Where to Stay in Plaka Athens for 2024: The Old City

Are you planning your trip to Greece and wondering where to stay in Plaka Athens? If yes, this post will help you find the best luxury and boutique Plaka Athens Hotels and apartments. I have listed properties in the Old Part of Athens that are both renovated and some of them have also stunning views of the Acropolis Hill. Plaka is a great place to stay especially if this is your first time in Athens as most of the best sites in Athens are in the same area.

Most of the Plaka Athens hotels have classical Greek neoclassic architecture, featuring roof terraces with stunning Acropolis views while dining or enjoying a glass of wine or a coffee.

Anafiotika in Plaka

If you are wondering what are the best hotels in Plaka Athens within walking distance or 1 metro station from the Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum, you will find in this post a comprehensive list of luxury and boutique hotels.

*Some of the links below are affiliate links.  That means I may make a commission if you click and buy, at no additional cost to you!

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Where to Stay in Plaka Athens

Plaka in Athens

Plaka Athens is a mixture of neoclassic buildings, souvenir and art shopping, small cafes, and Greek traditional taverns, usually found under vines and trees and a maze of narrow, mainly car-free streets.

Read along if you are searching for where to stay in Plaka Athens:

The Marble Suites

The Marble Suites (family-friendly, self-catering, can host up to 6 guests) are beautifully decorated in the center of Athens with impressive Acropolis views. The suites are close to the metro, a lovely restaurant near Old Ithaki, Acropolis, and the Monastiraki flea market.

You will love this very bright with modern furniture and very clean apartment, exceptionally well designed and with a fully-equipped kitchen. And in the evenings you can enjoy your drink with a lit Acropolis on the terrace.

For prices and availability check Booking.com.

Apollonos at Heart of Plaka

Stylish rooms

Apollonos at Heart of Plaka (family-friendly, self-catering, can host up to 4 guests) is in the heart of Athens, set within a short distance of Monastiraki Square and Ermou Street. The rooms are very spacious which is not always the case with Athens central apartments. You will also love that all the important sites are conveniently close to the property, and before you sleep you will enjoy the view of the Acropolis from your bed.

A77 Suites

A77 Suites (family-friendly, breakfast, can host up to 3 guests): If you are wondering where to stay in Plaka Athens in luxury and style, you will love this property. The Suites are set in the quiet part of Plaka, in a gorgeous 19th-century neo-classical building.

best hotels in plaka athens Andronis terrace
Andronis Suites

The property has 12 sound-proofed stylish decorated suites and an open terrace with inspiring views, a truly fantastic place to stay. Check out availability and prices for A77 Suites on Booking.

Nearby sites:

  • Monastiraki Square is always filled with all kinds of people, souvlaki and gyros taverns on one side, the flea market on the other side, the Adrianou Street overlooking the Ancient Agora, Hadrian’s Library, and Tzisdarakis Mosque.
  • The impressive Athens Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation was built in 1842.

Where to Stay in Plaka Athens: Electra Metropolis Hotel

Electra Metropolis Room

Electra Metropolis Hotel (family-friendly, breakfast, can host up to 3 guests per room): This is one of the best hotels in Plaka Athens. A high-quality 5-star hotel, located very close to Syntagma Square. It features 216 luxurious and fully equipped suites and rooms with marvelous views of the Acropolis and the old neighborhood of Plaka.

Do visit his roof garden on the 10th floor for a meal or a drink with a stunning 360° panoramic view of Athens and beyond. The hotel boasts also 2 pools, a superb Aegeo Spa, a gym, and three restaurants on site.

What else is around Electra Metropolis Hotel? Right across the hotel, on the side road (5 Pentelis St) you can find the best souvlaki in Athens at Kostas. On the parallel street, Apollonos, you can find some of the best Japanese and Mexican food in Athens. Check availability in Booking.

Ava Hotel & Suites

Ava Hotel and Suites (family-friendly, breakfast, can host up to 4 guests per room): a small luxury hotel, in a tiny Plaka street with balconies overlooking Hadrian’s Arch and its terrace to the Acropolis. The Ava Hotel is sophisticated, with an emphasis on classy detail, and with king-size beds, you will have a memorable stay.

best hotels in Plaka Athens- Ava hotel

It is located in the very heart of Plaka, very close to almost everything:

Acropolis, Lysicrates monument, National and Zappeion Park, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Panathenaic Stadium, Evangelical Church, Saint Catherine old church, Museum of Modern Greek Culture, and Anafiotika area.

Check out prices and availability for Ava Hotel and Suites on Booking.

Best Apartments in Athens

Living near Acropolis by Sylvia Staikou

Bright rooms

Living near Acropolis by Sylvia Staikou (family-friendly, self-catering, can host up to 3 guests per room) is one of the best apartments in Athens near the Acropolis.

