In a nutshell
- Planning a city trip to Athens? Book a hotel in the center — that’s where all the major sights are, and you’ll save a ton of time getting around.
- This guide covers the 4 best neighborhoods to stay in Athens, with hotel recommendations for every budget in each area.
- First time in Athens? Stay in Plaka — the historic old town puts you steps from the Acropolis. Our top pick: Sweet Home Hotel.
- Love great food and a lively atmosphere? Psyrri is your neighborhood. Our top pick: Ederlezi Boutique Hotel.
The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Athens
Wondering where to stay in Athens? These 4 neighborhoods are perfectly central and make excellent bases for your visit.
- Plaka: The historic old town — perfect if it’s your first time and you’re planning a short trip to Athens.
- Psyrri: Ideal if you want a hip, lively area packed with great restaurants and bars.
- Ermou & Syntagma Square: Perfect if you want to stay in an upscale part of Athens.
- Exarchia: Great if you’re after an alternative, off-the-beaten-path neighborhood and want to keep costs low.
An Overview of the Neighborhoods on a Map
Here’s a quick overview of the best areas to stay in Athens, all plotted on a map. We’ve also marked the most important Athens attractions so you can see exactly what’s within walking distance.
Staying in Plaka
Plaka is the best choice for first-time visitors — you’ll be staying right next to Athens’s most important sights.
Plaka is Athens’s old quarter, full of narrow alleyways lined with tavernas, rooftop bars, and boutiques. It’s genuinely one of the most charming places to stay in the city.
The Acropolis is just a few minutes’ walk away, and all the other major highlights are easily reachable on foot from here.
The nearest metro stations — Syntagma and Acropoli — are also close by. Taxis can navigate the narrow alleyways too, which makes getting to and from your hotel super convenient.
Plaka has a very wide selection of hotels. Prices, however, tend to be on the higher side overall.
Advantages of staying in Plaka
- Beautiful surroundings
- Lots of tavernas and restaurants
- Very central location
- Many attractions nearby
Disadvantages of staying in Plaka
- Very touristy
- Few budget hotels
Our Hotel Recommendations for Plaka
We love the Sweet Home Hotel. The value for money is seriously great, the rooms are really cozy, and breakfast is delicious. You can’t go wrong here.
Good and affordable
Better
Luxurious
Staying in Psyrri
Psyrri is ideal if you want to stay in a central neighborhood with tons of restaurants and bars right on your doorstep.
Psyrri is Athens’s go-to bar and restaurant district. Tavernas are packed side by side, and you’ll find plenty of independent boutiques and trendy bars to explore.
The neighborhood sits right next to Monastiraki Square and its metro station — you’re seriously well connected. Popular spots like the Acropolis, Plaka, and the Ancient Agora are all an easy walk away.
Because of all the bars, the streets in Psyrri can get a bit noisy at night, but most hotels are well soundproofed, so it’s rarely a problem.
Advantages of staying in Psyrri
- Cool, trendy neighborhood
- Lots of tavernas and bars
- Attractions are within walking distance
- You’ll also find some budget-friendly places to stay here
Disadvantages of staying in Psyrri
- Depending on your exact location, it can get a bit noisy at night
Our Hotel Picks for Psyrri
The Ederlezi is a stunning boutique hotel in Athens — incredibly well-priced for the level of service you get. The rooftop terrace is amazing and the rooms are beautifully appointed.
Good and affordable
Better
Luxurious
Staying near Syntagma Square
The area around Syntagma Square is the right pick if you want an upscale base and plan to take plenty of day trips from Athens.
Syntagma Square is one of Athens’s main central squares — it’s where the parliament building stands, and the city’s main shopping street, Ermou, starts right here.
You’ll find many luxury hotels and excellent restaurants in this part of the city. Every major attraction is walkable, and the neighborhood borders directly on the historic district of Plaka.
The Athens Metro and the Athens hop-on/hop-off buses both stop here — you really couldn’t ask for better connections.
Advantages of staying near Syntagma Square
- Very central
- Lots of shopping options
- Attractions within walking distance
- Excellent connections to public transit and Athens Airport
Disadvantages of staying near Syntagma Square
- Few budget accommodations
- The area is very busy and commercial
Our Hotel Picks near Syntagma Square
We recommend the Elia Ermou — a beautiful, modern hotel with stylish décor and breakfast served on a rooftop terrace with Acropolis views. You’ll find more recommendations in our article on the 5 most beautiful hotels near the Acropolis.
Better
Luxurious
Staying in Exarchia
Exarchia is perfect if you’re after budget-friendly lodging in Athens and want to experience the city like a local.
Exarchia is less touristy than the other neighborhoods — and honestly, it’s our favorite under-the-radar pick for where to stay in Athens.
It’s a real student neighborhood, and prices are very affordable — both for accommodation and at bars and restaurants. Perfect if you want to stretch your budget.
Exarchia is known for its many cool cafés and street art, and it’s increasingly becoming one of Athens’s genuinely trendy areas.
There aren’t many hotels here — mostly apartments and hostels. It’s about a 20-minute walk to the city center, or you can hop on the metro.
Advantages of staying in Exarchia:
- Affordable prices
- Hip and alternative vibe
- Authentic neighborhood with lots of bars and cafés
Disadvantages of staying in Exarchia:
- Longer walk to the center
- Limited hotel selection
Our Hotel Recommendations for Exarchia
The Colors Hotel is a wonderful place to stay with great décor and large family rooms — perfect for a family trip with kids. It’s close to a metro station and surrounded by great restaurants.
