Athens is Greece’s capital, the
center of Ancient Greek civilization, and the birthplace of democracy.
Today, the vibrant city is packed with excellent hotels and restaurants, is
quite walkable, and great fun to explore. Many visitors to Greece pass through Athens
briefly en route to the islands. But the city is full of amazing historical
sites and archaeological ruins, including the fabulous Acropolis plateau atop
which sits the Parthenon looking out over the entire city below. Plus tons of great
restaurants, museums, and art galleries, live performances and special events. A few
more popular experiences and attractions in Athens include visiting the fabulous Acropolis
Museum, taking in the incredible views from atop Lycabettus Hill, visiting the Olympic
Stadium, witnessing the changing of the guard in front of Parliament, and enjoying
a late afternoon cocktail or dinner from any one of the many terrific rooftop cafes
and restaurants with Acropolis views. Before we go any further, know that
everything you see featured in this video, plus in depth travel guides to all of Greece’s
best islands including Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Paros, Naxos and more - plus leading
destinations across Europe including Paris, London, Rome, Amsterdam, and Lisbon, can
be found on our site at SantoriniDave.com. Don’t miss our great maps featuring Where To
Stay in Athens, Best Hotels, Top Attractions, and more; and you can find those links
in the description below this video. Here are our 8 favorite areas in Athens
that we recommend for tourists: Plaka, Monastiraki, Syntagma, Kolonaki, Psirri,
City Center, Makryanni, and Koukaki. We consider the Plaka neighborhood, the
oldest and most touristed part of Athens, to be the best choice for first time visitors.
Situated at the base of the Acropolis, and bordered by the city’s two most famous
squares, Syntagma and Monastiraki, the area is simultaneously packed with restaurants and
shops, as well as quiet alleyways to get lost in. And even though it’s full of tourists, it’s still
incredibly charming, with cobblestone streets, endless sidewalk cafes, and gorgeous
architecture. There’s also easy access to the airport and ferry port via metro
stations on the edges of the neighborhood, and is within easy walking distance to the city’s
other sites and less touristy neighborhoods. Best of all, most of the neighborhood is
pedestrian only, with some of the streets even paved in marble. And some of the best restaurants
and bars in Athens are found here as well. Plaka also offers a great variety of
accommodation, including lots of smaller and boutique hotels. Some of our favorites here
include Ava Hotel, Electra Palace, and A77 Suites. Monastiraki is the bustling, central downtown
area around Monastiraki Square, a major Athens plaza. Located directly adjacent to Plaka,
Monastiraki also has some of the ancient ruins, churches, and architecture, but is filled with
typical urban hustle, busy streets, traffic, and people passing in every direction. It’s
also home to some of the best rooftop patios and cafes in the city with stunning Acropolis views.
Monastiraki is great for shopping, with the nearby alleys filled with Greek souvenirs and other
commerce. The area, together with neighboring Psirri especially comes to life on Sunday flea
market days when vendors line the sidewalks. For dining, the area offers a great mix from
street food and casual tavernas to upscale restaurants serving traditional Greek
and Mediterranean dishes. Ermou Street, which runs from Syntagma Square to Monastiraki is
the main shopping street in Athens, with a mix of local boutiques and international brands. And
Monastiraki has a very central metro station, with direct connections to the port, and
most other parts of the city. This makes it a great choice for short term visits, that’s
also easily walkable to the main tourist sites. Our favorite hotels in Monastiraki include A
for Athens, 360 Degrees, and Muse Urban Suites. Syntagma is the large leafy plaza and area
directly in front of the Greek Parliament building, that’s also home to the famous changing
of the guard. This is where soldiers march in a crisp choreography each hour in front of the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier, as well as every Sunday morning along the adjacent streets. This zone
is the city’s political and commercial center, with the plaza home to protests and gatherings
over centuries, as well as frequent events today. Right next to parliament is the large and lovely
National Garden, an oasis of greenery that’s great to stroll through or relax in, and makes
an especially shady respite from summer heat. Syntagma is crisscrossed by major boulevards, and the metro station and bus stop
have direct connections to the airport. Here too is a great choice for short term
