Hopefully this Where to Stay in Athens will help you have a better trip to Athens…but please don’t blame us if it doesn’t. Plaka. Glad to hear it’s helpful – so many lovely little neighborhoods to explore :). Posted by Jarmine (Queens) on 07/13/17 11:01 PM. Also of note, Exarchia is close to the National Archaeological Museum — an absolutely must-see in Athens! You will need around 40 minutes with the train to reach the center of Athens. Most popular and historical neighborhoods of Athens are located in the city center: Syntagma, Plaka, Monastiraki, Acropolis, Thissio and Gazi are the most tourist places to walk around and include most sightseeing. We created this Where to Stay in Athens guide in collaboration with Chrissy from the travel blog Travel Passionate. 9.1/10 on Booking.com. Dryades Hotel — This places looks quite lovely, and seems to offer great value for money in a very vibrant part of the neighborhood. Electra Palace Athens — Located in the heart of Plaka, this hotel is on the lux side of things, getting strong points from past guests for a nice breakfast, friendly staff, an easy stroll to the Parthenon, and a pretty setting. While the trendiest clubs in Athens are located in Exarchia and other decidedly hipper neighborhoods, Plaka’s central location offers easy access to late-night pubs and hotel bars with a view of the Acropolis. Lycabettus is a hill. Exarheia is not the safest area of Athens to stay at. Will it be convenient to enjoy the city from this hotel? Piraeus is not close to the center of Athens, so you will need at least 30 minutes to get there. Don’t miss: Ancient Agora, the Tower of the Winds, the Temple of Zeus, the Acropolis and the Herodes Atticus. The Absolute 10 Best Day Trips from Athens, Astir Beach: A Guide to the Best Beach in Athens, Where to Stay in Athens in 2016: The Best Areas and Top 20 Hotels. Your email address will not be published. From November to April, stay at Plaka, Psiri, Thiseio, Monastiraki or Gazi area. Marousi is around 12 km away from Acropolis. North Suburbs in general, are considered to be the areas where the upper-middle class of Greeks remains, especially in the rich areas of Kifisia, Ekali, and Dionysos. Psiri used to be a very poor neighborhood in Athens, which got renovated and is now quite popular with the younger generation of Athenians. All the rooms are suites, making this a great option for families with small children. As it is on a hill, it offers a fantastic view of Athens, and it has some nice hotels, such as St George Lycabettus, which you will certainly enjoy. Koukaki Athens- Best neighborhood to stay in Athens Adjacent to Makrianni is the trendy residential neighborhood of Koukaki. The Y Hotel in Kifissia: Click to See Rates, Reviews and Book Online the Y Hotel in Kifissia. Read my guide for more information. Making it easy to stay and experience life in Athens whether you choose to stay in the city center of Athens or choose to stay in the southern suburbs of Athens. Staying at the Center of Athens features quite many different areas, with each one pros and cons. I will use this resource to help me narrow it down! Grande Bretagne is an excellent choice if you can afford it. It is just off Ermou the main shopping street, within walking distance of all the main sights, just a few mins from Syntagma, but it is the one of the quietest places I have stayed in Greece. Note that in the past, there has been trouble in the neighborhood, with riots occurring, anti-police/anti-establishment troubles, and the US Embassy issuing warnings to stay out. The first area is the center of Athens, which features the main touristic places and has neighborhoods such as Syntagma, Plaka, Monastiraki, Kolonaki, Omonoia, Ilisia, Thiseio, Zografou, and others. Staying at the North Suburbs of Athens [Posh, Safer for Families, More Expensive] 3. We know all too well from personal experience that the area in which you stay can make or break a trip…and we definitely want to help you ‘make’ it. It has its character. 1. The Athens Habitat Hotel: Click to See Rates, Reviews, and Book Online the Athens Habitat Hotel, 2. The coastal border of the neighborhood is right in the heart of the Athens Riviera. The third area is “Piraeus,” where the biggest port of Greece lies. I know I would be interested. Where to Stay in Athens. Halandri is a great northern suburb of Athens. What is it about kids and spreading out on the floor to play? Live in Athens, is a small chain of short stay apartments in various locations around Athens. It is home to the famous team of “Olympiacos” and has the largest port in Greece and one of the biggest in Europe. to Marousi. This area is also safe, but it doesn’t have any monuments, important museums or other things to explore. Steps from a metro station, this property is ultra-convenient and gets high marks for design, comfort, breakfast, and staff. If you’d like to learn more about how this works, you can read more under our Disclaimer page. Best Luxury Hotels: Grande Bretagne (city center), St George Lycabettus, Hilton (city center), Divani Caravel (city center), Theoxenia Palace (14kms from the city center to the north), Four Seasons Astir Palace Beach Resort in Astir Beach (on the best beach of Athens)Best Budget Hotels: Central Hotel, Electra Hotel, AthensWasHotel, Best Athens Hotels in the City Center: Grande Bretagne, Hilton, Divani Caravel , King GeorgeBest Athens Hotels with a Pool: Hilton, President, Divani Caravel ,Westin Astir Palace Beach Resort in Astir Beach , Divani Appolo, Vouliagmeni