Welcome to Athens, a city where ancient history breathes alongside vibrant modern life! Planning your trip to the cradle of Western civilization is exciting, but choosing the right place to stay can feel overwhelming. With countless options ranging from opulent suites overlooking the Acropolis to charming, budget-friendly hostels tucked away in historic lanes, finding the perfect base for your Athenian adventure is crucial.
This guide is designed to simplify your search. We’ll navigate the diverse accommodation landscape of Athens, showcasing top-rated options across luxury, mid-range, and budget categories. You’ll get insights into what each hotel offers, approximate price points, and unique features to help you make an informed decision. Whether you’re seeking unparalleled luxury, comfortable value, or a wallet-friendly hub, we’ve got you covered. Let’s find your home away from home in Athens!
Luxury Escapes: Indulge in Athenian Splendor
For travelers seeking the finest experiences, Athens boasts world-class luxury hotels offering impeccable service, breathtaking views, and exquisite amenities. These establishments often occupy prime locations, providing easy access to major landmarks while serving as opulent sanctuaries.
Top 5 Luxury Hotels in Athens
Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Price Range: €400+ per night
Features & Benefits: An iconic landmark hotel facing Syntagma Square, offering unparalleled luxury since 1874. Expect opulent rooms, exceptional service, a renowned spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and the stunning GB Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar with direct Acropolis views. Its central location is perfect for exploring the city’s heart.
King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Price Range: €350+ per night
Features & Benefits: Situated next to its sister hotel, the Grande Bretagne, King George offers a more intimate, yet equally luxurious experience. Featuring neoclassical decor, personalized service, and the Tudor Hall Restaurant with panoramic city and Acropolis views. Guests can also utilize facilities at the Grande Bretagne.
Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens
Price Range: €600+ per night
Features & Benefits: Located on the glamorous Athenian Riviera, this resort offers a luxurious seaside escape. It features private beaches, three pools, eight restaurants and bars, a spa inspired by Hippocrates, and beautifully appointed rooms and suites. Ideal for those wanting luxury combined with a beach holiday feel, while still being accessible to the city center.
Electra Metropolis
Price Range: €250+ per night
Features & Benefits: A modern luxury hotel centrally located near Syntagma Square and Plaka. Its standout feature is the spectacular rooftop pool and restaurant offering unobstructed, close-up views of the Acropolis. Rooms are contemporary and stylish, equipped with modern amenities. Excellent choice for combining sightseeing with upscale comfort.
The Dolli at Acropolis
Price Range: €450+ per night
Features & Benefits: Situated in a beautifully preserved historic building in Plaka, The Dolli offers chic, design-led luxury. Its prime location provides immediate access to the Acropolis. The hotel boasts an incredible rooftop infinity pool with direct Parthenon views, sophisticated rooms, and highly personalized service, making it a sought-after boutique luxury option.
Mid-Range Marvels: Comfort and Style Combined
Athens’ mid-range hotels strike a fantastic balance between comfort, style, location, and price. These options often feature great amenities like rooftop bars, pools, and well-designed rooms, providing excellent value for travelers who want a comfortable and convenient stay without the premium luxury price tag.
Top 5 Mid-Range Hotels in Athens
Coco-Mat Athens BC
Price Range: €150 – €300 per night
Features & Benefits: Located in the Koukaki neighborhood, near the Acropolis Museum. This hotel focuses on sustainability and natural comfort, featuring the famous Coco-Mat sleep systems. Highlights include a stunning rooftop pool and bar with panoramic Acropolis views, a fitness center, and sleek, modern design throughout.
AthensWas Design Hotel
Price Range: €180 – €350 per night
Features & Benefits: Situated on the pedestrian promenade Dionysiou Areopagitou leading to the Acropolis. This hotel emphasizes modern Greek design. Rooms feature clean lines, balconies (many with Acropolis views), and luxurious touches. The rooftop SENSE restaurant offers fine dining with breathtaking Parthenon views.
NEW Hotel
Price Range: €170 – €320 per night
Features & Benefits: Part of the Yes! Hotels group, known for its avant-garde design by the Campana Brothers. Located near Syntagma Square, it features unique, art-filled interiors using recycled materials. Offers stylish rooms, a penthouse suite, a fitness area, and the Art Lounge rooftop bar/restaurant with city views.
Electra Palace Athens
Price Range: €160 – €300 per night
Features & Benefits: Nestled in the heart of the charming Plaka district. This hotel offers classic elegance with modern amenities. Features include comfortable rooms (some with Acropolis views), a beautiful rooftop pool and restaurant boasting stunning Acropolis vistas, an indoor pool, and a spa. Its location is ideal for exploring historic Athens on foot.
Herodion Hotel
Price Range: €120 – €250 per night
Features & Benefits: Perfectly located at the foot of the Acropolis, next to the Acropolis Museum. The Herodion offers elegant rooms, friendly service, and a fantastic rooftop garden (“Point A” bar/restaurant) with two jacuzzis and direct, breathtaking views of the Acropolis and the museum. Provides a refined atmosphere at a competitive price point.
Budget-Friendly Bases: Smart & Savvy Stays
Traveling to Athens on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or location. The city offers a fantastic range of affordable hotels, stylish hostels, and guesthouses that provide clean, safe, and often socially vibrant environments. These options are perfect for backpackers, solo travelers, and anyone looking to maximize their experiences without overspending on accommodation.
