Trying to decide where to stay in Athens, Greece? The neighborhood you choose can make a big difference, especially if you’re visiting for the first time. Some areas are better for historical sightseeing, while others put you closer to shopping, restaurants, and lively squares.
During our September 2026 trip, we stayed at two hotels in central Athens: Perianth Hotel near Agias Eirinis Square and AthensWas Hotel near the Acropolis.
Both were fantastic locations, but for completely different reasons. Here’s how I’d compare the best areas to stay in Athens and which I’d recommend depending on your travel style.
WENDY’S TIP: For first-time visitors focused on the Acropolis and historical sites, I’d choose Makrygianni or Plaka. If shopping, food, and lively evenings are more your thing, I LOVED staying near Monastiraki.
Best for: First-time visitors, couples, history lovers, and quieter stays.
If seeing the Acropolis is your top priority, Makrygianni is one of the most convenient areas to stay in Athens.
The neighborhood is near the Acropolis Museum and Dionysiou Areopagitou, a pedestrian promenade that makes exploring nearby historical attractions easy.
We stayed at AthensWas Hotel and loved how peaceful the area felt compared with other parts of central Athens. We could easily walk to Plaka, the Acropolis, restaurants, and nearby sights, but our hotel was surprisingly quiet at night.
Our Hellenic Suite had a HUGE private balcony with incredible Acropolis views. You can read my AthensWas Hotel Review: Is It Worth Staying Near the Acropolis? for room details, breakfast, location, and whether I’d stay again.
Best for: Couples, romantic getaways, and first-time visitors.
Plaka is one of the prettiest Athens neighborhoods, with narrow streets, neoclassical buildings, boutiques, and outdoor restaurants tucked beneath the Acropolis.
It’s a great choice if you want to spend your evenings wandering through historic streets, stopping for dinner, and staying within walking distance of major attractions. I’d especially consider a boutique hotel here for a romantic getaway.
The downside? Plaka is extremely popular with tourists, so some streets can get crowded, and hotels in the most desirable locations may be more expensive.
Best for: Food lovers, shopping, lively evenings, and central sightseeing.
This was probably my FAVORITE area of Athens for everything outside of historical sightseeing.
We LOVED Monastiraki Square, the surrounding shopping streets, and all the outdoor restaurants. There was always something happening, especially in the evenings, and I could have spent hours wandering through the shops.
We stayed at Perianth Hotel near Agias Eirinis Square, just a short walk from Monastiraki and Ermou Street. The location was fantastic for exploring Athens on foot, and we could walk almost everywhere.
However, it was definitely noisier at night than AthensWas. If you’re a light sleeper, I’d bring a sound machine. Ours came in handy!
We also loved our huge Acropolis Suite, modern design, and incredible view of the Acropolis right from the bed. My Perianth Hotel Athens Review: What to Know Before You Stay includes photos, room details, and what I’d want to know before booking.
And if shopping is a big part of your trip, you’ll definitely want to read my Best Shopping in Athens Greece: Streets Squares and Markets to Explore for the streets, squares, and markets we explored.
Best for: Families, longer stays, and travelers who prefer quieter neighborhoods.
Koukaki is just south of the Acropolis and has more of a residential feel, with local cafés, restaurants, and apartment-style accommodations.
It’s still convenient for visiting the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, but it’s less focused on tourism than Plaka or Monastiraki.
I’d consider Koukaki for families who want a little more space or travelers staying several days who prefer a quieter neighborhood while remaining close to the historic center.
Best for: Short visits, airport connections, and public transportation.
Syntagma Square is one of Athens’ main transportation hubs, making it a practical area to stay if convenience is your biggest priority.
You’ll be close to Ermou Street, Plaka, the National Garden, and the Greek Parliament. Syntagma also has useful metro connections, including service to Athens International Airport.
I’d choose this area for its central location and transportation options rather than its neighborhood charm. The streets around the square can be busy with traffic and pedestrians, but it’s a convenient base for exploring Athens.
Best for: Nightlife, restaurants, groups of friends, and lively city stays.
Psyrri, also spelled Psirri, is near Monastiraki and is known for its restaurants, bars, street art, and creative atmosphere.
It’s a good choice if you want plenty of dining options and nightlife within walking distance of your hotel. You’ll also find independent shops and smaller businesses throughout the neighborhood.
I probably wouldn’t choose Psyrri if quiet evenings are important to you. Some streets stay busy late into the night, so I’d pay close attention to the hotel’s exact location before booking.
Best for: Luxury travelers, couples, boutique shopping, and upscale dining.
Kolonaki is known for designer boutiques, galleries, upscale restaurants, and stylish hotels. It’s an area I’d consider if you enjoy higher-end shopping or want a more sophisticated hotel experience.
The main thing to consider is the location. You’ll generally be farther from the Acropolis than you would in Plaka or Makrygianni, and some streets are quite hilly.
