Athens is one of my favorite cities in the world! I know it often gets overlooked for the Greek islands (which are stunning), but I feel at home in Athens.
Even though I’ve only spent about six weeks here, I feel more at home in Athens than in many cities where I’ve stayed or lived for a lot longer.
Here are the best Athens neighborhoods to stay in. I’ve included hotels and hostels in the most traditional tourist neighborhoods in Athens, a few off-beat spots, true urban squares, and a few bougie neighborhoods.
I love all of these areas, but they do all offer different experiences. Whatever kind of Athens hotel or hostel you’re looking for in the city, we’ve got a recommendation for you!
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The Best Athens Neighborhoods & Where to Stay in Athens
Athens is spread out around the area around the Acropolis, which means that where you stay can dramatically change your experience of the city. Some neighborhoods are industrial, others are little slices of Old Greece, while others are full of street art and cafes.
>> Read Next: Is Athens Safe? 10 Tips to Stay Safe in Athens, Greece <<
I know so many people who show up to Athens and wish it were prettier. It is pretty! You just need to know where to go. Different travelers need different things from the neighborhood they stay in, so pick the one that is the best fit for your personality!
Once you’re here, the city is very easy to get around in. The metro system is great, and the huge swaths of Athens are very walkable.
Here are the six Athens neighborhoods we recommend, which we’ll go into more detail about below: Plaka. Anafiotika, Monastiraki, Psyri, Thissio, and Omonia.
All about the Plaka
Probably the most traditional touristy neighborhood in Athens, the Plaka is lovely if what you are looking for is traditional Greek architecture and being able to sit down at a taverna as soon as you get back from a long day of sightseeing.
Here you’ll be staying right at the foot of the Acropolis, in the middle of the historic sections of the city. Even though you’re in the middle of a world-class city, the Plaka can feel like you’re staying and dining in a small Greek village.
I can’t think of a more relaxing place in the city to sit and have a meal with a glass (or carafe) of wine. And of course, don’t skip going up the Acropolis!
>> Read Next: 10 Best Athens Hotels with Acropolis Views <<
The Best Athens Hotels in Plaka
$ – BUDGET – AVERAGE UNDER $50 PER NIGHT
If you want to be in the heart of the historic district, but you prefer hostels (and their prices) to more traditional hotels, stay at the Dioskouros Hostel. Here you’ll get all the amenities of staying at the Plaka at a traditional hostel price. The rooms are bright and clean, with free wifi and a communal garden to relax in.
Check out reviews, pictures, prices, and availability here.
$ – MID-RANGE – AVERAGE $50-100 PER NIGHT
If you want a more traditional Plaka accommodation, stay at the Kimons Athens Hotel. The rooms are cozy and there’s a roof terrace that guests can enjoy. Note that like many Athens hotels, there is no elevator or lift in the building.
Check out photos, reviews, prices, and availability here.
$$$ – LUXURY – AVERAGE $100+ PER NIGHT
A new five-star luxury hotel in Plaka is the aptly named New Hotel. It boasts stunning modern interiors with tons of amenities, but the view from the terrace might be the best thing about it. Perfect for anyone who wants their hotels to feel new and unique.
Check out prices, reviews, photos, and availability here.
>> Read Next: 30 Magical Things to Do in Athens in Winter & Athens Winter Day Trips! <<
All about Anafiotika
If the traditional houses and tavernas of the Plaka aren’t quite traditional enough for you, then you can choose to stay in Anafiotika, a white-washed sub-neighborhood within the Plaka itself.
Most often compared to a slice of Greek island village life placed in the middle of Athens, this is a great place to visit if you won’t be combining Athens with any of the nearby islands.
The reason for the island architecture is that this neighborhood was built by workers who came from the Cyclades. There are only forty-five of these houses left, so it truly is a special and unique part of the city.
The Best Athens Hotels in Anafiotika
There aren’t any hotels that are technically within Anafiotika, but there are two that are just a street or two over, making them a great choice if you want to be near Anafiotika to explore it on your trip.
$ – MID-RANGE – AVERAGE $50-100 PER NIGHT
If you want to be near Anafiotika, the mid-range priced Antisthenes Guesthouse. The building dates back to the nineteenth century, with traditional furniture throughout. You’ll love the views if you go with a balcony room. Just one hundred meters from Antiofika.
Check out photos, reviews, prices, and availability here.
$$$ – LUXURY – AVERAGE $100+ PER NIGHT
To stay in luxury as close to Anafiotika as possible, book a stay at the Acropolis Villa. This is a traditional split-level villa that sleeps eight, so it’s great for families traveling together.
Including a kitchen and charming traditional decor, if you are looking for a traditional Greek villa in Athens, this is it! Just two hundred meters from Antiofika.
Check out prices, reviews, photos, and availability here.
>> Read Next: One Day In Athens Itinerary: The Ultimate Athens Guide In 24 Hours <<
All about Monastiraki
Monastiraki is one of the first neighborhoods in Athens that most people will see. There are tons of historic sites here, like Hadrian’s Library and the Ancient Agora, plus tons of great street art and the famous Monastiraki flea market.
