As Europe's second oldest city, Athens has been an intersection of history, culture, and cuisine for millennia. Not surprisingly, its hotels reflect different aspects beyond the ancient Greek ones. Whether you're looking for an old European atmosphere, a gastronomy-focused hotel, or a modern 21st-century experience in the heart of the historic center, you can find what you need in these best hotels in Athens.

COCO-MAT Athens BC

Relax in the tub or balcony overlooking Athens (photo courtesy of COCO-MAT Athens BC)

The COCO-MAT Athens BC is just behind the Acropolis Museum, so it has one of the clearest rooftop Acropolis views in all of Athens. COCO-MAT is a Greek organic bedding company whose eco-friendly luxury hotels exemplify the brand's ethos of upscale, sustainable comfort. While there are several COCO-MAT hotels in Athens, the BC stands out thanks to that Acropolis view and how it incorporates the city's ancient past with the present.

Step into the lobby and admire the ancient Roman wine distillery, which dates back to 100 BCE and gives the hotel its name. Head to the rooftop restaurant and pool to enjoy a panoramic view of the Acropolis. The hotel's 110 bright rooms are designed with warm stone and natural tones that invite you to experience these historic sites from a comfortable and modern space. Most rooms are doubles, so it's ideal for couples, business travelers, or friends, and some rooms have Acropolis views.

The hotel's location next to Plaka is ideal for anyone looking to be in the heart of Athens. The Dionysiou Areopagitou, the picturesque cobblestoned pedestrian path that circles underneath the Acropolis, is just five minutes away. Walk to the southern entrance of the Acropolis in the same amount of time. Monastiraki Square, Syntagma, and their metro stations are only 15 minutes away on foot, and the Acropolis metro is just three blocks away. Learn more

AthensWas

Discover 1970s and '80s Athens in this design hotel (photo courtesy of AthensWas)

This boutique luxury hotel offers a different take on Athens' history, steps away from the Acropolis. Located just below the south entrance of the site at the start of the Dionysiou Aeropagitou path, the AthensWas is a design hotel focusing on 1970s and 80s Athens. Its Michelin-rated rooftop restaurant has a perfect view of the Acropolis. If the Acropolis is your focus, you won't get much closer to it than the AthensWas.

This 1970s building includes 21 rooms that capture Athens' history with a retro design that features bold patterns and visuals from the '70s and '80s. All the rooms have a terrace or veranda; the ones with Acropolis views are standouts. Couples, families, and groups can all find something here thanks to suite and interconnecting options. Whether you book an Acropolis view or not, you can always head up to the rooftop for a picture-postcard look at Athens' most famous monument.

Step out the lobby doors right into Plaka, the historic neighborhood under the Acropolis now home to shops and restaurants. Walk the Dionysiou Aeropagitou path up to Filopappou Hill in just 10 minutes, where you can get some of the best views in the city. Monastiraki is 15 minutes away walking, while the Acropolis metro is just around the corner. Learn more

The Foundry Suites

Relax on one of Athens' most magical rooftop gardens (photo courtesy of The Foundry)

Athens hotels are all about the rooftop Acropolis views, and it's hard to find a better one than The Foundry in Psyri. There are no potted plants on The Foundry's rooftop; instead, trees, herbs, and flowers are all planted directly into soil lining the roof to create a lush paradise. A canopy of vines frames the Acropolis in the distance while fragrant herbs bloom next to lounge chairs. While there currently isn't a restaurant, they serve brick-oven pizza, cocktails, and coffee in the summer, and the surrounding neighborhood of Psyri has plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops.

