On your way to the Greek Islands you will likely stop in Athens or at least have a layover. Identifying where to stay in a big city like Athens can be difficult. However, we felt Athens was surprisingly affordable and offered many different options for places to stay. In this post we go over the different neighborhoods and what you will find in each one to help you decide where to stay in Athens.
Athens is best known for its historical sights like the Acropolis and the Parthenon, temples such as the Temple of Zeus and other museums throughout the city that boast ancient ruins. However, there is more to this Greek city than just ruins. There are many great neighborhoods close to all the highlights each that offer something a little different to travelers.
So many of the historical sights you are likely to visit while in Athens are relatively close. Therefore it makes it easy to stay in one location without having to travel too far, unlike other more spread out cities. The port of Pireaus, however, is in a different part of the island so where you stay really depends on your plans while in Athens.
- You can easily take the Metro to get between areas or take a taxi if you’re willing to spend a bit more.
Where We Stayed
In Athens we stayed in both Monastiraki and Psyri (or sometimes spelled Psirri). They are relatively close to each other and we chose both for a few reasons:
- Both neighborhoods are centrally located. We were able to walk to the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum and everything else we saw while in Athens. We always like to be in walking distance when in a new city because it gives us a chance to see the city and get a feel for different areas while also skipping some of the costs of transportation.
- Take a walk through Monastiraki Square one of the busier squares in the city and the Flea Market which the area is known for.
- There were plenty of options for restaurants, stands to grab a snack, or places to sit and enjoy a drink.
We found both neighborhoods affordable and when choosing a place to stay we had plenty of options varying from hostels to nicer, private hotels.
Our recommendation for Athens would be to spend 2-3 days before heading off to the islands. Because thats not too long, we found staying in a central location close to everything made it super easy to do all the things we wanted to hit in a short amount of time.
Travel Truth: In the Monastiraki neighborhoods, depending on which way the building is facing, you can get some amazing views of the Parthenon. Most hotels in the area have rooftops that boast some of the best views you can get. We even had a Parthenon view from the window from our very budget hostel!
Other Neighborhoods
Plaka
Plaka is a well known neighborhood close to the Acropolis and everything else you might want to see. Nicknamed the old Athens you will find cobble-stone streets with many shops and restaurants. While in Plaka you will notice many tourists and visitors so while it may not be as local as you may want, it’s worth even just a walk through.
- If you’re looking for a true authentic experience, Plaka might feel too touristy for you. However, you will find any restaurants, bars and any other shops you might need during your visit.
Kolonaki
Kolonaki is where you will find all the high-end shops. You will find this area northeast of the city center and the Acropolis. While on your visit if you’re looking for anything you forgot this is the place to go!
- Lycabettus Hill is in Kolonaki and if you’re up for the hike will reward you with amazing views of the city! We have heard you can see all the way to the ocean so this is something that we so wish we had done!
Gazi
Keramikos and Gazi neighbor each other in the Northwest of Athens. Gazi is best known for Technopolis an old converted building that now hosts restaurants and bars where you will find people enjoying drinks and music.
- This area is very close to Psyri so if you’re looking to be close to everything that Psyri and Monastiraki offers this is an option! Or continue slightly more north and we found accommodation options were less expensive in Metaxourgeio.
Read More: 10 Reasons You Should Visit Sifnos and Milos in Greece
Syntagma
Syntagma is the center of Athens and most famously known for Syntagma Square. Syntagma Square boasts the Parliament Building and therefore is thought to be the political center of the city.
- The Panathenaic Stadium is impressive to check out if you’re close by! It is famous for being the location for the first olympics in the late 1800’s. It is very close to the Acropolis and both can easily be done in the same afternoon!
- Because of its central location, many people choose to stay in this part of the city. It’s then super easy to get anywhere else within the city that you wish to see during your visit using the buses and Metro.
Pireaus
Pireaus is the port area where ferries to the islands leave from. During our most recent trip to Greece we stayed in the Pireaus neighborhood in order to be close to the ferry. If you’re arriving late and leaving on a ferry early the next morning we would recommend staying in Pireaus.
- There are so many cafes and restaurants in Pireaus that we wish we had more time to explore this area! We saw so many locals, mixed with visitors, sitting and enjoying some amazing Greek food.
