The European City That Loves Strangers—Athens热爱陌生人的欧洲城市——雅典

Few cities in the world rival the antiquity of Athens， where people have lived continuously for thousands of years. Athenians created the first forms of democracy， the plays and philosophy that shaped Western civilization， and the classical buildings that still dot the Acropolis.

Amid the ancient ruins， another survivor of the centuries is the Greek concept of philoxenia—a term that directly translates as “love of strangers”， but which locals define more as a warmth that makes foreigners feel immediately welcomed when they come to the capital city. “The people can be very hospitable and friendly，” agreed Julian Williams， who moved from London in 2009.

Though more than 4.5 million people visit the city every year to delve into its past， Athens has plenty in its present to make it worth staying for the longer term.

Why do people love Athens？

The always-on atmosphere of Athens attracts Greeks and expats alike. “Athens is a buzzing city，” said Chrissy Manika， an Athens native and blogger at Travel Passionate. “No matter when you go out you will see the cafes and bars filled with people having a good time.” She especially likes wandering the city center neighborhood of Plaka， on the north-east side of the Acropolis. “With all the tourists around， it feels like you are on holiday on an island， especially in summer.”

With more than 250 days of sunshine annually， that summer can feel endless. “By my standards， ‘summer’ in Athens lasts from late April to late October，” said Mina Agnos. The weather makes it especially easy to get away to nearby islands for a weekend getaway. Williams recommends Hydra， where cars are prohibited and people get around the island by riding donkeys and mules or leisurely walking its idyllic city streets， which mostly lack street signs. Though long popular with celebrities and artists， the island retains its laid-back lifestyle with plentiful cafes and contained crowds， thanks to the limited number of hotels.

世界上很少有城市能在古跡方面与雅典匹敌，雅典是一座千百年来生生不息的城市。雅典人创造了最早形式的民主、戏剧和哲学，塑造了西方文明，直到今天卫城仍然被经典建筑所点缀。

在众多历史久远的废墟中，另一个历经千百年仍然流传下来的就是希腊词语philoxenia的概念——它直译为“热爱陌生人”，而当地人则赋予它更多，让外国人一踏上这座古都的土地，就能立即感受到宾至如归的热情。“人们非常热情好客。”2009年从伦敦移居到此的朱利安·威廉姆斯深表赞同。

虽然每年有超过450万的游客前来探究它的过去，但是现在的雅典也有很多令人留恋的地方。

人们为什么喜欢雅典呢？

雅典始终不变的氛围吸引着希腊人和侨民。“雅典是一个喧闹的城市。”雅典本地人兼激情旅行网的博主克里希·曼尼卡说道，“无论何时出门，你总能看到人们在咖啡馆和酒吧愉快地消遣。”她尤其喜欢在市中心的普拉卡（位于卫城东北边）周边散步。“看着周围的游客，你会感觉自己在一座小岛上度假，尤其是夏天的时候。”

雅典拥有年均超过250天日照的气候，让人感觉似乎一直都处于夏天。“按照我的标准，雅典的‘夏天’从4月底一直持续到10月底。”米娜·艾格诺斯说道。这里的天气尤其适合在周末忙里偷闲，去周边的小岛小住几天。威廉姆斯推荐九头蛇岛，那里禁止汽车通行，人们骑着驴和骡子在岛上观光，或者悠闲地在田园般的城市街道上散步，当然大部分街道都没有路标。……