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Best Hotels in Plaka, Athens

Updated: January 8, 2025
Greece › Athens › Plaka Hotels
By Santorini Dave • dave@santorinidave.com

Staying in Plaka

  • Best for First-Timers: Plaka is the best neighborhood to stay in Athens. It is the city’s historic heart and offers the classic Greek experience.
  • Location: Unbeatable. You are directly under the Acropolis and steps from the Ancient Agora and Roman Agora.
  • The Vibe: A village within the city. Think winding cobblestone streets, neoclassical mansions draped in bougainvillea, and hidden squares.
  • Walkability: Excellent. Most of Plaka is pedestrian-only, making it a joy to explore without traffic.
  • Dining: Endless options, from traditional tavernas to sidewalk cafes. The outdoor dining scene here is the best in Athens.
  • Shopping: Packed with everything from souvenir shops and local artisan crafts to jewelry stores.
  • Safety: It is one of the safest areas in Athens, day and night.
  • Hotels: Many of my favorite hotels in Athens are located here.
Me and my wife in Plaka, Athens.

My wife and I in Plaka.

Map of Plaka in Athens, Greece.

Why Stay in Plaka: The Historic Heart of Athens

Plaka is the oldest and most enchanting neighborhood in Athens. Nestled directly at the foot of the Acropolis, its pedestrian-only streets feel more like a village than a bustling capital city. The area is a maze of neoclassical mansions, Byzantine churches, and ancient ruins – literally an open-air museum where you can turn a corner and bump into a 2,000-year-old monument.

While it is undeniably the most tourist-focused part of Athens, the atmosphere is unbeatable. The narrow, cobblestone lanes are lined with family-run shops, sidewalk cafes, and tavernas that stay lively late into the night. For first-time visitors, Plaka is the best place to stay. It is incredibly safe, walkable, and places you within steps of the Parthenon, the Ancient Agora, and the city’s best dining.

Best Things to Do in Plaka

  • Walk to the Acropolis: Plaka sits directly on the slopes of the Acropolis. From almost anywhere in the neighborhood, a scenic 5 to 15-minute walk up the hill will take you to the entrance of the Parthenon and Athens’ most important ancient site.
  • Explore the Pedestrian Streets: The main joy of Plaka is simply getting lost in its beautiful lanes. Adrianou Street is the main thoroughfare, lined with shops and restaurants, many with views of the Ancient Agora.
  • Discover Anafiotika: A hidden gem. Tucked right under the Acropolis walls is this tiny, magical village that feels like a Cycladic island, with narrow, winding paths and tiny white-washed houses.
  • Visit Athens’ Great Ancient Sites: The main ancient ruins are on your doorstep. The Roman Agora is right in Plaka, and the expansive Ancient Agora is a short walk from Adrianou Street. Just on the edge of the neighborhood, you can walk through the monumental Hadrian’s Gate and right next to it explore the colossal remains of the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
  • See the Acropolis Museum: Just south of Plaka in the neighboring area of Makriyanni is the magnificent, world-class Acropolis Museum. It is a must-see, and an easy walk from anywhere in Plaka.

Best Hotels in Plaka

Plaka has a fantastic range of hotels, from 5-star properties with rooftop pools to charming, family-run guesthouses.

Luxury Hotels

  • Electra Palace Hotel: A classic 5-star hotel with a rooftop pool and restaurant offering direct, jaw-dropping views of the Acropolis.
  • The Dolli (on the border of Monastiraki/Plaka): A spectacular new luxury hotel in a restored 1920s building, featuring a stunning rooftop pool with unobstructed Parthenon views.
  • AthensWas (on the border of Makriyanni/Plaka): A chic, high-design hotel located on the grand pedestrian promenade that circles the Acropolis, with a great rooftop restaurant.

Boutique Hotels

  • Ava Hotel: One of my favorite hotels for families in Athens. It offers large, elegant suites with kitchenettes in a quiet and beautiful part of Plaka.
  • A77 Suites: A collection of stylish and luxurious suites located right on Adrianou Street, in the absolute heart of the action.
  • Sweet Home Hotel: A lovely and intimate boutique hotel in a restored historic building, known for its charming decor and warm, personal service.

Mid-Range & Good Value Hotels

  • Plaka Hotel: A fantastic mid-range hotel whose main selling point is its incredible rooftop bar with panoramic Acropolis views. A superb value.
  • Adrian Hotel: A wonderful 3-star hotel with a prime location right between the Roman Agora and Monastiraki Square. Some rooms have Acropolis views.
  • Phaedra Hotel: A simple, clean, and charming budget hotel in a great location. An excellent value choice.
  • Hotel Byron: Another great-value option, this family-run hotel has some rooms with Acropolis views.

Getting Around

  • Walking: Plaka is a walker’s paradise. You can reach the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, Monastiraki, Syntagma Square, and the National Garden easily on foot.
  • Metro: While the heart of Plaka is pedestrian-only, it’s perfectly surrounded by three of the most useful Metro stations for tourists: Syntagma, Monastiraki, and Akropoli. These three stations form a triangle around the neighborhood, so you are never more than a 5-10-minute walk from a station. The Metro provides direct, easy links to the airport, the port of Piraeus, and the rest of the city.
Hotel in Plaka.

The Ava Hotel in the Plaka, with Hadrian’s Arch in the background.

My Favorite Athens Hotels

About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave in Athens, Greece Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece.

Questions? Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.