Athens Travel Guide
Where to Stay in Athens
A neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide to choosing a base in Athens — from waking up beside the Acropolis in Makrygianni to the grand hotels of Syntagma, chic Kolonaki, lively Monastiraki and a beach resort on the Athens Riviera.
Where you stay in Athens shapes your whole trip. The ancient sites cluster around the Acropolis, and the best way to see them is early in the morning and again in the evening, so the closer you are, the more of the city you will enjoy on foot. Here is how the main neighbourhoods compare, and which of our hotels suits each.
Makrygianni and Koukaki: closest to the Acropolis. South of the Acropolis, around the Acropolis Museum and the pedestrian promenade of Dionysiou Areopagitou, these two residential neighbourhoods are the best all-round base for a first visit. You can walk to the Acropolis's South Slope entrance in minutes, the museum is on your doorstep, and Plaka and Philopappos Hill are a short stroll away. Koukaki in particular has a lively local scene of cafes, bakeries and good-value tavernas. Acropoli and Syngrou-Fix metro stations connect you to the rest of the city. Our picks: the family-run Herodion, a four-star a couple of minutes from the museum with a roof garden facing the Parthenon, and AthensWas, a minimalist five-star design hotel right on the promenade with the rooftop restaurant SENSE. One note: AthensWas cannot accommodate guests with walking disabilities.
Plaka: the old town. Wrapped around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, Plaka is picturesque, central and largely pedestrian, with neoclassical mansions, tiny churches and the island-like lanes of Anafiotika. Staying here means stepping out into the old city, though the main streets are busy and touristy and hotels tend to be small and relatively pricey. It is perfect for couples and first-timers who want atmosphere.
Syntagma: grand hotels and connections. Syntagma Square, opposite the Parliament, is the hub of modern Athens, with the metro's airport line, the National Garden, the changing of the guard and Ermou Street for shopping. It is ten minutes on foot from Plaka and twenty from the Acropolis. This is where you will find the city's grandest hotels. Our picks: the Hotel Grande Bretagne, the legendary grand dame of Athens since 1874 with the GB Roof Garden overlooking the Acropolis (note that its spa is under renovation in late 2026), and the Electra Metropolis, a sleek five-star just off the square with a rooftop pool and restaurant facing the Parthenon.
Monastiraki and Psirri: in the thick of it. Around Monastiraki Square, the flea market and souvlaki grills by day give way to rooftop bars and the late-night tavernas and clubs of neighbouring Psirri. It is the most energetic part of the centre, ideal for younger travellers and foodies, with the Ancient Agora and the metro on the doorstep. Streets can be noisy at night, so choose a hotel with good windows or a room away from bar streets. Our pick: the Plaka Hotel, on the corner of Kapnikareas and Mitropoleos between Monastiraki and Syntagma, a simple, well-run base with Acropolis-view rooms and a roof garden.
Thissio: views and calm. West of the Acropolis, along the pedestrian Apostolou Pavlou, Thissio has cafe terraces facing the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora on one side and Philopappos Hill on the other. It is quieter than Monastiraki but still central, with a metro stop on line 1. It is a lovely choice for couples.
Kolonaki: chic and residential. On the slopes of Lycabettus, Kolonaki is the city's most stylish district, with designer boutiques, galleries, fashionable cafes and excellent museums such as the Benaki and the Museum of Cycladic Art. It feels like the Athens of Athenians rather than tourists. The Acropolis is about half an hour on foot. Our pick: the St George Lycabettus, halfway up the hill, with themed floors, Acropolis-view corner suites and a seasonal rooftop pool.
The Athens Riviera: beach and city. South of the centre, the coast from Glyfada to Vouliagmeni has beaches, marinas and seafront restaurants, and it is about thirty minutes from both the Acropolis and the airport. It is ideal in summer, for families, and for travellers combining Athens with island hopping. Our pick: the Four Seasons Astir Palace in Vouliagmeni, on a private peninsula with three private beaches, villas with pools and four restaurants, and the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion further down the coast.
Piraeus: for ferries and cruises. If you are catching an early ferry to the islands or joining a cruise, a night in Piraeus saves a stressful morning. Otherwise, the centre is a better base, connected to the port by metro line 1 and line 3.
Areas to think twice about. Omonia and the streets around it have cheaper hotels and are improving, but can feel rough late at night; parts of Exarchia are lively but gritty. They are fine for budget travellers who know cities, but less ideal for first-timers.
How much to budget. Athens is good value compared with other European capitals. Expect the highest rates from late spring to early autumn and around Orthodox Easter, and big drops from November to March. Add the climate resilience fee per room per night, which is higher in the summer season and at higher star ratings. A room with an Acropolis view always costs more, and it is nearly always worth it.
Our quick verdicts. For first-timers on a moderate budget, the Herodion or the Plaka Hotel. For couples, AthensWas or the Electra Metropolis. For a classic splurge, the Grande Bretagne. For style and shopping, the St George Lycabettus. For a beach-and-city trip, the Four Seasons Astir Palace.