Where to Stay in Athens (7 Best Areas & Places, By a Local)

👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Athens | Neighbourhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQ

I’ve made Athens my adopted home for over 15 years, so I can help you find the best places to stay in the city.

For a capital city, Athens is compact and walkable, and first-time and returning visitors will benefit from staying in the beautiful Plaka and Anafiotika neighbourhoods. They’re home to the famous Acropolis, popular museums, and near Syntagma (Parliament) Square. Herodion Hotel is my favourite hotel in this area because it’s steps from both the Acropolis and lively restaurants and tavernas.

However, another great area to stay in is Syntagma and Kolonkai. These neighborhoods are known for their shops, and this is where you’ll find my #1 hotel pick – the storied Hotel Grande Bretagne. It’s in its 152nd year operating as a hotel, with gorgeous Parthenon views from its rooftop restaurant.

However, these are far from your only options. Below, I’ll walk you through several other options, along with their pros and cons, to help you figure out where to stay.

Best Places to Stay in Athens

If you’re short on time, these are my top hotel picks: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Hotel Grande Bretagne
• 📍 Best Location – Herodion Hotel
• 💎 Best Luxury – The Dolli at Acropolis
• ❤️ Best for Couples- St George Lycabettus Lifestyle Hotel
• 👪 Best for Families – Rastoni Athens Suites
• 🛎️ Best Boutique – La Divina
• ⛱️ Best Along the Athens Riviera – Four Seasons Astir Palace
• 🏨 Best Hostel – City Circus Athens
• 🛏️ Best Budget – Tempi Hotel

Ok, now scroll down for a deep dive into the pros (and cons) of each area of Athens: 

7 Best Neighbourhoods & Areas to Stay in Athens

Athens’s city centre is about an hour by metro from the airport and hosts major sights like the Acropolis, Parthenon and museums. 

Alternative neighbourhoods include youthful Exarcheia – full of cafés and murals, and trendy Gazi – the former gasworks district. Forty-five minutes south, the Athenian Riviera entices with its beach vibes.

Plaka and Anafiotika

👉 Best Area For First-Time Visitors & Historic Sites |✨ Best Plaka & Anafiotika Hotels: Herodion Hotel • The Dolli at Acropolis • Rastoni Athens Suites

Plaka, beneath the Acropolis, is one of Athens’ most atmospheric neighbourhoods. The cobbled streets and neoclassical façades make it ideal for both first-time visitors and returning travellers. The combination of history, charm, and local life here makes Plaka and Anafiotika one of Athens’ most memorable neighbourhoods.

The Herodion Hotel is my favourite because its location, just behind the Acropolis Museum, means many of Athens’ top sights are only a short walk away. Plus, soaking up views of the Acropolis while sipping your morning coffee is a great way to wake up.

For an elegant stay, book a room at The Dolli at Acropolis. Upon arrival, you’ll feel like you’re stepping into a luxurious private mansion. It’s perfectly placed to wander Plaka’s charming streets. Families often prefer Rastoni Athens Suites with its spacious apartment-style accommodation. It’s also close to landmarks like the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch.

Make sure to explore Anafiotika, the tiny whitewashed historic neighbourhood tucked into Plaka’s hillside. Then wander down to Brettos, the city’s oldest distillery, for a drink. It’s famous for the colourful bottles lining its wall, and is a perfectly Instagrammable spot.

Pros of Staying in Plaka and Anafiotika:

• Central location 
• It’s pedestrianised and accessible
• Authentic and traditional village (Anafiotika)

Cons of Staying in Plaka and Anafiotika:

• Crowded and touristy
• Restaurants and tavernas are more expensive

Monastiraki and Psyrri

👉Best Area For Street Markets & Budget Accommodation | ✨Best Monastiraki and Psyrri Hotels: City Circus Athens • Tempi Hotel • La Divina

Monastiraki and Psyrri are among Athens’ liveliest quarters, where flea markets and old tavernas collide. On Sundays, Monastiraki’s Flea Market spills through the streets, while the nearby Varvakios Agora (the city’s meat and seafood market) offers a raw glimpse of local food culture.

