Where to Stay in Athens

Greece › Athens › Best Areas
Updated: May 21, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com

My Tips

• Best for first-timers: Plaka is the most charming and practical base. It is atmospheric, walkable, right under the Acropolis, and packed with dining and shopping. Hotels here are popular, pricey, and get booked months in advance.
• Stay central: For a short visit, stick to Plaka, Monastiraki, Syntagma, or Koukaki, ideally within a 5-minute walk of a metro station. This makes sightseeing, dining, airport transit, and Piraeus ferry connections seamless.
• Choose by vibe: Base yourself in Plaka for historic charm, Monastiraki or Psirri for nightlife and trendy dining, Syntagma for luxury hotels and transit convenience, and Koukaki for a slightly calmer neighborhood feel near the Acropolis Museum.
• Expect urban noise: Central Athens is lively. Monastiraki, Psirri, and areas near busy squares or nightlife spots will be loud late into the night. Light sleepers should request higher floors, confirm double-glazed windows, or target quieter residential side streets.
• Views are worth the premium: If your budget allows, prioritize an Acropolis-view room or a hotel with a rooftop pool. Ending your day with a drink or a swim with views of the Parthenon is worth the cost.
• Do not rush the city: Too many travelers treat Athens as a mandatory one-night stopover before island hopping. I recommend spending at least two to three days here to properly experience the history, museums, and food scene.

The Best Areas to Stay in Athens

My Favorite Hotels in Athens

• 5-Star: Grande Bretagne
• 4-Star: Electra Palace
• 3-Star: A for Athens
• Budget: Phaedra
• For Families: Ava
• For Couples: Gatsby • AthensWas
• Acropolis View: Electra Palace
• Airport: Sofitel
• Ferry Port: Port Square
• Beach Resort: Four Seasons

Athens is more than a stopover on the way to the Greek islands. It is one of Europe’s most rewarding cities: ancient, chaotic, walkable, creative, and full of great food. Too many travelers rush through for one night and a quick look at the Parthenon. That is a mistake. I recommend spending at least 2 to 3 days in Athens to see the ancient sites, explore a few neighborhoods, and enjoy the city beyond the Acropolis.

Where should first-timers stay?
For a first visit, stay in the historic center: Plaka, Monastiraki, Syntagma, or Koukaki. These neighborhoods are central, walkable, safe, and close to the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Acropolis Museum, restaurants, and metro stations. Plaka is the most charming, Monastiraki has the most energy, Syntagma is best for convenience and transport, and Koukaki has a calmer local feel.

Grabbing gyros in Monastiraki.

Athens layout in a nutshell
The Acropolis is the visual and practical anchor of central Athens. Around it are the neighborhoods most visitors care about: Plaka, Monastiraki, Syntagma, Psirri, Koukaki, and Thissio. The historic center is compact and very walkable, but not flat. Expect uneven sidewalks, marble steps, cobbled lanes, and a few hills.

Athens can look rough around the edges, especially compared with postcard-perfect island villages, but that is part of its appeal. Ancient temples, Byzantine churches, Ottoman-era remains, neoclassical houses, street art, apartment blocks, rooftop bars, open-air cinemas, coffee shops, and late-night tavernas all sit close together. The best Athens stay balances sightseeing with time to wander, eat, and experience the modern city.

A quick neighborhood breakdown:

• Plaka: The best all-around choice for first-timers. Plaka is the oldest and most charming neighborhood in Athens, with pedestrian lanes, neoclassical houses, restaurants, shops, and the Acropolis above you. It is touristy and often expensive, but the location is hard to beat.
• Monastiraki: Best for energy, nightlife, rooftop bars, and easy transport. Monastiraki is central, fun, and convenient, with the flea market, Ancient Agora, metro, and many casual restaurants nearby. It is also busy and noisy, so choose your hotel carefully if you are a light sleeper.
• Syntagma: Best for convenience, luxury hotels, and airport access. Syntagma is home to Parliament, the Changing of the Guard, high-end hotels, major shopping streets, and excellent metro connections. It is less charming than Plaka but very practical.
• Psirri: Best for bars, restaurants, and nightlife. Psirri has a creative, slightly gritty feel, with street art, small hotels, live music tavernas, cocktail bars, and late-night dining. It is fun, central, and lively, but not the quietest place to stay.
• Koukaki: Best for a calmer local vibe near the Acropolis Museum. Koukaki sits south of the Acropolis and has good cafes, restaurants, apartment-style hotels, and a more residential feel than Plaka or Monastiraki. It is a great choice if you want to be central without staying in the busiest tourist streets.
• Kolonaki: Best for upscale shopping, dining, and a polished city feel. Kolonaki sits on the slopes of Lycabettus Hill, with boutiques, galleries, cafes, and elegant hotels. It is stylish and safe, but hillier and less convenient for ancient sightseeing than Plaka or Monastiraki.
• The Athens Riviera: Best for beach resorts and a more relaxed luxury stay. The Riviera is about 45 minutes south of central Athens, with seaside hotels, beach clubs, marinas, and luxury resorts. Stay here if you want sun-and-sea comfort more than historic-center convenience.
• Piraeus: Best only if you have a very early ferry or need to sleep close to the port. Piraeus has improved, and the metro makes it easier to reach, but most travelers are better off staying in central Athens and taking the train, metro, taxi, or pre-booked transfer to the ferry port.

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5 Things to Know Before Booking an Athens Hotel

• 1. Stay central, especially on a first visit
  The best areas for most travelers are Plaka, Monastiraki, Syntagma, Psirri, and Koukaki. They keep you close to the Acropolis, Ancient Agora, Acropolis Museum, restaurants, rooftop bars, and metro stations. Tip: Do not stay in the suburbs just to save money; you will lose too much time getting in and out of the center.
• 2. Check the exact street, not just the neighborhood
  Athens changes quickly from block to block. A hotel can be “in Monastiraki” and feel lively and convenient – or noisy and gritty. Athinas Street is useful but busy, and rooms directly on Syngrou Avenue will have traffic noise. Tip: Check the hotel’s exact map location and recent guest reviews before booking.
• 3. Be strategic about noise
  Monastiraki and Psirri are great for restaurants and nightlife, but they are not always quiet. Higher floors are usually better, unless they sit below a rooftop bar. Tip: Light sleepers should request a courtyard-facing room or a room away from bars, elevators, and rooftop terraces.
• 4. Do not stay in Piraeus unless you really need to
  Piraeus is useful for ferries but not the best base for seeing Athens. Unless your ferry leaves very early, stay in central Athens and go to the port in the morning. Tip: For most ferry travelers, one more night in central Athens is better than moving hotels to sleep near the port.
• 5. Decide whether you need an Acropolis-view room
  An Acropolis-view room can be special, but some “views” are partial, distant, or only visible from a balcony corner. These rooms cost more and sell out early. Tip: Confirm whether the view is from the room, balcony, or only the hotel rooftop.

Best Places to Stay in Athens

Enjoying the hot tub on our room’s private deck at the Gatsby Athens.

• Best Luxury Hotels in Athens
  Grande Bretagne • Four Seasons Astir Palace • King George
• Best Boutique Hotels in Athens
  The Dolli • iFeel Athens • AthensWas • xenodocheio Milos • NEW Hotel • Gatsby • Shila • Gem Society
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels in Athens
  Phaedra Hotel • A for Athens • Athens Center Square • Belle Epoque Suites • Acropolis Vision
• Best Hotels for Families
  Ava Hotel & Suites • Four Seasons Astir Palace • Grecotel Pallas Athena

