Athens on a Budget: My 8 Favorite Affordable Hotels

Best Cheap Hotels in Athens

1. Raise Athens Metro Apartments

Raise Athens Metro Apartments (family-friendly, self-catering) is absolutely amazing. It is a cozy apartment that feels like home with a fantastic view from the balcony, and tasteful, modern decoration. Special bonus the super comfy mattress!

The metro station is just a quick 2-minute walk away, the taxi ranks across the road, and there are plenty of well-known food shops with some really nice taverns.

It is everything you will need for a beautiful stay in Athens!

Check availability and prices in:

• Booking

2. Attalos Hotel in Monastiraki

Attalos Hotel (family-friendly, breakfast) is not only one of the best budget hotels in Athens but also has an amazing Acropolis view from its terrace.

Centrally located with Monastiraki train station being just 3 blocks away, Attalos Hotel is great value-for-money accommodation in Athens. It has clean, tastefully decorated rooms, a wide variety of breakfasts, and stunning Athens views.

Just everything you need to feel welcomed, have quiet and restful nights, all that in the very central Athens. And most importantly, at great prices.

What Sites are close to the Attalos Hotel?

• Everything!
• Athens Central open meat, fish, and spices market
• Monastiraki Square, Plaka, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora
• Psyrri area: go to Nancy’s Sweet Home – with many Greek traditional sweets

Check availability and prices for Attalos in Booking.

3. Dryades & Orion Hotel

Dryades & Orion Hotel (family-friendly, breakfast option) is a fabulous hotel located in the vibrant district of Exarchia, in central Athens.

Exarchia is not a tourist area, so you have the opportunity to go to the cafes and taverns that only locals frequent.

It has spacious and bright rooms, decorated in a modern style with a few antique elements.

As it has a lovely roof garden, you can enjoy your breakfast or a late evening drink. It is a children and pet-friendly hotel!

What Sites are close to Dryades & Orion Hotel?

• The hotel is built near Strefi Hill, where you can enjoy a walk with panoramic views of Athens and Lycabettus Hill.
• Kolonaki, Athens’ posh area with high-end fashion shops, galleries, and restaurants
• The Acropolis is 2 km away. You can take the metro from Panepistimiou St and be at the Acropolis 3 stations later
• National Archaeological Museum

Check availability and prices for Dryades & Orion Hotel in Booking.

4. Athens Mirabello

Athens Mirabello (family-friendly, breakfast) is located in a very central area in Athens, minutes from Omonia Metro station (3 stations away from the Acropolis). It is a fantastic value for money accommodation, with quiet rooms, a great breakfast, and very helpful staff.

And if you want to stay locally, there is a nice restaurant down the hill, Alexander the Great, and a great coffee shop/restaurant on the top floor of Hondos, the shopping mall by the Omonia Metro.

What Sites are close to Athens Mirabello?

• Athens City Hall with the archaeological site at Kotzia Square
• The meat, fish, and vegetable central market of Athens (with small taverns for food tasting)
• Psyrri and Monastiraki’s colorful areas
• Benaki Museum
• Keramikos Archaeological Site

Check availability and prices for the Athens Mirabello on Booking.

6. Hotel Victory Inn in Victoria

Victory Inn Hotel is centrally located close to the Victoria metro station, just 4 stops from the Acropolis. Victory Inn is a remarkable Athens Budget hotel with beautiful rooms and comfortable beds, great to sleep in (heavy, lush curtains keeping the sun out).

What else is around Victory Inn?

• 1 street away is one of Athens’ largest parks, ‘Pedion tou Areos’, great for your morning jogging or a stroll
• The National Archaeological Museum, along with the Acropolis Museum, are the 2 most significant Museums in Greece

Check availability and prices for Victory Inn in Booking.

7. Museum of Modern Art Rooms 

The Museum of Modern Art Rooms (Children over 2 are welcome) is one of the best budget hotels in Athens and really close to Acropolis Hill.

The rooms are tastefully decorated and spotlessly clean, with impressive city views and balconies. The neighborhood is also very safe, next to the impressive Modern Museum of Athens.

