In my capacity as a side-hustle tour guide in and around Athens, one of the most common inquiries I hear from my prospective clients is this: âIn which part of Athens should we stay?â With this question in mind, I compiled the following list to enumerate ten of the best neighborhoods for one to settle in during oneâs sojourn in the Greek capital city. The list doesnât aim to rank the neighborhoods from best to least good. Instead, it comprises diverse districts that might appeal to different tastes and needs in random order. Even if you already know where you are going to stay, the post can still prove useful as an inspiration for some parts of the city worth visiting. Each listed neighborhood is accompanied by a piece of general information about it and some recommendations for local hotels and rentals. You may also explore additional accommodation options in these areas or anywhere in Athens using the map below.
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Plaka / Anafiotika
For the family and the couple
Built on the northeastern slope of the Acropolis, Plaka is by far the most picturesque and famous neighborhood of Athens. It may also be considered the oldest neighborhood of Athens, both in terms of its current housesâ age and its history of continuous habitation. Settled since the Neolithic era and once the residential center of classical Athens, it is one of the few Athenian districts that has remained uninterruptedly inhabited throughout the cityâs decay in the late medieval and Ottoman periods. Owing to its historical significance, the entire neighborhood has been designated a preservable heritage site and turned into a big, open-air museum. As an example of many strict regulations that aim to maintain its aesthetic character, it is the only part of Athens where utilities infrastructure (cables, pipes…) must be kept invisible by law.
The uppermost, most picturesque part of the Plaka district is known as Anafiotika. It was initially developed in the mid-19th century by squatting construction workers from the Cycladic island of Anafi; hence its striking resemblance to a Greek island. Whereas back then it was deemed the most undesirable area of Athens (no one, besides poor squatters, would walk up a rock to go home day in and day out), now (that tourists pay dearly for a good view) it may be considered the crown jewel of Athensâ real estate.
Best described as a village within a city, Plaka consists of a maze of narrow cobbled streets and winding stairways meandering among its quaint neoclassical buildings. Strolling around, you will wonder at the neighborhoodâs graceful architecture and discover ancient ruins, medieval churches, museums, little hidden gardens, artisansâ shops, traditional taverns, and panoramic viewpoints of the surrounding urban jungle. One thing you wonât see is cars. Nearly all streets are reserved for pedestrians only, making Plaka an ideal base for quiet-loving travelers who want to stay within walking distance of all the historical treasures of central Athens.
Where to stay in Plaka
Psyrri / Monastiraki
For the solo traveler and the backpacker
Dominated by the view of the timeless Acropolis and strategically situated amid the cityâs most important sights, Monastiraki Square is the indisputable touristic heart of Athens. Across Ermou Street off the squareâs north side starts the acclaimed neighborhood of Psyrri. This confined quarter of narrow, labyrinthine, mostly car-free streets has escaped its past ghetto reputation to become one of Athensâ liveliest and trendiest zones.
A beloved hangout of young locals as well, Psyrri is particularly popular among backpackers. Some of Athensâ best youth hostels are located there. Its ubiquitous cafĂ©s by day and bars by night are always abuzz with mingling people, while its fine traditional taverns offer exquisite meals in a fantastic atmosphere. Being a short walk away from Monastiraki Metro Station, Psyrri makes for an excellent base to meet other travelers and explore Athens together.
Where to stay in Psyrri
Kerameikos
For the clubber and the social butterfly
If this neighborhood sounds to you a bit like ceramic, itâs because thatâs exactly what it means. Kerameikos is named after the highly esteemed community of potters that it used to house in antiquity. The homonymous archeological site located in the area contains remnants of those ancient craftsmenâs workshops, as well as the largely intact first public cemetery of Athens. Except for this outlying site, the neighborhood is a bit farther away from Athensâ main concentration of historic sites. What itâs famous for is its dense concentration of bars and nightclubs that make it the cityâs principal nightlife hub.
Kerameikos spreads around its central square which hosts the homonymous metro station. The surrounding streets are every night, and particularly on the weekends, flooded with smartly dressed, intoxicated men and women looking for the best parties. Rooftop and underground dance floors alike tout their positions with beam lights or deliberately accumulated queues before their entrances, while clandestine figures distribute promotional leaflets for strip clubs. Next to the square, you also find the renowned Technopolis: a former gas factory that gives Kerameikos its alternative name of Gazi. The site today functions as a museum and one of Athensâ largest exhibition and events centers where thereâll be a good outdoor concert on most weekend nights. Kerameikos is your place if youâre a night owl.
Where to stay in Kerameikos
Exarcheia
For the young and the unconventional
Dubbed the anarchist neighborhood of Athens, Exarcheia is the cityâs leading counter-cultural hub. The area teems with squats and alternative cultural centers while its walls are laden with provoking street art and mixed posters of punk rock concerts and reactionary political organizations. Additionally, it is renowned as a literary center, being home to numerous independent bookstores and publishing houses.
Tucked between the university and the polytechnic (a focal point of the resistance against the Greek military junta from 1967 to 1974), Exarcheia unsurprisingly is a favorite hangout of students, local and foreign alike. This is the kind of place where youâll see youthful companies, sitting in quirky outdoor cafes, smoking weed and chatting unconcernedly while catching whiffs of tear gas from some casual street fight between police and rioters two blocks away.
Despite the negative reaction of some of its elements (expect to see many aggressive, anti-gentrification messages targeting Airbnb and its customers displayed throughout the streets), Exarcheia is becoming an increasingly appealing neighborhood for tourists; particularly young independent travelers, with several youth hostels having sprouted out in recent years. It might be a good option for you, too, if youâre a young in age or spirit off-the-beaten-pather seeking to experience a different, peculiar side of Athens.