Here, you’ll find everything from stylish boutique stays to budget favourites. City Circus Athens in Psyrri is the trendy go-to hostel, known for its rooftop views and bar-restaurant. 

My favourite is the family-run Tempi Hotel. It’s steps from the flea market action yet affordable. It also has a communal kitchen that gives it a hostel vibe with a mid-range feel. And the suites at La Divina, a restored 12th-century townhouse, are perfect for romance.

There’s a lot to do in this area. Dine with Acropolis views at Cafe Avissinia. Browse the cultural hub at The Art Foundation (TAF) – once a political prison, now a courtyard bar. Finally, raise a glass at the James Joyce Irish Pub.

Pros of Staying in Monastiraki and Psyrri:

• Iconic rooftop views of the Acropolis 
• Bustling local street markets
• Choice of budget and boutique stays

Cons of Staying in Monastiraki and Psyrri:

• Noisy due to its central location and nightlife
• Beware of pickpockets

Syntagma and Kolonaki

👉 Best Area For Shopping & Parks | ✨ Best Syntagma and Kolonaki Hotels: Hotel Grande Bretagne • InnAthens • St George Lycabettus Lifestyle Hotel

Syntagma and Kolonaki form the sophisticated heart of Athens. Plus, they’re the best areas for shopping, where designer boutiques and historic landmarks sit side by side.

From Syntagma Square, the pedestrianised Ermou Street runs toward Monastiraki, lined with international and Greek stores. Look out for the grand neoclassical façade of H&M, one of the street’s most striking buildings. 

At the top of the square stands the Greek Parliament, from which Syntagma takes its name. Here, the ceremonial changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier takes place every hour. Alongside it, the shady paths of the National Garden of Athens is a welcome escape from the city bustle.

Accommodation ranges from boutique stays to Athens’ most iconic hotel, Hotel Grande Bretagne. This hotel is well-known for its old-world grandeur and legendary rooftop views of the Acropolis.

Couples staying in this area will love St George Lycabettus Lifestyle Hotel, while the leafy courtyard at InnAthens is perfect for a calm city retreat.

Pros of Staying in Syntagma & Kolonaki:

• Central to parks and shopping
• Pedestrianised shopping street
• Upscale, safe neighbourhood

Cons of Staying in Syntagma & Kolonaki:

• Less ‘Greek’ vibe, slightly more international feel
• Hilly terrain and steep streets in Kolonaki

Koukaki and Mets

👉 Best Area For Local Vibes | ✨ Best Koukaki and Mets Hotels: Monastik Living in Athina • Incanto Boutique Suites • The Athens Gate Hotel

Koukaki and Mets, named after the 1871 Battle of Metz during the Franco-Prussian War, is a quiet, local neighbourhood tucked behind the city centre. It’s relatively untouched by tourism, so it’s best for returning visitors who already know their way around Athens and want a more residential feel. 

The area encompasses the historic First Cemetery of Athens, the city’s 19th-century burial ground filled with sculptures and notable graves. It’s also about a 15–20-minute walk from the marble Panathenaic Stadium, built in 1896 to host the first Olympic Games. 

The neighbourhood isn’t widely known as a tourist base, and that’s part of its charm. Apartment rentals are especially popular here, but there are also several highly-rated hotels. I like Monastik Living in Athina for its stylish suites and relaxed, neighbourhood feel. Nearby, The Athens Gate Hotel offers Acropolis views, while Incanto Boutique Suites provides a small and elegant boutique experience.

