Its definitely the best hotel near the Athens airport. Also what is the best way to ensure we get a glimpse of the Athens highlights and get a hold on their specialty local eateries in this time span? (Or better yet, fly Athens to Santorini, as this is the longest leg, and youll save the most time by flying.). 
Connections, ferries, for us etc plus being worth seeing or do you have any other ideas or must sees/dos? Cavo Bianco So much to choose from. Its a pleasant walk most of the way (err on the side of a more southerly route and youll avoid some ugly areas of Athens). Rooms are spacious, stylish, and comfortable. So comprehensive and complete! I will be visiting it in about a month but havent stayed there yet. Rooms are huge and some have amazing views of the Acropolis. Inexpensive yet nice clean rooms. 
The Acropolis and the main archaeological sights lie to the south. Required fields are marked *. On the way back, is there another location that we could drop off the car, other than going all the way back to the airport to drop off? 
The Westin is closer to the airport so that might work if youre catching a plane after your stay. You the man! Great location.
Boutique Hotel: AthensWas
The market of Plaka area is a booming market now days having people visiting the area all year round (due to Acropolis).
This is where you will probably want to focus your stay in Athens and do your walking. I would add 2 nights to Santorini and stay 2 nights in Mykonos. Both are popular Greek and international holiday spots. I usually stay at Athens Lycabettus Hotel which is now closed. Thanks, Harshi. 1) We are staying in Athens (Kiniskas, Athina) from 29th May morning to 1st June morning (we take the early morning blue star ferry to Santorini as per your recommendation on 1st morning). The Acropolis and Acropolis Museum are a short walk away. My name is Antonia Vrioni and I am the owner of a high quality villa in the area of Plaka, Athens, Greeece. You can tour the Peloponnese in a hire car making a clockwise or anticlockwise circle and easily fill up your two weeks. The port of Athens where the ferries arrive and depart for the islands. We stay in Santorini for 2 nights at Villa Maria Dimagou. Its not really that close to the airport. But theres more. This essentially pedestrian-only area is chock-a-block full of gift shops, restaurants, cafs and bars and you will find plenty of places to eat. All three islands are well inter-connected. Plaka and Acropolis).
We are staying at Onar Villas in Oia and in Athens, I am looking at Sweet Home Hotel. Does this sound like a good plan? Hi Dave, my husband, daughter and I will be arriving in Athens April 12 at around 1215 pm and will be travelling to other countries in Europe after Greece. Yes, its very touristy but it also has a lively and friendly vibe. Athens best hotel, the Grande Bretagne, overlooks Syntagma Square and is an easy walk from Plaka and the Acropolis entrance. If we can make it, we take the green line, correct (staying at Phaedra Hotel)? We will be taking a ferry from Athens to Mykonos and then from Santorini back to Athens. Ferries to Aegina commonly continue on to Angistri, though you can, if you choose, go directly to Angistri from Piraeus thereby saving you time. From downtown hotels to the ferry port costs about 15. We should reach Athens by 2pm in the afternoon. Not a huge difference both have great central locations (theyre about 3 minutes from each other) near Syntagma Square. I am really enjoying the information on your blog and your recommendations. A street in Monastiraki with the Acropolis perched overhead. Theres not a lot of official things going on but as far as restaurants and bars theres plenty to do. Were heading to Athens for a few days in May. Its flashy, spectacular, busy, international, popular, and generally pricey. What a fantastic website you have! Athens is packed with tourists from May to October. Which one of the two would you recommend over the other and why?
