Accomodation in Athens: which district to choose?

Vibrant and sprawling, the Greek capital abounds in places to discover and monuments to visit. Its many neighborhoods offer very different atmospheres : historic, modern, lively, popular, chic or bohemian. So, where to stay in Athens to make the most of your stay? Which district should you choose to sleep in Athens according to your tastes and schedule? Follow the guide!

How do you choose where to stay in Athens?

If you’ve chosen to visit Athens, it’s surely to discover its wealth of archaeological, historical and cultural sites. But when the evening comes, you’ll also want to take advantage of the Greek capital’s nightlife and discover its best restaurants! So how can you avoid wasting time commuting or finding yourself in an area too far from the must-see activities?

The best place to stay in Athens is, of course, in a central area. But here again, you’re spoilt for choice: the center of Athens is vast, with many interesting and different neighborhoods. Don’t worry: we’ll help you find your way!

What are the main districts in central Athens?

To make things easier for you, we’ve put together everything you need to know about Athens’ different neighborhoods, grouped by the sectors shown on this map. All you have to do is choose the district that suits you best from the 5 central areas:

1. The historic center (in red). It includes the charming old districts of Plaka and Anafiotika.
2. The lively heart of Athens (in yellow). It’s organized around the lively, central districts of Monastiraki, Psyri and Thisseio.
3. The emblematic Acropolis district, Koukaki (in orange). You’ll find lodgings just a stone’s throw from the Parthenon.
4. The modern center of Athens (in blue). It includes the more upscale districts of Syntagma, Kolonaki and Pangrati.
5. The popular districts of Omonia, Exarchia and Kypseli (in green). Less touristy, they allow you to discover the Greek capital off the beaten track.

Whatever your choice, public transport is well-developed enough to get you around the center of Athens without any problems. But in any case, remember to book your accommodation well in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises!

Accommodation in Athens’ historic center: Plaka and Anafiotika

The old quarters of the city center are particularly popular with travelers. This is the perfect area to stay in Athens if you dream of wandering through ancient alleys and enjoying the greenery of the surrounding hills.

Plaka

At the foot of the Acropolis, Plaka is one of Athens’ most picturesque districts. Its narrow, touristy streets are packed with stores, bars and popular restaurants. Here you’ll find a wide variety of accommodation in all price ranges.

The neighborhood is very centrally located: you’ll only have to walk a few minutes to reach a metro station or visit a nearby neighborhood.

🛌 Where to sleep in Plaka?

Anafiotika

The delightful Anafiotika district lies at the gateway to the Acropolis. It’s a real invitation to travel! Here, you’ll feel as if you’re spending the night among the white and blue huts of a Cycladic island.

This timeless spot offers a delightful, peaceful break around the soothing Agios Georgios square and its charming craftsmen’s workshops. A pleasant respite after a long day of exploring the city!

🛌 Find accommodation in Anafiotika

Sleep in central Athens: Monastiraki, Psyri and Thisseio

Monastiraki Square is the beating heart of Athens. It’s the ideal starting point for visiting the city and the lively districts of Psyri and Thissio. Quite simply, you’re at the center of it all!

Monastiraki

North of the Acropolis, Monastiraki Square is alive with life, day and night. Its central market and flea market attract a permanent crowd. Tourists and Athenians alike enjoy getting lost among the stalls of this open-air Ali Baba’s cave!

The neighborhood is close to some of Athens’ most important sites: the Roman agora, the ancient agora, the remains of Hadrian’s library and the Tzistarakis mosque.

With excellent metro links, Monastiraki is home to numerous hotels, cafés and restaurants to suit all budgets.

🛌 Where to stay in Monastiraki?

Psyri

North of Monastiraki, the Psyri district offers a more relaxed alternative with its trendy atmosphere. Here you’ll find many typical boutiques, such as delicatessens and craft stores.

