💡 The Short Version: For a first visit, stay in Plaka or in Makrygianni and Koukaki beside the Acropolis Museum. The hotels below in those areas are 0.37 to 0.98 km from the Acropolis in a straight line. Syntagma has the Changing of the Guard and metro lines 2 and 3, Monastiraki and Psyrri have lines 1 and 3, Kolonaki is the smart district by Lycabettus Hill, and the Athens Riviera is 13 to 19 km south on the coast. Hotels charge a climate resilience fee of €2 to €15 a night from April to October. Occupancy averaged 77.1% in 2025. Prices change with the dates, so check yours on Hotels.com. Or book a tour: the Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon & Acropolis Museum Guided Tourad is from €29 for 2 to 4 hours, and the entry ticket is extra.
The areas, compared
Distances are straight lines, and the hill makes a walk to the Acropolis longer. The last column counts the 29 where-to-stay pages read that name the area in a heading.
| Area | Nearest metro | What it suits | Pages naming it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plaka | Acropolis (line 2), Monastiraki (1 and 3) | The north slope of the Acropolis, Anafiotika and the Ancient Agora | 27 |
| Monastiraki and Psyrri | Monastiraki (1 and 3) | The flea market, the Roman Agora and the Central Market, 0.47 km from Monastiraki Square | Monastiraki 23; Psyrri 21 |
| Syntagma | Syntagma (2 and 3) | The Changing of the Guard, Parliament, the National Garden and the X95 airport bus | 20 |
| Makrygianni and Koukaki | Acropolis (2) | The Acropolis Museum, 0.40 km from the hill, and Philopappos Hill | 20 |
| Thissio | Thiseio (1) | The Temple of Hephaestus, 0.41 km from Monastiraki Square | 12 |
| Kolonaki | Evangelismos (3), Syntagma (2 and 3) | Galleries and cafés at the foot of Lycabettus Hill | 23 |
| Pangrati | Syntagma (2 and 3) | The Panathenaic Stadium, 0.95 km from Syntagma | 8 |
| Omonia and Exarchia | Omonia (2), Victoria (1) | The National Archaeological Museum | Exarchia 16 |
| Piraeus | Piraeus (1) | The ferry port, about 7.8 km from the Acropolis | 8 |
| The Athens Riviera | None | Beach resorts, 13 to 19 km from the Acropolis | 12 |
The hotels
The links go to the hotel on Hotels.com. Michelin’s Keys are the guide’s own ratings for hotels, and “Selected” means a hotel is in the guide without a Key. For the hotels beside the Acropolis, with their distances, see hotels near the Acropolis.
Plaka
Plaka lies under the north slope of the Acropolis. The hotels here are 0.38 to 0.67 km from the hill. Walks through the lanes are in Plaka and Anafiotika, and the Ancient Agora is in the Ancient Agora guide.
The rooftops of Plaka, with a domed Byzantine church among the houses. Photo: Sharon Mollerus, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
THE DOLLI at Acropolis
Mitropoleos 49 · 46 rooms · two Michelin Keys · about 490 m from the Acropolis · Hotels.comad
A neoclassical building of 1925 with a rooftop infinity pool and a restaurant that looks across at the Acropolis, according to Michelin. The high ceilings and large windows make the rooms feel larger than they are.
ERGON House Athens
23 Mitropoleos · 38 rooms · one Michelin Key · about 600 m from the Acropolis · Hotels.comad
Above a food market with a butcher, a fishmonger, a baker, a grocer and a restaurant. Some rooms look at the Parthenon. Michelin warns that it is not a quiet building, and that the rooms facing away from the market are calmer.
Electra Palace Athens
Nikodimou, Plaka · about 530 m from the Acropolis · Hotels.comad
A neoclassical five-star hotel. It has an outdoor pool in season with a view of the Acropolis, an indoor pool open all year, and the Electra Roof Garden restaurant on the eighth floor, open 13:00 to 00:30, all according to the hotel. Superior rooms, junior suites and suites face the Acropolis; classic rooms look at the surrounding streets.
A77 Suites
77 Adrianou · 12 suites · Michelin Selected · about 380 m from the Acropolis · Hotels.comad
A 19th-century neoclassical villa on Adrianou Street. The top Iconic Suite has a private terrace with a hot tub that looks up at the Acropolis, and the hotel is light on services, according to Michelin.
