Athens is a sprawling, captivating, 24 hour capital city so choosing where to stay in Athens is not an easy decision.
This guide to the best areas to stay in Athens will save you time – and stress – trawling the internet for inspiration. My essential guide includes the top areas to stay in Athens for couples, groups and families with tips on what to see and the best places to stay in each location.
It will help you decide on the perfect hotel and location for your trip to Athens.
Where to Stay in Athens Quick picks
| Hotel | Location | Rating | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Dolli at Acropolis | Plaka | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Athens Plaka Hill Luxury Apartment | Plaka | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Sweet Home Hotel | Plaka | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Mythodea Athens Suites | Plaka | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Nsplace | Monastiraki | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Acropolis Penthouse | Monastiraki | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Hellenic Vibes Smart Hotel | Monastiraki | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| The Y Hotel | Kifissia | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Coco-Mat Hotel Nafsika | Kifissia | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| The Kefalari Suites | Kifissia | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Cosmos Dome | Syntagma | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| DWELL | Syntagma | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Elia Ermou Athens Hotel | Syntagma | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| St. George Lycabettus Lifestyle Hotel | Kolonaki | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Elia Kolonaki Luxury Apartments | Kolonaki | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
| Just Kolonaki | Kolonaki | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Book here |
Athens FAQ’s
When is the best time to visit Athens?
Athens is a popular tourist destination all year round. It gets particularly busy and congested with tourists during the summer months so I would avoid this time if you can.
Spring and early Autumn offer smaller crowds and both the weather and accommodation prices are reasonable. However, if you visit during the Orthodox Easter period, you will need to book hotels and tours well in advance of your visit and you can expect prices to soar.
Winter is the best time to visit Athens if you want to secure the lowest accommodation prices and enjoy the major attractions without huge crowds.
How many days should I stay in Athens?
I recommend spending 3 – 4 days in Athens. This will enable you to see the main attractions at an unhurried pace and possibly enjoy a day trip outside the capital city.
What is the best way to get around Athens?
Athens has lots of taxis and an extensive bus and metro network but to avoid the notoriously bad Athens traffic, I recommend travelling by metro.
The metro runs from early till late, seven days a week. It is reliable, fast and cheap.
For example, for longer trips around the city you can buy an unlimited public transport ticket which lasts for 90 minutes for just €1.20. If you are staying in Athens for a few days, you can buy a three day unlimited public transport ticket for €20.
Also, if you choose a good location to stay in Athens, you can walk to some of the places you want to visit. Staying in central Athens will enable you to walk to neighbouring districts and attractions in around 20 minutes.
Where to stay in Athens
Plaka
If you are wondering where to stay for your first time in Athens, Plaka is an ideal location. It is one of the oldest areas of the city and one of the modern day Athens most touristy locations but it is packed with character and is close to the city’s most famous site, the Acropolis.
Plaka is a maze of pedestrianised, picture perfect cobblestone streets lined with tavernas, shops and bars; many of which offer fantastic views of the Acropolis.
It is a central walkable location and is only ten minutes on foot from the central Syntagma Square so it is one of the best areas in Athens to stay for sightseeing.
Things to see and do in Plaka
- Visit the Acropolis and the excellent Acropolis Museum. Take advantage of your close proximity by visiting as early as you can to avoid the crowds.
- Explore the Parthenon Temple, dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena.
- Visit one of Plaka’s many museums such as The Jewish Museum.
Where to stay in Plaka
This 5 star hotel offers luxurious rooms and suites with high-end design and a mix of antique and modern furnishings. Each wooden floor room offers a large double bed, a tv, desk, kettle, safe and coffee machine. Some of the rooms have a view of the Acropolis from its floor-to-ceiling glass doors and balconies.
There is a 24 hour front desk, a swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar. Breakfast is included in the price of your stay. For style and location, The Dollis is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Plaka Athens.
Athens Plaka Hill Luxury Apartment
This large apartment is ideal for families and groups as it sleeps up to seven people in three bedrooms. It has a huge open plan living room, a balcony with seating and city views plus a kitchen equipped with a full oven and a useful washing machine.
This 2 star highly rated budget friendly hotel is a ten minute walk from the Acropolis. It offers comfortable, classic style, individually decorated rooms with air conditioning and a tv. The hotel has a bar, free WiFi and free parking plus breakfast is included in the price.
These spacious and light filled one bedroom apartments have a balcony and a kitchenette for self catering. The apartment is just 300 metres from the nearest metro station and is exceptional value for money in central Athens.
Monastiraki
Monastiraki is one of the best places to stay in Athens if you like shopping. There is an enormous flea market every Sunday that attracts visitors from all over the city.
It is also a good option for first time visitors and culture fans and is only a ten minutes walk to the Acropolis and the Plaka district. Monastiraki is known as the home of traditional Greek cuisine so its family run tavernas and grills are a must visit for foodies.
Things to see and do in Monastiraki
- Don’t miss the Monastiraki flea market every Sunday in Monastiraki Square. It is a great location to pick up authentic souvenirs.
- Explore the impressive ruins of Hadrian’s Library, built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in AD 132
- Visit Tzistarakis Mosque, built in 1759, and now part of the Museum of Greek Folk Art.
Where to stay in Monastiraki
An ultra modern three bedroom apartment sleeping up to six people. There is a separate open plan living room with sofas and a tv plus a kitchen equipped with an oven, fridge, microwave and dishwasher.
The apartment has a hot tub and there is a gym in the building that guests can use for free. Monastiraki Metro Station is 50 metres away on foot.
This surprisingly affordable one bed apartment sleeps up to four people in double and sofa beds. It has an open plan living room with sofas and tv plus a kitchen featuring a full oven, stove, washing machine and fridge.