Pros of Staying in Koukaki and Mets:

• Local neighbourhood vibe 
• Easy access to the little-known First Cemetery of Athens
• Good location for the historic Panathenaic Olympic Stadium

Cons of Staying in Koukaki and Mets:

• Quite far from public transport
• Neighbourhood is hilly

Exarcheia

👉 Best Area For Alternative Culture & Student Energy | ✨ Best Exarcheia Hotels: Fresh Hotel • Graffiti House • Dryades & Orion Hotel

Exarcheia is Athens’ gritty, rebellious heart where student energy, alternative culture, and iconic street art combine to create a vibrant, bohemian neighbourhood. It’s perfect for travellers seeking more than the polished tourist trail. 

Here, you’ll find buzzing cafés, vinyl shops, and edgy bars alive with the city’s youth culture. Expect murals and graffiti around every corner. The neighborhood is both endlessly photogenic and culturally rich. Whether you’re chasing culture or an alternative Athenian experience, Exarcheia delivers it in spades.

Fresh Hotel is one of my top picks in this area. It’s modern and stylish, and just a 15-minute walk from Exarcheia Square. The hotel is comfortable without losing the area’s authentic vibe, whereas Graffiti House immerses guests in Exarcheia’s artistic spirit.

Prefer a quieter stay? Dryades & Orion Hotel is near the National Archaeological Museum, and offers a calm atmosphere when you finish exploring the streets. 

Pros of Staying in Exarcheia:

• Alternative vibe 
• Lots of street art and culture
• Pedestrianised

Cons of Staying in Exarcheia:

• Travelers may be alarmed by a heavy police presence due to student gatherings
• Noisy 

Gazi & Keramikos

👉 Best Area For Bars and Nightlife | ✨ Best Gazi and Keramikos Hotels: Ivis 4 Boutique Hotel • Loom Athens • Pink Mango Hostel

Gazi and Kerameikos form one of Athens’ most creative and energetic neighbourhoods. It’s best for bars, nightlife, and returning visitors keen to mix with young Athenians.

While it was once an industrial zone built around the old gasworks, Gazi now revolves around Technopolis – a former factory hosting exhibitions, festivals and concerts. Contemporary Loom Athens, inspired by the area’s pottery heritage, reflects this creative flair with its colourful crockery and boutique style.

Kerameikos is equally vibrant. It’s Athens’ historic pottery district, later known for its ancient cemetery. Street art covers many buildings and bold murals give the area its artistic feel. My favourite hotel, Ivis 4 Boutique Hotel, mirrors this. Its walls were painted by a Greek iconographer turned street artist, blending history and street culture. 

Budget travellers can stay at Pink Mango Hostel, which is near the nightlife. For history amid the energy, visit the Kerameikos Archaeological Site, showcasing ancient burial grounds and the pottery quarter.

Pros of Staying in Gazi and Keramikos:

• Great nightlife and LGBTQ+ scene
• Unique culture hub
• Less touristy, more local

Cons of Staying in Gazi and Keramikos:

• Several abandoned buildings
• High noise level

Athens Riviera and Piraeus

👉 Best Area For Beach Vibes |✨ Best Athens Riviera and Piraeus Hotels: Four Seasons Astir Palace • Ace Hotel & Swim Club • Twinn Downtown Piraeus

The Athens Riviera is a coastal stretch with many beach bars and clubs. It’s where Athenians go for sea air and where visitors go to decompress. Stay here if you want a beach break after exploring the pulse of the city centre. As a bonus, this area has easy ferry access to the islands from nearby Piraeus.

While on your way to the Riviera, stop at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, where parkland, sea views, and cultural events surround Greece’s national opera and library. Swimming opportunities include the elegant sands of Astir Beach or the mineral-rich Lake Vouliagmeni, a thermal lake.

The beautifully located Four Seasons Astir Palace, on its pine-clad peninsula, is my favourite place with magnificent views. In the Glyfada district, the stylish Ace Hotel & Swim Club adds a lively social scene with regular DJ sets, and an excellent restaurant – Sebastian. If you’re catching an early ferry, Twinn Downtown Piraeus is a convenient base near the port.

