Tag Archive for: flexible workspace

#10 FAQs about coworking: A practical guide for Athens, Greece.

Private office members at Stone Soup Coworking

“We have the talent. We just need to work together. Different environments need to overlap, connect, and interact in order to transform our culture. In order to create a sustainable community based on trust, we value:

  •    collaboration over competition
  •    community over agendas
  •    participation over observation
  •    friendship over formality
  •    people over personalities
  •    value ecosystem over value chain”

The Coworking Manifesto (2011)


Fifteen years later this still rings true! With remote work now the norm, professionals across the globe are seeking balance, flexibility, and connection. Millennials and Gen Zers are leading the charge, choosing experiences over routine and working from places that inspire them.

One of those ever increasingly popular coworking destinations? The vibrant, sunny, and evolving city of Athens, Greece.

We’ve seen our community grow, and we love welcoming remote workers, digital nomads, and local creatives alike. So here’s a friendly guide with answers to the 10 most frequently asked questions about coworking in Athens.

10 FAQs About Coworking in Athens

1. What is coworking and who’s a coworker?

Coworking is a way of working that blends independence with community. If all you need is a laptop and WiFi, and you like switching things up (or just don’t want to feel stuck at home), coworking might be your thing.

A coworker isn’t necessarily a colleague, they’re someone working near you, not with you. You can chat over coffee one day or focus solo the next. You set the tone. Coworking is about freedom with the option to connect.

2. What is a coworking space?

A coworking space is a shared environment designed for flexible work. It typically includes:

  • Open-plan desks (“hot desks”)
  • Dedicated desks for regulars
  • Private offices for teams or solo focus
  • Meeting rooms
  • Phone booths
  • Common areas like kitchens, lounges, or terraces

You’ll usually find fast internet, office essentials, and a supportive vibe. Think of it as your office away from the office—without the long-term lease. At Stone Soup Coworking, we offer high-speed internet with Redundant High-Speed Internet (Total Bandwidth of 1700Mbps).

3. What kinds of coworking spaces are there in Athens?

Athens has become a coworking hotspot. You can find:

  • Independent local coworking brands (like Stone Soup Coworking)
  • International coworking companies or franchises
  • Creative hubs
  • Workspaces with a specific focus (for ex. tackling societal issues)

Coworking spaces in Athens are scattered all over the city. From Marousi and Kifisia up north, to the lively neighborhoods of Exarcheia, Monisteraki and Keramikos in the center. And even down south along the Athens Riviera. You can browse platforms like coworker.com or Instant Offices, better yet, just reach out to the spaces that catch your eye. Most are happy to chat and offer a quick tour.

Stone Soup Coworking is one of those cozy, independent spots right in the heart of Athens. It’s down-to-earth, friendly, and perfect if you’re looking for a place where you can actually get work done—without the fluff.

We love helping teams grow in our coworking space. Whether you need an open desk or a fully equipped private office, we offer the right balance of support and flexibility. A flexible workspace means finding the setup that fits your needs! If that sounds like your cup of tea, come check us out. You can book a tour straight from our website.

4. Is location important?

Definitely. Even in a remote-friendly world, location still matters. Your workspace affects your daily rhythm—so think about the lifestyle you want. Athens has something for every pace. Just pick your corner of the city.

  • Want energy, convenience, and lots to do after hours? Go for a central location. Close to metro lines, cafes, bars, and gyms.
  • Prefer peace and green surroundings? Try Kifisia or Marousi in the northern suburbs.
  • Dreaming of sea breezes and coastal scenery? Look into spaces in Glyfada or Peiraeus.

Tip: If you’re driving, ask about parking options. They’re not always included in the membership.

Stone Soup Coworking Athens rooftop
Stone Soup Coworking Athens rooftop

5. What membership options are available?

Coworking is all about flexibility. Most spaces offer:

  • Hourly or daily passes
  • Part-time or full-time monthly plans
  • Long-term options
  • Hot desk or dedicated desk packages
  • Private office rentals

You don’t have to commit on day one. Try it out, see how it feels, and adjust as you go. Community managers are usually super friendly and happy to guide you. Check out our Stone Soup Coworking memberships here!

6. What is a coworking desk?

It’s where your workday happens!

  • Hot desk: Choose any available desk when you arrive. Great for flexibility.
  • Dedicated desk: Your own reserved spot with storage and extras like a monitor or locker. Ideal if you want to settle in and stay consistent.

Both options usually include high-speed internet, access to common areas, and a creative atmosphere.

7. What’s a private office?

If you prefer a quieter setup or need to work in privacy, private offices within coworking spaces are a great option. You get your own enclosed space. Perfect for teams, confidential projects, or fewer distractions.

Many private offices offer 24/7 access, which is great for night owls or international workers. And you still get to enjoy the perks of the wider community during coffee breaks. Here at Stone Soup Coworking we offer 24/5 access to our private office members. 

Team in a meeting room

8. What’s a meeting room?

Need to host a client? Share ideas with your team? Or attend a meeting without background noise?

Meeting rooms are available to book by the hour or day. Some memberships include free hours each month; others charge a small fee. Even if you’re not a full-time member, you can usually rent one for occasional use.