For travelers planning to spend most of their time at historical attractions, I’d probably choose somewhere closer. But if shopping, dining, and luxury accommodations are your priorities, Kolonaki is a good option.
Best for: Couples, scenic walking, and a relaxed historic atmosphere.
Thissio is near the Ancient Agora and has excellent views of the Acropolis, particularly along the pedestrian promenade of Apostolou Pavlou.
We loved walking through this area and browsing the small vendors selling handmade artwork. Finding locally made art while traveling is one of my favorite things, and this ended up being one of my favorite shopping discoveries in Athens.
I’d consider staying in Thissio if you want Acropolis views, scenic walks, and easy access to historical attractions without staying directly in the busiest shopping and nightlife areas.
If you’re still deciding between neighborhoods, I’d compare hotel prices and room locations before booking. Even within the same neighborhood, the exact street can make a difference in nighttime noise and walking convenience.
Having stayed near both, I’d choose based on what you enjoy doing most.
Our stay at AthensWas near the Acropolis was quieter and especially convenient for historical sightseeing. Perianth near Monastiraki put us closer to the shopping streets, lively squares, and restaurants we loved exploring in the evenings.
Personally, I preferred the Monastiraki area because food and shopping are such a big part of how we travel. But AthensWas was hard to beat for peaceful evenings and that incredible Acropolis view!
And speaking of views, our two hotel rooms had completely different perspectives of the Acropolis. At Perianth, we could admire it right from our bed, while AthensWas had that enormous private balcony overlooking it. I was a little obsessed with both!
We did, and I really enjoyed experiencing two different areas of Athens.
However, if you’re staying only two or three nights, I’d choose one central hotel rather than waste time moving luggage. For a longer visit, splitting your stay is worth considering, especially if you want to experience both the lively Historic Center and the quieter Acropolis area.
A few practical things I’d check before booking:
We also felt comfortable walking around central Athens late at night, particularly near the lively squares and outdoor restaurants. Of course, I’d still use normal big-city awareness.
I’d recommend at least three nights for a first visit. That gives you time to visit the Acropolis, explore a few neighborhoods, enjoy Greek food, and do some shopping.
Four or five nights would give you more flexibility, especially if you want to take a day trip. We visited Hydra without staying overnight, and my One Day in Hydra Greece: The Perfect Day Trip from Athens covers our experience.
Before visiting Athens, I assumed most of our time would revolve around historical sightseeing. While the Acropolis was certainly impressive, what surprised me was how much I LOVED the shopping, restaurants, and lively squares.
If I returned, I’d probably choose Monastiraki again because I loved having so much nearby. But I’d absolutely stay at AthensWas again, too. And having two completely different Acropolis views certainly didn’t hurt!
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The part of European travel nobody puts in the highlight reel.
The blisters, the 20,000 steps before lunch, the train you almost missed, and somehow still saying “this is the best trip ever.” 😂
Thanks for following along on my travels! If you’re planning your own European getaway, you’ll find all my destination guides and itineraries on the blog. Link in bio!
If I could go back to one of the beaches in Hydra, Greece, it would be Avlaki. 🇬🇷
Of the two swimming spots I visited, this one was my favorite because it felt quieter, more private, and had the perfect spot for cliff jumping. It was a little rockier getting into the water, so water shoes are worth bringing, but it was such a fun way to spend part of the day.
If you’re visiting Hydra, add Avlaki Beach to your list!
I don’t even like seafood but @sunsethydra surprised me!
The panko-crusted feta with prickly pear chutney and pistachios was one of my favorites, and the Sunset Salad with fresh oranges and homemade orange-ginger dressing was so good. Even the bread and olive oil stood out!
Brad ordered the fresh catch of the day, sea bass, and loved it. And yes, even I enjoyed a bite!
Comment whether or not you’re a big seafood fan! 👇
Taking a day trip from Athens to Hydra? Here are 3 things to know before you book!
Book a high-speed ferry from Piraeus. Our ride took just 1 hour and 15 minutes each way, giving us almost 7 hours to explore.
Check your ferry options. We took Alpha Lines to Hydra and Magic Sea Ferries back. I personally preferred Alpha Lines for its open outdoor deck!
Plan to explore on foot. Hydra is car-free, and the ferry drops you right at the heart of town, making it easy to explore the harbor, shops, and waterfront restaurants as soon as you arrive.
Hydra ended up being one of my favorite days in Greece! Head to the blog for my full ferry guide, booking tips, and everything I wish I’d known before going.
I had less than 7 hours to spend in Hydra, Greece, and here is how I made the most of it.
From waterfront lunch to swimming at two beautiful beaches, this day trip was one of my favorite parts of Greece.
Read my full Hydra itinerary on the blog and save this for your trip!
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
