home of democracy, it was once at the heart of a powerful and influential civilisation.
Remnants of this still dominate the settlement, including the Acropolis, a hilltop citadel on a rocky outcrop topped with important buildings, such as the Parthenon.
Controversy remains as Greece has been campaigning for the return of the Elgin Marbles – a collection of sculptures from the temple.
: [REPORT]
Athens has become ‘unbearable’ for some (Image: Getty)
Away from this political battle, Alexander Papageorgiou-Venetas – has spent the past half a century living between Athens and Munich – told about the city’s “orderliness and tranquility”.
“Beyond the occasional outburst of merriment,” he said. “The pace tends to be relatively monotonous.
“This might help explain the sudden fascination Europeans have developed for Athens.
“While we complain about the sidewalks and the fact that there isn’t a single one left without a restaurant or a bar, for them it’s life and celebration.”
Mr Papageorgiou-Venetas added that the only thing Athens can look forward to is “a significant reduction in its population” over the next 50 to 80 years.
“We’re talking a million fewer residents,” he said. “And this reduction will come firstly because regional cities will become much more attractive places to live, especially for people who want a quieter way of life, and, of course, because of the demographic slump.
REPORT [REPORT] [REPORT]
Climate and housing challenges are seen in the city’s future (Image: Getty)
“No one is happy about that, obviously, but it will affect Athens’ population in the decades to come.”
University of Patras Professor Panos Dragonas said that the city’s future will be “shaped by migration flows”, which will continue to “alter its human geography and exacerbate social polarisation”.
He also commented on property and the impact of climate change. Professor Dragonas said: “Tourism will remain the city’s primary economic force, until there’s nothing left to exploit, while real estate investments will keep providing a lifeline to the economy while simultaneously pushing housing further out of reach.
“Most importantly, climate change will continue to pose the gravest threat to life in the Mediterranean.
“Under these conditions, urban redevelopment projects are like an aspirin, offering temporary relief but having little impact on how the city functions overall.”