Are you looking for the best cheap hotels in Athens near the sites? Are you planning your trip to Athens and you are looking for budget hotels near the Acropolis and the other monuments?
Find in this post some of the best cheap hotels in Athens, near metro stations and close to the Acropolis and other important Athens landmarks. The hotels include the popular Attalos Hotel with Acropolis views from its terrace to hidden gems like Noma Hotel, both close to Monastiraki Metro station.
I also provide information about which metro station is close to your hotel, how to get to Athens Port (Piraeus) from Athens Airport to get the ferries to the islands, and some tips for first-time visitors to Athens!
Up next I am going to tell you about my 8 favorite cheap hotels in Athens city center!
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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:
2. Attalos Hotel in Monastiraki
Attalos Hotel (family-friendly, breakfast) is not only one of the best budget hotels in Athens but has also 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 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:
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 few antique elements. As it has a lovely roof garden you can enjoy there 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:
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 Acropolis). It is a fantastic value for money accommodation, with quiet rooms, 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
- 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 Mirablello in:
5. Noma, one of the Best Cheap Hotels in Athens
Noma Hotel (family-friendly, breakfast option) is another great cheap hotel in Athens! It is centrally located, very close to Monastiraki and Plaka, Athens’ old neighborhoods. Noma Hotel is housed in a recently renovated old Athenian House, with stylish decorations and traces of its old glamor.
The rooms are beautifully decorated with fine and artistic details, which you are going to love.
What else is close to Noma Hotel
- The open vegetable, meat fish, and spices market in Athinas St. throbbing with people buying food for their homes (beware of your wallets/passports)
- Monastiraki sq, Ancient Agora and Flea Market
- Plaka, Anafiotika, Roman Agora, Adrian’s Library
- Ermou commercial st
- Greek Parliament is a 10-minute walk if you walk up Ermou St from Monastiraki
Check availability and prices for Noma Hotel in:
- Booking
- Expedia
6. Hotel Victory Inn in Victoria
Victory Inn Hotel is centrally located close to the Victoria metro station, just 4 stops from 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:
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.
Cecil Hotel is one of the most central cheap hotels in Athens, on the lively street of Athinas. If you get a room on the top floor you will have also a great view. And if you go to the terrace you will see the Acropolis. The hotel is 5 minutes from Monastiraki, so the connection to the airport is perfect!
Athens Archaeological Sites
If you are visiting Athens for the first time, then you should buy the ‘package’ ticket that gives you access to 7 major sites for the current price of €30 which is valid for 5 days. The sites that you can visit 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 autumn (September-November) offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Summer (June-August) is hot and bustling, while winter (December-February) sees fewer tourists but cooler temperatures.
Is Athens safe? Generally yes, but take precautions like you would in any major city. Be aware of petty theft, especially in crowded areas.
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.
How does the public transportation system work? Athens has a good metro, tram, and bus network. Tickets are affordable and can be purchased at stations or kiosks.
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!
Can I rent a car in Athens? While possible, parking can be challenging and driving might not be recommended, especially for first-time visitors.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance for attractions? It’s highly recommended for popular sites like the Acropolis to avoid long queues, especially during peak season.
What’s the tipping etiquette in Athens? Tipping around 10-15% is customary at restaurants and for taxis. Smaller tips are appropriate for other services.
Do I need to learn any Greek phrases? Knowing basic phrases like “hello” (“γεια σας”, ya 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 staying for more than a day in Athens buy the €30 combination ticket, valid for all the archaeological sites for 5 days.
- 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 far from Acropolis, at Fix Station) and Goulandris Museum, 5 minutes from 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 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
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 €40 to Athens, €55-60 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
- Are you looking for domestic flights in Greece? Check out the official Aegean Airlines Website.
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
- ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Greek: “Ya sou” and “Efharisto”
- Booking.com: I use Booking.com mostly for Europe.
- Expedia: I use Expedia for the rest of the world.
- All-Inclusive Resorts in Greece
- FerryScanner to book ferries to the Greek Islands
- Rent an Affordable Car in Greece
- Athens Metro Website (timetables and ticket info)
- Trains (Hellenic Train)
- Public Buses KTEL
- Get Your Guide: For all your day or multi-day tours and city guide needs, I use Get Your Guide
- Emergency Numbers Anywhere in Greece: AMBULANCE 166 – FIRE 199 – POLICE 100– EMERGENCY NUMBER 112