Best Hotels in Kolonaki, Athens

Greece › Athens › Kolonaki Hotels
Updated: September 2, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com

My Favorite Kolonaki Hotels

• Best Luxury: St. George Lycabettus Hotel • Academias Hotel
• Best Boutique: Periscope Hotel • Coco-Mat Hotel
• Best Views: St. George Lycabettus Hotel
• Best Value: Oniro City

Panoramic rooftop view from Coco-Mat Hotel in Kolonaki.

Staying in Kolonaki

• Kolonaki is one of the best areas in Athens for restaurants, cafes, museums, and shopping. It is central and upscale but feels less touristy than Plaka and Monastiraki.
• It is not my first choice for a short first visit to Athens. Syntagma, the National Garden, Lycabettus Hill, and several excellent museums are close, but Plaka and Koukaki are more convenient for the Acropolis and Ancient Agora.
• Kolonaki is hilly. Lower Kolonaki near Syntagma and Vasilissis Sofias is easier for walking and transport. Hotels closer to Lycabettus are quieter and often have better views, but the uphill walks are noticeable.
• Hotels tend to be expensive. You are paying for the neighborhood, restaurants, shopping, and quieter setting rather than large rooms or resort-style facilities.
• I especially like Kolonaki for couples, repeat visitors, and anyone planning to spend time in Athens’ museums. It is also a good choice if restaurants and neighborhood atmosphere matter more than being beside the Acropolis.

Kolonaki vs Plaka, Syntagma, Monastiraki, and Koukaki

• Kolonaki vs Plaka: Plaka is prettier and much better for first-time sightseeing. Kolonaki has better shopping, more museums, and fewer tourist crowds. For a first trip focused on ancient Athens, I would choose Plaka.
• Kolonaki vs Syntagma: Syntagma is better for airport transport, short stays, and getting around Athens. Kolonaki is the better neighborhood for restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and evenings out.
• Kolonaki vs Monastiraki: Monastiraki is busier, more central for sightseeing, and much livelier at night. Kolonaki is quieter and better for travelers who prefer restaurants and wine bars to nightlife.
• Kolonaki vs Koukaki: Koukaki is better for the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, and Filopappou Hill. Kolonaki is better for shopping, the Benaki and Cycladic museums, and a more upscale neighborhood.

Best Things to Do in Kolonaki

• Walk up Lycabettus Hill. The views are excellent, especially around sunset. The climb is steep, so the funicular is useful in hot weather or if you do not want the uphill walk.
• Visit the Benaki Museum. One of my favorite Athens museums, with Greek art and history ranging from antiquity through modern Greece.
• See the Museum of Cycladic Art. Small enough to visit in an hour or two and especially worthwhile if you are also traveling to the Cyclades.
• Visit the Byzantine and Christian Museum. A large collection of Byzantine and post-Byzantine art on Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, close to the Museum of Cycladic Art.
• Have coffee around Kolonaki Square. This is one of the best places in central Athens for people-watching, though cafes directly on the square tend to be more expensive.
• Explore the shopping streets. Kolonaki has Greek designers, international brands, jewelry, galleries, and homeware shops, especially around Patriarchou Ioakeim, Tsakalof, and nearby side streets.

Getting Around Kolonaki

• Walking: Lower Kolonaki is easy to explore on foot, but streets become noticeably steeper toward Lycabettus Hill.
• Metro: Evangelismos on Line 3 is the closest station for much of eastern Kolonaki. Syntagma, on Lines 2 and 3, is convenient for lower Kolonaki.
• Airport: Metro Line 3 runs directly from Athens Airport to both Evangelismos and Syntagma. A taxi is easier with heavy luggage or for hotels high on the Lycabettus side.
• Piraeus ferry port: Line 3 runs directly from both Evangelismos and Syntagma to Piraeus. For an early ferry or lots of luggage, I would take a taxi or pre-booked transfer.
• Taxis: Taxis are useful for avoiding the steepest streets, though central Athens traffic can be slow during busy periods.

Best Hotels in Kolonaki

Lower Kolonaki is easier for Syntagma, the metro, and most sightseeing. Hotels closer to Lycabettus are quieter and better for views, but expect steeper walks.

The rooftop pool at St. George Lycabettus Hotel in Kolonaki.