This former typeface foundry is now home to 12 spacious suites that are like modern apartments. Full kitchens, sunken cement tubs, and one-of-a-kind gear-operated windows are some features of these chic industrial suites that are perfect for couples, groups, or families with kids over 10. Some options are split-level, others have private patios, and one has an Acropolis view from its large terrace. Each room is unique, so find the one that's the perfect fit in this hotel that combines comfortable rooms, a stellar rooftop, and warm hospitality. Learn more

The Modernist

Bright and chic rooms offer different views of the city (photo courtesy of Modernist Athens)

Modern comforts combine with personalized touches in this Canadian embassy-turned-hotel that's all about present-day Athens. The Modernist's philosophy of "be local" runs from the top down, as it incorporates local products and curated experiences. At the same time, a passionate staff gives guests a thoughtful taste of Athens that goes beyond ancient Greece.

The 38 minimalist and non-pretentious rooms differ by size and can accommodate families, groups, and folks with wheelchairs. Some larger rooms offer outdoor Jacuzzis with Acropolis views, while all feature customized Greek products, art, and playlists to immerse guests in Athenian life and culture. Don't worry if you don't get a room with a view of the Acropolis; head to the rooftop to enjoy a sweeping panorama of the city and sea from a lounge chair or during one of the hotel's events or activities like Pilates. 

The location is both central and residential, as the posh neighborhood of Kolonaki is home to more locals than tourists. The Evaggelismos Metro is just five minutes away, which takes you to sites like the Acropolis and Syntagma Square in five to 10 minutes. The Acropolis is a leisurely 30-minute walk, during which you can explore the National Garden, Syntagma, and Plaka. Learn more

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Mona

The living room offers a place to work, relax, or meet (photo courtesy of Mona)

Mona and its sister hotel, Shila, may be Athens's most sensual and best-curated hotels. Housed in an industrial 1950s building in Psyri, the 20 rooms of Mona focus on art and the senses. A furniture maker once owned the building, and his pieces are featured among the ceramics, paintings, and photographs by Greek and international artists.

High ceilings and open design plans give suites a sense of space, although the exposed bathtubs may put some off. Several rooms have patios or private balconies, and they all have exclusive customized products like coffee, honey, and bed linens, all available to purchase. Flowing fabrics, vintage furniture, and organic materials mix with the building's industrial foundation of cement and metal to make Mona feel more like a livable art gallery rather than one where you can't touch anything.

The rooftop has a great view of the Acropolis, and the hotel hosts a regular social club where folks can mingle in this roof garden space. The "living room" area is a beautifully designed workspace and kitchen that sometimes hosts pop-up dinners. Ultimately, Mona is ideal for artists, creatives, couples, and anyone looking for an evocative experience in Athens that calls European salons to mind. Learn more

Noble Suites

Enjoy one of the best Acropolis views right from bed (photo courtesy of Noble Suites)

An elegant neoclassical family home is the site of the five-room Noble Suites, just under the Acropolis. Time travel back to the 19th century in these rooms that include fireplaces, marble furnishings, and vintage furniture. This hotel is surprisingly peaceful, considering its extra coveted location just off the Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian path circling the Acropolis.

All the rooms are spacious with high ceilings, and some feature private balconies. The Signature Suite with Acropolis view is the most popular thanks to its massive terrace, where you can relax directly under the Parthenon. Families or groups can spread out in the two-bedroom suite, while all rooms have sofabeds for extra guests. There are no shared facilities like a restaurant, bar, or spa. Still, these upscale yet comfortable suites and the staff's hospitality help make guests feel taken care of. 

Step outside the front door and walk one block to the Dionysiou Areopagitou path underneath the Acropolis, just five minutes away. The hotel is directly below the ancient Roman Odeon of Herodes Atticus theater, where you can see performances and concerts during the summer. The Acropolis metro is five minutes away, while sites like the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's Library, and Monastiraki are all accessible in under 15 minutes. Learn more

NLH Monastiraki

Space and ancient stone walls meet in the bright suites (photo courtesy of NLH Monastiraki)

Located on bustling Athinas Street just a few blocks from Monastiraki Square, the NLH Monastiraki brings the old world into the new in a 19th-century building. Its neoclassical facade dates to 1833, although ancient stone walls visible in the rooms and gym indicate the structure is much older. Feel the history in the rooms or grab a drink at the rooftop bar to take in the clear Acropolis view and contemplate ancient Greek life.

