27 Best Hotels in Attica and Delphi, Greece

One of the most elaborate hotels on the Rivera perches amid the verdant pine forest of Sounion National Park with stunning views of the Temple of Poseidon from bungalows and villas, all arranged in tiers along a hill. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open onto nicely landscaped terraces, many facing southeast toward the temple; some have private pools. The octagonal glass-walled spa and fitness center overlooks the sea, and on the two bays below the hotel is a private beach, with water-sports rentals available. The pick of its five restaurants is the rooftop fine-dining option, with an expansive Greek-French menu to match the views. And while parents hit the spa, kids have access to a full array of morning and afternoon activities and mini-adventures.

A rich brown leather headboard here, an antique dressing table there: no detail escapes notice at this upscale retreat whose chic, impressive pool and handsome guest rooms attract plenty of young and trendy Athenians. The rooms, which come with marble baths and views of Vouliagmeni Bay, are stylish and comfortable, and a pair of on-site restaurants offer some of the best dining in the city. Special mention also goes to its summer eatery-cum-beach bar on nearby Krabo beach, which is worth dropping in on. The hotel even has its own farm, about 30 minutes inland; visits can be arranged to see its inner workings firsthand, though they don't come cheap. It pays to stay put. Even this close to the beach, the intimate, greenery-filled pool courtyard, with outdoor "beds," Persian carpets, and glowing lanterns at sunset, is a pretty tempting reason to not move a muscle.

Clean-cut retro chic predominates in this sleek, low-lying 1965 landmark built by well-known Greek architect Nicos Valsamakis. It has comfortable contemporary rooms and 35 acres of gardens that spill down the mountainside, morphing into olive groves and pines, and, in the distance, a breathtaking vista of the Corinthian gulf takes hold. This magical scene can be glimpsed from various public verandas and from some of the guest rooms, all decked in light-color wood furniture and balconies (be sure to check that yours comes with a view!). Or enjoy all the natural beauty from the poolside bar.

This convenient boutique stay in the bay of Mati makes the most of its coastal setting; it even has its own yacht marina, surrounded by spots to watch the boats drift in and out. It's packed with facilities, including a pool, gym, spa and sauna, complementing spacious and comfortable guest rooms with balconies that gaze out over the twinkling waters. Delightful views include Evia island's profile directly across the strait. The marina, the beach, and several nice tavernas are just steps away, making this a great little package for a decent price. 

The first cabanas started arriving on Vouliagmeni's wooded peninsula of Laimos at the beginning of the 1960s; a few years later, a hotel arrived, It was a grande dame for the golden age of the Greek Riviera, where everyone from Jackie Onassis to Frank Sinatra could be seen lounging by the pool, Fast-forward fifty-something years and what became the Astir Palace hotel has been reborn after the Four Seasons took over. The facilities are overwhelming, split over three residential areas, including a cluster of retro bungalows where Barack Obama stayed. Add to that private stretches of beach, a helipad, a spa, two gyms, an adult-only infinity pool, seven restaurants (including an offshoot of famous sushi joint Nobu), tennis courts, and a soccer pitch—there's even a branch of the Benaki Museum gift shop. The original hotel (now Nafsika building) remains, given a nip-tuck but still oozing more sixties chic than a Dean Martin lookalike. Needless to say, it doesn't come cheap, though if you're not staying overnight, day passes are available if the hotel isn't at capacity.

A 19th-century sea captain's mansion and two other houses surround a lush garden, combining welcoming outdoor spaces and homey interiors where unpretentious antiques are interspersed with weavings, small sculptures, and paintings, giving each room personality. In winter a blazing fire beckons from the sitting room. Breakfast, served in the lush courtyard in summer, is legendary, often including homemade marmalades (apricot, fig, tangerine, etc.), chutneys, breads, cakes, cheeses, and spinach-filled pies, though the exact menu changes daily. It's no surprise they're good; the family also runs Papalexis Bakery in the village, meaning the cooking classes (€50) here have genuine expertise behind them. In recent years, four new apartments have been added to the property, all with kitchenettes, modern interiors, and balconies overlooking the village. The owners also operate a separate three-bedroom apartment down by the waterside that's better for large families.

This pair of one-bedroom houses, about 10 minutes' walk from town, is a good option for families. The giant garden even contains a jungle gym and safety mat. You're away from the pretty center of the village, but the tiny Kalafitis beach is only 500 meters (1/3 mile) down the road, so there are compensations. Kitchens are immaculate, the beds have Cocomat mattresses (Greece's beloved luxury mattress of choice), and a fold-out sofa in the lounge becomes the second bedroom. Breakfasts arrive in a little hamper filled with local jams and homemade marmalade.