Suites, Semiramis. New Hotel — 70s Tiki Bar meets lux modern hotel, it’s a funky lux boutique with a general air of coolness, drawing inspiration from the (former) Olympic Palace Hotel in which it is housed. As you walk through the neighborhood you’ll … It is the main center of the modern-day Greek government, where many Athenians come for protests, rallies, and more. This small neighborhood right in the centre of Athens is where many people choose to stay, especially if it’s their first time in Greece. If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, consider staying in Kolonaki, a posh neighborhood with many ritzy boutiques and restaurants. Note, this fare only applies if your destination is within the city center/inner ring. Of note, some past guest mention that the area is slightly gritty – an observation I’d expect is reflected by the quite affordable price of this place. Piraeus is on the beach of Athens. First of all, let us tell you that these are better places to stay at if you are looking into enjoying the beach, so you may not want to stay here from November to April, in the heart of the Greek winter. The good thing about staying at Piraeus is that if you are planning to get a boat to any Greek island, you will be only 10 minutes away from the port. The area is full of shops, bars and restaurants, and it is less expensive than Plaka. It is in a very peaceful and quiet area, which also has a lot of nice shops, cafes, and restaurants. Electra Palace Hotel in Plaka: Click to See Rates, Reviews and Book Online the Electra Hotel in Plaka. The loft apartment was crafted to feel like your home away from home.made with the aim to make you feel warm while you’re away from home. Where to stay in Athens – the best neighborhoods in Athens for tourists . If you take a taxi from here to the heart of Athens, so as to visit the more touristic areas, you will have to pay around 15 to 20 euros, and it is a 30-minute drive, with all the traffic of Athens. If you’re arriving with a lot of luggage, splurge on the taxi. Top marks all around, with hardly a bad word spoken by past guests. Psirri / Gazi. Would I suggest it to my BFF? The oldest (and some might say most beautiful) part of Athens, Plaka is smack dab in the city’s ancient heart, tucked just beneath the Acropolis. Please bear in mind that most buildings are very old here so that the apartments might be over 40-50 years old. It gets (generally) excellent reviews from past guests, and an impressive 9.5 / 10 on Booking.com. on the west or east suburbs, as they tend to be quiet far from the main activities you will most probably pursue while you are in Athens and will not be convenient for your stay. O&B Athens Boutique Hotel — Just on the edge of Psirri, past guests rate this place quite highly, specifically mentioning the convenience of the location, comfort of the room, and friendly hotel staff over and over. Choosing a place to stay in Athens is all about accessibility. Voula and Vouliagmeni offer nice beaches and swimming, and both are upscale residential areas with few tourists. It was built in the 19th century by settlers from the island of Anafi. See our full disclosure and privacy policy here. Athens to Santorini: Should you get a flight or a ferry? I wan't to be near the Acropolis, but I also want to be safe. Where to stay in Athens in Plaka The Plaka neighbourhood of Athens also has a wide selection of places to stay. On a busy road, be sure to ask for a quiet room if you’re a light sleeper. lofts at Gazi). Pangrati offers a good insight into a real Athenian neighborhood. It is in Kifisia, the posh area of Athens; however ,you will be away from the city center. So Where Should You Stay in Athens? The Central Hotel in Plaka: Click to See Rates, Reviews and Book the Central Hotel Online, 2. We hope you got an excellent overview. BUT, it could be a fun place to stay for younger travellers, provided they are confident they can stay out of trouble and are aware of the current climate. If you do stay here, be sure to walk the path up Philopappos Hill, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Athens from the top! Scores an 8.5/10 on Booking.com. Coco-Mat Hotel Nafsika — Coco-Mat Hotels are all about the sleep, so you know you’re going to be comfortable here (Coco-Mat is a bed and bedding company that is now in the boutique hotel game)! Past guests seem to mostly enjoy the quirkiness of the area, but also mention the uphill walk to get there. And almost every day, because of my studies and work in tourism, people ask me for Athens travel tips — where to stay, what to do, where to eat, etc. Disclosure: This Where to Stay in Athens Guide contains affiliate links. Ilisia is split into two areas: Upper and Lower Ilisia, or “Ano Ilisia” and “Kato Ilisia” as it is called in Greek. For instance, I know in Athens that Ano Petralona is walking distance from Thiseio, Acropolis, Monastiraki and it is still untouchable. There are an overwhelming amount of places to shop here. Kolonaki doesn’t have any important museums or monuments to see. Long ignored as a working-class neighborhood filled with craftsmen and factories, Psirri has transformed into a hub of nightlife. The South Suburbs of Athens offers you the opportunity to be next to the beaches of Athens, and you will find it easy to swim at one of them. Gets an 8.2/10 on Booking.com. Lower Ilisia is closer to two underground stations, the one at the Concert Hall of Athens, and the underground station of “Evangelismos” which is close to the