There’s great international cuisine here as well. My favorite Tex-Mex restaurant in Athens (and second favorite in Europe) is Monastiraki’s own Mama Roux.
The Best Athens Hotels in Monastiraki
$ – BUDGET – AVERAGE UNDER $50 PER NIGHT
If you’re looking for a budget hotel in lively Monastiraki, book a stay at Fivos Hotel. Located right by Monastiraki Station, the hotel has free wifi and ensuite bathrooms. Most rooms include continental breakfast. You’ll be just minutes from Ermou Street, Monastiraki Flea Market, and the Cathedral.
Check out reviews, pictures, prices, and availability here.
$ – MID-RANGE – AVERAGE $50-100 PER NIGHT
Located in Monastiraki just two minutes from the Plaka, Tempi Hotel is a small, family-run hotel just two hundred meters from Monastiraki Square. Rooms are cozy with air conditioners and ensuite bathrooms.
There’s a communal kitchen for when you get sick of gyros and meze. (Though who gets sick of gyros and meze?!?). Free wifi and the option for breakfast.
Check out photos, reviews, prices, and availability here.
$$$ – LUXURY – AVERAGE $100+ PER NIGHT
To enjoy a bit of luxury in the middle of Monastiraki, check into the four-star Emporikon Athens Hotel. The rooms are sophisticated and swanky, with a mid of modern textures and colors with a traditional take on comfort.
Located on Agia Irini Square, the building dates back to the nineteenth century. This is a true Athens boutique hotel in one of my favorite parts of the city.
Check out prices, reviews, photos, and availability here.
>> Read Next: 7 Things to Know About Tipping in Greece for a Stress-Free Trip <<
All about Psyri
Psyri is a neighborhood next to Monastiraki, but with a livelier atmosphere. Famous for its clubs, jazz bars, and artisan shops, Psyri is an industrial neighborhood during the day (yet dazzlingly close to Athen’s great sites), but by night it transforms into a neighborhood of lively cafes and crowds enjoying being outside together.
It’s a great neighborhood to stay in since you can come back to a buzzing atmosphere when you’re done sightseeing, but you won’t be missing anything when you leave to travel the rest of the city during the day.
The Best Athens Hotels in Psyrri
$ – BUDGET – AVERAGE UNDER $50 PER NIGHT
If you want a hostel dorm bed in the heart of Psyri, check out the Acropolis Hostel. This basic-yet-clean hostel boasts what very few in the world can: Acropolis views from its communal terrace.
You’ll enjoy having access to an elevator (no lugging your bag up to your room), and you can enjoy the lively neighborhood atmosphere and come home when you want since the hostel has no curfew.
Check out reviews, pictures, prices, and availability here.
$ – MID-RANGE – AVERAGE $50-100 PER NIGHT
If you’re looking for a comfortable and stylish hotel in Athens that still comes in mid-range, then BED Hotel in Athens is a spectacular option. The hotel’s design is sleek, with whites, blacks, and grays giving you a comfortable place to come home and rest at the end of a tiring day.
Digital Nomads will love that every room comes with a desk that is perfect for getting some work done from the road (not that I would know anything about working from hotel rooms…).
Check out reviews, pictures, prices, and availability here.
$$$ – LUXURY – AVERAGE $100+ PER NIGHT
If you are a traveler who loves having stunning hotel views, book a stay at A for Athens, a boutique hotel in Psyri that has what is considered by many to be the best rooftop bar in the city.
You can also enjoy Acropolis views from the panoramic terrace during breakfast, You can even get amazing Acropolis and Parthenon views from some of the rooms. This hotel is Instagram crack.
Check out prices, reviews, photos, and availability here.
Pro Tip: Hotels in Psyri sell out early, so make your reservations as soon as you can!
All about Thissio
Along with Monastiraki and Psyri, Thissio is still somewhat of a hidden gem since so many tourists flock to the Plaka. Centered around Apostolou Pavlou, Thissio is an elegant, almost stately, neighborhood.
Lined with cafes and tavernas, the elegant atmosphere is still buzzing and full of life, with street musicians and even an open-air cinema.
Want to discover the hidden corners of this amazing city? Join a local guide and walk around Athens’ different knweghborhoods to learn every secret about Athens!
The Best Athens Hotels in Thissio
$ – MID-RANGE – AVERAGE $50-100 PER NIGHT
Just seven hundred meters from the Temple of Hephaestus, GK Thiseio is a villa hotel with individual studios complete with kitchens. A great retreat in the city for someone looking for the comforts of home in one of the city’s great neighborhoods.
Check out reviews, pictures, prices, and availability here.
$$$ – LUXURY – AVERAGE $100+ PER NIGHT
If you adore rooftop terraces with Acropolis views and long for the sophisticated cool of Thissio, then stay at the three-star Hotel Thissio, where you can dine from your room’s terrace or balcony and enjoy a private view of the Parthenon.
The rooms are updated, modern, and cozy, the kind of place where you can lounge with a glass of wine and a bath before stepping out on your balcony to take in the Acropolis at night.
Check out prices, reviews, photos, and availability here.
All about Omonia
Practically forgotten as a destination for visitors, I find that I adore staying in Omonia. It’s a vibrant, urban part of the city with high rises centered around a big, beautiful city square.
