Where to stay in Athens

Updated on 03/01/2024! I receive many emails from people asking me about the best hotels in Athens!

Although answering and interacting with each of you is fun and one of the main reasons I write this blog, I thought I should create a relevant post with the best places to stay in Athens!!

In the last few years, there has been a total explosion of hotels in Athens and almost every month there is a new hotel opening! Even now, after hard years for tourism due to coronavirus, new hotel openings have been scheduled for 2024!

You will also find some of the most luxurious hotels, some new ones, and some affordable ones on our list below. You also find tips, photos, and a detailed map with all the mentioned hotels just for you, to know exactly where the hotels are located and what they offer!

Also, I added some extra tips if you intend to come to this great city!

Quickly

• Find more about what to do in Athens here! 
• Athens has a beautiful historic centre, including Syntagma, Plaka, Monastiraki, Thiseio, and Anafpliotika, where you can walk around and avoid the areas outside the center that are not so nice!
• I think that a period of 3 days is enough to see the basic points of the capital of Greece.
• I believe that the best months to visit Athens are May, September to October, but you can check here for details and temperature tables!
• The best luxury hotel in the heart of Athens is the Grande Bretagne on Syntagma Square.
• The best value-for-money hotels are A for Athens,  360 Degrees (Monastiraki), Athinas Street Inn (Monastiraki), and Best Western Plus Amazon (Monastiraki)
• The best hotel for business Athens Marriott Hotel,  The Modernist Athens
• The best bars in central Athens is Noel Bar and the Clumsies in the centre and have been voted as two of the best cocktail bars in the world! A classic choice is, of course, Brettos in Plaka and if you like rooftops Couleur Locale in Monastiraki is a must choice for a drink or coffee.
• If you want to taste Greek affordable cuisine, we recommend Liondi Traditional Greek Restaurant or Lithos in Psyri.
• Airbnb is always a choice, but personally, I prefer Booking.com, as now they include apartments and houses on their platform, and they still offer the option to cancel the booking in many cases.
• Athens has a large international airport with a very good connection. You can book a trusted local driver to pick you up and introduce you to the destination, and get all your questions answered before or during the trip using Welcome Pickups, a fantastic Greek startup. More information here!
• Best tours: Acropolis & Acropolis Museum (5-hour Tour), Original Gourmet Food Tours, A Cooking Lesson & Dinner (4 hours) and Delphi Day Trip from Athens
• You can find our detailed and dedicated travel guide about Athens here!

Where to stay in Athens

If you are coming for a short period and prefer to stay in the centre (which is my recommendation as well!), there 4 primary areas as options: Plaka, Monastiraki, Koukaki, Syntagma. There is also an upcoming area of Keramikos, which used to be a little rough, but new restaurants and bars, and hotels have opened, and they have boosted the area.

The Best and Most Luxurious Hotels in Athens

1. Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel – Syntagma Square

Probably the ultimate hotel luxury experience in Athens, which is situated opposite Syntagma Square and the House of Parliament and within walking distance of nearly all major attractions.

The hotel is located within a historical building, with three restaurants, including one on the top floor with a spectacular view of the Parthenon and Acropolis, and you can admire the original Olympic Stadium as you dive into the pool!

There is also a Spa and beauty salon, where you can spoil yourself. Breakfast is served in the restaurant on the 8th floor and offers a wide variety of traditional or continental breakfasts. Take into account that this is a quite luxurious expensive hotel. More Information Here!

2. Electra Metropolis – Plaka

This 5-star hotel is situated in a fantastic location with good access to all attractions and also Plaka.

Electra Metropolis has a sun terrace and views of the city rooftop restaurant, which is worth a visit for a drink even if you’re not a guest. The pool area is a fabulous bonus. More Information Here!

3. Ergon House – Monastiraki

It’s not just a new hotel, but it is an entirely new concept! It is one of the first (or maybe the first?) foodie hotels in the world!

It combines the areas of catering and hospitality uniquely, with a “covered” market from which visitors and customers can buy meat and fish products, a restaurant (which is a must!), communal kitchens for food workshops, a 38-room hotel and a covered patio overlooking the Acropolis. It doesn’t sound too bad, right? More Information Here!

