Do you know Athens? Is it a 'complete shithole'?

[Fuckoffeverything]

I read this on another thread. I've never been there. Have you been there? Is it really a complete shithole? What are your opinions on it?

I stayed in the 4* at the foot of the Acropolis. The orange juice at breakfast was the fake, sugary stuff when there were gorgeous trees bursting with ripe oranges literally outside the window! Athens can be strange like that. I would go back though.

I loved Athens. Taxi from the airport, stayed in the old part not far from the Acropolis and didn't bother with the new part at all. Having the ancient buildings still there is amazing. But I think time of year is important - we went in March. The weather was perfect and it wasn't too busy. There are lots of orange trees and they were in bloom. I went with someone who had never been abroad before. When I asked her later what stuck in her mind from her first trip she said "The scent of orange blossom."

Don't go when it is hot. I also didn't like the dogs, but otherwise, it's amazing, there is loads to do if you like history, the food is great, there's loads going on and so many Athenians speak great English.

I stayed a week over Easter with 17 year old DD. The good - Plaka and the Acropolis, which has an amazing museum. Took a great trip to Delphi. Fantastic.
The bad? We stayed in Omonia because our hotel was brand new but didn’t realise how rough the area round the hotel was. Loads of homeless immigrants, quite a threatening atmosphere, drug deals happening fairly openly. Graffiti absolute everywhere - some of it street art but a lot of it just shit. My daughter commented on the very dismissive attitude towards us from men in a variety of places as we were two women on our own. We have been to Rome on numerous occasions and I love Rome, far nicer than Athens.

I love Athens.

Interested to read this, I'm off to Athens for the first time this week on a business trip. I'm staying next to the Acropolis so looks like I've picked the right spot at least! I'm generally happy to head out alone when I'm overseas so curious to see how I feel about doing so in Athens after reading this.