Where to stay in Athens

Stay near Acropolis

Plaka

Plaka is located beneath the Acropolis, and it is the most popular area in Athens. It is known as 'Neighborhood of the Gods' and is its oldest neighborhood. The area is filled with Neoclassical buildings, local restaurants, souvenir shops, and nice cafes. The narrow cobblestone streets are ideal for walking. Plaka's most beautiful part is Anafiotika, consisting of magnificent Cycladic houses.

Plaka is located in the heart of the city center and is full of worth seeing sites. Except for the Acropolis, you can also find the Roman Agora, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the theatre of Dionysus, the Folk art museum, and many others. The hotels in this area are a little pricey, but the location is perfect for exploring the city. 

Thissio

Thissio is another beautiful neighborhood of Athens, centrally located, with many charming bars and restaurants. A walk along Apostolou Pavlou street is popular because you have a beautiful view of the Acropolis and a chance to see the many artists and musicians.

It is located next to the metro station Thission, and some of the sites you can visit are the Filoppapos hill, the Kerameikos cemetery, and the Herakleidon museum.

Koukaki

Another great area close to Acropolis is Koukaki, close to Acropolis metro station and Fix metro station. It is a local neighborhood with a few cafes and many apartments for rent, where you have easy access to Filopappos hill and the Acropolis museum.

Stay on a budget

Omonia

Omonia is the second center of the city, even though there are not many worth seeing places to visit around. Here you can find many cheaper hotels than Syntagma and Plaka area, and you have easy access to the historical monuments through the metro or even on foot. It is generally a safe area, but you should avoid quiet non-light streets at night.

Metaxourgio

One more area with cheap hotels and hostels is Metaxourgio, which has easy access to the historic center via the red metro line, via the Metaxourgio metro station, located on Karaiskaki square. The area is also close to the central railway station of Athens.

Stay in shopping areas

Syntagma

Athens's central area offers everything, from exploring the city to shopping and dining. This area is highly recommended for first-time travelers since you can reach every important monument and sightseeing spot from here.

Ermou street is a pedestrian street with many shops and cafes of reputable brands. The Greek parliament, the National Garden, and the Temple of Zeus are all nearby.

Kolonaki

On the slopes of Lycabettus Hill, the Kolonaki area has a variety of shops by well-known brands. In addition, there are many street cafes and bars.

Nearby is the Benaki museum, the Cycladic art museum, and it is not far from Lycabettus hill. In this area, there is no metro, but you are within walking distance from Syntagma and other central regions.  

Kifisia

The neighborhood of Kifisia is in the northern part of the city, about 40 minutes by train from the center. This elegant area is full of shops and restaurants and is a great place to stay if you like to be away from the crowds. The closest metro in this area is Kifisia station, using the green line.

Stay in heart of nightlife

Monastiraki

It is located in the heart of the city, providing easy access to historical monuments, restaurants, and nightlife. It is also known for its flea market, where you can find many interesting items.

Monastiraki is also famous for its many bars, restaurants, and souvlaki restaurants. The closest metro is Monastiraki station, using the blue or green line.

Psiri

Psiri is the heart of nightlife; this vibrant neighborhood is full of all-day bars, cafes, and restaurants. It is located next to the Monastiraki and within walking distance of the Thisio and Plaka area.

If you are an art lover, you can see many street arts in the area and small galleries. There are many interesting shops selling herbs, spices, dried foods, deli products nearby, and the Varvakios Central Market, the primary food market in the city.

Gazi / Keramikos

Gazi is the second most popular nightlife spot in the city. There are large nightclubs, elegant restaurants, and many alternative bars in this area. An old local gas factory that operated in this area gave this industrial area its name. Keramikos metro station is the closest to this area.

Exarchia / Neapoli

Exarchia is the anarchist area of the city, where you can find many cafes, bars, and restaurants. It is not as dangerous as many people think since it is full of life all day and night.

There are many street arts and graffiti, vinyl shops, and many other exciting places you can see. Neapoli is the area which is close to Lycabettus, and you can find various cocktail bars, especially on Asklipiou street.

Live like a local

Pangrati

Pangrati is considered a non tourist area, where there are a few hotels and many apartments for rent. It is close to Panathenaic stadium, the War museum and the Byzantine museum. There is no metro in the area, but there are many local buses which go to the center.

Neos Kosmos

Neos Kosmos is another local neighbourhood, which is close to Koukaki and Acropolis. The are has a metro station, under the name Neos Kosmos station. Here you can find many apartments too.

Stay near the beach

Alimos

Alimos is the nearest beach to the city center that you can reach by tram. There are various hotels and apartments for rent around the area, and some of them have a great view of the sea.

In this area, you can find the Alimos Marina, one of Greece's most iconic and historic marinas. It is the largest marina in the Balkans. 

Glyfada - Voula

Among the popular areas along the beach are Glyfada and Voula, both adjacent. Glyfada has many shops of well-known designers, elegant restaurants, bars, and a large golf club. The area is accessible by tram and local buses.

Vouliagmeni

The area of Vouliagmeni, situated just after Voula, is also stunning. Here you can find some luxury hotels with excellent facilities. It is accessible by bus.

Anavyssos - Thimari

These two areas are far away from the city center, but here you can find the city's best beaches, with clear crystal waters. There are various hotels and villas around these areas and many fish taverns with great food. The nearest worth-seeing place you can visit is the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion.

Stay near the airport

There is only one airport in Athens, and it is the El Venizelos airport, which is about 35 km from the city center. If you like to stay near the airport, some hotels and apartments are nearby.

Stay near the port

Piraeus

Piraeus is the largest and most important of the three ports in the city. From here, ferries connect almost all Greek islands, and it is accessible by the green line of the metro or local buses.

There are various hotels and apartments around the port where you can stay. It is worth visiting Mikrolimano and Passalimani, which are nearby. 

Rafina

Athens' second port, Rafina, is much smaller than Piraeus, with ferry connections with some Cycladic islands. Long-distance buses are the only means of transportation in the area, as there is no metro. If you stay here during the summer, you have many lovely beaches nearby you can go swimming.

Lavrio

Lavrio is the third and smaller port of Athens which has a few connections to some Greek islands. There are a few hotels in the town where you can stay. From here, you can visit the Temple of Poseidon in Sounio and the many beautiful beaches.

Stay near railway station

The central railway station of Athens is Larissis station and is close to the Metaxourgio area. You can use the red line of the metro to reach it. You can find various hotels around the station, and via the Larissis metro station, you can easily get to the city center.