visits, that’s also very walkable to the city’s main tourist sites. Syntagma is however
not known for having particularly great food, as it’s filled with international
corporate chains and fast food stalls. The city’s 2 finest hotels, Grande Bretagne
and King George directly front the square, both having exceptional rooftop cafe restaurants
open to the public, with some of the best views of Athens. Also, nearby are the lovely Ergon
House hotel, with a boutique supermarket and cafe on the first floor, and New Hotel
with it’s groovy, art-filled interior. Bordering Syntagma and situated at the
base of Mt Lycabettus is the Kolonaki neighborhood. This stylish, leafy area has
some great museums and art galleries. Many of its streets are closed off to cars,
and lined with hip cafes and bars. The main street in Kolonaki features
picturesque neoclassical mansions, some of which have been turned into boutique
hotels, museums, and other businesses. The area is known for its high end shopping scene with
both Greek and international luxury brands. Above Kolonaki is Mt Lycabettus, the highest
point in Athens with fabulous views over the metropolis. A funicular connects the
neighborhood to the hilltop peak which includes a restaurant. Visitors can
also walk or drive to the top. Our favorite hotels in Kolonaki include St George
Lycabettus, Coco-Mat, and Periscope Hotels. Psirrri is located to the northwest of Monastiraki
and Plaka. It’s a hip, very pedestrian friendly, central area, known for nightlife, and packed
with great places to eat. This also means that it tends to be a bit nosier, especially
at night with the packed bars and cafes. Once-abandoned Neoclassical houses have been
renovated and reborn into boutique hotels, art galleries, tavernas and pubs. The area is
very much a working class part of the city, with artist studios filling the narrow lanes,
and murals and graffiti covering many walls. On Sundays, the neighborhood is particularly
alive, with the adjacent Monastiraki Flea Market full of vintage items stretching well
into Psirri. With it’s slightly grittier edge, fewer tourists visit here then nearby areas,
despite it’s proximity to the top attractions. This means there are some great accommodation
choices at more affordable rates. Some of our favorites here include the boutique hotels
The Foundry, Ivis 4, and Andronis Athens. City Center is the area to the north
of Monastiraki and Syntagma. This is another very central zone, with easy access
to most of the city’s top attractions on foot, or to the airport and ferry port via metro.
It’s packed with great food for all budgets, plus some of the city’s best bars, and shopping
for both local and international styles. This area is home to the 140
year old Athens Central Market, buzzing with vendors selling
produce, seafood, and meats, and surrounded by simple restaurants
selling traditional Greek dishes. Hotels in the city center are a solid mix of
smaller boutique spaces and modern luxury hotels, with often better pricing then in the Syntagma
Square area. Here we suggest xenodocheio Milos, Gem Society, Gatsby, and Perianth Hotels.
Makriyanni is the small neighborhood to the south of Plaka and adjacent to the Acropolis.
This is where you’ll find the fabulous Acropolis Museum and Metro Station. There’s a long, shady
pedestrian pathway that leads from the Temple of Olympian Zeus near Hadrian’s Arch, to the
main entrance to the Acropolis, that’s lined with cafes and souvenir shops. Two hotels we
recommend here include the excellent AthensWas with a fantastic rooftop restaurant featuring
one of the top Acropolis views, and Athens Gate. Right next door to Makriyanni is Koukaki, another
popular neighborhood with a great local vibe, that’s very close to the Acropolis, but a bit
longer walk to many other sites. 3 great hotels we suggest here are Athenaeum Intercontinental
Cohort Koukaki, and Divani Palace Acropolis. Two additional neighborhoods beyond the central
downtown area that deserve consideration are Piraeus and Athens Riviera. Though we don’t
feel it’s necessary and don’t recommend it, some people prefer staying close to Piraeus
Port for an early ferry departure or late arrival.The best hotels in the Piraeus area
are The Alex Hotel, and The Port Square Hotel. And The Athens Riviera is a collection of
seaside towns south of Athens. Primarily a beach destination, it’s a great choice
if you’re wanting some beach time but your itinerary doesn’t include time in the islands,
or as a great day trip from Athens. It’s about a 30-45 minute drive from the city, and can
be reached via public transportation. Here, our favorite hotels are The Four Seasons,
The Margi, and the Grand Resort Lagonissi. Check out our many great travel
guides that cover where to stay, eat, and go for popular destinations
across Europe and around the world at SantoriniDave.com and across this
YouTube channel. Thanks for watching.