Esse Athens
Mpenizelou Palaiologou 3 · 20 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 400 m from the Acropolis · Hotels.comad
A modern boutique hotel opposite what Michelin calls the oldest Ottoman house in the city. The suites have verandas with open-air hot tubs and views of the Acropolis, and a Greek breakfast is served each morning.
Plaka Hotel
7 Kapnikareas and Mitropoleos · 71 rooms · about 490 m from the Acropolis · Hotels.comad
A three-star superior hotel redecorated in 2019, with a roof terrace bar and restaurant that looks at the Acropolis. Deluxe rooms face the Acropolis and standard rooms the city. The hotel puts Monastiraki Square 200 m away.
Perianth Hotel
2 Limpona · 38 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 670 m from the Acropolis · Hotels.comad
In a modernist building of the 1930s, redesigned by K-Studio. Greek breakfast is served in the Perianth Café, which stays open for an all-day menu.
Monastiraki and Psyrri
Monastiraki Square is 0.52 km from the Acropolis, and Psyrri’s Plateia Iroon is 0.25 km from the square. The flea market is in Monastiraki flea market, and Monastiraki station is on lines 1 and 3.
The Foundry Suites Athens
Sarri 40, Psyrri · 12 suites · Michelin Selected · about 860 m from the Acropolis · Hotels.comad
In a building of 1930 that was a type foundry, then a printing house. The suites are apartment-like with kitchens, and the rooftop terrace serves pizza and Greek wine with a view of the Acropolis, according to Michelin.
Monument
11 Kalamida · 9 rooms · one Michelin Key · about 870 m from the Acropolis · Hotels.comad
A late 19th-century house by the architect Ernst Ziller, restored as a small hotel. It has a spa and a rooftop terrace, and the restaurant serves breakfast only.
The Pinnacle Athens
Aiolou 75, Evripidou · 16 suites · Michelin Selected · about 900 m from the Acropolis · Hotels.comad
A tower of the 1970s in the Commercial Triangle, with a Roof Garden that serves breakfast or a sunset cocktail.
Syntagma
Syntagma Square is 0.87 km from the Acropolis. The Changing of the Guard is outside Parliament on the square: see the Changing of the Guard. On the square itself stand the Hotel Grande Bretagne, which holds two Michelin Keys and has the GB Roof Garden on its eighth floor, and the NJV Athens Plaza. The X95 airport bus ends here: see Athens airport to the city.
Syntagma Square with its fountain, seen from the Parliament end. Photo: A.Savin, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
NJV Athens Plaza
Vasileos Georgiou A 2 · 159 rooms and 21 suites · about 90 m from Syntagma Square · Hotels.comad
At the edge of the square. The hotel lists Acropolis-view suites and rooms and others facing Syntagma. About 0.89 km from the Acropolis.
Electra Metropolis Athens
Mitropoleos · 216 rooms and suites · about 250 m from Syntagma Square · Hotels.comad
A five-star hotel at the start of Mitropoleos Street. The foundations hold the ruins of the wall of Themistocles and a 16th-century chapel, Agia Dynami, built into the structure. Some rooms and the roof garden face the Acropolis, according to the hotel.
New Hotel
16 Filellinon · 79 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 270 m from Syntagma Square · Hotels.comad
A mid-century hotel, once the Olympic Palace, rebuilt by the Campana brothers from its own doors, beams and stone.
Gatsby Athens
18 Lekka · 33 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 310 m from Syntagma Square · Hotels.comad
A boutique hotel with Art Deco touches, a bar, a gym and an all-day restaurant, The Geco. The Gatsby Suite has a terrace with a Jacuzzi.
Athenian Foss
Evaggelistrias 9 and Ermou · 15 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 480 m from Syntagma Square · Hotels.comad
Overlooking pedestrianised Ermou Street. The top-floor Presidential Suite has a terrace with views of Lycabettus Hill and the Acropolis, and a Greek restaurant is at street level.
Praxitelous Luxury Suites
14 Praxitelous · 18 suites · Michelin Selected · about 500 m from Syntagma Square · Hotels.comad
Suites in a residential building off Klafthmonos Square. Many have balconies, the corner suites three, and some have a Jacuzzi or a sun deck.
Makrygianni and Koukaki
South of the Acropolis, beside the museum. The Acropolis Museum is 0.40 km from the hill, and the Acropolis metro station is on line 2. The museum’s tickets and its Friday hours are in Acropolis Museum tickets.