There is a balcony with beanbag seating offering a view of the Acropolis. The highlight of the penthouse is the spacious balcony with a fire pit and a heated plunge pool -perfect for relaxing in after a long day of sightseeing in Athens.
This colourful 4 star hotel has a restaurant and a bar. It offers a 24 hour front desk and airport transfers and is 200 metres from Monastiraki Square.
Simple but elegant single, double and family rooms feature a double bed, a desk, tv, safe and kettle with a rainfall shower in the ensuite. It is one of the best Monastiraki hotels for price, comfort and location.
Kifissia
Kifissia is a 25 minute metro ride from downtown Athens so it may not be suitable for people who are only in Athens for a couple of days. However, its distance from Athens means it is a peaceful, residential neighbourhood so it is a good option for families looking for where to stay in Athens.
This hilly, leafy and laid back district is packed with grand houses, pretty gardens and boutique shops. It is cooler in temperature than central Athens so is considered by many to be the best area to stay in Athens.
Things to see and do in Kifissia
- Grab a picnic, see the water fountains and watch the world go by in Kifissia Park
- Explore the Goulandris Natural History Museum (a must if you are visiting Athens with kids)
- Take a 20 minute horse drawn carriage tour of Kifissia from Kifissia metro station.
Where to stay in Kifissia
A 4 star hotel offering classic style hotel rooms with double beds, a desk, safe, tv and kettle. The hotel has a 24 hour front desk, a gym and a Greek breakfast is included in the room rate. It is one kilometre to the nearest metro station and just 350 metres to the Natural History Museum.
This light, bright hotel is a ten minute walk from Kifissia train station. It features a 24 hour front desk, a restaurant and a bar. Breakfast is included in the room price.
There are rooms available for all budgets but I recommend the split level Loft Suite which has a separate living room and a huge balcony with extensive city views.
Fancy staying in one of Kifissia’s elegant buildings? Then check out the Kefalari Suites hotel. This 4 star Kifissia hotel is 500 metres from the Natural History Museum and one kilometre from the nearest metro station.
Compact but characterful double rooms feature a tv, kettle, minibar and balcony. The superior Suite has a separate living room with sofas and a tv plus a large outdoor terrace with a hot tub. The elevated city views from this hotel are fantastic.
Syntagma
Syntagma in central Athens is home to Syntagma Square and the Greek Parliament. It is a lively but convenient central location from where it is a 20 minute walk to the Roman Agora, the Acropolis and to the Monastiraki district.
Things to see and do in Syntagma
- Explore the Museum of Greek Children’s Art
- Take a break from the city with a tranquil walk around the National Botanical Gardens
- Take a free tour of Parliament House
Where to stay in Syntagma
These spacious self catering apartments are in the heart of Athens, 250 metres from Syntagma Square and the nearest metro station and just 50 metres from Ermou shopping street.
The one bed apartments sleep up to four people in single beds and sofa beds. There is an open plan living room with sofas and a tv plus a kitchen equipped with a fridge freezer, oven, stove and kettle. For the size and central location, these apartments are excellent value for money.
This brand new, 4 star boutique hotel is perfect for couples and is just 250 metres from Syntagma Square. Good sized, colourful studio rooms feature a double bed, a tv and a desk. There is a shower in the ensuite and a small kitchenette equipped with a stove, fridge and kettle.
This upscale 4 star hotel features a spa, hair salon and a gym. Its top floor restaurant has fantastic views of the Acropolis, 800 metres away from the hotel.
Standard double rooms have a double or single beds, a desk, tv, minibar and kettle plus a glass enclosed ensuite. Some suites offer a view of the Acropolis, a jetted bath or a hammam. Family rooms can sleep up to four in a double and sofa bed.
Kolonaki
The upmarket Kolonaki district offers something for everyone from museums, boutique shops and family run Kolonaki restaurants to art galleries and nightclubs. Kolonaki is home to several foreign embassies and some of Athens’ most expensive homes.
It is 20 minutes on foot to Syntagma and a 30 minute walk to Plaka.
Things to see and do in Kolonaki
- See the 3,000 artefacts at the Museum of Cycladic Art
- Explore the eclectic art collection at the Benaki Museum
- Take the Lycabettus Funicular railway from Kolonaki to the summit of Mount Lycabettus.
Where to stay in Kolonaki
St. George Lycabettus Lifestyle Hotel
This sumptuous 5 star hotel has it all: spacious rooms, a rooftop swimming pool, a gym, bar and restaurant plus a 24 front desk. There is an amazing view of the city and Acropolis from the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and terrace.
The rooms offer a large double bed, a desk, tv, safe, kettle and minibar plus a bath and shower in the ensuite. Wall art and soft furnishings give a cosy, homely feel. Some rooms offer a balcony with a view of either the Acropolis or Mount Lycabettus.
Elia Kolonaki Luxury Apartments
These comfortable and new apartments sleep between two and four people in double and sofa beds. Each room has air conditioning and a tv plus a kitchen equipped with a fridge freezer, stove, oven, kettle and washing machine.
Superior Apartments offer a balcony and a separate living room. If you are travelling with friends, these self catering apartments are excellent value for money.
This elegant and spacious apartment sleeps up to four people in two bedrooms. It offers a touch of luxury but at an affordable price.
There is a huge wooden floor open plan living area with a dining table, sofas and a tv. The kitchen is well equipped with a fridge freezer, stove, oven and kettle. Just Kolonaki is 500 metres from the nearest metro and just 150 metres from Kolonaki Square.
Where will you stay in Athens?
We hope this guide to the best areas to stay in Athens has helped you book the perfect hotel in the right location for your trip to this memorable and historic city.
More coming soon to plan your trip to Athens and Greece
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