Where to stay in Athens? This is the question that many tourists who decide to visit the Greek capital ask themselves.
Athens is wonderful, in every corner of the city you will find evidence of its ancient history, between myths and legends.
There are many historical and cultural attractions not to be missed, the most famous is certainly the Acropolis, the symbol of Greece as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
But Athens is not only Acropolis and Parthenon, it is also a city full of life with many places to spend pleasant evenings and is the ideal starting point to explore other areas of Greece and its beautiful islands.
In this article we see in detail the best areas to sleep in Athens, the safest and most strategically convenient ones to get around the city and those to avoid.
Where to Stay in AthensFirst of all let's say that Athens is a safe city, it is not as dangerous as some claim, but there are some more degraded neighborhoods that it would be better to avoid, especially at night.
The best way to stay in Athens to get around the city comfortably and have peace of mind is to choose a centrally located hotel.
The best, safest and most popular districts for tourists are: Syntagma, Plaka e Monastiraki, are located in the center and are perfect for getting around on foot without having to use public transport.
Athens is not expensive, but if you are looking for something even cheaper an area you can consider is it Koukaki, less touristy but well connected with the rest of the city.
If, on the other hand, you don't have budget problems and prefer an elegant area, Kolonaki, the chic neighborhood of Athens is the place for you, it is located about 1 km from Syntagma and is full of great restaurants, clubs and trendy shops.
I do not recommend staying around Omonia square, Metaxurgio instead and in the neighboring streets. These are not dangerous areas but degraded and not always well frequented neighborhoods.
The Zones of AthensPlate
La Plaka is located at the foot of the Acroploli, it is the most fascinating district of the city, a maze of alleys where you can get lost among restaurants, clubs and souvenir shops.
The Plaka is the best choice to stay in Athens to visit the capital and its main attractions on your own. The district is one of the major tourist destinations in Athens thanks to the many cultural centers and various monuments.
But the favorite activity for tourists visiting Plaka is shopping in the many souvenir shops, where I always recommend to bargain before buying anything.
CERCA HOTEL: PLAKA ZONE
Syntagma
Syntagma Square is the seat of the Greek parliament, it is a central area from where it is easy to reach the main points of interest with short walks.
The biggest attraction that attracts more and more tourists to this square is the changing of the guard, which takes place in front of the parliament, every hour.
In the area the offer of hotels is vast, there are some of the best hotels and in the streets around the square there is no shortage of cheaper hotels.
Syntagma is well connected by public transport to reach the airport or Piraeus; the subway station is right in front of the ferries to the islands.
CERCA HOTEL: ZONA SYNTAGMA
Monastiraki
Monastiraki is the heart of Athens, located between Psiri and Plaka, and is among the most characteristic places in the city. The area is considered the center of nightlife, full of clubs, bars, pubs and Greek taverns, some with views of the Acropolis.
Monastiraki is most famous for its flea market, the most popular in Athens.
Monastiraki is another recommended area, convenient as a location for getting around the city, also thanks to the homonymous metro station.
CERCA HOTEL: MONASTERY ZONE
Glyfada
If, on the other hand, you plan to visit Athens in the summer and are looking for an area near the sea, then the Glyfada district is the ideal choice where to stay in Athens. The city center can be reached by bus in about 45 minutes. The neighborhood is full of shops, bars and restaurants.
SEARCH HOTEL: ZONE MARE GLYFADA
A for athens
2 - 4 Miaouli, Athens 105 54, Greece
Conveniently located hotel in the heart of Athens, a few steps from the Monastiraki metro and close to the main attractions. The rooms are comfortable, clean and quiet, the staff polite and helpful.
The highlight of the hotel is the terrace with a panoramic view of the Acropolis. On the terrace you can have breakfast, lunch, dinner or a drink.
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Acropolis View Hotel
Webster 10 & Robertou Galli, Athens, 11742, Greece
Hotel with breathtaking views of the Acropolis, both from some rooms and from the beautiful terrace on the 5th floor. The rooms are a bit small but clean and comfortable. The location is also excellent, 5 minutes walk from the Acropolis and close to the Plaka district. If you are looking for a hotel with good value for money and convenient for visiting the Acropolis this is the one for you.
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Athens Diamond Plus
23 Voulis & Mitropoleos, Athens 105 63, Greece
Hotel located in a very central position, near Syntagma square, convenient for visiting the city on foot and for getting around by metro.
The rooms are clean and the staff helpful.
The only flaw is that the reception and breakfast room are located in the building opposite the hotel. For the rest, an excellent solution to sleep in Athens and excellent value for money.
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