Considered by many to be the historical capital of Europe, the one-of-a-kind city of Athens, Greece, is the birthplace of western civilization’s art, democracy, philosophy, and science. Dating back more than 3,400 years, it is one of the oldest cities in the world. Today, Athens offers visitors an incredible blend of ancient wonders and modern sophistication. It’s no secret that the city is bursting with centuries-old ruins. When the Athens Metro was being constructed, workers stumbled upon the greatest archaeological excavation the city has ever witnessed.

During that time, more than 50,000 artifacts were uncovered! These fascinating marvels are now on display inside several of the city’s Metro stations.

Within Athens, you’ll find all sorts of stunning accommodation options, from modern boutique hotels hidden away inside ancient buildings to grand retreats built inside huge palaces once owned by royalty. In fact, there are so many different hotels in the city that you might struggle to choose the right one for you. To help make sure you get it right, we’ve put together a list of the 12 best hotels in Athens!

Don’t forget to check out our web story: The 12 Coolest Boutique Hotels in Athens, Greece

Where to Stay in Athens

Athens has a very compact city center with a great variety of neighborhoods. While having everything within easy reach makes it easy for sightseeing, it can feel overwhelming when deciding where to stay in Athens. Here are the best parts of the city we recommend for an amazing vacation!

If this is your first time visiting Athens, Plaka is an excellent place to stay. One of the prettiest parts of the city, Plaka is essentially the Old Town of Athens, filled with winding pathways, quaint open-air restaurants, and an incomparable charm. It’s also within walking distance of all the major attractions, such as the Acropolis and Agora, as well as some of the most unique boutique hotels in Athens.

Syntagma Square is another great place to stay. Considered the center of the city where all the action takes place, this area is always buzzing day and night. It’s brimming with fantastic cafés, bars, tavernas, restaurants, and shopping streets. Plus, it’s still just a walk away from the city’s most fascinating sites.

If you’re interested in Athens’ nightlife, consider Psyri. Here you’ll find loads of clubs and bars, as well as concerts held throughout the year and artsy shops full of unique pieces. If you prefer a more local, laid-back vibe, book a hotel in Koukaki. Just south of the Acropolis, this neighborhood is mostly residential and is where you’ll find excellent coffee shops, as well as plenty of Greek tavernas and cocktail bars.

The 12 Best Boutique Hotels in Athens, Greece

1. COCO-MAT Athens BC

You need a great night’s sleep to be able to spend your days sightseeing in Athens, and COCO-MAT Athens BC is the best place to get it. The hotel does everything it can to give you a quality sleep experience, from creating its own sleeping systems with bespoke beds, mattresses, and linens, to offering you 14 unique and customizable pillows to choose from! And the best part is if you fall in love with a pillow or some bedding, you can purchase it from the hotel’s onsite shop.

Superior sleep isn’t the only thing COCO-MAT Athens BC offers. It’s set in the city’s historical center, just a short stroll away from the Acropolis and its museum, as well as the charming streets of Plaka. There’s a fantastic restaurant serving local Greek cuisine with a farm-to-table philosophy, as well as a spa with a pool and sauna.

One of the most beautiful parts of the hotel is its roof terrace. Here you’ll find a small swimming pool (something you’ll rarely come across in Athens), a stylish bar, gourmet restaurant, and unbeatable views of the Acropolis.

2. Blend Hotel

Shaking up the typical hotel scene in Downtown Athens, Blend Hotel prioritizes minimalism, laid-back luxury, and fun over classic extravagance. Everything is within walking distance of this lively hotel, from 19^th-century churches and major landmarks to the trendiest neighborhoods and buzzing nightlife scene.

The “Blendrooms” keep things simple while providing you with everything you need for your stay. Smooth, clean lines and wooden furniture provide the perfect balance to the opulent Olive Era bathroom amenities and award-winning Pavlides dark chocolates you’ll find in your welcome gift. All rooms have beautiful city views, but if you want something a little extra, upgrade to one of the suites with views of the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill, and Filopappos Hill from your window.

The onsite restaurant is one of the highlights of the hotel. A dynamic restaurant that confirms you don’t have to leave Blend Hotel to go out, Folk combines healthy food with decadent cuisine, fusing west coast-style dishes with Asian influences and fresh Greek produce. Their all-day brunch menu is nothing short of amazing and is served until the early evening. 

3. Ergon House

Located at the foot of the Acropolis in the city’s historical heart, Ergon House is one of the coolest hotels in Athens for foodies!

Treating guests to a unique culinary experience, this hotel boasts a one-of-a-kind marketplace designed to be a modern Agora. Here you’ll find an incredible range of greengrocers, a fishmonger, butcher, bakery, roastery, and delicatessen. There’s also a trendy communal area where you can turn your locally sourced ingredients into delicious dishes and enjoy them with your travel buddies.

