Homeland of democracy and Western civilization as such, Athens needs no introduction - the ancient city is known even to schoolchildren, and its sights can be listed for hours. An ancient European city, Athens is literally overflowing with iconic buildings and legendary places, and the city itself is one big legend. They come here for two reasons - for the beaches and for excursions, the latter clearly dominating. And where to stay in Athens, you need to choose exactly according to this principle.
It should be understood that the capital of Greece is a huge city and it will not be very pleasant to get from one end of it to the other in the sweltering heat, all the more so every day. Fortunately, the city is very convenient and will suit guests with any plans and mood.
Popular areas of Athens
There are both purely excursion quarters and a golden mean between beaches and cultural heritage, where you can combine all the most attractive and pleasant. And there are also completely beach areas designed for relaxation, sunbathing, swimming and detachment from the world, these quarters are located mostly in the suburbs, where the coast is cleaner.
In Athens, there are both respectable luxury hotels and very modest ones that offer cheap accommodation, most hotels serve breakfast with a buffet, so you don't have to worry about having a morning snack. Experience shows that it is best to book rooms in advance, especially when it comes to inexpensive establishments where rooms fly out instantly.
Of course, hotels in the center are preferable because the main monuments of history and culture will always be at hand. And living in the center is many times more fun - the most pretentious entertainment venues are concentrated around the main tourist routes.
There are also areas that are prudent for city visitors to avoid due to the increased concentration of criminals, although in general the city is safe and quite comfortable. Places like these lure guests in with lower room prices, which offset some of the notoriety.
Which area to choose and where to stay in Athens is not an easy question if you do not study the local geography in advance. For guests, seven areas are considered the best stopping places:
- Acropolis.
- Makriyanni.
- Kolonaki.
- Paleo Faliro.
- Monastiraki.
- Syntagma.
- Plaka.
Acropolis
The very center of Athens, from where the rest of the quarters originate, the point of location of the main attractions, the scene of historical events described in textbooks. It was from here that the history of all Hellas began in due time. The Acropolis rises above the city, as if inviting guests to climb its summit, touch the centuries-old buildings, admire the skill of ancient architects. And it is not surprising, because it is located on a high hill, more than 150 meters separate it from the lower part of the capital.
The famous Odeon Theater is located in the Acropolis, the ruins of the Dionysus Theater are right there, and here and there are scattered stone remains of the once great structures. The famous Areopagus is also located in the Acropolis, where meetings of authorities were held in pre-Christian times and from where the Apostle Paul later preached.
The Parthenon, the Temple of Rome and Augustus, the Sanctuary of Aphrodite, the Ereichtheion and many other unique objects fill the vastness of the Upper City.
Hotels: Metropolis, Herodion Hotel, Philippos Hotel, Acropolis View, Divani Palace Acropolis, Byron, AVA Hotel Athens, The Athens Gate, Hera, Acropolis Hill, Acropolis Select, Acropolis Museum Boutique Hotel, Airotel Parthenon, Phaedra.
Makriyanni
Another historical area densely dotted with the remains of the ancient heritage. It is a logical continuation of the Acropolis, often even included in its composition. The most iconic place of Makriyanni is the Temple of Zeus, also known as Olympion. Only the ancient colonnades remained from the temple, but this is enough to assess the scale of the sanctuary.
Not so long ago, the area's asset was replenished with the New Acropolis Museum, which displays marble sculptures and many other valuable exhibits found in the vicinity of the hill.
The proximity to the center and the main monuments makes the area very popular and, as a result, a huge number of entertainment and hotel establishments could not but appear here, so that the tourists living here do not need anything. The most convenient area where to stay in Athens, it is well located, provided with advanced infrastructure and a unique atmosphere of antiquity, it is easy to get to any part of the capital from here and all the resort pleasures are at the guests' disposal.
Hotels: Airotel Parthenon, Herodion, Acropolis View Deluxe Penthouse, The Athens Gate, Philippos Hotel, Athens Studios, AthensWas, Marys Apartment, Royal Olympic.
Kolonaki
A prestigious and expensive area of the city, the former home of the local elite. The area is filled with beautiful luxurious mansions, on the first levels of which there are gourmet restaurants, cafes, bars and, of course, hotels.