Best Places in Athens for…

• The Best Place in Athens for First-Timers: Plaka
  Plaka is the best spot to experience Athens for first-time visitors. Set at the base of the Acropolis in the historic and cultural heart of the city, Plaka is steps from Athens’ most important ancient sites, including the Parthenon, Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Arch, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Roam just a little outside Plaka to find the Acropolis Museum, shop for souvenirs at Monastiraki Flea Market, and visit the Hellenic Parliament to watch the elaborate ritual that is the Changing of the Guard. Neoclassical mansions and eclectic buildings line the tree-shaded public squares and narrow streets (some paved in marble) of most of Plaka, while its Anafiotika enclave adds a surprising element of Cycladic architecture with whitewashed, cubic houses and flagstone pedestrian lanes. Spirited Plaka buzzes with activity in its boutiques, bars, and galleries. Its charming sidewalk cafes offer an ideal perch for people-watching day or night while sampling local dishes, Greek wines, and the ubiquitous ouzo. Or opt for the romantic atmosphere of one of the many garden courtyards tucked behind some of Athens’ best restaurants.

• The Best Places in Athens for Sightseeing: Plaka, Syntagma, and Makriyanni
  Most neighborhoods in Athens have at least a few attractions, whether museums or ruins. These neighborhoods have the most. Makriyanni is at the southern base of the Acropolis and is home to the Acropolis Museum. Plaka, the oldest neighborhood in Athens, is just a short walk from the Acropolis with charming cobblestone streets and sights that include Hadrian’s Arch. Syntagma is home to the historic sights of post-revolution Greece, namely the Parliament building and the National Garden.

At the National Archaeological Museum.

• Best Places in Athens for Shopping: Monastiraki and Kolonaki
  Monastiraki is the better known and busier of the two, with its 1.5 kilometer-long shopping street Ermou, running all the way through the neighborhood, and with the Monastiraki Flea Market covering a few blocks along Ifestou Street. (On Sundays, the flea market brings vendors from miles around, with booths that radiate out from small Avisssinias Square.) Kolonaki is a more upmarket neighborhood with 2 main shopping streets, Voukourestiou and Stadiou, boasting luxury brand boutiques and the high-end department store Attica. Voukourestiou Street extends down into Akadimia, making it a minor shopping area, while stylish Kolokotroni Street is a more recent addition to the shopping scene. Farther south, the Athens Riviera offers plenty of high-end shopping options.

My family and I during a food tour of central Athens.

• Best Places in Athens for Families: Plaka, Monastiraki, and Syntagma
  These areas are all very safe, offer easy transportation, and are walkable to Athens’ best dining and attractions. The farther north you go (away from Plaka and closer to Omonia) the uglier and sketchier the city gets. Stay south of Sofokleous Street to avoid the worst areas, though even scruffy parts are pretty safe.
• Best Places in Athens for Restaurants and Nightlife: Psirri, City Center, and Koukaki
  There is no shortage of excellent restaurants all over Athens, but for more authentic and budget-friendly dining, head to Koukaki, two adjacent neighborhoods southeast of the Acropolis. Restaurants here tend to cater to local tastes, unlike those in the tourist strongholds of Plaka and Monastiraki – though the views aren’t nearly as impressive. For a fun night out within a short walk of most hotels and major sights, head to Psirri or the City Center. Psirri is the more atmospheric of the two, with sidewalk cafés lit by candy-colored string lights tangled in the trees above and a long history as a rebel musician hub. The City Center caters to more contemporary tastes, with a plethora of craft cocktail bars, themed bars, and speakeasies.

My wife and I at the Grande Bretagne, with the Parliament Buildings and Panathenaic Stadium visible in the background.

• Best Places in Athens for a Local Vibe: Thiseio, Koukaki, and Kolonaki
  All laid-back, residential areas within easy walking or transit from the major attractions of the city, though with few big tourist draws within their borders. Kolonaki is the most posh of the three, while Koukaki offers the easiest access to and views of the Acropolis, and Thiseio boasts more greenery and a youthful atmosphere.

• Best Places for Short Trips: Monastiraki and Syntagma
  These neighborhoods are ideal for short trips of a day or two. Both areas are well-connected by public transportation. Monastiraki Station offers a direct train to Piraeus ferry port and the international airport. Syntagma Station has direct train links to the airport and the major sights of the city.

Staying in Plaka

The pedestrian-friendly streets of Plaka.