8. Cecil Hotel in Athinas St.

Athens Archaeological Sites

The most important archaeological sites of central Athens are:

• Acropolis Hill and Slopes
• Ancient Agora of Athens and its Museum
• Roman Agora
• Kerameikos
• Hadrian’s Library
• Lyceum of Aristotle
• Olympieio (Temple of Zeus)

 FAQs for First-Time Visitors to Athens

What’s the best time to visit Athens? 

Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Summer (June-August) is hot and bustling, while winter (December-February) sees fewer tourists and cooler temperatures.

Is Athens safe? 

Generally speaking, yes, but take precautions like you would in any major city. Be aware of petty theft, especially in crowded areas and the metro.

How do I get from the airport to the city center? 

Metro, train, bus, taxi, or ride-sharing apps are available. The metro is the most efficient and affordable option.

Is it easy to walk around Athens? 

The city center is relatively walkable but be prepared for hills and uneven terrain. Comfortable shoes are a must!

Should I rent a car in Athens?

If you’re planning to travel outside of Athens, renting a car is my top recommendation—it gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. However, if you’re staying in Athens, there’s really no need to rent a car. Parking can be a big challenge unless your hotel provides a designated space.

Do I need to buy tickets in advance for attractions?

If you’re traveling during peak season (June to September), it’s highly recommended to plan for popular sites like the Acropolis to avoid long queues under the scorching sun.

What’s the tipping etiquette in Athens?

You’re expected to tip around 10-15% at restaurants, but it is not obligatory.

Do I need to learn any Greek phrases?

 Knowing basic phrases like “hello” (“γεια σας”, yia sas), “thank you” (“ευχαριστώ”, eucharisto), and “please” (“παρακαλώ”, parakalo) is appreciated and shows respect.

Tips for first-time visitors to Athens

• Try the koulouri, a small round piece of bread usually with sesame and a Greek coffee and you become instantly a Greek local!

• If you are not squeamish about blood or fish smell, visit the famous Varvakios Market, on Athinas Street, a 10-minute walk from Monastiraki Square, an indoor and outdoor food market. The vendors sell fresh meat, fish, fruit, spices, and products from around the country.

• If you have the time, besides the stunning Acropolis Museum, I highly recommend the National Archaeological Museum, the biggest Museum in Greece with ancient artifacts from all over the country.

• Other significant Museums are the National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens (1 metro station away from the Acropolis, at Fix Station) and the Goulandris Museum, 5 minutes from the Panathenaic Stadium.

• Across from the northern Acropolis exit stands the Areopagus or Mars Hill, where Apostle Paul preached.

Athens Best Hotels and Apartments

Looking for the best hotels and apartments near the old Athens Plaka and Acropolis Parthenon? Find in my complete list below the best accommodation in Athens for a unique travel experience!

• Where to Stay in Plaka, Athens’ Old Town
• Acropolis View Hotels & Apartments in Athens
• Best Athens Beach Hotels
• Central Apartments in Athens
• Athens Budget Apartments

Join Our FB Group & Subscribe to My YouTube Channel!

For more travel to Greece tips and beautiful destinations in the Greek islands please join my FREE Facebook Group or SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube & TikTok channels for amazing videos of Greece! Until then happy and safe travels, Evgenia.

How to Get to Athens Port (Piraeus) from Athens Airport

• Bus: If you are arriving at Athens International Airport you can travel straight to the port by taking the X96 express bus (€5.5, children <6 yo, free entrance), which departs every 40 minutes and the average trip lasts 1 hour – runs 24/7.
• Metro: (€9) is easily found across airport arrivals (blue line – M3) going directly to Piraeus port. The average trip to Piraeus lasts 1 hour.
• Taxis are available in front of the airport (around €45 to Athens, €55 to Piraeus (depending on the traffic in Kifisos), and take up to 3 or 4 people with small luggage)
• Rent a car with Discover Cars for reliable, new cars at affordable prices
• You don’t like driving but love hassle-free solutions? Book a Private transfer with an English-speaking driver from Athens International Airport to Piraeus Ferries, or anywhere else in Greece.

Plan Your Next Trip to Greece With These Guides

• Greece Packing List – What to pack for a 10-day trip to Greece
• First Time to Greece – Most Important FAQ
• Mamma Mia Greece Locations – All the mainland and island shooting areas in Greece

Essential Travel Info for Greece