Where to Stay

Choosing a place to stay in Athens is fun thanks to the city’s diverse and alternative accommodation options. With the rise of Airbnb, neighborhoods that used to pass unnoticed have grown into profound artsy hubs and favorite hangout spots. Luxury hotels and hostels coexist in central locations, offering custom accommodation experiences for every type of traveler and budget. Whether you are looking for a romantic boutique hotel, a well-equipped hostel, or an Airbnb with office space, you’ll find accommodating Athenian hosts. Here’s a selection of unbeatable places to stay when visiting Athens.

 

Hotels

Coco-mat Hotel Athens — Located in Kolonaki, central Athens’ most upscale neighborhood, this urban hotel gives you immediate access to gourmet restaurants, chic bars, and well-curated art galleries. As a unique touch, guests are offered a choice of pillow styles from 12 options and the opportunity to book one of the hotel’s city bike tours. The hotel’s restaurant/bar, Honesty Bar, offers a complimentary Mediterranean breakfast, which you can even order to go if you are keen to get the day started.

New Hotel — This hotel is sure to make staunch art lovers swoon. Owner and renown art collector Dakis Joannou, along with a world-class team of creatives, redeveloped the city’s symbolic Olympic Palace Hotel into the modernist hotel it is today. The renovation extends to the interior where recycled chairs and other objects from the original hotel reappear as art installations and handmade furniture. The rooftop terrace overlooks Syntagma Square and Athens’ busiest shopping street, offering some of the best downtown views.

A for Athens — Between Monastiraki’s traditional taverns and Psyri’s lively nightlife, A for Athens is ideal for those who want immediate access to the capital’s social scene. The Acropolis, Monastiraki Flea market, Agora, and the neighborhood of Plaka are also walking distance from the hotel. The rooms are modern, and some offer close-up views of the Acropolis. Guests can start and finish their day at the rooftop bar-restaurant, which is open from early morning for coffee and breakfast until late for cocktails. On weekends, locals and visitors from all corners of the city swarm onto the terrace, so it’s wise to book a spot in advance.

The Zillers Boutique Hotel — This hotel is a sure winner with business people and those looking to squeeze sightseeing in a busy schedule. The Zillers is popular for its convenient location under the shadow of the Acropolis. Only 900 feet off the Syntagma Square metro station, the distances between the airport, port of Piraeus, and the not-to-be-missed Athens Riviera go unnoticed. At the end of a busy day, guests can unwind on the Roof Garden, enjoying Mediterranean cuisine and the peaceful setting of the views of the Acropolis.

The Foundry Hotel — This is a brand new hotel in the lively Psyri neighborhood with 12 self-catered apartments designed to accommodate between two and four people. Inspired by the building’s function as a font foundry back in the 1900s, the hotel’s style has industrial and vintage elements. On the rooftop, guests can find the Picnic Garden where baskets filled with snacks and beverages are on offer, as well as wine tasting events.

Athenas Street Inn Hotel — This recently renovated hotel of 19 rooms is known for being friendly, clean, and well located between the Omonia and Monastiraki Squares. As its name suggests, it’s on the vibrant Athenas market street where vendors from Africa, China, and Southeast Asia create a multicultural vibe that is unique to the city. The hotel is a pit stop for budget travelers who don’t mind basic facilities but want to be able to dive into Athens’ culture from the moment they step outside.

 

Luxury Hotels

St. George Lycabettus — St. George sits in the shadow of pine-tree-covered Lycabettus Hill, creating a secluded atmosphere, even though it’s less than a mile away from downtown Athens. The hotel has six types of modern rooms — including eco-chic rooms for environmentally conscious guests — two suites, and a fashion floor curated by prominent designers, such as Pierre Cardin and Anna Molinari. On the sixth floor, visitors can enjoy fine dining while admiring the views of the Acropolis. Other services include a bubbly breakfast, private dining, and a dedicated kids’ entertainment.

