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Best Hotels in Plaka, Athens

Greece › Athens › Plaka Hotels
Updated: September 30, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com

My Favorite Plaka Hotels

Staying in Plaka

  • Plaka is my favorite area for a first visit to Athens. It sits below the Acropolis and is an easy walk from the Acropolis Museum, Roman Agora, Ancient Agora, Syntagma, Monastiraki, and the National Garden. For a two or three-night stay, the location is hard to beat.
  • The exact street matters. The quieter lanes are beautiful, while the busiest parts of Adrianou and some restaurant streets are crowded and touristy. If you are sensitive to noise, ask for a room away from the street.
  • Plaka is expensive by Athens standards. Rooms are often small and you pay a premium for the location. Koukaki is usually better value, Monastiraki is better for nightlife and metro access, and Syntagma is easier for taxis and airport transport.
  • Be selective with restaurants. Plaka has some very good tavernas and bars, but also plenty of mediocre restaurants relying on location and foot traffic. Avoid pushy hosts and huge menus with photos of every Greek dish imaginable.
  • Book early for the best rooms. Family suites, Acropolis-view rooms, small boutique hotels, and the few hotels with pools fill first. For April through October, I would book 3 to 6 months ahead, and earlier if a specific room or view matters.
Me and my wife in Plaka, Athens.

My wife and I in Plaka.

Map of Plaka in Athens, Greece.

Best Hotels in Plaka

Luxury Hotels

  • Electra Palace Hotel: My top full-service hotel inside Plaka. It has a rooftop restaurant and seasonal outdoor pool overlooking the Acropolis, plus an indoor pool. Less intimate than the small boutique hotels, but a good choice for families or anyone who wants more facilities.
  • The Dolli (on the Monastiraki/Plaka border): The most glamorous hotel in the area, with a spectacular rooftop infinity pool facing the Acropolis. Book it for the view, design, service, and central location. Skip it if you want quiet old-Plaka streets or better value.
  • AthensWas (on the Makriyanni/Plaka border): Excellent location on Dionysiou Areopagitou, the pedestrian promenade below the Acropolis. Especially good for couples, with the Acropolis Museum and Acropolis entrance a few minutes away and SENSE rooftop restaurant upstairs.

Boutique Hotels & Apartments

  • A77 Suites: Stylish suites directly on Adrianou Street. Excellent for sightseeing and walking everywhere, though not my first choice for light sleepers. Best for couples who put location ahead of hotel facilities.
  • The Zillers: Beautiful neoclassical hotel near the Metropolitan Cathedral, with a rooftop restaurant and excellent Acropolis views. Rooms are stylish but not large. One of my favorite small hotels for couples.
  • Ava Hotel: One of my favorite Athens hotels for families. Large elegant suites, kitchenettes, a quiet location, and easy access to the Acropolis Museum and Hadrian’s Arch. Not flashy, but comfortable, practical, and very well run.
  • IPEL Luxury Apartments: Good for families and longer stays, with more space and kitchens. Best if you want an apartment rather than the services of a full hotel.
  • Sweet Home Hotel: Small and personal, with friendly service and a convenient location. Rooms are not large, but it is good value for Plaka and one of my favorite affordable choices for couples.

Mid-Range & Good Value Hotels

  • Plaka Hotel: Reliable mid-range hotel with a fantastic rooftop and panoramic Acropolis views. Rooms are simple, but the location and rooftop make it good value for Plaka.
  • Adrian Hotel: Good 3-star hotel near the Roman Agora, with Acropolis views from some rooms. A practical choice if location matters more than hotel facilities.
  • Phaedra Hotel: Simple, clean, friendly, and very well located. This is the kind of place I like for travelers who would rather spend money on food, tours, and ferries than a fancy room.
  • Hotel Byron: Family-run hotel with an old-Athens feel and Acropolis views from some rooms. Basic rather than polished, but good for a central stay on a tighter budget.
Hotel in Plaka.

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

Plaka vs Syntagma, Monastiraki, Kolonaki, and Koukaki

  • Plaka vs Syntagma: Plaka is prettier and better for wandering and sightseeing. Syntagma has more large luxury hotels and is easier for taxis, airport transport, and shopping. I prefer Plaka for most first visits.
  • Plaka vs Monastiraki: Plaka is quieter and prettier. Monastiraki is livelier, has better metro access, and is better for rooftop bars and late nights. I prefer Plaka for couples and families; Monastiraki is particularly convenient for short stays before or after the islands.
  • Plaka vs Kolonaki: Plaka is much better for walking to the ancient sights. Kolonaki is an upscale residential neighborhood with good shops, cafes, galleries, and easy access to Lycabettus Hill.
  • Plaka vs Koukaki: Plaka is more central and has more old-Athens atmosphere. Koukaki is quieter, more residential, and often better value while still being close to the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum.

