Athens on a Budget: The Ultimate Guide

Athens, the capital city of Greece, is a truly stunning city. Known for its rich history, outstanding architectural marvels, and intriguing mythology, it may surprise you to learn that it’s actually not a very expensive city to visit, despite its many impressive attractions.

No matter what you want your Athens visit to look like, here are some of the best hotels, restaurants, and activities in the city, that won’t break the bank!

Best Budget Hotels in Athens

The hotel scene in Athens is incredibly diverse, and this is true even for those looking for a great stay on a budget. Aside from cheap apartments and hostels, there’s a great range of affordable hotels and boutique stays that provide all the luxury of any other city center stay but without the hefty price tag.

Each hotel on this list offers rooms for less than $150 per night, ensuring a great stay at a great price. Many of these are artistic, modern renovations and provide a great range of amenities on-site, but there’s sure to be something on this list to suit any type of traveler looking to visit Athens on a budget!

Dave Red Athens, Omonoia, Athens

Situated in a prime location in the center of Athens just off Omonoia Square in the former KKE (Greek communist party) headquarters, it’s not only conveniently located but rich in character too! It sits close to several notable attractions, with the National Theater of Greece, Omonia Metro Station National Archaeological Museum of Athens all incredibly close by.

This hotel is full of bright colors and boasts a trendy atmosphere thanks to its industrial-style exposed walls, pipes, and neon lines, which makes it a hit with younger travelers visiting on a budget who are still looking for somewhere cool to stay.

Not only does it look cool, but there are plenty of cool amenities on-site too, including Nintendo and Pac-Man consoles, hammocks, pool tables, jacuzzis, a massage room, and a gorgeous roof terrace sundeck. There’s also a variety of convenient amenities, including a paid airport shuttle service, free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, a bar, and a 24-hour front desk.

All of the guest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a minibar, and a coffee machine. Of course, it’s not just the rest of the hotel dotted with quirky and cool things either, as many of the rooms add their own funky retro touches through dial phones and vinyl albums! Some of the rooms also boast balconies or city views

Athens Center Square, Monastiraki, Athens

Located near all of the major archaeological sites, the gorgeous neighborhood of Plaka, and the infamous Monastiraki Square, the Athens Center Square hotel is in an unbeatable location. This is especially true for those who love the hustle and bustle of big city markets, thanks to its close proximity to Athens’s central market.

This hotel is an unbeatable choice for foodies thanks to its excellent breakfast buffet, which offers many delicious Greek delicacies and is included in the room rate! If you’re leaving early, don’t worry about missing out, as the hotel still serves a basic breakfast all night long. Not only does this hotel offer great breakfast, but you can enjoy refreshing drinks at the on-site bar and cafe, relax on the rooftop and enjoy the panoramic views of the city and the Acropolis, and get great recommendations on local eats and things to do from the hotel’s helpful staff.

The stylish accommodations here are individually decorated with large windows and modern bathrooms. Each room includes free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a fridge, and a flat-screen satellite TV. When booking, try to ask for a room on the 8th floor to guarantee stunning views.

Brown Acropol, Piraeus, Athens

Located in the commercial business district on Omodia Square, the Brown Acropol Hotel is within walking distance of some of the city’s most iconic attractions, including landmarks such as Syntagma Ermou Street, the Acropolis, and the Acropolis Museum. Its modern and trendy location means that this hotel is also conveniently surrounded by great bars and restaurants, making it easy to feel rich, even if you’re visiting on a budget!

If you’re looking for a gorgeous hotel with a vintage flair, the Brown Acropol has you covered, with a 60’s vibe throughout, you can enjoy a laid-back, old-fashioned ambiance while taking advantage of all the best amenities you can expect from a hotel in the modern day. From a delectable breakfast buffet to an elegant lobby bar, there’s everything one could wish for at this hotel. There is also free Wi-Fi in all areas, a 24-hour concierge at reception, and a spa service on request!

Each of the 165 rooms boasts a high-end design, with a 60’s flair also seeping into your stay through vinyl record players, trolley bars, and dial phones, as well as the usual modern amenities such as air-conditioning, Nespresso coffee machines, and flat-screen TVs.

O&B Athens Boutique Hotel, Psiri, Athens

Situated in the trendy area of Psiri, this hotel is completely surrounded by history, with  Ancient Agora just a 3-minute walk away, and both The Acropolis and Parthenon within 10 minutes on foot.

This gorgeous boutique hotel was one of the first of its kind to open in Athens, but though it may have only 22 rooms, there’s everything here you could need for a comfortable stay, including complimentary Wi-Fi, a breakfast buffet, a chic all-day restaurant, and lounge bar, as well as 24-hour room service, a 24-hour concierge at reception and express check-in and check-out options.

Each of the 22 rooms boasts stylish furnishings and is specially designed to guarantee a cozy, relaxing stay in the heart of this bustling city. They feature large work desks, Egyptian cotton sheets, all the latest in video and sound design, calming tones in their decor, and some even boast stunning views of the Acropolis.

The Marblous, Plaka, Athens

Sitting on the edge of the historic Plaka district, just two streets away from Syntagma Square, is The Marblous, a stunning hotel with a name that’s a fitting combination of “marble” and “marvelous” thanks to its sleek black marble façade. Don’t be fooled by its shiny exterior though, this stunning hotel is actually a complete renovation of a building that dates all the way back to 1934!

One of the best choices for fabulous service, this hotel offers guests free Wi-Fi, airport transport services, accessible parking, and a great complimentary à la carte breakfast, served each morning until 11 am in the breakfast bistro. On-site facilities also include a cafe, a bar, hot tubs, and massage facilities.