We will be staying for 2.5 days in Athens first then take the ferry to Santorini to spend another 2.5 days there before flying out from Santorini to Athens then Athens going back home on the same day. The streets immediately around it are busy and not idyllic but the Plaka and National Gardens are a short walk in two different directions. 2) If yes, do you suggest any specific day trips as I am assuming we will finish seeing the Acropolis and Plaka area in one day. Some reviews of the Electra Palace Athens hotel indicate that it is tired and worn. A little rough around the edges, Psirri is the neighborhood for hip bars, live music, and local authentic dining. Assuming the Air France flight is on time that gives me 3 hours to get my luggage and check-in with Aethean Airlines & get through security. So, Id say its perfectly fine as long as youre not expecting a charming/romantic street/immediate area. Theoxenia Palace Hotel. Its a comfortable days drive back to Athens from the main centre of the Zagoria villages, Monodendri. The best hotel in Plaka. The excellent 4-star Electra Palace Hotel has a great location in the Plaka and good views of the Parthenon and Acropolis. Hi Dave Youve been so helpful in our trip planning, appreciate it! Most ferries to Santorini, Mykonos, and the Greek Islands leave between 7am and 8am from the Piraeus ferry port. 1) Any suggestion on Hotel Melia in Athens? If plane which one? 3. If we miss the metro, would you recommend having our hotel reserve a taxi pick up for us or will there be taxis there that late?
In summer you usually have a couple of fast catamarans per day and the odd conventional ferry. How should we chalk out a plan? Good central location. My son looking down from the Acropolis on the Koukaki neighborhood and the Acropolis Museum (the large building with black windows). Thank you for all the information! Thats plenty of time (as long as your Air France flight is close to on-time). The only thing I might improve is the breakfast which is fine but not fantastic.
Skies will most likely be clear but cloudy with some rain is definitely a possibility. Which one would you recommend for us? Athens Gate is a little farther and maybe too far with luggage. Hotel Website Check prices on Booking.com, Hotel phone: +30 21089 01000 Best regards. Tamarix Del Mar. Taxi from the airport to downtown hotels costs 38. The only reason why I picked that hotel because of the reviews and the pool. Villa Anto is a 10/12 minute walk from Fira. Firostefani: 2 nights in Smaro Studios Family-friendly, 4-star hotel with a play area and connecting rooms. Situated on Syntagma Square in the center of the action and walking distance to nearly all major attractions. All fine day-trip destinations in their own right and all quite doable in a day, but what is better depends very much on what you want and who you are, so Ill try to cover all angles. Most Salonicans choose to leave their city in Summer as it can get quite stuffy. Can you tell me what are the best beaches close to Athens? Thanks Dave! After my research I have selected the following hotels for my stay. Athens Status Suites is more in the thick of the touristy area (and a 3 minute walk from the Monastiraki station in the opposite direction). 5. I just stayed at the Grande Bretagne a few weeks back and it still has a ton a charm that makes it the best hotel in Athens. I really want to stay near Plaka area. 2nd day we are actually taking a day trip out to Pavlia to visit where my ancestors were from. Hotel Website Check prices on Booking.com, Hotel phone: +30 21072 30000 The following hotels all have great locations in central Athens and are an easy walk to all the major sites in the area. Yes, many good restaurants close to hotel. Should we try to avoid the port area and book a flight instead? The Plaka Hotel and Adrian Hotel are two good moderately priced hotels with central locations in Athens for sightseeing. Theyre all nice hotels. Same in the opposite direction. The walk from the Radisson Blu goes through the roughest section of central Athens more ugly than dangerous but its very close to the National Archaeological Museum which is the best museum in Greece. It will take you directly to Phaedra Hotel. Hydra is better for a weekend trip, because if you turn up on a day trip, you may just regret not staying on a tad longer to savour its unique ambiance. Theres not much here for tourists besides the ferries but if you need to catch an early ferry staying here is an option (but I would still recommend staying in Athens). My husband and I will be celebrating our 15th anniversary in Athens and Santorini. In Athens, go with the Divani Palace (great location) or the Intercontinental (a little more of a walk but very nice). Expensive yachts crowd its proportionately small harbour, boutique stores pepper its undeniably quaint streets, and up-market lodgings offer all that travel-weary punters may seek or desire. Id say 2 nights at the GB and 1 at the Westin would be a nice mix. Great breakfast included. Athens Gate is a little closer to the Acropolis Museum and the Acropolis but all have good central locations. Hi Dave, AirBnb is good for longer stays and thats not needed for Athens (particularly in the July heat). Looks nice though. In Syntagma youll find 5-star hotels, restaurants, shopping, banks, airline offices, and the Greek Parliament buildings. The new and magnificent Acropolis Museum (separate ticket) should not be missed.