I adore the pastry shops, the hub of smaller shops and restaurants, and how this feels more like the Athens that could be someone’s home. It’s not touristy, but still interesting and unique. I just love it.
The Best Athens Hotels in Omonia
$ – BUDGET – AVERAGE UNDER $50 PER NIGHT
If you’re looking for good-budget accommodation in Omonia, book a room at Zeus Hostel. A hostel with typical hostel amenities, it has a reputation for friendly staff and kitschy decor.
Though you’ll find it to be on the basic side, it’s great for those just looking for a place to sleep in between sightseeing adventures.
Check out reviews, pictures, prices, and availability here.
$ – MID-RANGE – AVERAGE $50-100 PER NIGHT
For my most recent trip to Athens, we stayed in a couple of different places, but my favorite was the Ares Athens Hotel off of Omonia Square.
I loved its location, close to Omonia station, across the street from a Coffee Island (my personal version of Heaven), and with views of Mount Lycabettus. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and each room has a private terrace.
Check out reviews, pictures, prices, and availability here.
$$$ – LUXURY – AVERAGE $100+ PER NIGHT
If you want to stay in a boutique hotel while in Omonia, then you should pick the Athens Tiare Hotel, which boasts an avant-garde design and modern amenities.
With a gym, views of Mount Lycabettus, and stylish rooms, you may find you don’t need to leave the hotel very often. If you do though, you’re steps from Omonia station. Particularly great for business travelers, as the hotel is updated for modern tech needs.
Check out prices, reviews, photos, and availability here.
5 Things to Bring with You to Greece
If you’re planning a trip to Greece, you’ll want to pack all the normal essentials, but here are a few things we strongly recommend bringing that may not have crossed your mind. For more packing tips, check out our complete Greece packing list.
– A physical guidebook, on paper or Kindle. We love Lonely Planet Greece for this region and strongly recommend it to supplement blogs. Blogs are great, but a combination of a blog and a guidebook is key to having the best access to information easily at your fingertips.
– A water bottle with a filter. While generally, the tap water in most of Greece is drinkable, we generally recommend using a water bottle with a purifying filter to reduce your plastic consumption and ensure you won’t drink any funny-tasting water on your stomach that could make your trip unpleasant! There are places in Greece, especially on the island, where the water tastes like minerals.
We recommend the GRAYL water bottle – it filters water perfectly in an instant so that you can even drink from lakes, bad taps, etc.
– Motion sickness pills. Santorini roads are winding, especially around the coast. If you have a weak stomach as we do, save yourself and bring some non-drowsy motion sickness pills.
– Wet wipes, hand sanitizer, TP & other Balkan transit needs. Bathrooms in the Balkans tend to be… how can we say it?… not so well-stocked. Save yourself the disappointment and bring a mini-rescue pack of wet wipes & hand sanitizer.
– Travel safety items. We think Greece is safe to travel to, but at the same time, it never hurts to be prepared! Some people like to carry money belts, but neither Allison nor I use these. Instead, we both carry the same PacSafe anti-theft backpack.
It has locking zippers, slash-proof construction with metal mesh hidden in the fabric, and tons of other smart security features — all while being cute and stylish enough to be our everyday bag. We recommend it highly for both male and female travelers, as it’s neutral enough to be unisex. We also strongly recommend travel insurance! Our recommendation is at the bottom of the post.
Read More: Essential Greece Packing List: What to Wear & Pack for Greece
More Greece Travel Resources
First read our guide to planning a trip to Greece, which covers visas, budgets, vaccines, and much more. We also have a separate guide to tipping in Greece so you know what to give to different servers and staff while you’re here.
Next, you’ll want to read our all-season Greece packing list.
If you are still trying to figure out your Greece itinerary, check out our guides on where to go in Greece, the best places for island hopping in Greece, and when is the best time to visit.
If you know you’ll be spending time in Athens, check out our Athens Instagram guide, the best Athens day trips, and our complete Athens hotel guide. We also have a guide to the best things to do in Athens in winter.
Check these Athens safety tips for a hassle-free trip. We are currently working on our mega-post of things to do in Athens as well as our itineraries, so stay tuned!
We publish new content about the Balkans almost every day! For more information about traveling to Greece and the Balkans, bookmark our Greece and Balkan travel pages so you can find out what’s new before your trip.
Finally, Make Sure You Come to Greece with Travel Insurance
I’m sure you’re aware that travel insurance is essential for traveling in Greece, the Balkans, or anywhere in the world! Allison and I have both been paying customers of World Nomads for the last three years. We love the peace of mind it gives us in case of emergencies, accidents, illnesses, theft, or trip cancellation or disruption.
While Athens is perfectly safe to travel around, there’s always a risk inherent in everyday travel like theft or injury, so it’s better to play it safe. The saying goes “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel” is true!
Pin this Guide to the Best Athens Hotel for Your Next Travels!
Stephanie has been living in and traveling around the Balkans for the past three years. She’s written for National Geographic Online, appeared on CNN Arabic and in the New York Times, and ridden more Balkan buses than is good for a person.