The most museum district of the city, it houses the Museum of Greek Costume, the National War Museum, the Byzantine Museum, the Christian Museum, the Benaki Museum, the Museum of Cycladic Art and many others. In Kolonaki, you can stroll along Reina Sofia Avenue, visit the Megaron Concert Hall and get rid of the excess cash in fashion boutiques.
And with all this, the central districts and historical riches are very close. The most suitable place to stay in Athens, especially if you want to make the most of your vacation.
Hotels: St George Lycabettus, Hotel Lozenge, Coco-Mat Hotel, Olala Kolonaki Suites, Periscope, Kolonaki ArtGallery Suites.
Paleo Faliro
A lovely area loved by both tourists and locals. Skillfully combines opportunities for sightseeing holidays and magnificent beaches with a developed infrastructure. The center of the resort life is the local embankment, very beautiful, well-equipped and offering a stunning view of the sea. At the same time, you can always stay within the framework of cultural life, because the center of Athens is only a few kilometers from Paleo Faliro.
Hotels: Poseidon Hotel, Coral Hotel Athens, Art Deco Maisonette, Metropolitan Hotel, Nestorion Hotel, Athena's Comet, Faliro Suites, Arma Hotel, Hellas Myth, Sea & City House.
Monastiraki
The most Greek area, where local life is in full swing. In this location interesting is the temple of the Most Holy Theotokos with a rich history and no less abundant decoration, and the "cursed" mosque, erected from the marble of the destroyed temple of Zeus. Today, the People's Museum of Ceramics is located inside the Islamic sanctuary. Also of interest is the antique market, a couple of picturesque squares and many old buildings, albeit built obviously later than the antique era.
Monastiraki is not as tourism-oriented as its neighbors, therefore it is more colorful and interesting. The area is lively with many street cafes and restaurants serving national Greek cuisine. It is also full of craft and creative workshops, art studios, small themed shops, handicraft shops and antique shops.
There are plenty of hotels where to stay in Athens, and prices are much lower, there are also many guest houses and hostels, and many residents are not averse to renting out apartments and rooms.
Hotels: 360 Degrees, The Zillers Boutique Hotel, Metropolis, Kimon Athens, The Ancient View, NS Place.
Syntagma
A beautiful prestigious area that has grown up around the square of the same name, the center of modern Athens, a business and shopping center, a place of major events and a constant point of celebration of the main Greek celebrations. There are also dozens of shops and shopping malls, restaurants and cafes, snack bars and other entertainment establishments. A luxurious area with luxury hotels, from where tourist routes and transport hubs start.
The square itself is large, decorated with green spaces and fountains. The central place on the square is the royal palace, where parliament now sits. Tourists are much more concerned about the guard of honor guarding parliamentarians in national clothes.
Syntagma has national gardens - a large park with an abundance of blooming vegetation, and the National Historical Museum. The Numismatics Museum with a huge collection of coins is open nearby. In the neighborhood you can look into the State Historical Museum, and there it is not far from the Russian Embassy Church. In general, the area is rich in spectacles and entertainment, there is where to stay in Athens, due to the abundance of hotels, both five-star and quite "popular".
Hotels: Astor Hotel, Electra Metropolis, Electra Palace Athens, InnAthens, Best Western Amazon Hotel, Hotel Lozenge, Amalia Hotel, Arethusa, Omiros, Athens Cypria, NJV Athens Plaza, Central Hotel, Hermes, Electra Hotel, Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens la Strada.
Plaka
A very cozy old area, nestled in the shadow of the Acropolis at the very foot of the legendary hill. Something from the ancient heritage fell to Plaka, for example, the Roman Agora or the Hadrian's Library. There are also later buildings, for which the architects chose a strict neoclassical style.
Walking along the narrow lanes of Plaka is a very exciting and promising activity, while walking you can stumble upon the Tower of Winds or the entrance to the Children's Museum, where it will be interesting not only for young visitors, but also for their adult companions. Connoisseurs of the art world will love the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments and the Art Gallery.
A visit to the National Botanic Gardens with thousands of flora specimens from all over the world will bring coolness and charm of natural creations. With such an abundance of promenades, Plaka is perfect for families with children or for an unforgettable romantic getaway.
Hotels: Adrian Hotel, Electra Palace, Palladian Home, Omiros Hotel, Plaka Hotel, Adam's Hotel, Hermes, Sweet Home Hotel.