being a private and luxurious villa within the center of Athens in the area of the Akropolis (Plaka). Im more interested in your opinion on a couple options for the second week. The views you see on the website are east towards the open sea and not of the caldera (not a deal breaker but some expect caldera views and are disappointed). This design-forward hotel features an Art Deco exterior and an interior filled with contemporary Greek art. Of the two, Spetses is for beaches (which you can get to on hired motor scooters) and you can get around town on hired horse and buggies. 1) Athens Gate least expensive and would have 6th floor room facing Acropolis (good view?) 5 Couples to be precise. Aegina, Angistri, or Hydra? Brand new and great location in the Plaka/Syntagma area. We definitely want to see the Acropolis and eat a nice Greek meal. Hi Dave great website and info thank you we are booking Electra Palace on your recommendation for the weekend of 25-27 February the Monday is a public holiday in Greece so do you know if everything wlll be open as usual or do some of the attractions close? Thanks! I would love your advice. Any advise or suggestions would be hugely appreciated! Located far from the city center and the top sights of Athens. Im in the very early stages of planning a girls trip to Greece next April and I just want to say thank you for this website and all your valuable information! Its on the lower arrivals level (after you exit customs and immigration) and is pretty easy to find. Thanks again, John. What an incredible country! Also, I have split my Santorini stay into two so I can experience both the areas. I much prefer taking the ferry. You wont need a car on either as there arent any, at least not for tourists and private motorists. FYI), Ill be staying in Athens for 3 nights, but only have 2 full days. I am having a hard time deciding between Electra Palace Hotel and Ava Hotel in Athens. I believe its a new hotel and I couldnt find any reviews.
Syntagma (Constitution) Square with its Metro station is the epicentre; its other counterbalance is Omonia Square (also with a big Metro station) and Monastiraki adjacent to the old Plaka district is the third point of the triangle. Awesome site. If time allows, take the long road back to Athens via Olympia and Patra, or head back on the fast highway that runs from Kalamata to Athens.
The price is very good and the hotel is new but was not sure if it in a good location? I will be in Athens for 3 nights before we go off to Kefalonia. Could it use an update? We will be flying in to Mykonos, staying for 3 nights, ferry to Santorini for 4 nights, and then either ferry or flight to Athens for 1 night prior to a flight home at 11:30am on 9/5. Thank you very much. This will cost around 120 per person.
We do prefer the less crowded and touristy areas (but impossible to find in July I know) and like culture, food, people, pretty towns, ports and beaches over ruins and history although we will spend a day or two visiting some of them as its sacrilege not to. What would be a good location and hotel to stay at in Mykonos? Nice hotel, central location. Near many restaurants and shops, with major museums, Plaka, and Acropolis all within a 25 minute walk. The Westin is nice too but not nearly as luxurious. Hi Dave, The Grande Bretagne remains my favorite place to stay in Athens. Mill House has great views but a 10 to 15 minute (beautiful) walk to Firas shops and restaurants. Ill be traveling to Athens in June.
If youre catching one of these ferries then stay close to the. Its an easy walk from here to Plaka and Syntagma but the area has a more local feel and not so touristy. Any thoughts on it? The Theoxenia Palace is a long way from central Athens so avoid that unless you have no interest in seeing the sights. Thank you for the useful information you provide.