9. What kind of equipment can I use?

Most coworking spaces offer:

  • Monitors
  • Printers and scanners
  • Fast WiFi and sometimes Ethernet connections
  • Whiteboards and projectors
  • Some even have 3D printers or podcasting booths!

Basic office gear is usually included, and extras can often be rented or requested. Don’t hesitate to ask the staff, they will help you set up what you need.

10. Can I bring my dog (or cat)?

In many coworking spaces in Athens, the answer is yes, pets are welcome! Just give the team a heads-up first. They might have a few guidelines to keep the space comfortable for everyone. Pets are welcome at Stone Soup Coworking too, as long as they’re used to being in shared spaces. Just let us know in advance so we can make sure everyone has a good experience, including your furry friend!

Dog in coworking space

Still have questions about Coworking in Athens?

Coworking is more than just a desk, it’s about choosing your own rhythm, connecting with people, and making work a little more enjoyable.

Whether you’re here for a few days, a few months, or calling Athens home, there’s a coworking space with your name on it.

Come explore the different neighbourhoods, order a freddo espresso, and find your next favorite place to work.

Athens lockdown: opportunities and challenges for freelancers

Meet Ambre, our coworker from the French city of Bayonne in the Basque country! She is a copywriter and translator (English and Spanish to French) for e-shops and commercial websites. She got her first job offers through the translation and copywriting agency Textmaster and she now works for a network of regular clients and agencies that offers her a steady workflow.  We had a chance to speak with Ambre about the pros of online work and how did she cope with the spring and winter lockdowns in Athens. We also asked her how did she end up in Athens in the first place, and how did she experience the lockdowns as a freelance worker.

This is her story.  

The pros and cons of freelance work

After obtaining a Master’s degree in international purchases and logistics Ambre worked for five years, until 2017, for different companies in Paris. After evaluating the experience she gained from this kind of fixed work she decided that she needed a fresh start. She left Paris and started a small business in the fashion industry that seemed hard to succeed. So she looked for something different driven by her other passions, languages, communication, and reading. Copywriting and translation services proved a field where she felt truly comfortable.

Working as a freelancer gives Ambre the freedom she looked for. She remembers that during her previous 9 to 5 work scheme she felt stuck in a structured and hierarchical workplace. When talking about the pros of freelancing she mentions the ability to organize her free time and to write about different fields that appeal to a curious personality. When it comes to the cons she adds that in a globalized market there is competition for the same job and fewer quality offers. Before forming personal links with her clients she used to grab every opportunity. 

Ambre freelance work at Stone Soup

Picking Athens for remote work: before and during the lockdown

Ambre works remotely and she agrees with the concept of nomadic work. When she left Paris she went to Seville, Lisbon, and Bayonne before choosing Athens with her partner. She laughs remembering that she didn’t know anything about the modern city, just that it was an affordable place! They first came in January 2019 and started exploring different places in Greece. 

In March 2020 everything changed! At the beginning of the first lockdown, she was working as a content creator for a tourist journal. It was shocking when the company told the copywriters that they could not work anymore. At first, she was feeling a lot of insecurity and uncertainty. Her (already remote) work did not change but she was really bored because she had no other choice but to work! Her narration of the life during spring lockdown is revealing: “waking up, yoga, working, working, working, yoga!” Work was an escape from the fear but in a depressing way that made her feel stuck. Athens was in a cocooning phase too and Stone Soup was closed. So it was her home that was both a workplace and a safe space.

Ambre freelance work

Remote work after a calm summer: and another lockdown in autumn!

Summer was a calm and relaxing time for Ambre. Traveling to Santorini and meeting with friends was an escape from the numbness of spring. But in autumn restrictions were re-imposed again and freelance workers like her had to deal with another Athens lockdown in November. But this time both coworking and online work emerged stronger than before. She clarifies that the digitalization of small businesses drove up the demand for online content creators. As a result, autumn began with hopes up. She gets the chance to walk to Stone Soup and see friendly faces. She walks from her home in Petralona to her coworking space early in the morning and enjoys the sun rising and the quiet ambiance (fewer people and more cats on the streets!). Athens feels cozier in this controlled freedom state now.

Coworking seems like an excuse, a way to get out, take coffee breaks and feel like we are all in this together, she adds. The feeling that comes up first in her mind when she thinks about coworking is socialization!

Looking forward to a post-lockdown Athens

“PARTY HARD!” That is what Ambre misses the most! She is not a fan of the digital social life of the pandemic world and wants to see people again. Discovering more of Greece (“what about a road trip to the Peloponnese?”) is another goal along with climbing Mt Olympus! The Athenian cultural sites like the National Museum of Contemporary Art and the small bookstores are the places she cannot wait to visit again. Physical activities she used to do like yoga and volunteer teaching of English to refugees in a real classroom for the Za’atar NGO will also be more than welcome in her everyday life again. Her online work for companies like Sweet Small Pea, MonPlanCBD, and Agence Boca will feel even more exciting then. Athens will feel authentically charming again and the real-life small neighborhoods can be explored after some evening drinks with her Stone Soup friends such as Jelia! At the end of the day, we saw the limits of the digital way of living, she concludes, and it is time to re-appreciate what we miss and hope for.