Where to Stay in Athens: 7 Best Areas & Hotels

Although many people think of lush Mediterranean islands when speaking of Greece, the country’s capital has so much to offer. 

Athens is the largest city in the country and is one of the oldest cities in the world. It’s been inhabited for over 5,000 years, so as you can imagine there is plenty of great architecture, and history to see here. 

When deciding on where to stay in Athens, you won’t be short of choices as there are plenty of great neighborhoods. Each area offers something unique, so as a first-time visitor to the city it can be difficult to make a decision. 

This guide is going to break down the best parts of Athens to stay in and give you all the information you need. This includes a quick overview of the area, the pros and cons, and the best hotels. So, let’s take a look at the best places to stay in Athens!

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Overview of Where to Stay in Athens

Athens, Greece’s capital and largest city, is rich in history, dating back over 5,000 years. Home to iconic archaeological sites like the Acropolis, the city offers a wide variety of neighborhoods to explore.

This guide covers the best areas to stay in Athens, considering nearby attractions, transport links, dining options, and budgets. While Athens isn’t the cheapest city, it’s more affordable than many European capitals, with reasonably priced hotels and food.

Getting around is easy thanks to the city’s excellent metro system, which connects most neighborhoods. Key attractions include the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Lycabettus Hill. Dining options are plentiful but expect higher prices at restaurants with views of these landmarks.

For a quick overview, check out the table summarizing the best areas to stay and what they offer.

Area	Recommended Hotel
Plaka (sightseeing, first-time visitors, food, family-friendly)	The Athens Gate Hotel
Monastiraki (culture, food, nightlife, shopping)	Emporikon Athens Hotel
Psirri (first-time visitors, culture, food, nightlife)	Ivis 4 Boutique Hotel
Syntagma (family-friendly, shopping, transport, sightseeing)	Elia Ermou Athens Hotel
Kolonaki (luxury, fine dining, nightlife, entertainment)	Coco-Mat Hotel Athens
Koukaki (authentic stay, family-friendly, food, sightseeing)	Coco-mat Athens BC
Metaxourgeio (culture, budget-friendly, food, family-friendly)	Wyndham Grand Athens

Map of the Best Areas to Stay in Athens

How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.

Where to Stay in Athens: Best Areas & Hotels

1. Plaka

Plaka is known as ‘the old town of Athens’ and is the oldest neighborhood in the city. It lies right under the Acropolis and is close to many historical sites making it one of the best parts of Athens to stay in.

This neighborhood is within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions including the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Roman Agora.

When it comes to dining options you’ll have plenty of choices including the Anafiotika Cafe, Yiasemi, and Klepsýdra. However, you just have to visit Psaras Tavern! It’s one of the oldest establishments in Athens and offers delicious Greek dishes and fresh fish. 

Transport isn’t an issue in Athens as the city has a great metro system. However, as many of the iconic attractions are within walking distance of Plaka, you won’t need to wander far to explore. 

Plaka is one of the prettiest and most charming areas of Athens, but you’ll find prices to be more expensive here than elsewhere. However, you can still find some pretty great accommodation for a reasonable price!

With a huge variety of accommodation options and endless historical sites, Plaka is one of the best places to stay in Athens – especially for first-timers. 

Nonetheless, this neighborhood is very touristy and is likely to be crammed with people. If you’re looking for somewhere quiet, you may want to look elsewhere.

2. Monastiraki

If you’re looking for a more authentic stay, then Monastiraki is one of the best places to stay. This part of the city is renowned for its many eateries, bars, and nightlife, so if you’re looking for an evening out on the town – this is the place to be. 

Monastiraki is also one of the best areas to stay in Athens if you’re a keen shopper – especially on Sundays! This is when the Monastiraki Flea Market takes place, and you’ll find an abundance of vendors on the main square. Not only will you get to interact with the locals, but you’ll also find plenty of books, antiques, clothes, and souvenirs. 

When it comes to attractions, this neighborhood holds its own with plenty of awesome places to visit. Some of the most popular sites include Hadrian’s Library, the Stoa of Attalos, and the Tzistarakis Mosque.

You’ll also have plenty of dining options if you decide to stay here including Efcharis Restaurant, Maiandros Restaurant, and Savvas. 

Not only is Monastiraki one of the best locations to stay in Athens for shoppers and foodies, but it’s also great for budget travelers. Now, accommodation isn’t the cheapest in the city but it’s far less expensive than in areas like Plaka. You’ll also be very close to the attractions still, making this neighborhood quite the catch.

3. Psiri

If you’re after a good party and a bit of nightlife, then Psiri is the best neighborhood to stay in Athens! You’ll find plenty of bars and nightclubs in this area, and they’ll stay open into the night. 

There is always something happening around Iroon Square, and if you’re lucky you might even get to see some live performances. Not only is this area famous for its nightlife, but you’ll also find plenty of great eateries including Zampano, Lithos Tavern, and Atlantikos. 