If you don’t feel like cooking, head to the hotel’s rooftop, where you’ll find Retiré, an eclectic space serving epicurean picnic-style food and innovative cocktails with an incredible panoramic view. 

In addition to the amazing food experience, Ergon House also offers contemporary accommodation designed by local artists. Large, double-glazed windows invite you to enjoy the sights without the noise, while a superb curated minibar means you’ll never go without!

4. The Foundry

Tucked away in the historic area of Psyrri, The Foundry is a one-of-a-kind collection of urban luxury suites that blends industrial design with mid-century style. The complex is made up of 12 individual suites, each of which is decorated in its own unique style and comes complete with everything you could ever need for your Athens stay.

Rustic wooden ceilings, wood-burning stoves, exposed brick walls, and vintage furniture contrast with modern lighting, gear-opened windows, luxurious COCO-MAT bedding, and espresso coffee machines. All suites also come with a fully equipped kitchen, while some also boast an outdoor terrace or balcony.

Head to the rooftop and you’ll find yourself immersed in a whimsical garden that looks like it was plucked straight from a fairytale. This is where the Rooftop Garden Bar is located. It’s the perfect place to socialize over a huge range of drinks, including locally-produced wines from all over Greece, as well as freshly-prepared pizzas.

5. Living Koukaki

Set in Koukaki, one of Athens’ hottest and most vibrant neighborhoods, Great Living Koukaki is ideally positioned if you want to spend your days sightseeing and your nights partying. As well as being close to the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the hotel is also surrounded by quirky cafes, alternative bistros, and contemporary art spaces. So you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to things to do!

Accommodation options here range from spacious apartments to penthouses and suites, all of which feature unconventional quotes as part of the decor, designed to bring a smile to your face. Using sustainable, eco-friendly materials, the guestrooms are built with comfort in mind and provide guests with BoConcept furniture, Sealy mattresses, and open-plan kitchens.

The rooms are so beautiful here you won’t want to leave! Gentle color palettes with various gray hues, contemporary art decorating the walls, chic cylindrical lights hanging from the ceiling, and all the mod cons you could ever need guarantee you’ll have a relaxing and peaceful stay.

6. Didot

Your culture-inspired home in Athens, Monsieur Didot is set in an early 20^th-century neoclassical house in Kolonaki, the beating heart of Athens. Famously visited by John Lennon and Yoko Ono during their incognito trip to the city, the hotel provides a peaceful haven to all art fans, culture lovers, and creative types.

One of the best-located boutique hotels in Athens, Monsieur Didot is surrounded by museums, theaters, historic bookstores, and publishing houses. You’ll also find a never-ending selection of bars, cafes, restaurants, and boutiques owned by some of the largest fashion houses in Europe. The Panepistimio metro station is a five-minute walk away, making it a great choice if you want to spend a day at the beach or explore neighboring cities. 

There are six rooms and suites to choose from, each of which is entirely unique. All rooms feature warm decor, superfast WiFi, a Nespresso machine, a smart TV with Netflix, organic tea bags, organic bath products, and a walk-in rain shower. 

If you’re visiting as a large group, you can reserve the whole first floor (suitable for up to seven guests). A completely private space, the first floor is made up of three beautifully appointed rooms and a lounge area. 

7. COCO-MAT Athens Jumelle

Located in the area where classic Athenian sophistication meets the city’s progressive forefront, COCO-MAT Athens Jumelle offers visitors an urban paradise where you can relax and enjoy everything the city has to offer. Made by combining an elegant building from 1965 with a neoclassical mansion from 1925, the hotel blends classic elegance with modern comfort, imitating the vibe of the hotel’s surroundings.

Each guestroom boasts the iconic COCO-MAT bed, mattress, and linens for the perfect night’s sleep, along with an espresso maker, a selection of herbal teas, a Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth speaker, and Zealot of Nature bathroom amenities. Making the best use of natural light and the magnificent urban vistas of Athens, the rooms are the perfect place to take it easy after a long day spent sightseeing.

If you get tired of walking, you can rent a wooden bike from reception. Or, if you’d like to up your exercise level, check out the spa, where you’ll discover a peaceful indoor swimming pool great for swimming laps. The hotel also offers a hearty, nutritious breakfast buffet to fuel you up for the day, as well as an honesty bar where you can help yourself to a fantastic range of drinks and snacks day or night.

8. Perianth Hotel

A celebration of contemporary Greek culture in the heart of the ancient part of the city, Perianth Hotel enjoys an excellent location. It’s close enough to all the major sites so that they’re only a short walk away while being far enough off the tourist trail so you can enjoy a quiet night and experience the real Athens.