Each of the gorgeous rooms was designed with comfort at the front and center, and many boast serene views of the Acropolis.

Best Budget Restaurants in Athens

When it comes to choosing the perfect place to dine in Athens, there's an abundance of great options, especially when it comes to dining on a budget. With a great range of both casual and upscale eateries, there's plenty on offer here, especially if you’re looking for great value!

Avli, Athens

This hidden gem is the perfect spot for those looking to indulge in some traditional regional dishes in a gorgeous laid-back setting. Tucked away, it’s easy to miss unless you know of its existence, and it provides a unique dining experience with a village-like backyard setting with gorgeous rustic charm. A popular choice amongst locals and tourists alike, it’s a stunning city center restaurant with the ambiance of a Greek island taverna.

Mavro Provato of Press Café, Pangrati, Athens

This lovely mezedopoleio (Greek Meze restaurant) sits in the lovely Pangrati neighborhood and offers great food at reasonable prices, which makes it a popular choice. With both indoor and outdoor seating, a modern interior, and friendly staff, it’s a great choice for everyone, but it’s typically more popular with locals than it is with tourists. It gets busy, so be sure to make a reservation in advance of your visit if you want to secure a table.

Lithos Tavern, Psiri, Athens

Located in the popular neighborhood of Psiri is Lithos Tavern, a relaxed, rustic restaurant with a gorgeous terrace, that makes a great spot for alfresco dining on an evening. This tavern is known for its hearty traditional dishes and authentic souvlaki options, but you can also enjoy a range of delicious meze, salads, and options from the grill. This restaurant is praised by visitors for its ‘out of this world’ food, excellent value, and great customer service.

Ama Lachei, Exarchia, Athens

This long-standing taverna serves up modern Greek cuisine in a charming setting, with a garden shaded by lemon trees and a charming interior design in the dining room. The menu is a great choice for those traveling both on a budget and with eating restrictions, thanks to its selection of delicious vegetarian options. There’s always a great selection of daily specials on offer, and everything is of great value.

Taverna Saita, Plaka, Athens

Despite being located in the tourist-centric area of Plaka, this gorgeous restaurant is a truly authentic taverna, it boasts a varied menu with plenty of flavorful dishes and is an extremely popular long-standing choice. This taverna is also extremely great value for money, which means it books up very quickly, so be sure to book a table in advance of your visit!

Best Things to Do on a Budget in Athens

Athens is a truly stunning city to visit, and with it’s rich history and intriguing area, there’s a plethora of stunning historical attractions to enjoy. Plenty of these are extremely cost-effective, making it easy to enjoy plenty of the city’s best attractions, even when traveling on a budget.

The Acropolis, Athens

You simply cannot take a trip to Athens without visiting the Acropolis. This 2,500-year-old ancient citadel is home to the greatest architecture to come out of Ancient Greece and is home to a selection of fine sights that are worth taking the time to look around. One of these is The Parthenon temple, dedicated to Athena, the Greek Goddess of Wisdom and Warfare - It is perfectly proportioned and considered to be the world’s finest Doric masterpiece.

Once you’ve taken the time to look around here, be sure to also visit the Acropolis Museum, located just around the corner. It’s a great place to see many artifacts that were once part of the Acropolis.

Admission to the Acropolis is €20 in Summer, and €10. Combination tickets are priced at 30€ each, and while these don’t offer access to the Acropolis Museum, they do grant access to ancient Agora and its museum, the site and museum of Keramikos, the site of Lykeion, the library of Hadrian, the temple of Zeus and the Roman agora - A great deal considering that if you were to visit each of these separately it would cost you around €64!

Plaka Neighbourhood, Athens

Many of the great hotels and restaurants we’ve covered already are located in the neighborhood of Plaka, and for good reason! Located near the Acropolis, Plaka is one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited neighborhoods, making it a historical marvel that’s still bustling with energy and life today.

Head through the colorful side streets to explore the charming lanes, lined with a combination of old, crumbling buildings from bygone eras, and beautifully restored buildings that are still thriving today. There’s a great selection of historic churches, ancient sites, small museums, and beautiful bustling squares lined with vibrant restaurants and cafes. 

A simple walk around the area is a great free activity if you're on a tight budget, but it's a good idea to bring your wallet with you, should you wish to pop into one of the traditional restaurants or inviting cafes here.

The National Museum of Contemporary Art, Neos Kosmos, Athens

If you’re not a history buff then The National Museum of Contemporary Art (or EMST) is Athen’s major art museum. Here, guests are able to see exhibitions from both Greek and international artists across all forms of media, including paintings, videography, and experimental architecture.

Housed inside a former brewery, this unique museum is as intriguing as the art that is displayed here.

Entry is only €8 (or €10 if you’d also like to visit the temporary exhibitions), making this an affordable attraction for those visiting Athens on a budget.

Lycabettus Hill, Neapoli, Athens

One of the highest peaks in Athens, the gorgeous Lycabettus hill boasts sweeping views all across the city and provides a great hiking opportunity for those looking for a way to get active during their getaway without needing to leave the city.

If hiking isn’t your thing though, worry not - There’s a cable car to the top from where you can enjoy the views, alongside the gorgeous St George church, a cafe, and a beautiful gourmet Greek restaurant.

Lycabettus Hill is also home to the Lycabettus theater, built on another part of the hill. It is a popular outdoor venue for concerts and live performances.

The National Gardens, Athens

Located in the heart of the city is the National Gardens of Athens. This grand park was originally commissioned by Queen Amalia, the first queen of Greece, all the way back in 1838, and was completed by 1840. Still standing today, these gardens span 16 hectares of narrow paths, and provide a stunning and serene retreat that gets you out of the hustle and bustle of the city.