Where to Stay in Athens for the First Time: A Complete Guide

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Find your Perfect Hostel in Athens

Imagine this: you step off the airport bus into a swirl of heat, history, and honking scooters. The Acropolis glows on a hilltop like a stage light, every sign looks Greek (because it is), and your backpack feels heavier than the Parthenon’s columns. 

On my very first visit, I thought “wandering” would magically lead me to the perfect hostel. Instead, I looped the same block, passed the same stray cat twice, and finally realized Athens rewards travelers who plan their base before chasing the myths.

After several returns—each one teaching me where to nap, snack, and people‑watch—I’ve built this guide to help first‑timers pick the right corner of the city, dodge expensive mistakes, and settle in fast. 

Top Picks: The Best Hostels in Athens

Best for Hostel Newbies

Okupa9.7

from $15.72 | More Details

Best for Female Solo Traveler

Athens Hub Hostel9.4

from $12.27 | More Details

Best Party Hostel

Yellowsquare Athens9.6

from $12.38 | More Details

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Top Neighborhoods to Stay in Athens

Plaka

Plaka is the postcard area—the oldest quarter, packed with honey‑colored houses, tiny churches, and staircases lined with restaurants. Picture winding alleys that smell like baked bread while the Acropolis peeks between rooftops. I love walking here at sunrise when it’s quiet enough to hear my own sandals.

• Best for: Solo travelers who crave historic views and early nights. If you want ruins, museums, and calm strolls, Plaka delivers. Just know that prices rise with each souvenir shop, and many tavernas shut down by midnight, so nightlife seekers may feel sleepy here.

Monastiraki

Monastiraki Square buzzes 24/7 with flea‑market stalls, street musicians, and spicy gyro smells. The metro station sends trains straight to the airport and the seaside—handy if you’re island‑hopping. I once found a vintage vinyl for three euros here between bites of sesame bread.

• Best for: Budget backpackers who love markets, noise, and quick transport. Expect crowds and watch your pockets, but the energy is unbeatable. Grab a cheap dorm, then climb a rooftop bar for sunset drinks over the ancient Agora.

Psirri

Psirri sits behind Monastiraki, splashed with graffiti art, record shops, and cafés spilling onto narrow streets. After dark, live rembetiko music drifts from tavernas, and bars open until birds sing. I met travelers here simply by sharing a platter of meze at 2 a.m.

• Best for: Night owls and social butterflies looking for Athens accommodation that fuses culture with partying. Bring earplugs if you need sleep before sunrise; Psirri doesn’t do quiet weekends.

Koukaki

Koukaki, just south of the Acropolis Museum, mixes local bakeries, leafy sidewalks, and creative brunch spots. It’s walkable to major sites yet far enough from tourist buses to stay relaxed. My favorite morning ritual: koulouri (sesame bread ring) from the corner stand and coffee on Veikou Street while locals greet each other.

• Best for: Travelers who want balance—easy sightseeing by day, mellow wine bars at night, and reliable eight‑hour sleep without traffic horns.

Exarcheia

Exarcheia is Athens’ student and activist hub—vivid murals, second‑hand bookstores, and cheap souvlaki counters. It can look rough around the edges, but the prices are kind to thin wallets. I’ve spent lazy afternoons here browsing record shops and chatting philosophy with university locals.

• Best for: Creative souls and thrifty travelers who don’t mind raw character. Stay on main streets after dark, and you’ll score bargain dorm beds plus hearty portions of comfort food.

Kolonaki

Kolonaki climbs the slope of Mount Lycabettus, dotted with designer stores, art galleries, and shaded squares. Cafés feel sleek, and the National Gallery is a short stroll away. I once booked two recovery nights here after weeks of dorm life—best sleep and fanciest cappuccino of my trip.

• Best for: Flash‑packers and remote workers who want stylish cafés, quiet streets, and polished private rooms.

Gazi

Gazi surrounds a former gasworks that now hosts cultural events. By twilight, restaurant patios fill, DJs spin, and warehouse clubs glow neon. During the day, it’s surprisingly calm, with art exhibitions and food halls.

• Best for: Party travelers who plan late dinners and later dancing, yet prefer bigger hostels with soundproof rooms. Budget options exist, but weekend prices climb with the bass line.

Top 10 tips for your first time in Athens

1. Pick metro access. Staying near lines 1 or 3 saves cash on taxis and keeps you close to ferries and airport trains.
2. Check rooftop access. Many hostels boast Acropolis views; ask if it’s open to guests 24 hours for sunrise coffee.
3. Bring earplugs. Scooters, street cats, and friendly Greeks chatting outside can echo well past midnight.
4. Pack a small lock. Most hostels have lockers, but you provide the padlock. Sturdy beats souvenir shop flimsy.
5. Eat like locals. Skip overpriced squares; wander two blocks, and prices drop fast. A bakery “tyropita” (cheese pie) costs under €2.
6. Start early at the Acropolis. Doors open around 8 a.m.; go first, dodge crowds, then breakfast nearby.
7. Hydrate. Athens sun plus marble glare equals quick dehydration. Public fountains and hostel kitchens refill bottles free.
8. Use offline maps. Alley names switch alphabets. Download Google Maps or grab a paper map from reception.
9. Join free walking tours. They cover mythology and street art, perfect for meeting fellow backpackers on day one.
10. Leave gaps in plans. Athens rewards wandering—random festivals, pop‑up food stalls, even surprise rooftop movies.

Hostels in Athens are the best option — Here’s why

Hostels make Athens feel like a shared adventure instead of a solo selfie marathon. Common rooms double as planning hubs where someone is always off to a hill hike, a beach tram ride, or a late concert. 

Add organized walking tours, cheap laundry, and rooftop gatherings, and you have instant community plus insider tips on ferry timings.

If you’re shy, kitchen chats over leftover moussaka break the ice; if you’re outgoing, pub crawls through Psirri deliver endless stories.

Final Recommendations

Your first stay in Athens shapes how you remember the city. 

Choose Plaka or Koukaki if you dream of calm mornings under ancient stones. Pick Monastiraki or Psirri to ride the city’s pulse from dawn markets to midnight music. Opt for Exarcheia to stretch your budget and meet students arguing over the best bakery. Splash out on Kolonaki if you need a peaceful recharge.

5 Hidden Gemz in Athens (by Hostelgeeks)

How it works

Wherever you land, pack light, keep an open mind, and let Athens work its sunny, myth‑filled magic. The gods have spoken—your perfect neighborhood is waiting.

Backpacking Athens? Here’s What You Need to Know

These are the guides I wish I had before visiting. I’ve been there, had fun, did some minor mistakes, and now I’m passing the best tips on to you. Safe travels!

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About the author: Anna Kiefer

My travels have taken me from the vibrant streets of Vietnam to the tranquil beauty of Spain, each destination adding a new chapter to my journey. For me, travel isn’t about counting countries or ticking off lists; it’s about the freedom it brings and the stories that unfold with each new adventure. At Hostelgeeks, my goal is to infuse our brand with this sense of freedom and discovery.

Whether it’s finding the perfect 5 Star Hostel or sharing a hidden gem in a bustling city, I’m here to ensure that our travelers get more than just a journey – they get an experience that resonates with the joy of exploration and the freedom of the open road.