Plaka is the oldest area of Athens. Having grown up around the Ancient Agora and continually inhabited ever since, Plaka is built directly over the residential streets of ancient Athens. It is loosely bordered by the base of the Acropolis, and the Monastiraki and Syntagma neighborhoods. Though Plaka is one of Athens’ most touristy areas, the neighborhood still bursts with charm with its cobblestone pedestrian streets, sidewalk cafés, and small shops. Sandwiched between Plaka and the Acropolis you’ll find Anafiotika, a quaint tangle of lanes featuring delightfully out-of-place Cycladic architecture – cubic, whitewashed buildings, and bougainvillea.

Most of Plaka is pedestrian-only (making it a great place to stay if visiting Athens without a car). Some of the best restaurants and bars in the city are located here, including Psarras Tavern (fresh seafood, outdoor seating on the staircase or rooftop terrace) and Brettos (a 100+-year-old distillery and bar), though in general, it’s better to leave Plaka for more authentic dining with better prices. Sights include the Roman Agora, Tower of the Winds, Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, Hadrian’s Arch, and the Jewish Museum of Greece. The closest metro station to Plaka is Monastiraki.

The Best Hotels in Plaka

• Ava Hotel
• Electra Palace Hotel
• A77 Suites

Staying in Monastiraki

The 18th-century, Ottoman-era Tzistarakis Mosque, now a museum, sits in Monastiraki next to the Metro station and steps from the Monastiraki Flea Market.

Monastiraki is less touristy than Plaka but has a similar vibe with a mix of ancient ruins, Byzantine churches, and neoclassical architecture. This buzzing neighborhood sits at the base of the Acropolis, bordered by Plaka to the east and Psirri to the north. It’s a great area for shopping, dining, and nightlife, centered around the sprawling Monastiraki Flea Market and the pedestrian-only street Ermou. “Flea Market” is a bit of a misnomer, as it is comprised mostly of brick-and-mortar shops and restaurants; Sundays are the only days of the week that the street vendors set up. Ermou Street is the main shopping street in Athens, with a mix of local boutiques and international brand stores. Major sights here include the Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Stoa of Attalos, and Hadrian’s Library. The Church of the Pantanassa, the “little monastery” that gave this district its name, sits in Monastiraki square, though Tzistarakis Mosque just steps away is perhaps the most recognizable landmark in the area.

While the area is busy all through the day, Monastiraki really comes alive at night, when its sidewalk cafés and rooftop bars open up, many offering stunning views of the illuminated Parthenon. There are good food options here, with a mix of casual tavernas and upscale restaurants serving traditional Greek and Mediterranean dishes. The area is served by the Monastiraki metro station (lines 1 and 3). Line 1 is a direct route to the Piraeus port and line 3 goes to both the port and Athens International Airport, making Monastiraki the best choice if you have an early ferry or flight to catch.

The Best Hotels in Monastiraki

• The Dolli (bordering Plaka)
• 360 Degrees
• Muse Urban Suites
• La Divina
• A for Athens (directly across from the Monastiraki metro station)

Staying in Syntagma

The Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Syntagma Square.

Syntagma is the name for the neighborhood surrounding Athens’ political and commercial hub, Syntagma Square (Constitution Square). The neighborhood is bordered by Plaka to the west, and the National Garden and Kolonaki neighborhood to the east. The most important square in Greece, Syntagma was built shortly after Athens became the capital of the newly independent nation in the 1830s and was named for the constitution that King Otto was forced to draw up a decade later.

Syntagma Square is anchored by the Old Royal Palace, which now houses the Greek Parliament. Directly in front of the building lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the hourly changing of the guard is performed by the Evzones, an elite unit of the Hellenic Army serving as the Presidential Guard. Right next to the tomb, the shaded paths of the National Garden offer an easy escape from the city, complete with a botanical garden, ancient ruins, and a children’s library. The National Historical Museum is just a short walk away, while Athens’ two premier luxury hotels, the Hotel Grande Bretagne and King George, sit directly on the square.

