Where to sleep in Athens? Our favorite hotels in the Greek capital

hotels in Athens

Are you planning to spend a few days in Greece and wondering where to sleep in Athens? Here are our favorite hotels in the Greek capital, centrally located and close to the main tourist attractions. All of them are ideally situated for exploring the city and enjoying a comfortable stay in Athens.

You’ll also find useful information in our articles How to choose a hotel in Athens (different districts, types of accommodation, etc.) and Our favorite hotels near the Acropolis.

You’ll also find accommodation in Athens on the Booking website, to suit all budgets.

Hotels near the Acropolis

The Acropolis district offers many advantages for visiting Athens: it’s central, well served by public transport and close to the main tourist sites (the Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, the Temple of Zeus, etc.).

See our selection in The best hotels near the Acropolis.

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Where to sleep in the Plaka and Syntagma districts of Athens?

Plaka and Syntagma are pleasant, central neighborhoods with good metro links. You’ll find plenty to eat in the evening. Plaka may be a tourist area, but it’s full of postcard charm. As for Syntagma, it’s truly the heart of modern Athens.

New Hotel

The best hotels in Athens - Where to sleep in Athens
A room at the New Hotel / a designer sofa in the lobby © Laure M.

A charming hotel with an artistic touch. It’s in a great location to sleep in Athens, just opposite the Russian Church, not far from Plaka and Syntagma Square. We love the arty design and non-standard style. This is a far cry from the cold, soulless hotels that are all too common in European capitals.

The rooms are pretty and decorated differently from one another. Some have a view of the Acropolis.

The hotel is equipped with a wellness center, meeting rooms, children’s play area, gym… making it ideal for all types of travelers.

In[n]Athens Hotel

The best hotels in Athens - Where to sleep in Athens
The courtyard of the In[n]Athens hotel © Laure M.

One of our favorites! This hotel is also right opposite the Russian Church, just a few minutes’ walk from Syntagma Square on one side, and Plaka on the other. It is set back from the street, in a quiet location at the end of a pretty little courtyard. The In[n] Athens hotel is a haven of peace, even though it’s located in one of Athens’ most central districts.

In[n] Athens opened its doors in 2015. It features 37 rooms with a sleek, modern design. All are equipped with Coco-Mat mattresses.

Great value for money, ideal for those who want to sleep in the center of Athens but in a quiet location.

Aria loft apartment

apartment rental hotel apartment in Athens syntagma loft
© Aria Hotels

We really like this beautiful 70m² loft in the Syntagma district, particularly attractive both for its view and its central location. You benefit from independent accommodation with a concierge service, and housekeeping services are of course included in the price. Metro: Syntagma (line 3 – blue and line 2 – red)

Acropolis House

Hotel near the acropolis athens plaka
© Laure M.

Let’s be honest, this hotel doesn’t necessarily correspond to the style we like (it’s a bit old-fashioned for our taste), but we’re telling you about it because it’s well located, in Plaka, and offers very attractive rates for the area.

The Acropolis House hotel is located on the corner of two quiet Plaka lanes. Inside, classic style, sometimes kitsch. The decor is reminiscent of traditional Greek houses. The entrance features a painted wall dating from 1885.

24-hour reception, home-cooked breakfast, friendly staff.

Airbnb apartments in Plaka

If you prefer the comfort of an apartment rather than a hotel, you’ll find plenty of accommodation in Plaka on the Airbnb website.

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Sleeping in Athens in the Kolonaki district

Kolonaki is the chic district of the Greek capital, a bit like the “Notting Hill of Athens”. It’s a central district, relatively close to the main tourist attractions and well served by the metro. Here you’ll find beautiful boutiques, delicatessens, pastry shops and fine restaurants.

Coco-Mat Hotel, sleek style, fantastic bedding!

The best hotels in Athens - Where to sleep in Athens
The front of the Coco-Mat store and hotel (with bicycles available for hotel guests) / roof terrace © Laure M.

We love this hotel, and it’s definitely one of our favorite places to sleep in Athens.

What makes this hotel unique? It’s located above the Coco-Mat concept store, which sells mattresses and bedding accessories (a top-quality Greek brand, renowned the world over for its natural-fiber pillows and mattresses).

The hotel boasts a magnificent terrace, with a beautiful view of Athens and the Acropolis.