Located on the lesser-strolled Filellinon street (below the main sprawl of hotels), solitude and incredible views are this simple hotel's stocks in trade. Rooms filled with handsome wood furniture, traditional linens, and paintings gaze out over a sea of olive trees and the Itea valley (just make sure you ask for a room with a view of the Corinthian gulf). Guest rooms on the upper floor have a sloping cathedral ceiling in pine as well, and for an extra dose of coziness, fireplaces in some rooms warm up cool winter evenings. The light breakfast includes fresh yogurt drizzled with local honey.

Nothing can beat the location on the beach beneath the Temple of Poseidon, above the very harbor where ancient ships once navigated. All guest rooms have balconies, most have sea views, and a few gaze up at the temple. It's just a 15-minute uphill walk to the ancient temple, and sun beds on the crowded-but-pretty sandy beach out front are free for guests.

Owned by the same people who run the winter-only Skamnos hotel, this year-round B&B is an altogether quainter affair. It's a ten-minute walk from town and perches delightfully on a hillside all of its own. The views from the terrace Jacuzzi are some of the best in Arachova, and scanning the valley below, as the water bubbles around you and an orchestra of cicadas tunes up, makes for an otherworldly experience. Breakfasts are taken from the same terrace and the owner whips up a fine homespun repast. Rooms err on the wintry side, with exposed roof beams and fireplaces to beat the chill, though there's air-con for the hot summer months. 

Yiannis Schizas, who established this homey and comforting adults-only hotel with his wife, Argyroula, has a knack for collecting odd items, and each guest room is decorated differently (and tastefully) with his finds—bathroom fixtures might be from ships, or a sewing machine might be used as a table in one room. Special mention goes to the bed-in-a-boat, which is truly remarkable. All the rooms have balconies, and in summer, guests can take their rich breakfast, complete with homemade jams, cakes, and pies made by Argyroula herself, outside to the Mediterranean garden. The property is also only a short walk to a small pebble beach that few other visitors discover.

When it comes to budget stays in Glyfada, this well-placed stay---the sister site of the nearby London Hotel, whose rooftop is a rather nice spot for a drink---is pretty unassailable The pool here is great for the price point, and the rooms are invariably clean and simple. There isn't much that surprises but that's not a bad thing, and the staff are as efficient as the decor. It's a welcome change from some of the older rivals of its type, which have seen better days.

Vouliagmeni has lacked this kind of middle-brow boutique for a while now: somewhere between the full-on luxury assault of the area's big hitters and the usual budget stays. Azur ticks that box nicely: chic but not extravagant; tidy but not uptight. The pool is big enough; there's a decent restaurant (though not good enough to make you forgo the treasures elsewhere); the rooms have a hint of business about them; and it's nicely set amid a quiet suburb, away from the main thoroughfare. An all-round polished stay with a penchant for some unusual art. 

This seasonal ski hotel and mountain lodge offers some of the region's best views, along with alluring, wood-ceilinged guest rooms, plus such luxurious perks as a heated indoor pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, and a spa. For breakfast, the owners whip up delicious omelets accompanied by homemade bread. Prices drop significantly in early and late ski season, when the region still offers plenty of hiking, mountain biking, and sightseeing opportunities.

These modern, clean, minimalist suites are large (the smallest is 50 square meters [538 square feet]), and all include a fully equipped kitchen. You're definitely out in the suburbs here, and a sense of serenity pervades the hotel. The beautifully landscaped pool area is a merciful retreat from city life. Guests all receive a tablet, from which they can order meals, and also have full use of a nearby gym, which is a rarity in the city hotels. The beach and Glyfada nightlife are a short walk away.

These half-dozen apartments, a few kilometers outside town, feel far more isolated than they are—inside, the immaculately finished interior is all wooden floors, kitchenettes, fireplaces, and Jacuzzis. Energetic manager Leonardos is everywhere, and a small Nokia mobile with his number on it is gifted to each guest in case you need anything—he'll even cook up dinner at the shared pool and BBQ area. Fabulous views, free bike rental (e-bikes cost extra), and breakfast delivered to your room make this a luxurious break from the more homely guesthouses in town.

This winter-style lodge embraces the skiing vibe with its simple wood-finished rooms and all-round cozy feel. It's a little removed from the main drag, at the far western edge of town, and mercifully quiet because of it. Balconies come as standard, and the views are never less than impressive. Downstairs, a small indoor pool (more for plunging than swimming) offers weary bones some respite, while a bar in the lobby offers a similarly medicinal space. The larger suites come with Jacuzzi baths.

