10 Must-Have Amenities in Erasmus Housing to Make Your Stay Awesome

A modern Erasmus apartment in Athens with all essentials for a stress-free stay—cozy bed, study desk, washing machine, and kitchen.

Let’s get real—your Erasmus experience in Athens will either be an adventure of a lifetime or a daily struggle.

And a huge part of that depends on where you live.

If you think housing is just about finding a bed to crash in, think again.

The right apartment can make your time abroad fun, social, and hassle-free, while the wrong one?

Well, let’s just say you’ll be counting down the days until your return flight.

So, before you commit to an apartment that looks good in pictures but turns into a nightmare IRL... make sure it comes with these 10 must-have amenities that will keep you comfortable, focused, and stress-free.

1. Fast and Reliable WiFi – Because Slow Internet is a Dealbreaker

This one’s obvious, but you’d be shocked at how many student apartments have weak, spotty, or downright useless WiFi.

In a city where old buildings with thick walls are common, internet speed can be hit or miss.

💡 Example: Imagine trying to submit an assignment five minutes before the deadline, and the connection dies.

Or worse—your friends are planning a weekend trip, and you can’t even load the group chat. Annoying, right?

👉 What to Look For: Always check if the apartment has fiber-optic internet or at least a stable, high-speed connection.

If the listing doesn’t mention WiFi speed, ask before booking.

2. Fully Furnished Apartment – So You Don’t End Up Buying a Mattress on Day One

Some landlords say “furnished” and mean a bed frame and a broken chair.

Others actually provide a ready-to-live-in space. You want the second one.

💡 Example: You land in Athens, jet-lagged and starving, only to find out your apartment has no bed, no table, and definitely no cookware.

Now, instead of exploring the city, you’re running around buying essentials.

👉 What to Look For: A true fully furnished apartment includes a bed, desk, chair, closet, couch, and kitchen essentials like pots, pans, and utensils.

Bonus points for extras like a coffee maker, microwave, and comfortable bedding.

3. In-Unit Washing Machine – Because Laundry Mats Are a Pain

Sure, doing laundry isn’t the highlight of your Erasmus, but wasting hours at a laundromat?

No thanks.

💡 Example: You have a big presentation tomorrow, and your only clean shirt is buried under a pile of dirty clothes.

You either hand-wash it in the sink or spend an hour at a laundromat. Neither is fun.

👉 What to Look For: A washing machine inside the apartment.

Avoid buildings where you have to share a washer with ten other people—trust me, someone will always leave their stuff inside for hours.

4. Fully Equipped Kitchen – Because Eating Out Every Day Will Kill Your Budget

Eating gyros every day might sound fun at first, but after a week, your wallet (and your stomach) will beg for home-cooked meals.

💡 Example: You come back after a long day and just want to cook some pasta, but your apartment doesn’t even have a pot.

Now you’re spending money on takeout again.

👉 What to Look For: Your kitchen should have a stove, fridge, microwave, and all basic cookware (pots, pans, utensils, plates, and cups).

If there’s an oven, that’s a bonus!

5. A Desk & Chair – Because Studying in Bed is a Trap

You might think you can study on your bed or the couch, but let’s be real—you’ll end up scrolling on your phone or napping instead.

💡 Example: It’s exam season, and you need to study.

The library is too far, cafés are too loud, and your apartment doesn’t have a desk.

Guess what? Studying is suddenly impossible.

👉 What to Look For: A sturdy desk and a comfortable chair in your room or a common study space in the apartment.

6. Air Conditioning & Heating – Because Athens Can Be Brutal

Athens gets scorching hot in the summer and chilly in the winter.

Without AC in summer, your room turns into an oven.

Without heating in winter, you’ll be sleeping in layers of blankets.

💡 Example: You wake up drenched in sweat because your room is 35°C (95°F), or you’re wearing three sweaters indoors because your landlord didn’t mention there’s no heating.

Not fun.

👉 What to Look For: AC for the summer and heating for the winter.

If you’re unsure, ask the landlord what kind of heating the place has.

7. Storage Space – Because You’ll Have More Stuff Than You Think

You might arrive with one suitcase, but between new clothes, souvenirs, and random stuff, you’ll need space to store everything.

💡 Example: You try to unpack and realize there’s nowhere to put your clothes—just a tiny rack with three hangers.

Now, your stuff is forever in a suitcase.

👉 What to Look For: A closet, shelves, or at least under-bed storage.

If space is tight, check if the apartment has extra storage options.

8. A Social Living Space – Because Erasmus is About People

Your Erasmus housing shouldn’t just be a place to sleep—it should be a place where friendships happen.

💡 Example: You live in a tiny studio and barely see anyone.

You spend more time alone than you expected, and Erasmus starts feeling lonely.

👉 What to Look For: Shared spaces like a living room, balcony, or even a big kitchen where people can hang out.

The best Erasmus apartments have a community vibe.

9. Secure Building & Safe Neighborhood – Because Peace of Mind is Priceless

Athens is generally safe, but not all areas are created equal.

Your home should feel secure, especially if you’ll be coming back late at night.

💡 Example: You get home and realize your front door barely locks, or your building has no security at all.

Suddenly, you’re sleeping with one eye open.

👉 What to Look For: A safe neighborhood, a secure entrance, and working locks on doors and windows.

If you’re unsure about an area, look it up or ask other students.

10. Transparent Rental Terms – Because Hidden Fees Suck

Some landlords love surprise fees—suddenly, you owe money for utilities, “cleaning fees,” or “building maintenance” you never knew about.

💡 Example: You think your rent is €450/month, but suddenly, the landlord asks for €100 extra in "maintenance costs.”

👉 What to Look For: Clear rental terms with no hidden fees.

Everything (rent, utilities, deposit, contract terms) should be 100% transparent before you sign anything.

Final Thoughts: Get the Right Place, and Erasmus Will Be 10x Better

Your Erasmus experience depends a lot on your housing.

Pick the wrong place, and you’ll be stressed, uncomfortable, and spending way more money than expected.

But if you choose an apartment with these 10 essential amenities, you’ll have a smooth, stress-free, and fun stay in Athens.

Need help finding a place that checks all these boxes?

Check out our listings at Rooms Athens—we’ve been housing Erasmus students since 2015, and we know exactly what you need to make your stay unforgettable.