Peristeri, Greece

Capital City

With a population of just 35,733, Peristeri may seem like a sleepy suburb, but this densely populated municipality in western Athens has its fair share of urban headaches. Situated between Mount Aigaleo and the Cephissus river, Peristeri is firmly part of the sprawling Athens metropolitan area, with all the traffic, bureaucracy, and crowding that entails. The city does boast some sports and cultural attractions, including the 4,000-seat Peristeri Arena and several municipal theaters, but these are balanced by the grind of daily life in a densely packed urban center. Overall, Peristeri offers little tranquility for those seeking a peaceful Greek lifestyle, and is best suited for those who can tolerate the persistent hassles of big-city living.