One night Athens-what area to stay in.?
 

Hello, we will have one night in Athens at the end of May. Arriving from US at 9 am and flying to Crete at 8 am next morning.

We want to see the Acropolis at the very least - I know we will have jet lag and all that. We will be able to get through that.

Where should we stay that is somewhat convenient to airport and yet has a good location for the Acropolis and a good Athens dinner? We have never been to Greece.

Thanks.

Airport is a 40 minute metro, ride.

We stayed at NJV ATHENS for a few nights this week. We got it through Hotwire a few months ago for $145 a night. It is on Syntagma Sq, a very central location. Acropolis is 1 metro stop away, or you can walk.

As for airport: There is a very nice Sofitel right across from terminal. We stayed there (2 weeks ago) after a flight from US. We paid 120€ booking several months in advance. We had early morning (5 am) flight, so wanted to be close by.

The Syntagma Square area is very convenient. You can walk to the Plaka, Ermou St, and the very nice Kolonaki neighborhood. Get to the Acropolis early to avoid the bus tour crowds. Will you have more time in Athens at the end of your trip? We recently returned to Athens for the second time and spent five nights, lots to see and do. Today's New York Rimes Travel Sextion has an arricle on Athens, "36 Hours in Athens" which is helpful.

We really love AVA Hotel, which is right in The Plaka. It has lovely rooms, some with small balconies facing right into The Acropolis.

You can walk to one of the main entrances of The Acropolis ( just down the block from The Acropolis Museum) in about 10-15 minutes.

The area is very central for exploring most of Athens, and the surrounding streets have lots of restaurants, boutiques, etc.

BTW, a cab from Syntagma or The Plaka will take about 35 minutes to the airport, depending on traffic. In June we paid E35 plus tip. Make sure you reserve a cab ahead of your departure if you decide you want one!

Lastly, Plaka is a bit closer to The Acropolis than Syntagma, but not by much, so if you find a hotel you prefer, either location is very good.

Thank you all-great information. The time it takes by metro, the cost of the cab, the hotel recos, and especially th 36 hours in Athens article.

Very helpful!

Re: 36 Hours in Athens...We ate at ManiMani twice recently, wonderful place.

We really liked ATTIKOS HOUSE, on a street behind The Acropolis Museum. Very good traditional Greek food, gorgeous (!) view of The Acropolis lit up at night, reasonably priced.

One more comment from me re: hotels. Also look at ATHENS GATE, which is cheaper than Ava,very good location, rooms not as nice, but has a fabulous rooftop restaurant with view of The Acropolis.

I stayed at the Herodian Hotel. New Acropolis museum is around the corner; Acropolis and Plaka within walking distance. Great rooftop views of the museum and the Acropolis.

Subway is close by, though with luggage I preferred to take a taxi from the airport.

More questions - if we choose to take the metro, once we get to the airport how far to get from the metro to the boarding gates. We are flying with Ryanair.

Also, can anyone recommend how early to arrive for an 8 am flight with Ryanair to Crete? We are from US - don't know if there are extra steps we have to take as "foreigners".

If choose to take a taxi - can four people and four carryons get in one taxi - how much will it be for four in a taxi from say, Plaka are to airport?

which would you recommend?

Is it better to stay closer to the airport? Sofitel is out of our price range, though.

Eleftherios Venizelos international airport is a nice, modern and relatively compact airport. Only one arrivals and one departures terminal. Metro stop is across the road. 5-10 minutes walk deal. On domestic flights usually you are fine if you arrive 45-60 minutes before departure or so. You will have go through customs and the like previously, so no extra buraucracy on domestic flights. Very details and informative is the airport's website, aia.gr
Normally taxis take only 3 passengers but often drivers and authorities turn a blind eye on that ...but recently there is more police patroling on the airport. For return journey you may want to consult your hotel. If carry ons are small there will be space for 4 of them. There is a set rate from airport to a specific central area of Athens including Plaka, this is 35 euro during day time.
Personaly depending of course on specific hotel location, I prefer none! I much more like the bus, because even if a tad bit slower depending on traffic, you get to see things out of your window and makes the ride more interesting.
There are a few accommodation options near the airport area, but you will have to rely on the transport offered by hotel or taxis to move from/to anywhere. You may want to google Holiday Inn , Peris Hotel, St Thomas B&B ... I guess it depends on your plan, stamina and how you usually fight your jet lag. Maybe you could go on your hotel first thing after arrival, drop your stuff, then head to city center to explore most part of the day and return to hotel exhausted for an early night's sleep.
Personaly I do not like this approach, I'd like to be able to go on my hotel for a shower and freshen up or for a couple of hours' rest during the day and this is not very practical if your hotel is located near the airport. So I would prefer a hotel in city center. But this is me and not you. It is your call. : )