Where to Stay in Athens Before a Cruise
Are you wondering where to stay in Athens before a cruise?
I’ve got you covered! I’ve now been to Athens, Greece three times, and two of those visits were based around cruises departing from Athens. Athens is a major port for cruises around the Greek islands and the rest of the Mediterranean. It’s also an incredible city packed with fascinating ancient history.
If you’re taking a cruise that leaves from Athens, I highly recommend arriving at least a day in advance. Even though most cruises don’t depart until the late afternoon, you don’t want to risk missing your vacation by booking a flight that arrives the morning of — especially if you’re traveling from the US.
Arriving at least a full day in advance ensures that you won’t have to worry as much about flight delays, and gives you some time to explore Athens before you leave. With one day, you can see many of the city’s highlights, but I recommend spending two days in Athens if you really want to make the most of it.
Where Is the Athens Cruise Port?
The Athens cruise port is actually in Piraeus, a port city located about eight miles away. While it’s part of the sprawling Athens metropolitan area, it’s technically its own separate city.
Depending on traffic, it’s roughly a 20-minute drive from the center of Athens to Piraeus Port. If you’re coming directly from the Athens airport, it’s even further (about a 45-minute drive.)
I do not recommend staying in Piraeus the night before your cruise. You might think that it will be more convenient, and you can usually find cheaper hotels, but trust me, it’s not worth it! You’ll be far away from all of the main tourist attractions in Athens, and Piraeus isn’t great for tourists.
It’s better to stay in Athens and take a taxi, bus, or private transfer to the cruise port from the city on the day of your cruise. All of the hotels I’m going to recommend are right in the heart of Athens. You will definitely enjoy staying here more than staying in an industrial, bustling port area!
This will allow you to maximize your time in Athens before your cruise, have easy access to all of the tourist attractions, and just be a short drive away from the cruise port the next day.
Where Should You Stay?
As I’ve already mentioned, staying in Athens and not Piraeus is my top recommendation. These three neighborhoods are centrally located and popular with tourists in Athens:
- Monastiraki
- Plaka
- Makrygianni
You can’t go wrong with any of these areas, and you’ll be within walking distance to iconic tourist attractions, as well as plenty of shopping, dining, and nightlife. Below I’ve rounded up the best hotels in Athens across these neighborhoods, with options for every budget, from cost-conscious to luxury.
Here are my top picks for where to stay in Athens before a cruise:
- Best overall: Moxy Athens City
- Best mid-range: Evripidou Suites
- Best luxury: King George Hotel
And here’s a full breakdown of the best pre-cruise hotels in Athens:
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Moxy Athens City
Moxy Athens City is a hotel where I’ve personally stayed at twice on different trips to Athens before a cruise, and I highly recommend it. This is an affordable hotel, yet it offers nice amenities. I found the rooms to be surprisingly spacious and really comfortable. It’s also in a good central location in Athens.
You’re just a 15-minute walk to the center of Athens, including Monastiraki Square and popular ruins like the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora. There’s also a subway station right outside the hotel that can take you right to the Acropolis Museum or other parts of the city that are a bit further away.
The staff at this hotel is very friendly, the rooms are spotlessly clean and modern, and although the breakfast at the hotel isn’t free, there are plenty of affordable bakeries nearby to grab food.
Evripidou Suites
Another hotel I’ve personally stayed at (and loved!) in Athens is Evripidou Suites. This is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for spacious, self-catering accommodations. All of the rooms here are suite-style and some have full kitchens. Many of the rooms also feature private balconies with city views.
There’s a rooftop restaurant where you can relax and enjoy views of the Acropolis during lunch or dinner. (The restaurant wasn’t open when I stayed there, but the rooftop terrace was open, and the views were amazing!) This isn’t a traditional hotel, but an apart-hotel, so it’s nice if you want more privacy.
The rooms are comfortable and luxuriously appointed, and you get excellent value for your money. You’re also in an extremely central location just a short walk away from all that Athens has to offer.
King George Hotel
King George Hotel is one of the best luxury hotels in Athens with Acropolis views and a rooftop swimming pool. Situated in a prime location on Syntagma Square and just a short walk from the Acropolis, the popular area of Plaka, and other attractions, this is the perfect place to stay before your cruise.
The rooms are elegant and tastefully appointed, and some have private balconies with Acropolis views. The hotel also offers a rooftop restaurant and bar with amazing views and a fitness center.
Coco-Mat Athens BC
If you’re looking for a nice hotel in an amazing location, Coco-Mat Athens BC is one of the best places to stay before a cruise. This hotel is just minutes away from the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum.
It has a stunning rooftop with Acropolis views and a swimming pool where you can cool off on those hotel summer days in Athens. The hotel also offers a free buffet breakfast every morning and free bikes to explore the city. There’s also a fitness center and a sauna. Some rooms have private balconies with city views.
Hotel Grande Bretagne
Hotel Grand Bretagne is one of the best luxury hotels with Acropolis views in Athens. Located opposite Constitution Square and the House of Parliament, many rooms in this hotel have Acropolis views.
You can also see the Acropolis and the original Olympic Stadium from the hotel’s stunning rooftop terrace, which features a swimming pool perfect for cooling off on those hot summer afternoons in Athens! This hotel also features a luxurious spa with a wide range of treatments and services available to indulge in.
Electra Metropolis
Electra Metropolis is one of the best pre-cruise hotels in Athens. Located just a short walk from Syntagma Square, this hotel features a rooftop restaurant, sun terrace, and swimming pool. You can enjoy your included breakfast or an evening cocktail from the rooftop restaurant and bar.
Some rooms at the Electra Metropolis include Acropolis views too. The scenic Plaka area is just a 10-minute walk from the hotel, along with many of the best sights in Athens like ancient ruins and museums.
Where to Stay in Athens Before a Cruise
This guide showed you where to stay in Athens before a cruise.
To recap, my top picks for where to stay are:
- Best overall: Moxy Athens City
- Best mid-range: Evripidou Suites
- Best luxury: King George Hotel
Have a great trip and enjoy your cruise!
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