One of the nicer-looking spots in the center of town is accented by warm colors and a touch of Greek mountain style while avoiding the "ancient kitsch" of several other nearby hotels. Ask for a guest room on a higher floor if you want a view of the Itea valley, as the two-story building in the front partially blocks the outlook from those on lower levels. If you book the "penthouse," there's even an elevator that opens directly into your room. Further down the street, the Epikouros restaurant under the same management is a reliable taverna.

With its own beaches, pools, restaurants, bars, two tennis courts, and an open-air cinema, all augmenting deluxe accommodations, you may have little need to stray from this seaside paradise. Accommodation stretches across three areas: the main hotel, deluxe villas (some with their own pools), and cozy seaside bungalows amid the gardens. The decor in all lean toward romantic blues and nautical sea stripes. Staffers don't blink an eye at requests, be they for a particular type of pillow, a favorite DVD, or the use of the helipad.

Everything about this seaside house is bright, from the flower-filled garden to the huge, tile-floored rooms (all with kitchenettes). These are filled with light and open onto breezy terraces where you can gaze out over the sea. All rooms sleep at least three and can accommodate more, making this an especially good choice for families. The exceptionally warm hospitality extends to a lavish breakfast of homemade cakes and jams. They also run cookery classes.

A retro-Florida vibe permeates this sprawling, beautifully maintained mini-resort, which dates back to the 1960s but has had numerous makeovers since then. Simple but stylish rooms, decked in dazzling whites with bright accent colors, surround an enormous garden and pool terrace and a host of eateries, all just steps from the beach. It's also good value, especially outside the peak summer months. Outside is the pedestrian seafront promenade of Nea Makri, a once-fashionable but still pleasant getaway for Athenians, lined with taverna terraces and parklands. 

A lot of the stays along Friderikis Street, where most of the town's restaurants, cafés, and hotels lie, are quite old and battling with their confines—the newer-built Nidimos has no such trouble and has even built an underground car park with charging for electric vehicles (a luxury almost unheard of in these parts). It certainly embraces its Alpine ethos, channeling the aura of a ski lodge from the 1960s. Balconies line the front of the building, and suites are equipped with sofas that turn into single beds. This is one of the more modern options in a town which doesn't have to work hard for its visitors. 

The latest addition to Mati's waterfront overlooking the Petalioi Gulf knows what it does best—it's tower-like design requires little imagination but fulfills its purpose admirably: cramming in as many balconies with sea views as possible. Downstairs, direct access to a small stretch of beach and a large pool wrapped by sun loungers and sea views sets a gentle pace. Indeed, in a town where the sea and convenience to the airport are everything, this hotel leans reassuringly into the spirit of things, and its sensible rooms serve to remind you just how much more fun the water outside is. 

Even from the outside, Nostos looks every inch the old captain's house. Built in 1880, its pale-yellow facade and dark wooden shutters are immaculate, gazing imperiously over the village square. Inside is no less fascinating. In the breakfast room an old well has been covered with plexiglass, so you can peer down to its depths, and saucy ship's figureheads dot the walls. Rooms are pretty, Laura Ashley–esque affairs, with the two family suites complete with balcony views of the sea. An aristocratic bent runs through the furniture and its antique-style dressers and mirrors, and mosquito nets are on hand to keep out pests in summer. The best, however, is reserved for breakfast, with the opportunity to take its homemade repasts in the garden—a huge, peaceful setting every bit worthy of a captain.

This charming stay on the fringes of town is one of the finer efforts in Arachova—rooms are more modern than the older stays that you'll find around town and impeccably clean. Breakfasts are a treat, accompanied by owner Dana's homemade cake and jams, while guests typically arrive to a bracing shot of tsipouro.  

This well-established city hotel is off the main road in a leafy side street—it's a bit of a walk from the central dining and shopping areas, but it's worth it for one of Glyfada's more understated gems. Despite opening in the 1970s, successive renovations make this one of the fresher-looking stays. It also doesn't lack for facilities: a large garden pool tucked out back is arguably the most charming in the city. The lobby bar is winning no design awards, but this is a solid stay that tends to attract an older crowd.  

What Vouliagmeni does rather well is extravagance on a large scale. Even smaller boutique stays squeeze in a fair few rooms. Somewhere is the exception to the rule, with just 11 rooms and the kind of service where everyone knows your name and just what you need. Even its lobby has an air of detached cool about it, and the rooftop penthouse is something special indeed, with its outdoor Jacuzzi, decked terrace, and superb views. A poolside bistro also offers a surprisingly lush retreat from the road outside. It's fair to say that none of this comes cheap, but bearing in mind where you are, it's fair value for what you get: a little bit of tranquility.