Athens one of the most popular destinations in Europe. Boasting incredible historical sites like the millennia-old Acropolis, delicious (and affordable) food, and a growing cocktail bar scene, Athens is a sprawling city popular with backpackers, foodies, and history buffs alike.
But since the city is quite spread out, choosing the right hostel in the right place can make or break your stay. Here are four things you need to remember before picking a hostel in Athens:
Location – Athens is big. Picking a hostel in a location you want to be based in is essential.
Price – Like anywhere, you get what you pay for. If you pick a really cheap hostel, you’re probably going to get one that is small and cramped and doesn’t offer great service.
Amenities – Every hostel in town offers free Wi-Fi, and most have self-catering facilities so you can cook your own meals. Many — but not all — include free breakfast, so be sure to do your research to find the one that best meets your needs.
Staff – All the hostels listed here have an amazing staff who are super friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don’t end up staying at one of the places listed below, be sure to look up reviews so you know you’ll have staff who are helpful and friendly.
Below is my list of the best hostels in Athens to help you plan your trip and save money. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following are the best in each category:
Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: Pagration Youth Hostel
Best Hostel for Partying: Athens Hawks
Best Hostel for Solo Travelers: Athens Backpackers
Best Hostel for Couples: Athens Studios Hostel
Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: Athens Hub Hostel
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads: BedBox
Best Overall Hostel: Athens Backpackers
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my breakdown of the best hostels in Athens and why I love them:
Price legend (per night)
$ = Under 20 EUR
$$ = 20-30 EUR
$$$ = Over 30 EUR
1. Pagration Youth Hostel
This family-run hostel is one of the most affordable in the city. The beds in the five- and eight-bed dorm rooms are pretty basic (no curtains or individual outlets) and I think the mattresses are a bit thin. All rooms have individual lockers and the bathrooms are big and clean. It’s basic but it’s cheap!
The hostel also has washing machines, a common room with board games where you can usually find other travelers hanging out, and a large kitchen for cooking your own meals. It’s a good hostel to meet other travelers and one of the best cheap ones in the city.
Pagration Youth Hostel at a glance:
$
Very affordable
Lively common room with board games
Centrally located in Pangrati
Beds from 12 EUR per night.
2. Athens Hawks Hostel
If you’re looking to party, this is the hostel for you. There is a raucous ground-floor bar and an even more raucous rooftop bar (with a great view of the city). The hostel also offers pub crawls. And this pub crawl goes hard: you can get unlimited beer and sangria for one hour and free shots along the way.
The hostel itself is really nice too. Each dorm bed has privacy curtains, thick mattresses, and power outlets. You have your own little cubby to fall asleep in. The bathrooms are also super clean.
Athens Hawks at a glance:
$$
Fully equipped kitchen
Active common room with billiards and games
Free “welcome shot” upon check-in
Beds from 25 EUR per night, private rooms from 70 EUR.
3. Athens Backpackers
Located in the shadow of the Acropolis, Athens Backpackers is a very social accommodation option. The hostel organizes a plethora of events, from daily guided walking tours to happy hours to karaoke sessions to soup nights. If you’re a solo traveler and hoping to meet fellow travelers, there’s a good chance that’s going to happen here.
Breakfast is complimentary, and so is coffee and tea, which are available throughout the day. The rooftop bar is a great place to watch the sunset while enjoying a drink or two as well.
The Aussie-owned hostel offers pod-style beds, so you get a lot more privacy here than you might with a traditional bunk. The beds are comfy too. There are also private rooms, some of which are big enough to sleep up to five people.
Athens Backpackers at a glance:
$$
Rooftop bar
Complimentary breakfast
A ton of organized social events so it’s easy to meet people
Beds from 28 EUR per night, private rooms from 125 EUR.
4. Athens Studios
If you like a bit more privacy — for example, you’re a traveling couple — Athens Studios is the place for you. The property, just around the corner from the centrally-located Acropolis Museum, has private two-person rooms and even apartments, in case you’re traveling as a family or larger group.
The hostel also is loaded with fun amenities: a rooftop bar, a ground-floor sports bar that is always hopping, and a lauded restaurant serving up Greek comfort food. Breakfast is complimentary — and it’s a good one at that — and the staff are well-known for being welcoming, warm, and helpful.
Athens Studios at a glance:
$$$
Comfortable, safe atmosphere
Rooftop bar and ground-floor sports bar
Complimentary breakfast
Private rooms from 140 EUR.
5. Athens Hub Hostel
Stylish, neat, and clean, Athens Hub is a boutique hostel that is centrally located. The dorm rooms are four-bed, six-bed, and eight-bed rooms, and the hostel offers a female-only dorm too. The sturdy, comfortable bunks have privacy curtains, an electrical outlet, and a reading light. And each guest gets their own locker. The private double rooms have queen-sized beds and en suite bathrooms and showers.
The hostel is located in hip and central Psyri, one of the best neighborhoods in Athens. The ground-floor bar, with outdoor eating, is always a fun place to enjoy a coffee or a beer.
Athens Hub Hostel at a glance:
$$$
Stylish and comfortable surroundings
Fun, buzzing bar attached to property
Very friendly reception staff
Beds from 36 EUR per night, private rooms from 90 EUR.
6. BedBox
If you need to do some work while you’re in Athens or you’re a digital nomad, BedBox offers fast Wi-Fi throughout the entire hostel, and the ground-floor café and bar is an ideal place to park yourself for a few hours if you need to be productive.
BedBox has four-bed and six-bed dorms, and some of the beds are double size, so if you’re alone, you can spread out, or if you’re traveling with a significant other, you can easily share a bed. The bunk beds have privacy curtains, reading lights, and electrical outlets so you can always be sure your electronics are charged and ready to go.
BedBox at a glance:
$$
Spacious guest rooms
On-site bar perfect for working
Free, fast Wi-Fi throughout the building
Beds from 25 EUR.
***
Athens is a fun, lively city — but it’s huge. Picking a hostel that suits your plans, budget, and travel style is a must. Do that, and you’ll have a fun, safe, and affordable trip to one of the most iconic cities on the continent!
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Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld, as it has the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com, as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancelations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Safety Wing (best for everyone)
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Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
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