An Athenian’s Guide to the Best Plaka Athens Hotels

Updated January 22nd, 2022 by TraveltheGreekWay

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This post is about the best luxury and boutique Plaka Athens Hotels, their main facilities, and the nearby Acropolis and Plaka sites.

Plaka is the oldest part of Athens and is actually built on top of the ancient city of Athens. Plaka is a great place to stay especially if this is your first time in Athens as most of the best boutique Plaka Athens hotels can be found here or close by.

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.

I was raised in Athens by my Greek parents and ever since I was a child, a stroll in Plaka and Acropolis was (and still is!) one of the best things to do in Athens.

If you are wondering what are the best Plaka Athens hotels near the Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum, you will find in this post a comprehensive list of luxury and boutique hotels.

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Grande Bretagne Hotel

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Best Luxury Hotel in Athens: Grande Bretagne

Grande Bretagne Hotel is the best luxury hotel in Athens center, on Syntagma Square and the most luxurious hotel in Greece.

Grande Bretagne Hotel is a purely aristocratic and classy hotel, one of its kind in Greece built in 1842.

It has 320 rooms and suites, including a 400 square meter (4,305 sqf.) suite on the fifth floor, all the facilities you can think of, service and cuisine of first-class, and a fantastic terrace overlooking Acropolis.

Check out Availability & Prices for Grande Bretagne Hotel at Booking

Near By Sites to Grande Bretagne

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Across from Grande Bretagne Hotel stands Syntagma Square, a historical spot and the beating heart of Athens.

The most important monuments on the square are the beautiful neoclassical building of the Greek Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where the famous Change of the Guards occurs.

A 5-minutes walk will get you to Kolonaki posh area for expensive fashion shopping, galleries, and fine cuisine.

Cycladic, Byzantine, Numismatic, and National Gallery Museums are in easy proximity either by walking or by 1 metro station.

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Check out Availability & Prices for Grande Bretagne Hotel at Booking

Best Hotels in Plaka 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.

As you walk past small yard houses, museums, galleries, and impressive ancient landmarks, you are taken aback by the diverse monuments from the very long history of Athens.

Find below the best Plaka Athens Hotels:

A77 Suites By Andronis

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A77 Suites by Andronis: The Suites are set in the quiet part of Plaka, in a gorgeous 19th-century neo-classical building, still, in the very center of the dynamic atmosphere of Athens Plaka.

The A77 Suites by Andronis lobby is quite unique: you can be checking in and shop at the same time at the fashion boutique stocked with a collection of international Haute and Greek labels.

The hotel 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 by Andronis on Booking.

Near by 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, Adrian’s Library, and Tzisdarakis Mosque.

The impressive Athens Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation built in 1842. Next to the large Church stands the hidden gem of the Byzantine Church of Virgin Mary Gorgoepekoos and Saint Eleutherius (dates of construction are between 9-13th c AD).

Check out availability and prices for A77 Suites by Andronis on Booking

Electra Metropolis Hotel

Electra Metropolis Hotel: 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, and a gym.

Check out availability and prices for Electra Metropolis Hotel on Booking

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.

Ermou street is a 1-minute walk far and one of the best ice-cream shops in Athens, the Le Greche. 

Eclectic wineries with some of the best Greek and International wines in Athens: Kiki de Grece & Oinoscent

Electra Palace Athens Hotel

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Electra Palace Athens Hotel: Electra Palace is part of a well-established Greek chain of Hotels, just like Electra Metropolis Hotel. It is housed in a beautiful neoclassic building set on a quiet, upmarket- atmosphere street in Plaka.

Its terrace offers stunning Acropolis views and with facilities like marble bathrooms, Jacuzzi bathtubs, dark wooden floors and furnishings, luxuriant and elaborate Persian rugs, and soft bed linen you will have a superb hospitality experience. Do visit the indoor spa, pool, sauna, that offers top-notch massage and beauty therapies.

 The hotel is located within easy walking distance of everything central in Athens.

Check out availability and prices for Electra Palace Hotel on Booking

What else is around Electra Palace Hotel?

5 minutes walk from Syntagma Sq National Park, Zappeion, Adrianou st.

The Museum of Greek Children’s Art, exhibiting children’s art.

The Jewish Museum, presenting the history of Greek Jewish.

Acropolis is about 15 minutes walk far.

Kyria Boutique House

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Kyria Boutique House: An 1863-Athenian historical building situated a few meters far from Acropolis Eastern Entrance and Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian.

With a roof garden facing the Acropolis, classic and elegant rooms that hint at its past with many small vintage details, and only 1 minute far from the Acropolis Metro, this is an ideal hotel to stay.

As this is definitely one of the most popular neighborhoods to stay in Acropolis, I would recommend booking early.

Check out prices and availability for Kyria Boutique Hotels on Booking

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What else is around Kyria Boutique House?

Acropolis Eastern Entrance & Acropolis Museum

Temple of Olympian Zeus and Adrian Arch: The construction of the Temple started in the 6th BC but it was completed in the 2nd c AD. It was devoted to Zeus and was one of the largest Temples in ancient times. Today only 15 of its pillars still stand.