Hotel Herodion
4 Rovertou Galli · 90 rooms · about 370 m from the Acropolis, 120 m from the Acropolis Museum · Hotels.comad
A family-run four-star hotel open for about 50 years. The roof garden has olive trees, a view of the Acropolis and two hydromassage tubs, and the Acropolis metro station is 200 m away, according to the hotel.
Hera Hotel
Falirou 9 · about 570 m from the Acropolis, 180 m from the Acropolis Museum · Hotels.comad
A boutique hotel with Acropolis-view rooms and junior suites. The Peacock roof garden restaurant looks at the Acropolis and the museum.
AthensWas
5 Dionysiou Areopagitou · 21 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 480 m from the Acropolis, 230 m from the Acropolis Museum · Hotels.comad
A design hotel in the style of the 1960s, with wood-panelled rooms, a private veranda in each and Acropolis views from the better ones. There is no pool, and the rooftop bar looks over the ruins and the sea.
Acropolis View Hotel
10 Webster Street · about 380 m from the Acropolis, 400 m from the Acropolis Museum · Hotels.comad
A hotel since 1981, fully renovated, near the museum and the main monuments.
NEOMA
13 Mouson · 16 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 630 m from the Acropolis · Hotels.comad
The rooftop has a seasonal swimming pool and sun deck, and a restaurant and bar in the open air with a view of the Acropolis. In cold weather the hotel serves dinner in heated transparent “bubbles” on the terrace, according to Michelin.
Monastik Living in Athina
20 Karea, Mets · 11 suites · Michelin Selected · about 980 m from the Acropolis · Hotels.comad
Glass-walled suites in the hillside district of Mets, many facing the Acropolis or the Parthenon. The rooftop terrace has a plunge pool open to all guests.
Kolonaki
Kolonaki Square is 0.54 km from Syntagma Square and 1.41 km from the Acropolis. The Lycabettus funicular’s lower station is 0.97 km from Syntagma: see Lycabettus Hill. Distances below are to Syntagma.
Pindarou Street in Kolonaki, with the Acropolis in the distance. Photo: George E. Koronaios, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Monsieur Didot
48 Sina · 6 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 680 m from Syntagma Square · Hotels.comad
A neoclassical townhouse run as a residence, with six individually decorated rooms and suites, bookshelves in the rooms and breakfast served in the room.
Periscope Hotel
Charitos 22 · 21 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 840 m from Syntagma Square · Hotels.comad
A submarine-themed boutique hotel with a bar and lounge that serves breakfast and light dishes.
The Modernist Athens
Ioannou Gennadiou 4 · 38 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 1.3 km from Syntagma Square · Hotels.comad
The former Canadian embassy, a building of the 1950s. The top-floor XL rooms have a hot tub on a terrace with a 180-degree view of the city. Food is limited to breakfast, drinks and a light daytime menu.
The Athens Riviera and Kifissia
South of the city on the coast, 13 to 19 km from the Acropolis in a straight line. The airport is on the other side of the city: see Athens airport to the city.
Astir Beach in Vouliagmeni on the Athens Riviera. Photo: Vouliagmeni, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens
40 Apollonos, Vouliagmeni · 303 rooms · three Michelin Keys, the only Athens hotel with three · Hotels.comad
A terraced resort of the 1960s brought up to date, with pools, a spa and sea-facing cabanas, according to Michelin.
The Margi
11 Litous, Vouliagmeni · Michelin Selected · Hotels.comad
A luxury hotel on Vouliagmeni’s seafront with a swimming pool and a fitness suite. Michelin lists the Italian restaurant GiO and a lounge among its facilities, and a bike and jogging path runs along the coast.
91 Athens Riviera The Resort
4 Alkionidon, Voula · 28 units · Michelin Selected · Hotels.comad
Canvas tents with decks, some with private plunge pools. The resort has a swimming pool, a beach club, a tennis club with eight courts and a spa, according to Michelin.
Grand Resort Lagonissi
40 km on the Athens to Sounion road · 260 rooms · Michelin Selected · Hotels.comad
A seasonal resort that takes reservations from the end of April to October, about half an hour’s drive from the airport, according to Michelin. The villas have heated seafront pools.
Semiramis Hotel
48 Charilaou Trikoupi, Kifissia · 51 rooms · Michelin Selected · Hotels.comad
In the northern suburb of Kifissia, decorated by Karim Rashid, with a pool, spa treatments and the owner’s art collection.
