Greece - Korina Miller [89]
Around Monastiraki and Omonia, many run-down hotels have been upgraded and some turned into hip boutique hotels, but there is still a general seediness that detracts from the area, especially at night. Omonia also has a plethora of largely unattractive accommodation, mostly characterless modern C-class places or cheap bordellos, where you won’t get a wink of sleep.
The best rooms in Athens fill up quickly in July and August, so it’s wise to book ahead to avoid a fruitless walk in the heat. You can get good deals online.
Budget
CAMPING
There are no camping grounds in central Athens. The EOT’s Camping in Greece booklet and www.travelling.gr/camping/athens list sites in the Attica region. Most camp sites in the Athens area offer basic facilities and are not generally up to European standards.
Athens Camping (off Map; 210 581 4114; www.campingathens.com.gr; Leoforos Athinon 198, Haidari; camp sites per adult/tent €7/5; year-round) This unattractive place, 7km west of the city centre on the road to Corinth, is the nearest camping ground to Athens. It has reasonable facilities.
There are better camp sites further afield, at Shinias and Cape Sounion.
HOSTELS
Hostel Aphrodite (Map; 210 881 0589; www.hostelaphrodite.com; Einardou 12, Stathmo Larisis; dm €14-16, s/d/tr without bathroom €17/23/35; ) It’s not central, but this well-run hostel is a good budget option and the lively bar is a popular traveller meeting spot. It has clean, good-sized dorms, some with en-suite bathrooms, as well as double rooms with and without private bathrooms – many with balconies. It’s a 10-minute walk from the Larisis train and metro stations or five minutes from Viktoria.
Athens Easy Access Hostel (Map; 210 524 3211; www.athenseasyaccess.com; Satovrianidou 26, Omonia; dm €14-18, d/tr/q per person €25/23/18, incl breakfast; ) Right behind Plateia Omonias, this friendly backpacker hotel has been newly renovated with a smart fit-out and has a range of doubles and dorm accommodation. The breakfast room becomes a popular happy-hour bar with cheap beer and meals. There’s free wi-fi, an internet centre and laundry.
Pangration Youth Hostel (Map; 210 751 9530; www.athens-yhostel.com; Damareos 75, Pangrati; dm €15; ) The dorms are basic and dated, but it’s a cheery enough place in a safe residential neighbourhood. Welcoming owner Yiannis is something of a philosopher, and guests add jokes and words of wisdom to the noticeboards. Hot showers are coin-operated (€0.50, seven minutes); there’s a communal kitchen, TV room and laundry. Take trolleybus 2 or 11 from Syntagma to the Filolaou stop on Frinis.
Athens Backpackers (Map; 210 922 4044; www.backpackers.gr; Makri 12, Makrygianni; dm incl breakfast €17-25; ) The popular rooftop bar with cheap drinks and Acropolis views is a major drawcard of this modern and friendly Australian-run backpacker favourite, right near the Acropolis metro. There’s a barbecue in the courtyard, a well-stocked kitchen, and a busy social scene with film nights and bar crawls. The six-bed dorms with en-suite bathrooms and lockers have bedding but towels cost €2. The same management runs dorms and well-priced modern studios nearby (boxed text).
Student & Travellers’ Inn (Map; 210 324 4808; www.studenttravellersinn.com; Kydathineon 16, Plaka; dm €18, d/tr without bathroom €65/81, s/d/tr with bathroom €55/65/90; ) Its location in the heart of Plaka makes this long-established hostel popular with visitors of all ages. It’s a friendly place with a pleasant, shady courtyard with large-screen TV, free wi-fi and a helpful travel service. There’s a mix of dorms and basic rooms, some with private bathroom and air-conditioning, though shared bathrooms are run-down and complaints about cleanliness common.
Athens Style (Map; 210 322 5010; www.athenstyle.com; Agias Theklas 10, Psyrri; dm €20-24, s/d €51/68, studios €90-124; ) The newest hostel in town, this bright and arty place has tasteful, well-equipped studios and hostel beds