The building follows its original layout, so all 36 rooms are distinct. Large and split-level suites are ideal for families who can get some extra space and privacy in these options. There's one ADA-compatible suite for those with wheelchairs and mobility needs, and several rooms have balconies or Acropolis views for a bit of extra romance and atmosphere. All rooms blend the modern with the historic, as stone walls, marble furnishings, and iron-wrought elements give the space character. Learn more

Ergon House

Indulge in Greek flavors in either the restaurant or deli (photo courtesy of Ergon House)

The gastronomy-centric Ergon House focuses on experiencing Greece through the senses from its central location on Mitropoleos Street on the border of Syntagma and Plaka. This family-run boutique hotel started as a deli that sold local Greek products from around the country. Guests can sample these flavors in the hotel's ground-floor deli and restaurant, in their rooms, or on the lovely olive tree-lined rooftop, with a bar that's open during the high season.

The 38 rooms differ by size and view, as some look over the popular Agora restaurant on the ground floor. These options can get quite loud, so book one on the other side of the hotel for a more peaceful rest. The rooms all feature a modern minimalist aesthetic and an array of snacks from the deli. While none have balconies, some have Acropolis views, and connecting room options exist for families or groups. Ergon House is a food lover's paradise, and its location enhances that, as guests can try out the myriad restaurants in the surrounding areas of Syntagma, Plaka, and Monastiraki. Learn more

Gatsby

Call reception with an old-school rotary phone in one of the chic rooms (photo courtesy of The Gatsby)

F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel inspired this boutique hotel in Syntagma, offering a Greek take on 1920s decadence. This 1930s building—one of the first police stations in Athens—has 33 rooms that capture the hotel's feeling of "Gatsby." Splashes of leather, gold, and colorful tiles evoke the 20th century. At the same time, amenities like wireless mood lighting, a private outdoor Jacuzzi, and a cinema with a projector all bring Gatsby to the modern era.

All the rooms feature a "dare button," which you can press once during your stay to receive a personalized surprise. Amenities vary, as some rooms include Juliet balconies or outdoor areas. The Party Suite offers something extra special with its outdoor Jacuzzi and cinema with a projector and selection of titles. Most are doubles, and overall, the hotel's funky and social media-ready style is more suitable for younger travelers, couples, and friends rather than families. 

Relax in the spa or grab a table at the popular restaurant on the ground floor, which can get quite loud for folks in first-floor rooms. While none of the rooms have Acropolis views, the lush rooftop garden does, so grab a drink from downstairs and head up there to relax. Plaka and Monastiraki are just seven minutes on foot, the shopping street of Ermou is a few blocks away, and the Acropolis is 20 minutes away. Learn more

Moon and Stars

Original floors and moldings add a sense of history to modern rooms (photo courtesy of Moon and Stars)

Step behind one of the most beautiful iron-wrought doors in Athens to enjoy a stay in this charming family-run boutique hotel on the border of peaceful Thissio and lively Psyri. This 1920s landmark building was once a home of a toymaker, who inspired the five rooms' vintage toy theme. Some can accommodate families or groups of up to three people, and the cozy studio on the roof offers direct access to the hotel's large terrace with a fantastic Acropolis view. 

All guests can enjoy that terrace, and while there's no bar, restaurant, or other facilities in the Moon and Stars, the staff does offer unique excursions like a city tour in owner Theodore's vintage Fiat. Features like Art Deco tiled floors and ornate iron partitions between rooms preserve the essence of the building to create something special. However, as there isn't an elevator due to landmark building regulations, it's inappropriate for those with accessibility needs.

Located just off the end of Ermou Street, the hotel gives you easy access to central Athens. The Thissio Metro Station is just two minutes away and goes directly to Piraeus Port. Explore the bars and restaurants of Psyri within two minutes, or check out the Temple of Hephaestus and Ancient Agora in the same amount of time. The Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian path is just a few blocks up and takes you to the Acropolis in 20 minutes. Learn more