The Best Holiday Apartments in Athens, Greece

Urban Nest provides classy rooms and suites in a former shoe factory in Psyrri, a neighbourhood known for its hipster bars and edgy street art. All accommodations come with fully equipped kitchens, so stock up on ingredients at the raucous Central Market – five minutes away on foot – and prepare a Greek feast. Other perks of a stay here include a breakfast of eggs, fruit and pastries, in-room cheese boards and private tours of Athens in classic cars such as Triumph Spitfires or VW Beetles.

Dynasta offers modern, self-catering accommodations in central Athens, within easy walking distance of all the key sights. Some suites have juliet balconies with views of famous monuments and landmarks, such as Mount Lycabettus, Athens’ highest point. The apartments are a ten-minute walk from Syntagma Square, where the daily changing of the guard is a popular attraction: at 11am, the traditionally attired soldiers who guard the Hellenic Parliament change shifts in front of the Monument of the Unknown Soldier.

At Athens Stay’s Supreme Comfort Apartments, guests have access to a cosy garden, a basement ping-pong table and a rooftop jacuzzi. The accommodations are kitted out with everything you need on a self-catered trip, including sheltered terraces, comfy living rooms and fully equipped kitchens. The apartment building is surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants and it’s close to a metro stop – but if you want to see more of the city on your way into the centre, it’s a 25-minute walk to the Temple of Olympian Zeus or to the Acropolis.

Athens Stay’s Homely Apartments are geared towards budget travellers, offering inexpensive accommodations in the trendy district of Psyrri. Rooms come with their own furnished balconies and spacious kitchenettes – but why bother cooking when you can just wander across the road and sample some of Athen’s finest gyros at Alexander the Great Restaurant? Guests are also referred to the nearby Grill House Central, where the gyros and moussaka are must-tries.

For upscale apartments in the centre, the four-star Mosaico can’t be beat. Located in Metaxourgeio, a burgeoning neighbourhood of art galleries and stylish bars, its self-catered accommodations come with all the benefits of a top-notch hotel – including a rooftop pool and terrace with views of the Acropolis and Mount Lycabettus, a high-tech gym and fitness centre and bookable extras such as private chefs and walking tours of Athens. Accommodations are in tropical-themed one-, two- or three-bed apartments, all of which have private balconies.

If shopping’s your thing, book a room at Monsieur Didot, a characterful boutique in the Kolonaki neighbourhood, close to the upscale outlets of Voukourestiou Street. Spread through an elegant 20th-century building, accommodations consist of six individually themed rooms, each centred around its unique feature – such as a marble balcony or an antique bookcase. Groups can book the entire first floor, comprising three linked bedrooms and a shared sitting area. Consult Mr Didot’s online guides for tips on everything from shopping to the best walks around Athens.

Located just 850 metres from the Acropolis, Athens Studios is a popular choice for backpackers and solo travellers looking to meet new friends. Social spaces include a lively sports bar, a burger joint, a rooftop boozer and a cafe. Self-catering accommodations are in studios and suites, even the smallest of which have kitchenettes and private balconies. Other useful services and amenities include a free breakfast, a launderette, a luggage locker and a good selection of guided tours and experiences to enable you to get the most out of your trip.

The family which owns and runs Four Streets Athens first made a name for itself in high fashion – and it shows. Thoughtful attention to aesthetics and detail is evident throughout its luxury accommodations, from the plush linen to the richly embroidered blackout curtains. Named after their location on the junction of four streets in the affluent neighbourhood of Plaka, the two- and three-bedroom suites are spread throughout a restored 19th-century mansion, which can be rented out in its entirety as the Four Streets Estate.

Book the Residence of Old Athens and you’ll blend in with the locals for the duration of your stay. Perfect for families, this traditional property features three bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and separate dining area, a living room and a shaded terrace that’s perfect for escaping Athens’ blistering summer heat. It’s located in a quiet residential area of the centre, within easy walking distance of attractions such as the Acropolis Museum and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.