Θέλω να πάω στην Αθήνα το καλοκαίρι.

In Greek, θέλω να + verb is the normal way to say I want to + verb.

So:

• θέλω = I want
• να πάω = to go

Unlike English, Greek does not use a separate infinitive like to go here. Instead, it uses να plus a finite verb form.

So Θέλω να πάω literally works like I want that I go, but in natural English it means I want to go.

Both πάω and πηγαίνω can mean I go / I am going, but they are used a little differently.

In this sentence, πάω is very natural because it refers to going somewhere as a single action or trip:

• Θέλω να πάω στην Αθήνα = I want to go to Athens

πηγαίνω often sounds more like the regular, ongoing verb go in a broader sense, and can also be used for repeated or habitual going.

A useful contrast is:

• Θέλω να πάω στην Αθήνα = I want to go to Athens
• Θέλω να πηγαίνω στην Αθήνα κάθε χρόνο = I want to go to Athens every year / I want to keep going to Athens

στην is a contraction of:

• σε = to / in / at
• την = the (feminine accusative singular)

So:

• σε την Αθήνα becomes στην Αθήνα

This contraction is very common and normal in Modern Greek.

In Greek, proper names very often use the definite article, including city names in many contexts.

So Greek says:

• στην Αθήνα = to/in Athens

Even though English usually says just to Athens without the, Greek naturally uses the article here.

This is not unusual in Greek. You will also see articles with people’s names and many place names.

Because Αθήνα is a feminine noun, and after σε the noun appears in the accusative case.

So the pattern is:

• nominative: η Αθήνα
• accusative: την Αθήνα

After σε, Greek uses the accusative:

• στην Αθήνα = to/in Athens

So this is a case issue: the preposition requires the accusative.

Greek often uses the definite article in time expressions where English may not.

So:

• το καλοκαίρι = in the summer / in summer

This is the normal way to say it in Greek.

Other similar examples:

• τον χειμώνα = in winter
• την άνοιξη = in spring
• το φθινόπωρο = in autumn

Greek often uses the accusative case for expressions of time, especially when saying when something happens.

So:

• το καλοκαίρι = during the summer / in the summer

This is a standard time expression. There is no extra preposition needed here.

Yes. Greek word order is more flexible than English, although some orders sound more neutral than others.

The sentence:

• Θέλω να πάω στην Αθήνα το καλοκαίρι

is a natural, neutral order.

You could also hear:

• Το καλοκαίρι θέλω να πάω στην Αθήνα = In the summer, I want to go to Athens
• Στην Αθήνα θέλω να πάω το καλοκαίρι = It’s to Athens that I want to go in the summer

The meaning stays similar, but the emphasis changes.

A rough pronunciation guide is:

• THE-lo na PA-o stin a-THEE-na to ka-lo-KE-ri

A few notes:

• θ sounds like th in think
• η and ι both sound like ee
• αι sounds like e in met
• the stressed syllables are marked by the written accent:
  • Θέλω
  • πάω
  • Αθήνα
  • καλοκαίρι

Yes. πάω means I go or, after να, (that) I go.

So both verbs match the subject I:

• Θέλω = I want
• να πάω = to go / that I go

Greek does not need to say εγώ (I) here, because the verb endings already show the subject.

Yes, but usually only for emphasis.

• Εγώ θέλω να πάω στην Αθήνα το καλοκαίρι.

This would sound like:

• I want to go to Athens in the summer

It can imply contrast, for example if someone else wants something different. In a normal neutral sentence, Greek usually leaves εγώ out.

It can mean either to Athens or in Athens, depending on the verb and context.

Here, because the verb is πάω (go), it clearly means:

• to Athens

With a different verb, the same phrase could mean:

• Μένω στην Αθήνα = I live in Athens

So σε + accusative often covers meanings that English splits into to, in, or at.

Yes. That would mean something like:

• I want to travel to Athens in the summer

But it is slightly different in feel:

• πάω = go
• ταξιδέψω = travel

πάω is simpler and more everyday. ταξιδέψω puts a little more focus on the trip itself.