Hilton hotel. It has the disadvantage that it is 30 minutes away (driving time or via the electric train) from the center of Athens, where all the historical sights are located. From constant praise of the super friendly owner Eva, to frequent use of words like “cozy,” “homey” and “comfortable” this seems like a great option if you’re in Athens on a budget, and don’t mind being out of the more traditionally popular tourist areas. Neighborhood #1 - Plaka (Where to stay in Athens the first time) If you are visiting Athens for the first time, or want to pack in the most sightseeing during a short visit, consider staying in Plaka. The AthensWas Hotel: Click to See Ratings, Reviews and Book Online the AthensWasHotel, 2. Some of them are really nice (e.g. Flat fare taxis are available for €35 at Exit #3 on the arrivals level. It has the best shopping center in the south, the best night clubs, restaurants and easy going style. There is a tram line in Glyfada with connections to Neos Kosmos metro station and Sygrou Fix Metro station (line 2), but note the tram is pretty slow going. High points for location, coolness, comfort, staff friendliness, and luxury! Scores a 9.0/10 on Booking.com, Ilissos — Located in a high-rise building about 10 minutes from Syngrou metro, the Ilissos is a solid value option: on the surface, it’s a bit dated and lacking in frills, but it’s in a fantastic location and the things that matter most (comfort, location, cleanliness) seems to be well covered here. That means we may earn a small commission when you use the links on this site to book a hotel, buy your travel insurance, etc.. You don’t pay anything extra. What great information about choices for lodging in Athens. It’s in a lovely setting in a tranquil area of Athens, and has a gorgeous-looking pool to lounge by! Voula and Vouliagmeni also have lovely beaches. Your email address will not be published. The southeast coast of Athens, and the southern suburbs that dot the coast, are a great option in the summer months if you’re interested in some beach time. And while the centuries-old Parthenon complex dominates the city and its tourist attractions, Athens is more than its history alone, offering some of Europe’s coolest nightlife once your day of sightseeing is over. It’s not nice to swim at Palaio Faliro or Elliniko – or at least we don’t like it that much. You may want to stay in these areas only for one reason: The protests that take place from time to time in the center of Athens. Best places to stay in Athens. Bonus points for a small fitness center and excellent restaurant. And cheaper also. From May to October, you can obviously stay in the city center (Plaka, Acropolis, Psiri, Thiseio, Monastiraki, Gazi) but you can also stay in Glyfada or Vouliagmeni to be closer to the beach area. Best for First Time (Sightseeing): Plaka (Old Town) or Syntagma. 360 Degrees — A modern design boutique right on Monastiraki Square, 360 Degrees has beautiful interiors that draw on a retro-industrial theme and an outstanding rooftop bar with panoramic views over Athens. Although Greece is in crisis since 2010 and Kolonaki have lost some of its glam, especially visible in the first decade of 2000, it remains the “VIP” area of Athens. It is a very vivid place, and it’s much “happier” to hang around when compared e.g. Have a look below! Both areas offer an amazing view of Acropolis. In short, these are residential areas, very safe, with a lot of shopping malls and restaurants but without anything interesting to see as a tourist. Four Seasons Astir Palace Beach Resort in Astir Beach, Westin Astir Palace Beach Resort in Astir Beach, Click to See Rates, Reviews and Book the Central Hotel Online, Click to See Rates, Reviews and Book Online the Electra Hotel in Plaka, Click to See Ratings, Reviews and Book Online the AthensWasHotel, Click to See Ratings, Reviews and Book Online the Hotel Grande Bretagne, Click to See Rates, Reviews and Book Online the Hilton Hotel in Athens, Click to See Rates, Reviews and Book Online the Divani Caravel Hotel in Athens, Click to See Rates, Reviews, and Book Online the Athens Habitat Hotel, Click to See Rates, Reviews, and Book Online the Civitel Olympic Hotel, Click to See Rates, Reviews, and Book Online the Theoxenia Palace, Click to See Rates, Reviews and Book Online the Semiramis Hotel in Kifissia, Click to See Rates, Reviews and Book Online the Y Hotel in Kifissia, 3 Days in Athens Travel Guide – A Local’s Plan with the Best Things to Do in Athens, What to Do in Thessaloniki: The 15 Best Things to Do in Thessaloniki, Greece. We will not get into much detail about each area in the Southern Suburbs of Athens. The Best Neighborhoods To Stay In Athens Getting around In Athens is super easy with the well connected public transport network of metros, buses, trams and taxis. If you want the mainstream and quick answer, we would suggest Plaka, Acropolis, Kolonaki or Psiri. 07/13/17 11:12 PM. Best Western Hotel Museum — Located between Omonia and Victoria metro stations, the Best Western gets high ratings for value for money. The downside of Syntagma is it doesn’t have the same character and loveliness as, say, Plaka, and it’s the place for political gatherings and protests, which may or may not be an issue during your visit. All over again most “ revolutionary ” part of Athens, is safe. So you will not find many hotels to choose from offers Psiri ’ a. Instance, I discover something new that makes me fall in love with all! 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