Should we visit Athens? Part 8 – Accommodation Options

Introduction

This post considers accommodation options for Athens. Self-catering apartments and hotels are the two main types of accommodation to be explored in Athens. This post is the eighth post in our series – Should we visit Athens?

If our stay is beyond two to three nights we will mostly choose to stay in an apartment. We find apartments offer: more space, more facilities (e.g. washer/dryer, WiFi, shower etc), fewer interruptions, and closer interaction with the local culture. So, we will choose an apartment for Athens (seven days) and a hotel for Meteora (two days) and Syros (two days).

Accommodation options

Areas to stay in Athens

Matt Barrett suggests Plaka, Makrianni, Koukaki, Thission, Syntagma and Monastiraki. He obviously favours the Plaka area. Wandertooth lists and offers overviews of the following suburbs: Plaka, Psirri & Monastiraki, Syntagma, Kolonaki; and alternatives such as Koukaki, Exarchia, Kifissia, plus Glyfada, Voula, and Vouliagmeni. Greeka.com lists 17 neighbourhoods and identifies Syntagma, Plaka, Monastiraki, Acropolis, Thissio and Gazi as the tourist areas. Furthermore, a very good although brief discussion of the neighbourhoods can be found on Frommers and the Travelporter. Greeking.me provides an even shorter but instructive overview. I do like the Nomad is Beautiful website which overviews nine areas and suggests places to stay and things to do.

Okay, I’ve picked five areas from these websites:

1. Koukaki
2. Thission
3. Plaka
4. Kolonaki
5. Psirri

Koukaki

Matt Barrett talks about Koukaki and Makrianni in the same breath. He suggests they are within walking distance of all attractions. There are three major attractions: The Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Nomad is Beautiful says it is a quiet residential area in southeast Athens and is a favourite because of “its serene atmosphere, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, and streets full of small cafes and local Greek restaurants”. Suggestions include dinner at a local taverna, the Acropolis Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Thission

It is agreed there are marvellous views of the Acropolis from all parts of Thissio. Nomad is Beautiful suggests a climb up Philopappos Hill or a Street Art Tour from Thissio metro station. Greeka.com says Thissio, southwest of Monastiraki and close to the centre of Athens, is famous for trendy cafes and bars, and neo-classical buildings.

Plaka

Greeka.com says that Plaka, which is found between Syntagma and Monastiraki and below the Acropolis, is one of the oldest neighbourhoods of Athens. The historic neighbourhood is full of beautiful buildings, Byzantine churches, little touristy shops, cafes, bars and tavernas. Wandertooth says it is the oldest and most beautiful part of Athens (outdoor cafes, picturesque lane-ways). It is a great place to stay on a short visit to Athens. Suitable for all ages, sightseeing, restaurants, shopping, and ambience. Frommers says Plaka is one of the most tourist-heavy places in Athens.

Kolonaki

Wandertooth says to stay here if you want a posh, upmarket, and tranquil experience with convenient access to the hot spots. One of the most elegant neighbourhoods in Athens says Greeka.com with paved streets, cafes, and shops. Short walking distance from Syntagma square. Greeking.me says if you can “splurge more” then Kolonaki has high-end shops, coffee shops and restaurants.

Psirri

Wandertooth and Greeka.com say that Psirri comes alive at night (hence it can be noisy) and is very convenient for sightseeing and walking (all attractions can be reached). Suitable for the younger set. It is full of shops, bars, and restaurants.