Syntagma is a major transportation hub with a huge, renovated metro station served by train lines 2 and 3. Line 3 goes directly to both the Piraeus port and Athens International Airport. The X80 bus to Piraeus Ferry Port and the X95 bus to the Athens International Airport also stop here, as does the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus, making this an ideal spot for visitors on short trips or those catching early flights or ferries.

The Best Hotels in Syntagma

• Grande Bretagne
• King George
• Athens Capital Center
• New Hotel
• Ergon House
• Sweet Home Hotel
• Electra Metropolis

Staying in Kolonaki

View over the Kolonaki neighborhood facing the Acropolis, as seen from St. George Lycabettus Hotel.

Kolonaki is an upscale neighborhood climbing the southern slope of Mt. Lycabettus, the tallest of Athens’ seven hills. Known for its sophisticated atmosphere, Kolonaki is packed with luxury shopping, world-class museums, galleries, and chic outdoor cafés. Many streets are pedestrian-only, lined with designer boutiques, particularly along Voukourestiou Street and around the central square, Plateia Kolonakiou. Marking the neighborhood’s southern border is Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, a boulevard of neoclassical mansions housing premier cultural institutions like the Benaki Museum, the Museum of Cycladic Art, the Byzantine and Christian Museum, and the Athens War Museum.

Kolonaki sits adjacent to Syntagma and is a 15-minute walk from Plaka, but the topography is steep. Because it scales a hillside, heading north means tackling a significant number of steps and steep inclines. The neighborhood is bordered by Syntagma station (Lines 2 and 3) at the bottom of the hill and Evangelismos station (Line 3) to the southeast. Line 3 is the essential route for travelers, connecting directly to both Athens International Airport and the Piraeus ferry port. However, walking from either station to upper Kolonaki with luggage is an arduous uphill trek; taking a taxi directly to your hotel doorstep is highly recommended.

The Best Hotels in Kolonaki

• St. George Lycabettus Hotel
• Coco-Mat Hotel
• Periscope Hotel

Staying in Psirri

Cafés and a mural at Plateia Iroon (Heroes Square) in the heart of Psirri.

One of Athens’ oldest neighborhoods, Psirri sits northwest of Monastiraki. It has a gritty history – once a 19th-century hideout for revolutionaries and outlaws, and later the cradle of rebetiko music and mangas counterculture. Today, Psirri has undergone a complete revival, celebrated for its vibrant nightlife and authentic dining, yet it retains a working-class soul with artisan workshops radiating from its central hub, Plateia Iroon (Heroes Square). Formerly abandoned neoclassical buildings now house boutique hotels, galleries, tavernas, and bars, many featuring live music. The neighborhood’s creative energy is visible in everything from its striking street art and independent vinyl shops to its vintage boutiques and spice markets.

Popular with locals for evening drinks and dining, Psirri is increasingly a tourist destination. It sits just a 5-minute walk from the Monastiraki metro station, 10 minutes from the Ancient Agora, and 20 minutes from the Acropolis. The neighborhood is served by Monastiraki station, where Metro Lines 1 and 3 provide direct access to both the Piraeus ferry port and Athens International Airport.

The Best Hotels in Psirri

• iFeel Athens
• Ivis 4
• Mona
• The Foundry Suites

Staying in the City Center

The Holy Church of Saint Irene with the Acropolis on the hill above in the City Center of Athens. Seen from Perianth Hotel.

Athens’ City Center is a buzzing hub of creative restaurants, authentic street food, and trendy cocktail bars like Baba Au Rum, Noel, and the globally acclaimed The Clumsies. The neighborhood is home to key landmarks including the historic Athens Central Market – a meat, fish, and produce hub open since 1886 – and the Old Parliament, which now houses the National Historical Museum. Accommodations here consist primarily of boutique hotels that run the gamut from contemporary luxury to cool, moderately priced stays.

Bordered by Monastiraki and Syntagma to the south, Psirri to the west, and Akadimia to the east, the City Center serves as an ideal base within easy walking distance of the city’s main attractions. Nearby Syntagma, Monastiraki, and Omonia stations offer direct metro links to Athens International Airport and Piraeus ferry port.

