No longer the reserve of young backpackers, the Greek capital’s hostels offer both private and shared options, modern amenities and stylish decor. Rooftop bars, vintage furniture and movie nights are just some of the delights that await at the best hostels in Athens.
City Circus
Hostel
City Circus is known for its vintage style | Courtesy of City Circus / Hotels.com
“Run away and join the circus” is the motto of this hostel, which is characterised by a sense of community and welcoming, fun vibes. Quirky vintage design and a private rooftop terrace with a breathtaking view of the Acropolis are among City Circus’s top selling points. The hostel boasts a well-equipped kitchen, while the adjoining restaurant Zampano, featuring mouthwatering local cuisine, offers a popular alternative to self-catering. What’s more, hostel guests get 10 percent off. Activities such as wine tastings and movie nights are available daily, making City Circus a great choice for solo travellers and sociable groups. Located between the hip Psyrri and lively Monastiraki neighbourhoods, the hostel is within walking distance of Athens’s key landmarks.
Mosaikon offers dorms and private rooms | Courtesy of Mosaikon/Hotels.com
Opened in 2018, Mosaikon is best known for its prime location near Monastiraki Square, along with its next-level comfort and signature aesthetic – think Japanese design meets Aegean colours. With its mixed and single-sex dorms, as well as private rooms, Mosaikon offers the experience of a boutique hotel at the price of a hostel. For a spot of sunbathing or to enjoy some drinks al fresco, guests can step out on to Mosaikon’s rooftop terrace, which has sweeping views across the city, including of the Acropolis. Located on Kolokotroni Street, which runs from Syntagma to Monastiraki, Mosaikon is on the doorstep of some of the best nightlife in Athens. Choose from indie bars like Booze Cooperativa and cocktails at Noel, the city’s most popular lounge bar.
Bed Station is located northwest of the Acropolis in the Kerameikos neighbourhood – historically the potters’ quarter of the city, the area is conveniently central but away from the tourist crowds. Close to the nightlife hub of Gazi and a few steps away from both the Gazarte concert hall and the Kerameikos Archaeological Museum, this hostel is perfectly situated for those interested in discovering both the ancient and contemporary culture of Athens. Among the hostel’s main draws are its minimalist decor, spacious and serene dorms of just four beds (each with privacy curtains), and rooftop with views towards the Acropolis. Bed Station is particularly popular among digital nomads, who appreciate the zen vibes and the emphasis the hostel places on privacy.
Shared dorms at BedBox have much-appreciated privacy curtains | Courtesy of BedBox/Hotels.com
Set in the central Monastiraki district, BedBox is best described as modern and trendy with a chilled-out atmosphere. An attractive option for digital nomads, the rooms offer privacy curtains and each bed has its own charging outlet for electronics. The common area is relaxed yet sociable – ideal for co-working – and doubles as a café and smoothie bar. The friendly staff also hang out here and will happily clue you in on what to do and where to go in the city. The rooms are spacious and well organised, with single-sex and mixed dorms available and a variety of single and double beds, too.
AthenStyle is known for its rooftop bar | Courtesy of AthenStyle/Hotels.com
This hostel impresses with its prized rooftop bar and restaurant, open to the public and popular among young Athenians. It has a truly magnificent view of Athens in its entirety, including the Acropolis, which will be the backdrop to both your morning coffee and evening aperitif. Bright, comfortable rooms with both shared and private options available, along with a laid-back but sociable atmosphere, are the hallmarks of AthenStyle. The hostel regularly organises walking tours, giving guests the opportunity to get chatting with fellow travellers and discover the city from a local perspective. Complete your experience by browsing the antique stalls or picking up a vinyl record in the surrounding hip Psyrri neighbourhood.
Guest rooms at Athens Quinta are equipped with vintage furniture | Courtesy of Athens Quinta/Hotels.com
Stunning inside and out, this boutique hostel is housed in one of Athens’ rare remaining neoclassical buildings. Warm terracotta and yellow tones, together with vintage furniture, lend Athens Quinta a homely charm. Beyond the rooms – with dorm and private options available – the hostel has its own serene courtyard, where guests can enjoy a cup of complimentary coffee in the sunshine. Located in the Exarcheia neighbourhood, famed for counterculture and vibrant street art, Athens Quinta is a stone’s throw from a host of bohemian bars and excellent cafés.
Nubian Hostel has plenty of relaxed common spaces – perfect for socialising | Courtesy of Nubian Hostel/Hotels.com
Nubian Hostel offers a modern, sleek space decorated with muted tones contrasted with bold pops of colour and vibrant murals. The bedrooms are elegant and comfortable, with a choice of mixed or female dorms and private accommodation. The common areas are an invitation to relaxation, with soft lighting in the charming back garden and on the terrace, providing the perfect setting to make new friends or catch up on your emails uninterrupted. Located at the intersection between hip Exarcheia and upscale Kolonaki, here you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to nightlife within walking distance.
Athens Studios offers dorms, shared studios and private apartments | Courtesy of Athens Studios/Hotels.com
Athens Studios is a go-to choice for comfortable and reasonably priced accommodation, offering dorms, shared studios and private apartments. It has an on-site café, restaurant and bar, and a range of fun organised activities such as walking tours. If you’re on a tight schedule, the location alone is a strong draw: situated between the Acropolis and the up-and-coming Koukaki neighbourhood, it has tourist must-sees and authentic local haunts right on its doorstep.
Athens Backpackers is a no-frills yet comfortable hostel | Courtesy of Athens Backpackers/Hotels.com
Athens Backpackers is your typical no-frills hostel, with dorm-style rooms and low prices. It remains a consistently popular choice, not least by virtue of its prime location just steps away from the Acropolis Museum, its rooftop bar with panoramic views, and an all-inclusive, bargain price. Another key attraction is the friendly atmosphere: have a chat in the communal kitchen, share a beer at sunset on the rooftop terrace or go crazy at karaoke night!
Dioskouros Hostel offers private rooms with small balconies | Courtesy of Dioskouros Hostel/Hotels.com
Dioskouros is nestled among the narrow streets of Plaka, a hillside neighbourhood in the shadow of the Acropolis with a distinctly village-like feel. A small, modestly priced hostel for those looking for a more intimate setting, Dioskouros offers private rooms with small balconies overlooking the area’s cobbled streets, and a verdant garden for enjoying an al fresco breakfast, which is included in the price of the hostel. Hadrian’s Arch is right opposite, and the quaint Anafiotika neighbourhood with its bars, cafés and tavernas is a short walk away.