Top 5 Budget Accommodations in Athens
Athens Studios
Price Range: Under €100 (Dorms & Private Rooms)
Features & Benefits: Extremely well-located near the Acropolis metro station, Plaka, and the Acropolis itself. Offers a variety of accommodation types from dorms to private studios and apartments. Features include self-catering facilities, a popular sports bar/restaurant, free walking tours, and a social atmosphere. Great value for its prime location.
City Circus Athens
Price Range: Under €100 (Dorms & Private Rooms)
Features & Benefits: Located in the vibrant Psyrri neighborhood, known for its street art and nightlife. This hostel features stylish, individually decorated rooms (both dorms and private) in a neoclassical building. Offers a rooftop terrace with Acropolis views, a restaurant/bar (Zampano), and a friendly, artistic vibe. Excellent choice for exploring a lively local area.
Bedbox Hostel
Price Range: Under €80 (Mostly Dorms)
Features & Benefits: Centrally located, close to Monastiraki Square. Bedbox offers modern, clean dormitory accommodation, often featuring pod-style beds for added privacy. Known for its friendly staff, good security, social common areas, and organized events. A solid choice for solo travelers seeking a modern hostel experience.
Selina Athens Theatrou
Price Range: Under €120 (Dorms & Private Rooms)
Features & Benefits: Part of the global Selina chain, this location near the Central Market offers more than just a bed. It features a mix of dorms, private rooms, and suites, plus co-working spaces, wellness activities (like yoga), a cinema room, and a vibrant rooftop bar/restaurant/pool area with great city views. Caters to digital nomads and experience-seeking travelers.
Mosaikon
Price Range: Under €100 (Dorms & Private Rooms)
Features & Benefits: Located centrally, offering easy access to major sites. Mosaikon provides a blend of dormitory and private rooms with a focus on modern, clean design and comfort. Features include a communal kitchen, a pleasant rooftop terrace for socializing, and helpful staff. A reliable and comfortable budget option.
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Beyond the Hotel: Experiencing the Best of Athens
Now that you have some ideas for where to stay, let’s talk about filling your days! Athens is a treasure trove of history, culture, and culinary delights. Your accommodation is just the starting point for an unforgettable journey through this ancient metropolis.
Must-See Sights & Landmarks
- The Acropolis & Parthenon: No trip to Athens is complete without visiting this iconic citadel. Marvel at the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Propylaea. Go early to avoid crowds and heat.
- Plaka District: Wander through the charming, narrow streets of Athens’ oldest neighborhood, filled with shops, tavernas, and neoclassical architecture at the foot of the Acropolis.
- Ancient Agora: Explore the heart of ancient Athens, once the center of political, commercial, and social life. Don’t miss the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus.
- National Archaeological Museum: Home to some of the most important artifacts from Greek antiquity worldwide. A must-visit for history buffs.
- Acropolis Museum: A modern architectural marvel housing treasures found on the Acropolis rock and its slopes.
Engaging Activities & Experiences
- Walking Tours: Join a guided walk focusing on mythology, history, street art, or food to gain deeper insights into the city.
- Monastiraki Flea Market: Browse through antiques, souvenirs, crafts, and clothes in this bustling market area (especially lively on Sundays).
- Lycabettus Hill: Hike or take the funicular up for the most stunning panoramic views of Athens, especially beautiful at sunset.
- Day Trip to Cape Sounion: Visit the majestic Temple of Poseidon perched on cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea – a perfect half-day excursion.
- Explore Different Neighborhoods: Venture beyond the main tourist areas into districts like Koukaki (charming & local), Psyrri (artsy & vibrant), or Kolonaki (upscale & chic). For more ideas on distinct areas, check out the official Athens tourism guide to neighborhoods. This resource provides great descriptions of the character and highlights of various parts of the city.
A Taste of Athens: Culinary Delights
- Souvlaki & Gyros: Grab these quintessential Greek street foods – grilled meat skewers or shavings wrapped in pita bread with toppings.
- Moussaka: Indulge in this classic baked dish with layers of eggplant, minced meat, and béchamel sauce.
- Horiatiki Salata (Greek Salad): Enjoy the fresh flavors of tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta cheese, and olive oil.
- Fresh Seafood: Head to coastal areas like Mikrolimano in Piraeus for delicious, fresh fish and seafood tavernas.
- Baklava & Loukoumades: Satisfy your sweet tooth with layered pastry soaked in honey (Baklava) or Greek doughnuts drizzled with honey and cinnamon (Loukoumades).
- Varvakios Agora (Central Market): Experience the vibrant atmosphere of the city’s main food market – explore the meat, fish, and produce sections.
Your Athenian Adventure Awaits
Athens offers an incredible range of accommodation choices, ensuring that every traveler can find a comfortable and convenient base to explore this captivating city. From the height of luxury with Acropolis views to stylish mid-range options and budget-friendly social hubs, the perfect stay is waiting for you.
Remember to consider factors like location (proximity to sights vs. neighborhood vibe), desired amenities (pool, breakfast, gym), and your budget when making your choice. Booking in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons (spring and fall), is always recommended to secure the best options and prices.
We hope this guide helps you find your ideal accommodation in Athens! Beyond the hotel, immerse yourself in the city’s rich history, vibrant culture, and delicious food scene for a truly unforgettable experience.
What are you most looking forward to experiencing in Athens, or what’s your favorite memory if you’ve visited before? Share your thoughts in the comments below!