Updated: September 15, 2025
Greece › Athens › Plaka Hotels
By Santorini Dave
Staying in Plaka
• Perfect for First-Timers: Plaka is the best neighborhood to soak up Athens if it’s your first visit – it’s the historic heart!
• Location, Location, Location: You’re literally right under the Acropolis, with ancient sites like the Agoras just steps away. Can’t beat it.
• Incredibly Charming Atmosphere: Think picturesque, winding cobblestone streets, beautiful neoclassical buildings draped in bougainvillea, and tiny hidden squares.
• Walk Everywhere Easily: Most of Plaka is pedestrian-only, making it a dream to explore on foot.
• Tons of Tavernas & Cafes: You’ll be spoiled for choice with endless places to eat and drink, from traditional tavernas to lovely cafes – most with outdoor seating.
• Shopping Paradise: Everything from souvenir shops and local crafts to jewelry stores nestled along the charming lanes.
• Very Safe: It’s one of the safest areas in Athens, even late in the evening.
• Stay: Lots of great choices. Many of my favorite hotels in Athens are in Plaka.
My wife and I in the Plaka.
The Plaka is my favorite area to stay in Athens.
Why Stay in Plaka: The Historic Heart of Athens
Plaka is the beautiful, charming, and historic old town of Athens, nestled at the foot of the Acropolis hill. Its narrow, cobblestone streets form a lively maze of neoclassical mansions, Byzantine churches, and ancient ruins, making it feel like an open-air museum. The neighborhood is almost entirely pedestrianized, packed with traditional tavernas, family-run shops, and bustling cafes with outdoor seating. While it is the most tourist-focused neighborhood in the city, its incredible atmosphere and unbeatable location make it the best area to stay for first-time visitors to Athens, hands down. If you want to walk out of your hotel and be surrounded by history, Plaka is the place to be.
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 Parthenon views.
• AthensWas (on the border of 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 is perfectly surrounded by three of the most useful Metro stations for a tourist: Syntagma, Monastiraki, and Akropoli. These three stations form a triangle around the neighborhood, meaning 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.
The Ava Hotel in the Plaka, with Hadrian’s Arch in the background.
My Favorite Athens Hotels
• 5-star: Grande Bretagne
• 4-star: Electra Palace
• 3-star: Phaedra • A for Athens
• For Families: Ava
• For Couples: Gatsby • AthensWas
• Best Pool: Four Seasons
• Acropolis View: Electra Palace
• Airport: Sofitel
• Ferry Port: Port Square
• Beach Resort: Four Seasons
About Santorini Dave