Created by one of Greece’s best design firms, the hotel’s decor is inspired by the Athenian modern movement. The streamlined art deco façade guards trendy rooms and suites, which boast great views of the Acropolis.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion, we recommend you splurge on the Penthouse Suite. Located on the 6th floor, this suite will reward you with 360-degree views of Athens – from the Acropolis to Lycabettus Hill. It features an exclusive living area, dining area, bar, and giant balcony with a swimming pool and hot tub!

Perianth Hotel is also home to the Zen Center, a non-profit organization that encourages you to explore meditation, martial arts, and yoga. 

9. AthensWas

A five-star design hotel situated in Dionysiou Areopagitou, the city’s most scenic pedestrian street, AthensWas is so close to the Acropolis that you can practically reach out and touch it! The Acropolis Museum, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Syntagma Square are also just a 10-minute walk away.

SENSE Rooftop Restaurant boasts some of the best views you’ll find anywhere in Athens and is largely regarded as being one of the top rooftop dining spots in the city. You’ve absolutely got to make a reservation here and try their classic Greek dishes brought to life with modern twists. If you can’t get in, there’s always MODERN, the hotel’s other restaurant which serves up comfort food and a long list of Greek wines.

With cutting-edge equipment from Technogym, the Fitness Corner is the place to go to stay in shape while on vacation. If you need a bit of extra help, exclusive personal training services are also available for indoor and outdoor workouts. 

At the end of a long day, you’ll love crashing out in the sophisticated rooms. Even standard rooms boast 1960s-style furnishings, a veranda with a bistro set, and a marble bath with designer toiletries.

10. Shila

One of the most unique boutique hotels in Athens, Shila is based on an imaginary character of the same name who inspired hospitality, friendliness, conviviality, and harmony, creating a wonderful hotel with a personality unlike any other. Set inside an early 20^th-century neoclassical house, Shila is the perfect pick to feel like you’re at home while experiencing an otherworldly realm of elegance at the same time.

The hotel’s decor takes inspiration from elements of bygone eras and the modern day. The six intimate suites are all one-of-a-kind, featuring everything from four-poster beds with luxury bedding to vintage mirrors decorated with peacock feathers to mesmerizing artwork with a story to tell. Whichever room you choose, you’ll enjoy a breakfast basket each morning, as well as Shila-exclusive organic bathroom botanicals, artisan minibar products, and an iPad with Netflix.

The rest of the hotel is just as beautiful as the suites. Inside the lounge and library, you’ll find an art gallery with regularly changing exhibitions from local and international artists. There’s also a wonderful rooftop garden full of lush plants and comfy sofa beds where you can relax and let life pass you by.

11. Hotel Grande Bretagne

The multi-award-winning Hotel Grande Bretagne boasts one of the most spectacular views in all of Athens. From the magnificent rooftop of this five-star hotel, you can see the Acropolis, Syntagma Square, Parliament, Lycabettus Hill, and the Olympic Stadium. Not only that, but the hotel also enjoys an incredible location, just steps away from museums, exclusive shopping areas, Greek tavernas, cocktail bars, and restaurants.

Dating back to 1874, the regal hotel pays meticulous attention to detail when it comes to its guest suites. Marrying old-world sophistication with cutting-edge facilities, each room features sumptuous fabrics, museum-quality antiques, original artwork, and classic architectural features. For the ultimate indulgence, treat yourself to a suite, which comes with the additional benefit of butler service!

Hotel Grande Bretagne offers so many services and facilities that you’ll never have to step foot outside if you don’t want to. You can work up a sweat in the Fitness Studio equipped with top-quality machines and flat-screen TVs before unwinding in the soothing GB Spa. When the hunger pangs kick in, you have four spectacular restaurants to choose from, plus two bars for a quick nightcap.

12. Heritage Hill Hotel

Located on the outskirts of Athens’ historic center, Heritage Hill Hotel offers the best of both worlds. The most popular tourist hotspots are just a pleasant stroll away, while the area surrounding the hotel has a much more local vibe, giving you the chance to immerse yourself in the real Athens. There’s also a metro and tram station nearby so you can explore further afield.

Embracing true Athenian urban style, the 36 rooms feature a relaxing natural color palette, high-quality linens, luxury toiletries, and breathtaking views of the Parthenon. For a vacation in style, treat yourself to the Lifestyle Suite. This exclusive guestroom includes a spacious balcony complete with a hot tub, dining table, and unbeatable views of the city and its landmarks.

There’s an onsite fitness room with the latest Technogym equipment, so you can stay on top of your workout regime. If you’d rather indulge yourself, you can relax with a drink from the hotel’s bar or urban garden, where you’ll find a menu packed with beers from Greek microbreweries and wines from the most renowned Greek wineries.

That completes our list of the 12 best Athens hotels! Did we miss any cool hotels in Athens? Comment below so we can add them to the list!

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