Posted: 19/12/23 | December 19, 2023
This 5,000-year-old Greek capital is home to the iconic hilltop Acropolis with thousands of years old structures and ruins, and just below it the Plaka district, a labyrinth of streets lined with bars, restaurants and ancient ruins.
Although Athens has never spoken to me as much as other European capitals (I’m more of a fan of the islands and interior of the country), it has grown on me with each visit. You can’t deny the layers of history here. You’ll come across millennia-old ruins as you stroll through random streets (this is why I like to take walking tours of the city, as I’ll learn a lot about what I’m actually looking at).
Choosing the right hotel for your trip is very important, as it is a fairly vast city with many different neighborhoods to choose from.
To help you choose, here is my list of the best hotels in Athens:
1. Athens Center Square Hotel
This hotel lives up to its name and is located in the middle of everything in Plaka, the historic central district. Despite the crowds, I think the area is beautiful and it is one of my favorite parts of Athens. Most rooms here have a view of the Acropolis (so be sure to ask for them) and there is also a roof terrace and bar with nice views. The rooms are simply but neatly furnished, with flat-screen TVs, desks, mini-fridges and air conditioning. There is an extensive daily breakfast buffet with Greek and American dishes included, which is also super good, as well as free coffee and tea in the lobby all day.
2. Athenedot
This newer property is located in Psyrri (sometimes spelled Psiri), a neighborhood that is close to the main attractions, yet much more frequented by locals. This is one of the best neighborhoods in the city (it’s actually my favorite). Athensdot has a cool, pop art design throughout, with large-scale drawings on the walls and bright red accents throughout. The rooms range from internal rooms without windows to rooms with a balcony, and although they are priced accordingly, you can always ask at check-in if there is availability to move you to a nicer room. In all rooms you will find free WiFi, large flat-screen TVs, mini refrigerators, in-room desks and friendly staff. You can also get free bikes to ride around!
3. Dryades & Orion Hotel
This cozy hotel is located in Exarcheia, surrounded by a hilly park. The area has a very energetic student atmosphere and an abundance of political street art adorning the buildings. This hotel is an affordable mid-range spot with many different room configurations to choose from. There are exceptionally helpful staff and unique, homely decor and furnishings in every room, with all normal hotel amenities. There is also a roof garden with panoramic views of the city, where you can have breakfast in the morning and watch the sunset.
4. Coco Mat Hotel
This designer 4-star hotel is located in the heart of Kolonaki, a quiet area known for its luxury boutiques and art galleries. The hotel is actually run by the mattress company Coco-Mat. All rooms have high-quality mattresses and you can even choose your pillow from a menu of 12 different pillow types. All rooms have a TV, free and fast WiFi, Nespresso machines, desks, plenty of natural light and luxurious bath products. There is also a fantastic breakfast buffet in the morning.
5. Plaka Hotel
The comfortable and friendly Plaka Hotel is located (you guessed it) in the heart of Plaka, the main part of the city where you will find most of the ruins and tourist attractions. The hotel is just a six-minute walk from the Acropolis and offers beautiful views from the room balconies and from the roof terrace bar/restaurant. There is also a free (and huge) breakfast buffet with local specialties. The rooms are on the small side and simply furnished, but they have comfortable beds, flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, air conditioning and a safe. It’s not too loud here either, making it a simple but comfortable stay in the heart of it all.
6. Colors Hotel Athens
This stylish 4-star hotel offers bright, cheerful accommodation with free WiFi, large spa-like bathrooms with rain showers, comfortable beds, soft bathrobes and work desks. The colorful rooms come in different configurations, but they are all quite spacious and with plenty of natural light. There is also a fantastic and extensive breakfast buffet that changes a little every day (although there is always fresh homemade pastries, fruit, cereal, eggs and yoghurt). It is located in Exarcheia, a nice, quiet area, not far from the main attractions (it’s about a 15 minute walk).
Athens offers a range of affordable hotels. All of the above hotels are good places to stay and you can’t go wrong with any of them.
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Book your trip to Greece: logistics tips and tricks
Book your flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They’re my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines all over the world, so you always know there’s nothing going on!
Book your accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as it has the largest inventory and the best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t forget travel insurance
Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft and cancellations. It is comprehensive protection in case something goes wrong. I never travel without it as I have had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that provide the best service and value are:
Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resources page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the devices I use when I’m on the road. They will also save you money.
Would you like more information about Greece?
Be sure to visit our robust Greece destination guide for even more planning tips!