4. Oniro City – Kolonaki

This is another new boutique hotel which has recently opened. The location is perfect, and the rooms clean, modern and spacious.

Don’t forget to try their breakfast and especially the traditional Greek scrambled eggs “Strapatsada”.

It is also well-suited for business trips. More Information Here!

5. Athens Marriott Hotel – Palio Faliro

It’s another recently renovated hotel which is not situated in the centre, but its location has some other advantages.

It is located opposite the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, an incredible cultural centre, and it is designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano that houses the National Library of Greece and the National Opera.

It has a new and modern design, and it is ideal for business and leisure as it is quite close to the Athenian coast, the so-called “Athenian Riviera”. More Information Here!

6. AthensWas Hotel – Plaka

In the past years, the hotel has been totally renovated.

I certainly love the rooftop swimming pool and the bar restaurant with panoramic views of the Acropolis.

The hotel has really invested in high-end facilities and beautiful decorations. It is located in an area that used to be a little bit rough, but now it is very upcoming and trendy with many bars and restaurants.

You can visit one of my favourite bars; Beauty Killed the Beast and a new restaurant Proveleggios. More Information Here!

10. The Zillers Boutique Hotel – Monastiraki

Another well-located hotel, very close to Metropolis Greek Orthodox church and Monastiraki and Syntagma Square.

Even if you don’t book this hotel, you can visit its rooftop as it offers excellent food together with stunning views of the Parthenon.

Take also into account that often Zillers Boutique provides excellent value for money. So, think about it! More Information Here!

11. Elia Ermou Athens Hotel 

The location is terrific, right in the heart of literally everything. The rooms are modern and quiet.

The highlight of this hotel is the bar and restaurant on the rooftop with the best views of the Acropolis and the sunset.

I recommend it as a good value for money. More Information Here!

12. St George Lycabettus

This is another 5-star hotel with incredible views. Beautiful hotel decoration and a great breakfast.

The neighborhood is probably the best one in Athens. It’s in the Kolonaki area, and you can walk to the nicest restaurants and stylish bars in Athens. More Information Here!

13. InnAthens 

I won’t say too much about this hotel.

The design is great. The cleanliness is excellent. And it has a delicious breakfast!

Very well located within walking distance of most of the cultural places. It’s near Syntagma station, and even if you’re not using public transportation much, you’ll have most of the significant sightseeing and shopping destinations nearby. More Information Here!

14. Athens Capital Center Hotel – MGallery Collection -Syntagma Square

This is another new and great entry into the Athenian Hotel scene.

It is located right in the city’s heart, next to all the shops, restaurants and bar. The heated rooftop pool, I think, is quite special with beautiful views.

You will find different rooms looking inside the courtyard or the city (which I always prefer!). More Information Here!

15. The Modernist Athens – Kolonaki

Another new hotel at the end of 2020. It is brand new and super clean.

It is located in the Kolonaki area, next to Evagelismos metro station, which is on the direct line to and from the airport.

From the rooftop, you will enjoy the garden and the Acropolis. It is a perfect choice, especially for business travel! More Information Here!

16. Moon & Stars Boutique Hotel

This is an excellent boutique hotel in the heart of Athens.

We stayed at the Junior Suite, and it was just lovely. The 1920s Art Deco building is located very close to the ancient Agora and Acropolis.

You can enjoy your drink at the terrace admiring incredible Acropolis views. It was recently renovated, and it has the original Athenian character.

The host, Thodoris, is super helpful and can recommend the best places in Athens. Note that you should expect some noise due to its very central location, but nothing too much as it has double-glazed windows. Highly recommended! More Information Here!

Hotels with the best location and Affordable

22. BED in Athens – Psiri

This is a nice place for a long weekend in Athens. It is a recently open hotel in the buzzing area of the centre of Athens, which means that everything is brand new.

Just around the hotel, you can find hundreds of restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops.

The only negative I could say is that don’t expect nice views from the windows, but for me, it is not a very important point! More Information Here!