The Best Hotels in the City Center

• xenodocheio Milos
• Gem Society
• Gatsby
• Perianth Hotel
• Belle Epoque Suites

Staying in Koukaki

View over the Koukaki neighborhood from the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

Koukaki sits at the southern base of the Acropolis and Filopappou Hill, a scenic park featuring stunning Acropolis views and the ancient rock-cut chambers known as Socrates’ Prison. Once a low-key residential enclave, Koukaki has emerged as one of Athens’ trendiest neighborhoods, packed with lively tavernas and sidewalk cafés that blend a local neighborhood feel with a bustling international crowd. Its cultural anchors include the National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST), housed in the strikingly renovated, historic Fix Brewery, while a vibrant farmers market sets up at the southwestern end of the neighborhood every Friday morning.

Logistically, Koukaki is a prime base for sightseeing, a short walk from Plaka and the Acropolis entrance, and 20 minutes from Syntagma Square. The neighborhood is well-connected to the rest of the city by the Akropoli and Sygrou-Fix stations on Metro Line 2.

The Best Hotels in Koukaki

• Acropolis View Hotel
• Athenaeum Intercontinental
• Cohort Koukaki
• Divani Palace Acropolis

Staying in Thiseio

A typical street in the traditional Thiseio neighborhood.

Thiseio is a hilly, leafy neighborhood northwest of the Acropolis, known for its neoclassical architecture and café-lined pedestrian lanes. A favorite spot among young Athenians, the area features a beloved open-air cinema, bustling cafés along Apostolou Pavlou Street, and independent shops and bars along Irakleidon Street. Historically the city’s working-class metalworking heart, Thiseio sits adjacent to the Ancient Agora and the remarkably preserved Temple of Hephaestus. The neighborhood also borders Filopappou Hill, a lush park home to the National Observatory, the Filopappou Monument, and Pnyx Hill, the 5th-century B.C. birthplace of Athenian democracy. For spectacular sunset views over the city, the sea, and the Acropolis, visitors can easily climb nearby Areopagus Hill (Mars Hill).

Geographically, Thiseio sits west of Monastiraki and north of Filopappou Hill, under a one-kilometer walk from the Acropolis entrance. The neighborhood is served by the Thiseio metro station on Line 1, which provides a direct, easy route south to the Piraeus ferry port and connects to Monastiraki for airport transfers.

The Best Hotels in Thiseio

• Acropolis Vision
• Moon & Stars Boutique Hotel
• Hotel Thissio

Staying in Akadimia

The Academy of Athens, namesake of the Akadimia neighborhood.

Akadimia is a walkable, centrally-located neighborhood outside of the main tourist hubs yet just a few steps to Athens’ best-loved sights. Some of the city’s best examples of neoclassical architecture are found here, including Academy of Athens (above), University of Athens, and the Vallianeio Megaron (part of the National Library), a trio all on the same street. The high-end shopping street Voukourestiou cuts through the neighborhood into Kolonaki, featuring Greek designer shops like Lalounis mixed in with international luxury brands, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Dior. Soho-Soho and Attica, both Greek-owned shops featuring EU and US brands, also have a presence here. The Numismatic Museum and the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology sit on the south end of the neighborhood.

Akadimia is bordered by Syntagma and the National Garden to the south, Kolonaki to the east, the City Center to the West, and Omonia and Exarchaea to the north. The main Metro station here is Panepistimio on Line 2, which goes close to the Acropolis. For Line 3 to the airport or ferry port, switch at Syntagma station one stop away.

The Best Hotels in Akadimia

• Shila
• Monsieur Didot
• Academias

Staying in Makriyanni

Cafés line the tree-shaded pedestrian street, Dionysiou Areopagitou, in Makriyanni.

An upscale nook on the south side of the Acropolis, Makriyanni’s major attraction is the Acropolis Museum, a collection of all artifacts found on the Acropolis hill and its surrounding slopes, built above the excavations of an ancient Athenian neighborhood. The main drag is the pedestrianized Dionysiou Areopagitou (pictured above), with greenery on its north side and with sidewalk cafés, neoclassical buildings, and artisan workshops on its south side. Ilias Lalounis Jewelry Museum is on Kallisperi Street, with an expansive collection of the renowned jeweler’s work, along with jewelry, decor, clothing from the 18th century live workshops and a Jewelry Artist in Residence Program. Rooftop restaurants abound, pairing local flavors with views of the Acropolis illuminated at night.