• St. George Lycabettus Hotel: The classic luxury hotel in upper Kolonaki, with a rooftop pool and some of the best hotel views in the neighborhood. The location is excellent for Lycabettus and Kolonaki restaurants but noticeably uphill from Syntagma. Walking back to the hotel in July or August can be tiring.
• Academias Hotel: My favorite full-service luxury option near the lower edge of Kolonaki. It has a spa, indoor pool, gym, rooftop restaurant, and an easier location for walking toward Syntagma and central Athens than the hotels farther up the hill. Better facilities than the small boutique hotels.
• Coco-Mat Hotel: Stylish boutique hotel on Patriarchou Ioakeim, right in the heart of Kolonaki. Rooms use Coco-Mat’s excellent beds and natural materials, and the rooftop has wide Athens views. A very good choice if restaurants and shopping are priorities.
• Periscope Hotel: Small 22-room boutique hotel high in Kolonaki with minimalist rooms, contemporary art, and a quiet location. Facilities are limited compared with St. George and Academias, but the location is excellent for restaurants and cafes.
• The Modernist Athens: Contemporary boutique hotel near Evangelismos, just east of central Kolonaki. The metro is only a few minutes away, and the Benaki, Cycladic, and Byzantine museums are all close. A good choice if you want Kolonaki without staying on its busiest streets.
• Oniro City: Good-value boutique hotel on Omirou Street near the western edge of Kolonaki. Rooms are modern, breakfast is included with many rates, and both Syntagma and Panepistimio are within walking distance. It lacks the views and facilities of the luxury hotels but is usually one of the better values in the area.

Trendy Periscope Hotel on the quiet streets of Kolonaki.

Kolonaki FAQ

Is Kolonaki good for first-time visitors?

Yes, especially if museums, restaurants, and shopping are important. If the Acropolis and ancient sites are your main priorities, I prefer Plaka or Koukaki.

Is Kolonaki safe?

Yes. Kolonaki is one of the more comfortable areas of central Athens to walk around day and night. Normal precautions still apply on crowded streets and the metro.

Is Kolonaki walkable?

Yes, but the neighborhood slopes uphill toward Lycabettus. Stay closer to Syntagma or Evangelismos if steep streets are a concern.

Can you walk from Kolonaki to the Acropolis?

Yes. Figure roughly 25 to 40 minutes depending on your hotel. Plaka, Koukaki, and Makriyanni are much more convenient if you want to visit the Acropolis early in the morning.

Is Kolonaki good for families?

Yes, particularly with older children. With toddlers or strollers, I prefer Plaka or Koukaki because Kolonaki’s hills and sidewalks can be awkward.

Is Kolonaki good for couples?

Yes. It is one of my favorite central neighborhoods for couples who care about restaurants, wine bars, museums, shopping, and good boutique hotels.

Is Kolonaki good for nightlife?

It is good for cocktails, wine bars, and late dinners, but not for clubs or heavy nightlife. Psiri, Monastiraki, and Gazi are better for that.

Does Kolonaki have good restaurants?

Yes. Restaurants are one of the main reasons to stay here, though prices tend to be higher than in many other Athens neighborhoods.

Is Kolonaki close to the metro?

Yes. Evangelismos is best for eastern Kolonaki, while Syntagma is convenient for the lower and western side of the neighborhood.

How do I get from Athens Airport to Kolonaki?

Metro Line 3 runs directly from the airport to Evangelismos and Syntagma. Take a taxi if you have heavy luggage or are staying high on the Lycabettus side.

Is Kolonaki convenient for Piraeus ferry port?

Yes. Line 3 runs directly from Evangelismos and Syntagma to Piraeus. I would still take a taxi for an early ferry or with lots of luggage.

Which Kolonaki hotel is best for luxury?

Academias Hotel is my choice for modern luxury and facilities. St. George Lycabettus Hotel is better for rooftop views.

Which Kolonaki hotel has the best views?

St. George Lycabettus Hotel. Its rooftop pool and upper-Kolonaki location have excellent views across Athens.

Which Kolonaki hotel is best for a boutique stay?

Periscope Hotel is my favorite for minimalist design, while Coco-Mat Hotel is better for its rooftop, beds, and central Kolonaki location.

Which Kolonaki hotel is best for museums?

The Modernist Athens is especially convenient for the Benaki Museum, Museum of Cycladic Art, and Byzantine and Christian Museum. Academias Hotel and Coco-Mat Hotel are also well located.

Is Kolonaki expensive?

Yes. Hotels, restaurants, cafes, and shops are relatively expensive by Athens standards. Rates are considerably better outside the busiest spring and fall months.

How many nights should I stay in Kolonaki?

Two or three nights is enough for most visits. Stay longer if you want more time for museums, restaurants, shopping, and neighborhoods beyond the major ancient sites.

When should I book a Kolonaki hotel?

For April through October, I would book the best hotels three to six months ahead, especially for May, June, September, and early October.