Posted: December 19, 23 | December 19, 2023
This 5,000-year-old Greek capital has the iconic Acropolis atop a hill with structures and ruins that are thousands of years old, and just below is the Plaka district, a maze of streets lined with bars, restaurants and ancient ruins. .
Athens has never spoken to me like other European capitals (I prefer the island and its interior), but that feeling has grown with each visit. The layers of history cannot be denied here. Wander down any random street and you'll stumble upon ruins that are thousands of years old (this is why I enjoy walking tours in cities because you learn a lot about what you're actually seeing).
It's a fairly large city with many different areas to choose from, so choosing the right hotel for your trip is very important.
To help you choose, here is a list of the best hotels in Athens:
1. Athens Center Square Hotel
True to its name, the hotel is located in the historic center of Plaka. Despite the crowds, I love this beautiful area. The hotel has a minimalist design with cozy pastel colors throughout, and most rooms have views of the Acropolis (be sure to ask). Additionally, there is a rooftop terrace and bar with great views. Rooms are simple but good-sized and feature a flat-screen TV, desk, mini-fridge and air conditioning. A delicious buffet breakfast is complimentary and very generous with a mix of Greek and American dishes. Complimentary coffee and tea are available in the lobby all day.
2. Athensdot
This new accommodation is located in Psyrri (sometimes called Psiri), a neighborhood close to the main attractions but much more frequented by locals. It's my favorite area in the city. Athensdot has a cool pop art design throughout, with large-scale paintings on the walls and bright reds everywhere. Rooms range from windowless interiors to those with balconies and Acropolis views. All rooms feature free WiFi, a large flat-screen TV, a mini-fridge and a desk. They have friendly staff and you can even ride your bike around for free! There is no breakfast provided at the property, but there is a cute 24-hour cafe a few doors down that serves food 24 hours a day.
3. Dryades & Orion Hotel
This cozy hotel is located in Exarcheia, an area with a lively student atmosphere and street art. This budget hotel has a variety of room configurations to choose from and a very helpful staff. The spacious rooms feature unique, homely décor and a variety of furnishings, as well as all the usual mid-range hotel amenities (air conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities and mini-fridge). It's worth paying a little extra for the home-cooked breakfast buffet. Local cuisine can be enjoyed in the rooftop garden, which offers stunning views of the Acropolis.
4. Cocomart Hotel
This design-oriented 4-star hotel is located in the heart of Kolonaki, a quiet neighborhood known for its luxury boutiques and art galleries. This hotel is actually run by mattress company Coco-Mat. All rooms feature high-quality mattresses and guests can choose from a menu of 12 pillow types. The entire hotel has a bright and airy design with wooden accents and soft colors. Each room features a TV, free high-speed Wi-Fi, a Nespresso machine, a desk, plenty of natural light, and luxurious bath amenities in a large bathroom. A fantastic Greek breakfast buffet is also served in the morning.
5. Plaka Hotel
The comfortable and friendly Plaka Hotel is located in (you guessed it) central Plaka. This is where you can find most of the ruins and tourist attractions. This simply decorated hotel boasts views of the Acropolis from the balconies of the rooms and the rooftop terrace bar/restaurant. A complimentary (and generous) breakfast buffet featuring regional specialties is also provided. Rooms are small but feature comfortable beds, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and a safe. It's not too noisy here either, providing a simple yet comfortable stay in the heart of everything.
6. Colors Hotel Athens
This stylish 4-star hotel offers bright, airy accommodations with free Wi-Fi, large spa-like bathrooms with rainmaker showers, comfortable beds, plush bathrobes and desks. Colorfully decorated rooms come in a variety of configurations, but are all fairly spacious and have plenty of natural light. There's also a fantastic, generous breakfast buffet that changes slightly each day (although there's always fresh homemade pastries, fruit, cereals, eggs and yoghurt). It is located in Exarcheia, a nice, quiet area not far from the main attractions (about a 15-minute walk).
There are many budget hotels in Athens. All of the hotels above are great places to stay and you can't go wrong with any of them.
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Booking a Trip to Greece: Logistics Tips and Tricks
flight reservation
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Accommodation Reservation
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