Where to stay in Athens

Quick picks

Hotels around Plaka

Live prices from Booking.com, Expedia and more. Move the map to explore other areas.

The 5 best areas to stay in Athens

1. 1. Plaka

   Upscale

   Historic lanes beneath the Acropolis

   Plaka is old Athens at its most charming, with neoclassical mansions, bougainvillea-draped lanes and tavernas spilling onto stepped streets. It is largely pedestrianised and quiet at night once the day crowds thin. Syntagma, Monastiraki and Akropoli metro stations are all a short walk away.

   Best for: First-timers who want to walk everywhere · Near: Acropolis, Anafiotika, Syntagma metro station

   Pros

   • + Steps from the Acropolis and Ancient Agora
   • + Mostly car-free and atmospheric
   • + Safe and pleasant to stroll at night

   Cons

   • − Touristy restaurants with inflated prices
   • − Limited hotel stock, so it books up early

   Where to stay in Plaka

   BudgetStudent & Travellers InnLong-running, friendly hostel with private rooms on central Kydathineon Street.Check prices →Mid-rangePlaka HotelSimple comfortable rooms and a rooftop with direct Acropolis views.Check prices →LuxuryElectra Palace AthensClassic grand hotel with rooftop pool overlooking the Acropolis.Check prices →
   See all hotels in Plaka

2. 2. Koukaki

   Mid-range prices

   Local cafes south of the Acropolis

   Koukaki is a residential, leafy neighbourhood where Athenians actually live, full of independent cafes, bakeries and good-value tavernas. It is calm at night but only minutes from the Acropolis entrance via the pedestrian Dionysiou Areopagitou walkway. Akropoli and Syngrou-Fix metro stations serve the area.

   Best for: Couples and repeat visitors wanting a local feel · Near: Acropolis Museum, Philopappou Hill, Akropoli metro station

   Pros

   • + Excellent value compared with Plaka
   • + Acropolis Museum and Philopappou Hill nearby
   • + Authentic neighbourhood food scene

   Cons

   • − Fewer big-name hotels, many apartments instead
   • − Some streets near Syngrou Avenue are busy with traffic

   Where to stay in Koukaki

   BudgetAthens BackpackersSocial hostel with rooftop bar, steps from the Acropolis Museum.Check prices →Mid-rangeHera HotelElegant rooms and a rooftop restaurant with Acropolis views.Check prices →LuxuryAthensWas Design HotelSleek design hotel on the pedestrian walkway below the Acropolis.Check prices →
   See all hotels in Koukaki

3. 3. Monastiraki

   Mid-range prices

   Flea market buzz and rooftop bars

   Monastiraki is lively, crowded and central, with its flea market, souvlaki joints and some of the best rooftop bars in the city. Psyrri, just north, adds tavernas, street art and late-night bars. Expect noise into the small hours, though the metro connection is superb.

   Best for: Nightlife lovers and social travellers · Near: Monastiraki Square, Ancient Agora, Hadrian's Library

   Pros

   • + Monastiraki metro on Lines 1 and 3, direct to the airport
   • + Rooftop bars with Acropolis views
   • + Walk to Plaka, the Agora and Psyrri

   Cons

   • − Noisy and crowded, especially at weekends
   • − Pickpockets around the square and metro

   Where to stay in Monastiraki

   BudgetCity Circus AthensStylish hostel with private rooms in the heart of Psyrri.Check prices →Mid-rangeA for AthensModern rooms and a famous rooftop bar overlooking Monastiraki Square.Check prices →LuxuryThe Zillers Boutique HotelIntimate boutique hotel with a rooftop restaurant facing the Acropolis.Check prices →
   See all hotels in Monastiraki

4. 4. Syntagma

   Upscale

   Central hub by Parliament

   Syntagma is the city's central square and transport hub, home to the Parliament, the National Garden and the Ermou shopping street. It is busy and businesslike by day, quieter at night. The metro here connects directly to the airport and to Piraeus via Monastiraki.

   Best for: Short stays and travellers prioritising transport · Near: Hellenic Parliament, National Garden, Syntagma metro station

   Pros

   • + Best transport links in the city
   • + Walk to Plaka, the National Garden and Kolonaki
   • + Wide range of reliable hotels

   Cons

   • − Less character than Plaka or Koukaki
   • − Square can host noisy protests

   Where to stay in Syntagma

   BudgetHotel AchilleasClean, good-value rooms just off Syntagma Square.Check prices →Mid-rangeElectra Hotel AthensReliable hotel on pedestrian Ermou Street with a rooftop view.Check prices →LuxuryHotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, AthensThe city's legendary grand hotel, with a celebrated rooftop restaurant.Check prices →
   See all hotels in Syntagma

5. 5. Kolonaki

   Upscale

   Upmarket chic on Lycabettus' slopes

   Kolonaki is Athens' most elegant district, with designer boutiques, galleries, smart cafes and stylish locals. It is safe and fairly quiet, sitting on the lower slopes of Lycabettus Hill. Evangelismos and Syntagma metro stations are close, and Plaka is about a 20-minute walk.

   Best for: Style-conscious travellers and luxury seekers · Near: Lycabettus Hill, Benaki Museum, Museum of Cycladic Art

   Pros

   • + Safe, upscale and polished
   • + Excellent dining and cafe culture
   • + Easy access to Lycabettus Hill and top museums

   Cons

   • − Steep streets near the hill
   • − Expensive, and a longer walk to the Acropolis

   Where to stay in Kolonaki

   Mid-rangeCOCO-MAT Hotel AthensCalm, natural-materials hotel famous for exceptionally comfortable beds.Check prices →Mid-rangePeriscopeDesign-led boutique hotel with a rooftop hot tub.Check prices →LuxurySt George Lycabettus Lifestyle HotelRooftop pool with sweeping views of the Acropolis and city.Check prices →
   See all hotels in Kolonaki

Athens itineraries

4 days · Greece

4 Days in Athens: Ancient Sites & Island Day Trip

Ancient temples by morning, seafood and Aegean swims by afternoon

~€234 pp/day Read guide