Comfortably elegant hotel at the foot of Lycabettus Hill with incredible views over Athens, the Parthenon, and the Acropolis. In Athens we will be staying for 2 nights in Grande Bretagne. Strofi has wonderful views of the Parthenon and great food. For the mainland, if you want the ultimate road trip, visit the hanging monasteries of Meteora in Thessaly then do go visit Greeces (almost) hidden gem destination the Zagoria villages of Epirus. I intend to visit the following cities. Consider doing 2-3 days in Thessaloniki then split your time across the three main Sporades islands Skiathos, Skopelos, and Alonnisos. I am travelling with a group of friends to a greece between 27th May to 8th June. Hotel Website Check prices on Booking.com, Hotel Phone: +30 21032 32244 Both are easy, just depends how much you want to walk. I believe the Plaka villa can well be combined with a package for people wanting to visit Athenss ancient monuments for a few days and then move on to a Greek Ionian island. Cato Tagoo in Santorini is brand new so everything will be new and shiny. Assuming that you want to do the Peloponnese in order to catch the main archaeological sights, then theres a fairly logical route to follow and it can all be done (just) in your five allocated days. Herodion has a great location near the Acropolis Museum and Plaka (and below the Acropolis itself). Thanks so much for all the wonderful information! What are your thoughts on InnAthens hotel? Find Adrianou Street (which is a short black away) and walk down it (pedestrian only). I would not recommend staying here unless youre in hiding from law enforcement. Hotel Website Check prices on Booking.com, Hotel Phone: +30 21092 88400 1 Day seeing the sights and then 1 day at a beach near Athens. Sweet Home Hotel in Athens is very nice with a great central location a short walk to good restaurants and many of the top historical sites (including the Acropolis). Additional excursions might be to the summit of Mt Lykavittos (take the rack and pinion train if you dont fancy the steep climb and you can always walk down) and a walk in the cool National Gardens abutting Syntagma Square is a great respite from the bustle of Athens. Thank you for the awesome siteand would like to get your advice on below. Known as little Australia for its many Greek migrants who went there, Kythira has spirit of place and it grows on you slowly. I cant stand the idea of flying all the way to just Santorini without visiting at least one other European city. Im torn between the NJV Hotel and the Electra hotel on Ermou. Assuming the plane in on time, do yo think I can get my luggage and catch a 17:00 Flight to Chania on Aegean Airlines? There is only one metro line in Piraeus (yes, the green line) and it goes directly to central Athens. Cheers! We use AirBnB a lot and love the lovely apartments and interacting with the owners, reading their guide books, cooking in their kitchen on occasion.
Do you have any information or comments on this hotel/area? There are few sites and plenty of noise and traffic. Food for thought. An unusual thought here unless you like big, busy, and hot cities. To the south and east of Athens lies a string of beaches and beach towns that grow progressively nicer as you get away from the city. 2. I would do the Meteora first and return to Athens for your final days but no great difference either way. Dont have to book ferry tickets now (flights and hotel are much more important to get confirmed). The plan is to stay at Electras, but we still dont know where to spend New Years Eve. *Post breakfast we are catching our flight to Santorini Great site! thanks for the very informative blog. If you can spare some time, some pros and cons about each of the hotels would be very helpful. Lots of good places in that area. Its a compact, cosy, and personable island and one where you immediately sense its intimacy and relaxed space. Its open-air cafe serves Greek and international dishes all day with an especially great brunch, inventive cocktails, and an excellent wine list. First the obvious: day trips to all these islands start at the Port of Piraeus where the ferry berths are all clustered together in the more central part of the port so its an easy walk not requiring a taxi to the berth from the metro station. Most quick day visitors head for the main port of Aegina, stroll around the busy, animated town, maybe take a horse and cart tour, have a fish lunch in a back street taverna, maybe sit on the town beach for a while then head on home back to Piraeus. Thanks for your help. Now the debate is whether to stay all nights at Absolute Bliss or divide our stay between two hotels (want infinity pool and private jacuzzi terrace) and also whether to go straight to Santorini or stop in Athens first. Being a little outside Plaka area is fine too. Lots of the nicer hotels are booked or are very expensive given peak travel season and the weekend. Thumbs up for this wonderful website full of extremely useful info!
Both have excellent reviews with great views of the Acropolis. For Santorini hotels, Asteras is a fine choice. My fianc and I are thinki about staying at the St. George Lycabettus for a week at the end of March. Cavo Bianco and Tamarix Del Mar are both nice hotels but located in the beach town of Kamari a 15 minute drive from the caldera. The other possibilities are truly endless, but the general trend is for travellers to combine mainland and islands. Tharroe of Mykonos Hotel, Hotels in Santorini wed ideally like to be in Fira w/ Caldera view. Hotel Website Check prices on Booking.com, Hotel phone: +30 21092 49954 Its far more relaxing than dealing with airport security. 3. Terence. The area is served by the Monastiraki station (lines 1 and 3).