A short walk east from Makriyanni leads to the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch, while Filopappou Hill rises to the west. The Koukaki neighborhood borders Makriyanni to the south. The Acropolis Metro station is on Line 2. From here, it is one stop to Syntagma (transfer to Line 3 for the airport and Piraeus ferry port).

The Best Hotels in Makriyanni

• AthensWas
• Athens Gate

Staying in the Athens Riviera

Popular Vouliagmeni Beach has sunbeds and umbrellas for rent and a lifeguard on duty.

The Athens Riviera is a stunning 70-kilometer stretch of sandy beaches, glamorous marinas, and upscale suburbs running from the port of Piraeus south to Cape Sounio. Located just 16 kilometers from downtown Athens, the Riviera is the ideal choice for a beach holiday that still allows for day trips to the Acropolis. The coast boasts major attractions of its own, including the therapeutic thermal waters of Lake Vouliagmeni and the ancient, cliffside Temple of Poseidon. It is best known, however, for its exceptional beaches, many of which carry Blue Flag status. The premier swimming spots are typically private beach clubs with entry fees, gated entrances, sunbeds, and upscale dining, though a handful of free, unserviced public beaches remain.

Accommodations along the Riviera reflect the geography, with premium luxury resorts commanding top dollar on the central coast around Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, while more affordable boutique hotels sit further north near Piraeus or down south near Anavyssos. While exploring the southern tip near Sounio is easiest with a rental car, staying in central hubs like Glyfada is easily manageable without one. The northern and central towns are well-connected to central Athens via a combination of buses and the metro system.

The Best Hotels on the Athens Riviera

• Four Seasons Astir Palace
• The Margi
• Vincci EverEden
• Grand Resort Lagonissi
• One&Only Aesthesis

Staying in Piraeus (Ferry Port)

A view over Mikrolimano Marina, lined with cafes and restaurants, and the basketball stadium – as seen from upscale hotel The Alex.

Piraeus is the bustling main port of Athens, serving as the departure and arrival point for the vast majority of Greek island ferries. While it is predominantly a transit hub rather than a major tourist destination, it features a few noteworthy sights, including two athletic stadiums, a small archaeological museum, a maritime museum, and a scenic waterfront walkway. The affluent hilltop neighborhood of Kastella offers a charming contrast to the industrial port, with panoramic views and easy access to the picturesque, restaurant-lined natural harbor of Mikrolimano.

Staying in Piraeus is a sensible choice if you have an early morning ferry, but because the port sits just a 15-to-20-minute metro ride from downtown Athens on Line 1 or Line 3, I generally recommend that most travelers base themselves in the city center. If you do choose to stay near the docks, The Port Square is an excellent option located right at the port, directly across from the metro station and steps from the most popular ferries to the Cyclades. For a more upscale experience, The Alex in Kastella stands out as the best hotel in Piraeus.

The Best Hotels in Piraeus

• The Alex
• The Port Square
• Triton Hotel Piraeus
• Maryflower Premium Apartments

Summary: My Favorite Hotels in Athens

• 5-star: Grande Bretagne
• 4-star: Electra Palace
• 3-star: A for Athens
• Budget: Phaedra
• For Families: Ava
• For Couples: Gatsby • AthensWas
• Acropolis View: Electra Palace
• Airport: Sofitel
• Ferry Port: Port Square
• Beach Resort: Four Seasons

1. A for Athens • 2. Gatsby • 3. Grande Bretagne • 4. Electra Palace • 5. Phaedra • 6. Ava • 7. AthensWas • 8. Sofitel • 9. Port Square • 10. Four Seasons

Read More

• Athens Travel Guide
• Best Hotels in Athens
• Best Hotels on the Athens Riviera