Athens is a large city with good hotels, but the best hotels are always near the Acropolis, in the neighborhoods of Monastiraki, Plaka, Syntagma, and Psiri.
However, you can find great deals in hotels in other neighborhoods. It all depends on what you want. If you’re looking to enjoy Athens’s electric nightlife, the Gazi and Psiri neighborhoods are a sure bet, while Pireaus and the Athenian Riviera in the West and South of Athens are great if you want to see Athens AND go to the beach. Syntagma and Kolonaki are great if you want to do some serious shopping in Athens. If you still need some inspiration on what to do in Athens, check out our 3-Days in Athens Itinerary before you decide on a hotel.
The Omonia neighborhood, on the other hand, is one of the worst areas in Athens thanks to crime and multiple failed attempts at gentrification. Strangely, there are many hotels in this neighborhood, and though I wouldn’t recommend boycotting them altogether, I recommend being cautious when booking hotels online in this area.
The following hotels are listed in order of their “base rate”, that is the price for a basic room for one person for one night. They are ordered from the cheapest hotels to the most luxurious hotels in Athens. I do not use the traditional star-rating because many hotels in Greece do not consider it an effective rating. Hotel star ratings are standardized in Greece by the Hotelstars Union, which standardizes star ratings throughout most of Europe. These ratings are objective, focusing primarily on the number of rooms in a hotel, and other facts. They do not reflect charm or the friendliness of hotel staff.
Where To Stay In Athens, Greece
For those on a budget, this hostel is a great option. Close to everything, well organized, clean, and fun, the Athens Backpackers offers community hikes to the Acropolis and other spots throughout the city of Athens.
Base Rate: 50 € (This is for a private room, and dorms are cheaper.)
Address: Makri 12, Athens
Phone: 210-922-4044
This hotel’s location is excellent, the Acropolis is so close that you feel as though you can reach out and grab it. The hotel is basic, but it does “basic” decidedly well. For more peace and quiet, make sure to ask for a room away from the street.
Base Rate: 85 €
Address: Syngrou Ave. 10, Athens
Phone: 210-923-8302-3
A small hotel in the center of everything, it exceeds in service, cleanliness, and décor. Don’t be turned off by the grungy street, inside is friendly, professional, and pristine.
Base Rate: 160 €
Address: Leokoriou Str. 7, Athens
Phone: 210-331-2940
This hotel is a great deal. Its staff are anxious to please, it is located in the center of everything, and the rooms are very large and usually include kitchens. Almost a luxury hotel but not quite: it doesn’t have a pool or a fitness room, and some rooms only feature showers without baths.
Base Rate: 160 €
Address: Lyssikratous Street 9 – 11, Athens
Phone: 210-325-9000
Billed as a “Luxury Art Hotel”, the hotel is small and features traditional Greek architecture with modern amenities. It is clean with quiet rooms, great service, and a fun rooftop bar/restaurant. If you care about nightlife activities, this hotel is near many very good nightclubs.
Base Rate: 195 €
Address: Piraeus 78, Athens
Phone: 210-520-5360
This luxury hotel has it all, from impeccable service and modern amenities to a rooftop garden and expansive rooms decorated with Greek themes. One of the most important hotels in the world, it’s situated in the absolute center of everything.
Base Rate: 265€
Address: Vas. Georgiou A’ 1 (on Constitution Square), Athens
Phone: 210-333-0000
Written by Mattie Bamman for EuropeUpClose.com
Adam
Tuesday 11th of November 2014
This is quite a selection Terri!
I would add that no visit to Athens is complete without visiting the Acropolis. That being said, why not take it to to next level and dream with a view to Athens most famous monuments? Looking forward to my upcoming Athens stay in 2015! Any suggestions in terms of Athens restaurants?
Thanks!
Guest
Saturday 25th of May 2013
nice post! from 5-star hotels to budget hotels, you've listed everything.. very informative!
Greece: Hadrian’s Athens | EuropeUpClose.com
Friday 3rd of May 2013
[...] Going to Athens? Here are our top picks for where to stay while in Athens [...]
Ruth Kozak
Monday 9th of May 2011
I've visited and lived in Athens since 1979 and you've given some good advice (especially about the Omonia area. It has become very dodgy!) You might also find reasonable accomodations in the Koukaki and Makgrianni areas. The Athens Backpackers hotels you mentioned are very good (I've checked them out for a previous article I wrote.) There's also the Marble House Pension in Koukaki and Tony's Guest House (or hotel). A friend of mine also rents rooms (for longer stays) at Villa Olympia in the Koukaki/Filoppapou area.) I go to Greece nearly every year and sometimes stay for long periods so I've checked out a few places but lucky for me mostly stay with friends. I did stay at Villa Olympia last summer and though it's a bit funky it's adequate, central and I would definitely go back there.