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Best places to stay:

Last updated: 27 October, 2022
Expert travel writer: John Malathronas

If you want to be at the heart of the action, the Divani Palace is an excellent choice; the hotel is located within a stone’s throw of the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum and the Grand Promenade, as well as being surrounded by the buzzy streets of Koukaki. 

And not just that: you are spoiled with 5-star luxury, an outdoor pool and a roof terrace with unrivalled close-up views of the Acropolis rock; so close in fact, that the ancient city walls built 25 centuries ago run through the basement. 

Make sure to book dinner at the rooftop restaurant; try the chicken kontosouvli (a kind of kebab on the spit) – a speciality from Thessaloniki. 

Surrounding area

Koukaki is one of the earliest residential expansions of 19th-century Athens. For years one of the ‘hip’ studenty areas and named in 2017 by US Vogue as the ‘coolest neighbourhood in Europe’ it was ranked 5th in the world by an AirBnB survey. 

Just before the pandemic, rents and evictions skyrocketed and the neighbourhood was in danger of losing its charm, but the tourist dip has thankfully brought a sense of proportion to landlords and it remains one of the best areas to stay in the city.

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Key facilities

Airport transfers: Free on request
Beach: None
Creche
Fitness centre
Fitness classes
Golf course
Hot tub
Parking
: Nearby *
Pool (adults only)
Pool (indoor)
Pool (outdoor)
Pool (kids)
Spa
Tennis courts
WiFi: Free
Yoga

Food & drink

All inclusive
Kids menu
Restaurant on-site
Self catering
*
Additional charge

Room types

Apartments
Bedrooms
Cabins
Suites
Tents
Villas
Yurts

Room facilities

Air conditioning
Flat screen TV
Jacuzzi (private)
Pool (private)
Tea & coffee making facilities
WiFi

Bedding options

2+ bedrooms
3+ beds
Connecting rooms
Rollaway/sofa bed

Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Acropolis Museum

Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.3 miles]

A jaw-dropping array of antiquities – all the Acropolis’ treasures – in one very modern museum designed by starchitect Bernard Tschumi.

Best for ages: 15+ | £4

The Acropolis

Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.5 miles]

This dazzling ancient citadel, perched on a hilltop rising above the city, houses some of the most impressive ancient buildings in the world. The jewel in the crown is the Pantheon, a 2,500-year-old temple dating back to 438 BC.

Best for ages: 7+ | £9

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Grand Promenade

Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.5 miles]

A unique and extraordinary 3km pedestrian promenade peppered with world-class antiquities – triumphant arches, ancient amphitheatres, Greek temples, and ‘Socrates’ Prison’.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 3 kilometres

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Plaka

Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.7 miles]

The heart of old Athens, Plaka has an authentic charm with winding lanes, shady squares and atmospheric Byzantine churches.

Best for ages: Any | Free

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Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first

The Theatre of Dionysus visible from above
Experience

Theatre of Dionysus

Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.4 miles]

Just below the Acropolis complex on the eastern side, this ancient amphitheatre was the largest theatre in Athens with a capacity of 17,000. First built in the 6th century BC, it operated continuously for 1,000 years, until it was abandoned.

Best for ages: -218+ | £10

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The empty Odeon of Herodes Atticus Roman theatre on the Acropolis
Experience

Odeon of Herod Atticus

Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.4 miles]

This Roman-era Odeon was built by a wealthy private citizen Herod Atticus in memory of his wife in 161 AD and originally served as an indoor venue for 5,000 people. It was restored in the 1950s and is used for music and theatre performances throughout the summer.

Best for ages: 13+ | £17

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Overview >

Climb Philopappou Hill

Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.5 miles]

A lovely 1-hour walk on marble footpaths through pine forests to the summit of this small city hill, offering the best views of the Parthenon without the crowds.

Best for ages: 6+ | Free | 2-3 hours

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Patrons of Brettos bar smile at the camera. The bar behind them is lined with rows of multicoloured bottles up to the ceiling
Experience

Brettos

Athens, Central Greece, Greece[0.6 miles]

Pop into Brettos, the oldest distillery in Athens, for a shot of ouzo or mastic liqueur. The cosy interior, lined with multi-coloured bottles and barrels, dates from 1909.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay

Athens

Central Greece, Greece

Antiquities galore, contemporary culture, scintillating nightlife and fantastic food: there’s something for everyone in Greece’s cosmopolitan capital that’s continuously reinventing itself.

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