Pros of Staying in the Athens Riviera and Piraeus :

• Relaxed beach vibe 
• Easy access to the islands
• Only 40 minutes from the centre

Cons of Staying in the Athens Riviera and Piraeus:

• Expensive
• Piraeus can be busy and noisy as it’s a port

Tips for Staying in Athens

Don’t Be Afraid to Use Public Transport

Be sure to use public transport such as the Metro. It’s relatively new, and was created in 2004 for the Olympic Games. Most stations resemble open-air museums, with artefacts found during their creation on display behind glass cases.  Plus, Athens is compact enough, and really too chaotic to drive around.

Wait Before Crossing the Road

Alas, not all Greek drivers follow the rules for stopping immediately at a red light, and many will run them. To be safe, I recommend waiting a few more seconds even after seeing the green pedestrian man light up for you to cross.

Enjoy Greek Gastronomy

Greek cuisine is much more than moussaka and Greek salad! Meals are typically shared, with several small dishes (mezze) placed at the centre of the table. This communal style shows a culture where food represents connection, conversation, and lingering together rather than just eating.

Don’t Flush Toilet Paper

This is important. Toilet paper should not be flushed down any toilet, even in 5-star hotels. Sewage pipes in Athens, and throughout Greece, are only 2 inches in diameter, so they can easily clog.  A bin is beside the toilet for your use, and is emptied daily.

Book Ahead For Automatic Cars or Reconsider Driving

Manual cars are the norm in Athens and across Greece. Book ahead if you prefer automatic transmission. I recommend booking with Discover Cars because you can easily filter for this.

That said, driving in central Athens is chaotic and there’s little parking. Public transport is easy and may be a better option. But if you want a car to explore further afield, it’s often easier to take the Metro to several airport car-rental offices.

FAQs about Athens

How many days is enough for Athens?

2-3 days in Athens centre should be enough to explore the sights. Spend a couple of days exploring the markets of Monastiraki and Psyrri, the sights of Plaka and Anafiotika, and shopping in Syntagma and Kolonaki. 

If you have more time, head down to the coast for some relaxation along the Athens Riviera, which is similar to an island break on the mainland. A good 5-6 days in total is enough for exploring Athens’ centre and spending time in the Riviera.

What areas of Athens should I avoid staying in? 

Visitors may want to avoid staying around Omonia Square due to its reputation for being quite rough around the edges, particularly at night. While the area is gradually being regenerated, it can still feel less polished than neighbourhoods such as Plaka or Koukaki.

What are the best parts of Athens to stay for first-timers?

First-time visitors to Athens will love the central areas of Plaka and Anafiotika, plus Monastiraki and Psyrri, as well as Syntagma and Kolonaki.  They’re centrally located and walkable to all the major sights, well served by public transport, and great for shopping.

What’s the best way to get around Athens?

The best way to get around Athens is by walking. It’s a very compact city and all major sights are within about a half hour walk, max. 

Public transport such as the metro is also an option, if travelling from the airport. All the stations are clean (no food is allowed on the transport), and many are akin to open air museums with ancient artefacts on display in glass cases.

When’s the best time of year to visit Athens? 

Spring and fall are the best time to visit Athens. These seasons are less hot, with temperature averaging in the low 60s and mid-70s (Fahrenheit) respectively. 

By contrast, August gets very hot, averaging temperatures of 104 F in recent years. However, this is a good month to visit if you want to avoid the crowds because the Athenians all seem to leave the city in August to go to their islands and villages in the mountains.

For guidance on what to bring no matter when you visit Athens, be sure to read our Greece packing list.

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Athens may feel busy and sometimes chaotic, but its history, vibrant neighbourhoods, and outstanding food make every visit unforgettable, leaving a lasting impression no matter where you stay. Still have questions? Ask me in the comments and I’ll help you out.

Up next, check out my guide to the best things to do in Athens so you can begin making your itinerary!