Other areas
- Thissio. The Temple of Hephaestus point is 0.41 km from Monastiraki Square and 0.61 km from the Acropolis, on line 1 at Thiseio. The Ancient Agora’s west gate is here.
- Pangrati. The Panathenaic Stadium is 0.95 km from Syntagma Square: see the Panathenaic Stadium.
- Omonia and Exarchia. North of the centre, on lines 1 and 2. The National Archaeological Museum is here: see the National Archaeological Museum.
- Piraeus. The ferry port is about 7.8 km from the Acropolis, on line 1. The Saronic ferries and cruises leave from here: see the Saronic islands cruise and the Piraeus section of Athens airport to the city.
Before you book
- When hotels are full. The Athens-Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association’s survey, with GBR Consulting, put average occupancy at 77.1% in 2025 and the average daily rate at €177. Occupancy rose in January to March and November to December, and fell 1.2% in the April to October peak.
- The climate resilience fee. Hotels charge a flat amount per room per night, paid at the hotel and separate from the room price. It depends on the star class and the season.
| Hotel class | 1 April to 31 October | 1 November to 31 March |
|---|---|---|
| 1 or 2 stars | €2 | €0.50 |
| 3 stars | €5 | €1.50 |
| 4 stars | €10 | €3 |
| 5 stars | €15 | €4 |
- Getting around. Athens public transport has the metro and the tickets: see Athens metro and public transport. For the way in, see Athens airport to the city: the metro is €9 and a taxi is a fixed €50 by day and €65 at night.
- Dates to book around. The Athens Marathon, 7 and 8 November 2026, finishes in the Panathenaic Stadium, and vehicles are banned in the centre for set hours on both days. Orthodox Easter is Sunday 2 May 2027: see Easter in Athens in 2027. Christmas and New Year’s Eve fill Syntagma Square: see Christmas in Athens. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus closed in July 2026 for at least three years, so there are no concerts there.
- Free days. On the first and third Sunday from 1 November to 31 March the state sites are free: see free things to do in Athens.
For the days themselves, see Athens in one or two days. Where to eat in Athens covers the meals, and what to book before you go to Athens lists the tickets and the closed days. Day trips from Athens compares the trips by bus, train, boat and tour, and the best time to visit Athens has the weather month by month. For the same question in other cities, see where to stay in Rome and where to stay in Istanbul.
Common questions
What is the best area to stay in Athens for a first visit?
Plaka, or Makrygianni and Koukaki beside the Acropolis Museum. The hotels listed in those two areas are 0.37 to 0.98 km from the Acropolis in a straight line, and the Acropolis metro station is on line 2. Syntagma, 0.87 km from the Acropolis, is the area for the Changing of the Guard and two metro lines.
Is there a tourist tax in Athens?
Hotels charge the climate resilience fee, a flat amount per room per night, paid at the hotel. From 1 April to 31 October it is €2 for a 1- or 2-star hotel, €5 for 3 stars, €10 for 4 stars and €15 for 5 stars. From 1 November to 31 March it is €0.50, €1.50, €3 and €4.
Which Athens hotels hold Michelin Keys?
The Four Seasons Astir Palace in Vouliagmeni has three Keys. The Hotel Grande Bretagne and THE DOLLI at Acropolis have two each. Anthology of Athens, ERGON House Athens, Monument, NOT Hotel, One&Only Aesthesis and Xenodocheio Milos have one each, and 24 more are Selected, which means they are in the guide without a Key.
How full are Athens hotels?
The Athens-Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association's survey, with GBR Consulting, found average occupancy of 77.1% in 2025 and an average daily rate of €177. Occupancy rose in January to March and November to December and fell 1.2% in the April to October peak.
Where should I stay for the Acropolis Museum?
In Makrygianni or Koukaki. Hotel Herodion is about 120 m from the museum in a straight line, Hera Hotel about 180 m and AthensWas about 230 m. The Acropolis is 0.37 to 0.57 km from those three.
Which dates fill Athens hotels?
The Athens Marathon weekend, 7 and 8 November 2026, with the finish in the Panathenaic Stadium. Orthodox Easter, Sunday 2 May 2027, with the public holidays running from Good Friday, 30 April, to Easter Monday, 3 May. Christmas and New Year's Eve, with the tree and the countdown on Syntagma Square.
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