Rooms are spacious, with modern, elegant decor. You’ll appreciate the absolutely divine bedding and soft pillows (you can even choose your own pillow from a menu of ten different varieties).

The little extras? Loan of bicycles for those wishing to discover Athens by bike. And the Honesty Bar, located next to reception, where guests can enjoy free snacks, self-service hot and cold drinks, board games and more all day long. A convivial space where everything is accessible at will and at no extra charge.

Airbnb apartments in Kolonaki

Voici également une sélection d’appartements à louer pour une ou plusieurs nuits dans le quartier de Kolonaki sur le site Airbnb.

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Choose a hotel in Monastiraki or Psyri

Monastiraki is a lively, bustling and very central district, making it a good base from which to explore Athens on foot. Right next door, the Psyri district is one of our favorites: a lively, trendy and very pleasant place to discover.

Evripides Hotel, excellent value for money

A beautiful location, a terrace with a view of the Acropolis, reasonable prices ! The little extra? The terrace and breakfast are included in the room rate, as is free parking if you have a car.

A for Athens, one of the most beautiful views of Athens

The A for Athens rooftop: a must in Athens
Photo taken from the terrace of A for Athens © Laure M.

This hotel offers one of the most breathtaking views of Athens, situated right on Monastiraki Square. Its prime location makes it perfect for exploring the city.

Rooms are comfortable, spacious and well-equipped.

The little extra? Superb rooftop breakfast overlooking the Acropolis and the city. Magical.

Live in Athens, a no-fuss apartment

Appart-hotel athenes
© Laure M.

Located in the Psyri district, Live in Athens offers retro-style apartments. They’re in a great location, just a 5-minute walk from the Monastiraki metro station, a stone’s throw from trendy bars and restaurants, in a lively alternative neighborhood.

The apartments are comfortable and well-equipped. All have kitchenettes. It feels like home.

The Foundry Hotel, a small ultra-design hotel

Design hotel Athens
© The Foundry Hotel

The Foundry is a great hotel. One of our favorite places to stay in Athens.

This hotel is a true hidden gem, having opened in October 2018. It effortlessly blends ultra-modern design with a cozy atmosphere. The architecture and decor are meticulously crafted, with careful attention to aesthetics. The rooftop terrace is charming and boasts a stunning view of the Acropolis.

In fact, the twelve apartments are spacious, bright, perfectly equipped and all uniquely decorated.

City Circus, a warm, youthful atmosphere

The best hotels in Athens - Where to sleep in Athens
The rooftop terrace and one of the common areas of the City Circus hotel © Laure M.

A clever blend of youth hostel and boutique hotel, this is a very pleasant establishment to sleep in Athens. The atmosphere is young, warm and relaxed. Without forgetting the rates are very reasonable.

The originality of City Circus is that the hotel has both dormitory rooms (sleeping 4 to 8) and classic private rooms. The hotel is also suitable for families (family suites for 3 or 4 people).

Breakfast is served at Zampano’s, the adjoining restaurant (a favorite of ours).

The little extra? The small colorful terrace with a view of the Acropolis, nice to relax.

Fresh Hotel, hotel with swimming pool in Athens

The best hotels in Athens - Where to sleep in Athens
The Fresh Hotel’s outdoor pool and restaurant © Laure M.

A slightly more eccentric hotel, between Omonia and Monastiraki squares, close to the central market, in a popular and lively district.

The main attraction of this hotel is its ninth-floor swimming pool. While not large, it’s a delightful spot to cool off on a hot day after exploring Athens. Plus, you get the bonus of a stunning view of the Acropolis.

The area may not seem very pleasant at first glance… but you only have to stray a block or two to find some nice bars and restaurants.

Rooms are small but well-equipped and quiet. The decor is modern, with fluorescent colors.

The Fresh Hotel is a good option for those who want a certain level of service without breaking the bank.

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A hotel near Athens airport

Finally, if you need to sleep close to the airport, the only hotel within the airport itself, the Sofitel, is very expensive (around €230/night).

Instead, we recommend the Galotel Agnoudas: a guesthouse run by a Frenchwoman, Gaëlle, who is always delighted to welcome guests. It’s simple, but perfect value for money. A 10-minute drive from the airport, shuttle service on request. For even more information, we’ve reserved an article for best hotels near Athens airport.

Laure M.

This article has not been sponsored in any way whatsoever. As always, the ideas expressed reflect our personal opinions.

Article updated on March 1, 2024

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