Zappeion Park with Zappeion mansion

Panathenaic Stadium

Wine with Eleni, best, select and rare Greek wines in a cozy small Acropolis Park

AthensWas Design Hotel

AthensWas Design Hotel: Boasting an incredible location, the Athenswas Design is a great combination of a classic and modern luxury hotel. The hotel features leather armchairs, minimalist divans, sculptural chairs, a glass-fronted lobby,  geometric black, and white marble floors, and electric blue sofas.

The facilities are minimal: a tiny fitness corner and a couple of computers for guests in the basement. However, the rooftop restaurant offers a fine Mediterranean cuisine option with spectacular Acropolis views.

Check out prices and availability for AthensWas Design Hotel on Booking

What else is around the AthensWas?

2 minutes walk far is Acropolis Eastern Entrance & Acropolis Museum on Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian

Temple of Olympian Zeus and Adrian Arch

Zappeion Park and Panathenaic Stadium

5-minute walk to the Lysicrates Monument & Diogeni Cafe

Cave of Acropolis tavern right under the Acropolis fortification

Plaka Arch Suites

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Plaka Arch Suites: Plaka Arch is housed in a lovely neoclassic building, the suites are bright, airy comfortable, and with views of Acropolis, this is a perfect accommodation. All 7 stylish rooms are fitted with balconies, feature flat-screen TVs, safes, hairdryers, slippers, and free toiletries.

Check out prices and availability for Plaka Arch Suites on Booking

Plaka Arch Suites is close to:

The Temple of Olympian Zeus, Adrian’s Arch, Zappeion Park, Panathenaic Stadium

Dionysiou Areopagitou, Acropolis and Acropolis Museum

Lysicrates Monument

Numerous cafes, taverns, and bars are in close proximity.

Wisdom Residence Luxury Apartments

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Wisdom Residence Luxury Apartments at Plaka: The Wisdom Apartments Hotel is a new place and one of the best of its kind. Very close to Acropolis, it is cozy, comfortable, with a hearty breakfast and facilities like a small kitchenette and laundry is ideal for a short or long stay in the very heart of Plaka.

What else is close by?

• Acropolis, National and Zappeion Gardens, Adrian’s Arch and Temple of Olympian Zeus
• St Paul Anglican Church

Check out prices and availability for Wisdom Residence Luxury Apartments on Booking

Ava Hotel & Suites

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Ava Hotel and Suites: It is a small luxury hotel, in a tiny Plaka street with its balconies overlooking Adrian’s Arch and its terrace to the Acropolis. The Ava Hotel is sophisticated, with emphasis on classy detail, and with king-size beds, you will have a memorable stay.

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

Noble Suites

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Noble Suites: A superior hotel in one of the old Athenian elegant and classy neoclassic buildings. Fine rooms, designed for both good rest and tasteful hospitality. Not exactly in Plaka but 5 minutes far from it.

Check out prices and availability for Noble Suites on Booking

What else is around Noble Suites?

Acropolis Hill Western Entrance & Odeon of Herodes Attikus

Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian, the loveliest pedestrian in Greece

Ilias Lalaounis Jewellery Museum, the history of Greek Jewellery making from the word-famous Ilias Lalaounis

Acropolis Museum, one of the best museums in the world

Strofi Restaurant, excellent Greek cuisine with Acropolis Views

Wine with Eleni, rare and eclectic Greek wines only!

The Best Things to See in 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 in 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 Rangavas: Built in the 11th century, this lovely church was part of the palace of the Rangavas family, who counted among them Michael I, emperor of Byzantium.

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• 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, documents, as well as a rich and rare photographic record on 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 aeons, but also to claim the return of priceless stolen Greek artefacts

Athens Archaeological Sites

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Some of the most important monuments in Athens are:

• Acropolis Hill, with Parthenon, Propylea, Athena Nike, and Erechteion Temples
• Roman Agora includes: The Tower of the Winds and the Gate of Athens built in the 2nd c BC, The Fethiye Mosque, a 17th-century construction today operating as a Museum
• Temple of Zeus and Adrian’s Arch
• Towards Monastiraki Square, you will find Adrian’s Library
• Towards Thissio is the very important site of Ancient Agora

Athens Tips – What not to miss

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• 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
• 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 that I highly recommend are the National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens (1 metro station far from Acropolis, at Fix Station) and Goulandris Museum, 5 minutes far 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!

Best Beach or Budget Hotels in Athens

Private Transfer to your Hotel

Book a private transfer with English speaking chauffeur from Athens International Airport or Piraeus Ferries. You avoid the hassle of public transport and minimize the risk of having your luggage lost or stolen. Check this professional and reliable private transfer in a Luxury Mercedes Van here

How to Get to Greece

Like most visitors to Greece, you will probably have to fly to Athens or Thessaloniki International Airports to get to your final destinations.

For the Cheapest, Fastest, Best Worldwide Flights, I highly recommend the Skyscanner search engine site.

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