King George — Adjacent to Grande Bretagne is the five-star King George. This 90-year-old hotel combines antiques, hardwood floors, and classic furnishings with modern technology and contemporary hospitality standards. They take pride in its rooftop Tudor Hall Restaurant, featuring seasonal Greek cuisine, traditional pastries with a twist, and an unlimited list of Greek wines.

Hotel Grande Bretagne — Opposite the Parliament, and just outside the Syntagma Square metro station, Grande Bretagne has been the definition of high luxury stay in Athens since 1874 — even more so after the 82-million-euro restoration in 2003. During the cold months, guests can take refuge in the atrium Winter Garden, where the live piano, marble floor, polished silverware, and crystal glasses create an opulent ambiance.

Alexander’s Bar, voted by Forbes as the best hotel bar in the world serves, among other specialties, rare malt whiskey and cognac. During summer, the swimming pool of the GB Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar offers uninterrupted views of the Acropolis and other landmarks. A heated pool is open throughout the year at the ancient Roman-bath-like GB Spa. For the connoisseurs of wine, The Wine Library showcases 3,500 wine labels and allows for private wine tasting and pairing meetings.

Electra Palace — Electra Palace is one of five Electra hotels and resorts in Greece. With fully equipped meeting rooms and ballrooms, a Mediterranean roof garden restaurant, a British-style bar, and a spa center, guests can work, play, and rest in this five-star hotel in the business district of Athens. For the ultimate luxury, the presidential suite has a private pool and direct views of the Acropolis.

 

Hostels

City Circus Athens — Though a hostel, City Circus offers high standard facilities and personalized service, which reflects the slightly higher than average price. The fully renovated interior of the two bordering 19th-century buildings comprises private rooms and dorms. On the ground floor, the vintage Zampanò bistro and wine bar has made a name for itself as a hip spot in the eccentric neighborhood of Psyri. The roof garden overlooking the Acropolis is guests’ meeting point for movie nights, wine tastings, and happy hours. Stay here if you intend to socialize with fellow travelers as City Circus swears by the value of community and exchange.

Small Funny World Hostel — The Small Funny World is known for its low-cost rooms, which is rare for such a central location. Located within walking distance of top sights, bars, restaurants, and shops, the hostel provides the bare essentials that serve practical travelers. The rooftop on the fifth floor doesn’t have a view of the Acropolis, but the climb is still worth it for those who wish to secure a free breakfast and meet other backpackers.

Athenstyle Hostel — This boutique hostel goes beyond clean and comfortable beds — it offers cooking classes, language practice, yoga, and a coworking area. With four communal spaces, including a rooftop bar-restaurant with Acropolis views, Athenstyle is a safe choice among economy travelers. The hostel is also a five-minute walk from Monastiraki Square metro station, which is close to the main attractions of Athens.

Athens Studios — This modern accommodation varies from studios and apartments of different standards and value to dorms, some of which are ensuite. Other services include a self-service launderette, 24/7 reception, and free luggage storage. The same owners run the next door Athens Sports Bar, also a local favorite for its well-priced cocktails and social events.

 

Airbnbs

Villa Amaryllis — Hosted by Urban Villas Team, this villa of five double bedrooms, a garden, and a rooftop terrace isn’t the average Airbnb accommodation. Villa Amaryllis has been designed with functionality and comfort in mind. Wooden floors, smart devices, and outdoors sunbeds are only some of the features that bring this house to the top of the list, as long as guests are willing to overlook the villa’s proximity to the wild and youthful nightlife of Gazi.

New flat with balconies — This surprisingly cheap two-bedroom apartment can accommodate up to six people who are looking for a fully equipped, clean, and modern place to rest and gear themselves up for action-packed city tours. Less than half a mile away from the Acropolis Museum and next to the Syngrou-Fix metro station, the flat gives guests access to hip bistros, chic wine bars, and independent boutiques.

Super view loft — The transformation of this 1,076-square-foot accommodation into a bright and airy loft highlights its biggest advantage — the panoramic views of the Acropolis, Filopappou Hill, and Athens’ outlying mountains. The vast open space with the ceiling-to-floor windows and the two inviting balconies sleeps two. Being located in the old town, there’s much to see and do.