The district’s bourgeois past has left a legacy of beautiful old mansions, giving it a certain charm. Today, Psyri is studded with terraced bars and restaurants. In the evening, night owls flock to the many clubs and nightclubs. It’s also a mecca for Athenian street art.

Psyri offers a wide range of accommodation options, from hotels to apartments.

🛌 Where to put your suitcases in Psiri?

Thisseio

At the foot of the Acropolis, Thissio is one of Athens’ oldest neighborhoods. With its social mix, it’s also one of the most pleasant.

Its pretty cobbled streets are lined with cafés, boutiques and traditional tavernas where you can enjoy authentic local cuisine. The omnipresent view of the Acropolis and the Filopappou hills gives the district an added bonus.

Choosing Thissio for accommodation in Athens is the perfect solution if you want to mingle with the locals while being within walking distance of the most interesting sites.

🛌 Where to stay in Thisseio?

Find accommodation at the foot of the Athens Acropolis: Koukaki

Is your main objective in Athens to visit the Acropolis and the Parthenon? If so, look no further than the Koukaki district!

Koukaki is just a stone’s throw from the Acropolis Museum. Here, you’ll be in the heart of Athens’ historic district. The art galleries and restaurants of Sigrou Street, the many museums and flower-filled streets of Koukaki make this authentic district a wonderful starting point for sightseeing.

🛌 Where to put your bags in Koukaki?

Sleeping in the modern center of Athens: Syntagma and Kolonaki

Syntagma Square is the center of modern, active and dynamic Athens. It’s home to the Hellenic Parliament and its famous changing of the guard. Nearby, you’ll find the National Garden and the chic Kolonaki district.

Syntagma

The heart of the Greek capital’s social and political life, Syntagma lies to the northeast of the Acropolis. It’s a bustling area and one of Athens’ most important crossroads.

More modern and certainly less picturesque than the historic center, Syntagma is one of the districts best served by public transport.

The choice of accommodation is vast and rather upmarket. Indeed, this is where most of Athens’ luxury hotels are located.

🛌 Where to sleep in Syntagma?

Kolonaki

If you prefer to set down your bags in a chic, central neighborhood, Kolonaki is an excellent choice. This is the neighborhood of the Greek capital’s intellectual, cultural and economic elite. Here you’ll find embassies, official buildings and luxury boutiques.

Kolonaki is also home to several major museums, including the War Museum and the Benaki Museum. The district’s restaurants are more likely to be gourmet eateries than popular taverns, although a few still exist.

Accommodation in Kolonaki requires a comfortable budget. Here, you’ll find mainly luxury hotels and luxury apartments for rent.

🛌 Where to stay in Kolonaki?

Choose a popular area to stay in Athens: Exarchia

Athens also boasts a number of popular districts with a more or less sulphurous reputation. Among them, Metaxourgeio and Kypseli have become trendy districts where it’s easy to find accommodation for a much lower budget than in the city center.

🛌 Find accommodation in Metaxourgeio or Kipseli.

But if you’re drawn to the rebellious soul of Athens, Exarchia is the place to go. Underground and anti-establishment, this colorful neighborhood is the epicenter of Athenian street art.

Here, you’ll live in the heart of alternative music, creative cuisine and contemporary art. Your evenings will be punctuated by live concerts, neighborhood bars and small avant-garde restaurants.

Choose Exarchia as your place to stay in Athens if you want a taste of the vibrant Athenian youth scene. You’ll enjoy a unique experience far removed from the tourist clichés of Greece!

🛌 Where to stay in Exarcheia?

Sandra B.

So much for our little tour of Athens’ neighborhoods, with the particularities of each one. Once you’ve chosen your neighborhood, you can look around and rent your accommodation on trusted platform like Booking.

And if you want to read on :

• Where to sleep in Athens? Our favorite hotels in the Greek capital
• The best hotels near Athens Acropolis
• The best hotels near the airport
• Find a hotel in Piraeus: our best-of
• How to choose a hotel in Athens?