Although you won’t find many attractions in Psiri itself, historic sites like the Acropolis and the Parthenon are within walking distance. Monastiraki is also the next neighborhood along, and you’ll find plenty of awesome places to visit there. 

There are also lesser-known gems in this area such as Athens Central Market, an array of independent shops, and several art galleries. 

Although Psirii is a great neighborhood, it’s not the best area to stay in Athens if you’ve got young children. The bars and clubs here are lively and stay open well into the night. So, if you’re looking for somewhere a bit more peaceful, I’d recommend heading to one of the quieter areas in Athens.

However, you can get great accommodation deals in this area if you’re looking to save some cash. 

4. Syntagma

When it comes down to the best locations to stay in Athens, Syntagma is right up there at the top! It’s in a great central location and is the main transport hub of the city, so you can get to any part of Athens from here. 

Aside from convenience, there are also plenty of great attractions to visit. Some of the most popular sites include the iconic Syntagma Square, the Parliament Building, the National Historic Museum, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

You’ll also find the National Gardens here, which is a great place to escape the constant hustle and bustle of Athens.

Not only that, but there are plenty of great shops, cafes, and tavernas here too. Some of the most popular places to eat include Tzitzikas kai Mermigas, Athena’s Cook, and To Neoklassiko. This part of the city is also where you’ll generally find fast food such as KFC and restaurants serving international cuisine. 

With so much to see and the fact that you’re within walking distance of Athens’s main historic sites, Syntagma is one of the best places to stay in Athens.

The only thing to be mindful of when staying in this neighborhood is the political protests and rallies. This is where they usually take place, and although the majority of them are peaceful – it’s just worth noting. 

5. Kolonaki

Kolonaki is one of the most upscale neighborhoods in Athens, so if you’re traveling on a budget you don’t want to stay here. It’s known for its fine dining, entertainment, and designer shopping, so is the perfect place to go if you’re looking to spend some money.

This area is also great for nightlife but you’ll find more high-end and sophisticated bars here including Minnie the Moocher rather than nightclubs. So if you want a night out on the town with jazz music, and classy dresses – this is the area to be. 

Not only is there plenty of entertainment options in Kolonaki, but you’ll also find lots of attractions too. This neighborhood is situated right at the base of Lycabettus Hill which is one of the city’s most popular attractions, and you’ll also want to see the Benaki Museum and the Museum of Cycladic Art. 

When it comes to dining options, there are plenty of choices. Some of the best spots to eat include Zurbaran Athens, Dexameni, and Malconi’s Italian Restaurant. 

If you’re wondering where to stay in Athens, and you’re looking to splash some cash then Kolonaki is the place for you. It’s the best place to stay for luxury accommodation so expect to pay high prices. You’ll also find that there aren’t many budget hotels in the area, instead, you’ll primarily find apartments.

6. Koukaki

Koukaki is one of the best areas to stay in Athens if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle. This neighborhood is known for its charming and relaxed atmosphere and is a great place to watch the locals go about their everyday lives. 

You’ll also find plenty to do in this residential area too. The top attractions here include the Acropolis Museum, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum.

You’ll also want to walk up Philopappou Hill, as it offers incredible views of the city. Koukaki Square is another place to visit and is located in the middle of the neighborhood. 

Another bonus to staying in this part of Athens is the cuisine. This part of the city is known for its authentic Greek food, so you’ll have plenty of tavernas and cafes to choose from. Some of the top choices include Kalamaki Bar, Kalyvas Family Grill, and Mani Mani. 

So, if you’re looking for a local experience and want to keep your costs down, then Koukaki is probably the best part of Athens to stay in.

Not only is it close to the Acropolis, and the Acropolis Museum but it’s also much quieter than other touristy neighborhoods nearby. 

7. Metaxourgeio

Metaxourgeio is one of the most underrated areas in the city, and you won’t find it in many where to stay in Athens articles. However, it definitely needs to be included in this guide! 

For starters, Metaxourgeio is incredibly central and is in a great location to explore the city. There is also plenty of public transport around, making it easy to reach the other neighborhoods. 

This area is also known for its artsy vibe and culture. If you decide to stay here you’ll be surrounded by art galleries, trendy cafes, and theaters. Keep your eye out for vibrant street art too!  

You’ll also be close to plenty of awesome attractions including the National Archaeological Museum and Avdi Square. Avdi Square is the heart of this district and its cultural center. It’s pretty lively in the evening and is the perfect place to people watch and grab a bite to eat. 

Metaxourgeio is still described as a ‘transitional neighborhood’, so it doesn’t have the variety of eateries and amenities compared to some of the other areas.

However, the food is still delicious and you’ll find plenty of things to do here. Some of the top dining spots include Seychelles, Mironi Greek Restaurant, and Aleria Restaurant. 

It may not be to everyone’s taste, but if you’re looking for something different and to cut costs then it’s one of the best places to stay in Athens.