Things to Do Near Plaka

  • Acropolis: Depending on your hotel, the entrance is about a 5 to 15-minute walk. In summer, go early in the morning or later in the day and book your entry time in advance.
  • Acropolis Museum: Just south of Plaka and one of the best museums in Greece. The museum requires a separate ticket from the Acropolis archaeological site.
  • Plaka and Anafiotika: Walk Adrianou Street, then get off the main shopping lanes and explore the smaller streets below the Acropolis. Early morning is my favorite time. Anafiotika is tiny and residential, so keep your voice down and do not block doorways or steps while taking photos.
  • Roman Agora and Ancient Agora: The Roman Agora borders Plaka and the Ancient Agora is a short walk away. Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus are also nearby.
  • Syntagma and the National Garden: Parliament, the changing of the guard, Syntagma Square, and the National Garden are all easy to reach on foot.

Getting Around Plaka

  • Walking: Plaka is one of the best areas in Athens for getting around on foot. The downside is luggage: some streets are uneven, hilly, pedestrian-only, or awkward with rolling bags.
  • Metro: There is no metro station in the middle of Plaka, but Akropoli, Syntagma, and Monastiraki stations are nearby. Most hotels are within about a 5 to 10-minute walk of at least one.
  • Airport: Metro Line 3 connects Athens Airport with Syntagma and Monastiraki. With kids, heavy luggage, or a late arrival, I would take a taxi or pre-booked transfer instead.
  • Piraeus ferry port: Metro Line 3 connects both Syntagma and Monastiraki directly with Piraeus. For an early ferry, large bags, or a group, I prefer a taxi or transfer. Allow extra time to reach your gate; Piraeus is a very large port.
  • Taxis: Many Plaka streets are pedestrian-only, so a taxi cannot always stop outside your hotel. If you have heavy luggage, ask the hotel for the closest drop-off point before arrival.

Plaka Hotels FAQ

Santorini Dave in Plaka.

My wife and I in Plaka on a spectacular sunny morning.

Is Plaka a good place to stay in Athens?

Yes. Plaka is my favorite area for most first-time visitors. It is easy to explore on foot and close to the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Syntagma, and Monastiraki. The main drawbacks are higher hotel prices and touristy streets in the busiest parts of the neighborhood.

Who should not stay in Plaka?

Look elsewhere if you want the best hotel value, serious nightlife, large modern rooms, or easy taxi access directly outside your hotel. Koukaki is quieter and usually better value; Monastiraki and Psiri are better for nightlife; Syntagma is easier for taxis and airport transport.

Is Plaka safe?

Yes. Plaka is a safe and comfortable area for visitors, including at night. Pickpocketing is the main concern in busy parts of central Athens and on public transport.

Is Plaka good for families?

Yes. The central location means less time getting children across Athens, and many major sights are within walking distance. Ava Hotel and IPEL Luxury Apartments are particularly good when you need more space. Strollers can be awkward on cobbled streets and steps.

Is Plaka too touristy?

Parts of it are. Adrianou Street and the busiest shopping and restaurant lanes can be very touristy, especially in the afternoon. A few streets away, Plaka can be surprisingly quiet. I would not avoid the neighborhood because of the crowds; just choose the hotel street carefully.

Which Plaka hotels have the best Acropolis views?

Electra Palace, The Dolli, The Zillers, AthensWas, and Plaka Hotel all have excellent Acropolis views. Check the exact room category if you want the view from your room; some of the best views are from hotel rooftops.

Which Plaka hotels have a pool?

The Dolli and Electra Palace are the two standouts. The Dolli has a rooftop infinity pool; Electra Palace has a seasonal rooftop pool and an indoor pool.

How do I get from Athens Airport to Plaka?

Taxi or private transfer is easiest, especially with luggage or children. Metro Line 3 connects the airport directly with Syntagma and Monastiraki, followed by a short walk to most Plaka hotels.

How many nights should I stay in Plaka?

Two or three nights works well for most first visits to Athens. Add a fourth if you want more museums, a day trip, or a slower pace.

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.