The property is spotless, as the owner Sylvia takes care of everything with care and consideration. It is perfect for families as it is quite spacious and close to restaurants, cafes, archaeological sites, and the Metro.

Check availability and prices on Booking.

Where to Stay in Plaka Athens: Athens Grand Suite

Athens Grand Suite is fortunate to have a unique location: Having breakfast on your balcony means that you are sipping your coffee looking at the Acropolis of Athens, the Temple of the Olympian Zeus, the National Gardens, and the Lycabettus Hill at the same time!

View to Acropolis Hill from the balcony of Apartment Athens Grand Suites.Where to Stay in Plaka Athens.
Apartment Athens Grand Suites with Acropolis view

The apartment is perfect for a group of up to 8 people as it has 2 large double bedrooms, a bedroom with 2 single beds, and 2 sofa beds in the living room.

It is set at the beginning of Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian, the road that leads to the east entrance to the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum. Plaka is just a minute away. Check availability and prices on Booking.

Top Luxury Hotel in Athens: Grande Bretagne

 Grande Bretagne is the top luxury hotel in Athens center, on Syntagma Square, and the most luxurious hotel in Greece, built in 1842.

best hotels in plaka athens - room of Grande Bretagne

It has 320 rooms and suites, including a 400 square meter suite on the fifth floor, all the facilities you can think of, service and cuisine of first-class, and a fantastic terrace overlooking the Acropolis. Check out the availability and prices at Booking.

best hotels in plaka athens - Hellenic Parliament
The Greek Parliament

Nearby sites to Grande Bretagne Hotel are:

  • Syntagma Square, a historical spot and the beating heart of Athens
  • the Greek Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where the famous Change of the Guards occurs
  • Kolonaki posh area for expensive fashion shopping, galleries, and fine cuisine
  • Cycladic, Byzantine, Numismatic, and National Gallery Museums

Visit Anafiotika Plaka Athens

Anafiotika is a tiny settlement within Plaka with small white houses and colorful minuscule gardens that look more like a small Aegean island than Athens.

Anafiotika took its name from the Anafi island builders who came to Athens in the 19th century to work on the reconstruction of the city of Athens. They were given the choice to build their own home in Plaka and they did so, building a small Anafi island in the heart of Plaka.

Anafiotika at times looks like a labyrinth, some spots may be covered in graffiti, but generally speaking, is a stunningly beautiful and unique place to visit.

Find below a list of the most popular and significant landmarks in Plaka that you may want to visit:

  • Athens University Museum: The collection includes the first Greek academic editions of books for Law, Medicine, and other sciences, manuscripts, antique scientific instruments, documents, portraits, and a large and rare photographic collection.
  • Church of Agios Nicholas Ragavas: Built in the 11th century, this lovely church was part of the palace of the Ragavas family, who counted among them Michael I, emperor of Byzantium.
  • The oldest Athenian House, Benizelos Mansion: The house works as a museum and it was built most likely in the first half of the 18th century, is the last surviving konaki in Athens.
  • Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments: The museum aims to collect, conserve and exhibit folk musical instruments
  • Frissiras Museum includes more than 3,000 paintings, drawings, sculptures, and engravings of European artists
  • Center for Asia Minor Studies:  The Center has gathered a unique historic archive of 150,000 manuscript pages, and documents, as well as a rich and rare photographic record of Greek coming from Asia Minor.
  • The Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos Museum: A 7.000 pieces art collection donated to the Greek state by the Canellopoulos family. Its main goal is to prove the continuity of Greek art through the eons, but also to claim the return of priceless stolen Greek artifacts

Athens Archaeological Sites

Parthenon Temple

Some of the most important monuments in Athens are:

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FAQ for first-time visitors to Athens

Athinas Street at dawn
  • 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 euro 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
Varvakeios Market – Photo Newsit
  • 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 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
  • From your hotel in Plaka, everything is within walking distance. Alternatively, use the Metro to go around. Be careful in the metro for pickpocketing!

 Athens Airport to Piraeus Port

Bus X96 Peiraias Port to Athens Airport
Airport Bus
  • 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.

Did you find the Athens hotel you were looking for? Let me know what you think about my listing in the comments, I’d love to hear from you! Till next time, Evgenia❤️

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About the author
Evgenia Mataragka
Hi! I am an Athens-based Greek obsessed with exploring Greece and bringing you the best travel experience ever!

2 thoughts on “Where to Stay in Plaka Athens for 2024: The Old City”

  1. Have never stayed overnight in this part of Athens but have wandered the area many times and it is wonderful. Especially the cats!

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