Where to stay in Exarcheia
Koukaki
For the foodie and the cultured
Koukaki is a small, twee neighborhood just south of the Acropolis. Based on the votes and reviews of its millions of users, Airbnb ranked it fifth in its 2015 list of the worldâs coolest neighborhoods. Below its elegant neoclassical buildings, the streets teem with colorful outdoor cafĂ©s and some of the finest taverns in town, many of which fuse traditional Greek cuisine with international twists to create unique culinary experiences. Additionally, the area is home to several oasis-like community gardens, literary hangouts, and hidden art spaces and workshops.
A cherished purlieu among the Atheniansâ artistic and intellectual circles, Koukaki has also become a popular base for travelers as well as expats and digital nomads. While immersing in the neighborhoodâs serenity and eccentric character, you will be a short walk away from the Acropolis and other important Athenian monuments. Moreover, Koukaki lies on the foot of Philopappos Hillâthe largest green space in central Athensâwhich lends itself to ideal brief escapades from the cityâs bustle.
Where to stay in Koukaki
Kolonaki
For the wealthy and the bon vivant
Kolonaki is an upscale neighborhood by the southern foot of Mount Lycabettus: the highest hill and most prominent viewpoint within the metropolitan area of Athens. Athensâ aristocratic sector par excellence, Kolonaki has been associated with high living for so long that its name in Greek has become synonymous with luxury. While itâs an overall quiet residential area, this is where the high-fashion designersâ boutiques and some of the cityâs fanciest fine-dining restaurants are concentrated.
Kolonaki isnât the sort of place where tourists will typically wind up. But it could be the neighborhood of your choice if you have deep pockets and fancy yourself with a cocktail in a rooftop swimming pool with a view of the Acropolis.
Where to stay in Kolonaki
Kypseli
For the authentic traveler and the local-experience seeker
Kypseli is about as average an Athenian neighborhood as one can be. A proper concrete jungle, it is the most densely populated district in Athens and one of the most densely populated in Europe overall. Due to its lower rents, it has in recent decades attracted many immigrants who have transformed it into a multicultural hub. The neighborhoodâs heart is the Kanari Square and its aorta is the Fokionos Negri Street: a broad, well-shaded pedestrian road lined up with cute cafĂ©s and Greek and international restaurants where local Greeks mingle with people from every corner of the world. While the lack of space can feel a bit asphyxiating, on the positive side, Kypseli is situated next to Pedion Areos: one of Athensâ largest parks.
With the advent of the home-sharing economy, tourists are becoming increasingly present in Kypseli, as well as other casual Athenian neighborhoods. While not exactly located within the cityâs historical center, it is still conveniently placed close to it. Especially if youâre on a budget and you prefer eating good food without paying the touristâs markup, Kypseli could make a superb base from where to discover the genuine side of Athens.
Where to stay in Kypseli
Piraeus
For the sea lover and the impending island hopper
A thriving center of maritime commerce for millennia, Piraeus is Greeceâs main gateway to the world and one of Europeâs busiest ports. While still a part of Athensâ immense greater metropolitan area, Pireaus City is a separate municipality with its own unique identity molded by its peculiar socioeconomic factors. Besides its bustling harbor, it encompasses two additional, scenic smaller inlets for fishing boats and private yachtsâPasalimani and Mikrolimanoâaround which beats the pulse of the port cityâs social life. Lively cafĂ©s, bars, and some of Athensâ best seafood restaurants are to be found here, infused by a constant briny breeze.
Except for some remnants of the Themistoclean Wall and an ancient theater, Piraeus doesnât have much to show for its glorious past compared to its mother city. Being a 20-minute train ride away from central Athens, however, it still is a legit and generally cheaper option for settling during your time in the Greek capital. It would be a particularly convenient choice if you only pass through the city briefly before ferrying it to the majestic Greek Islands.
Where to stay in Piraeus
Glyfada
For the sun chaser and the beachlifer
Glyfada is a large municipality in the southern suburbs of Athens, collectively called the Athenian Riviera. Squeezed between the foot of Mount Hymettus and the Saronic Gulf coast, this district is known for its costly, modern apartments, fashionable shopping and entertainment, golf course and sports facilities, and vibrant nightlife. More than anything, Glyfada is famous for its sandy beaches and beach bars, to which Athenians flock en masse every summer weekend.
Since Glyfada is a bit far from the center of Athens and doesnât have a subway connection, it might not be your best option if the primary purpose of your visit is to discover the cityâs archeological treasures and dynamic vibes. However, it can be a great choice if you want to combine some historical sightseeing and beach holidays with an emphasis on the latter.
Where to stay in Glyfada
Omonoia
For the broke and the adventurous
The cityâs zero point and the intersection of two subway lines and several avenues, Omonoia Square is the very center of Athens. The neighborhood surrounding the square is famousâor rather notoriousâfor one thing: crime. Although a far cry from its nadir of decay prior to the 2004 Olympics, junkies shooting in the streets and prostitutes crowding the pavements are still a commonplace spectacle throughout the area.
However, while itâs undeniably true that Omonoia is the most dangerous place in Athens, its bad reputation is often exaggerated; being the most dangerous area of a very safe city is far from being a no-go zone. Violent crime is extremely rare all over Athens, and Omonoia is not an exception. As long as you keep common-sense precautions against pickpockets, you shouldnât worry about roaming around the area at any time of the day or night. That said, and taking into account its central location, it is a legit idea to take advantage of the great hotel deals that the neighborhoodâs stigma entails and, in passing, discover the dodgy yet fascinating facet of Athens.
