Hotels in Athens

Athens is the ancient city hugely popular with tourists due to its fascinating historical architecture and its gorgeous summer climate. The Greek capital, this seaside metropolis is used to travelling guests, and hundreds of Athens hotels are available at the click of a button.

One of the most ancient cities in Europe, you could spend a week in Athens and still not sample half of the wonderful remaining monuments that lie there. For those travelling to the Greek capital, we would assume that you have some interest in history and mythology, as the old girl is steeped in it. One of the more famous attractions is the spectacular Acropolis, which lies at the summit of a large hill in the centre of the city. Situated 150 meters above sea level, it can be a tortuous walk to reach the structure, however few are disappointed upon arrival. This remarkable collection of buildings is still relatively unscathed since its erection over 2000 years ago, offering a glimpse into another world of which we can only imagine.

Athens really stands tall as one of the few remaining prehistoric cities. Although it is by no means short of modern development, it has stayed true and proud to its roots, maintaining the priceless reminders of history that make such a special place. A notable example of this is the Panathinaikon Stadium – the setting for both the original and first modern Olympic games. Athens and the Olympics are synonymously linked, and this is the venue that started it all. The large stadium was built from marble in 4 BC and could accommodate over 70,000 people. Appropriately, the opening ceremony for the 2004 games was conducted here, a nostalgic reminder of where this remarkable event had come from.

These are just a small sample of the many historic sites that Athens has to offer. Other remarkable visits include the Theatre of Dionysus, Temple of the Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch and The Ancient Agora, all of which offer a cracking insight into the world over 2000 years ago. Most Athens hotels will be swimming in leaflets and information packs that offer you all you need to know on accessing the great sites of the city.

Athens, rather fittingly, was the venue for the 2004 Olympic games, around 100 years after its inception at the same place. Although you are five years too late to capture the amazing quality of the games themselves, you can still benefit from the structural redevelopment that they caused. When the city was awarded the prestigious honour of being the hosts nearly 10 years ago, it was in a rather dilapidated state. However the prospect of entertaining the watching gaze of the world provoked huge changes. A new airport along with a re-structured metro system were among the major modifications, as well as new restaurants, bars, swimming pools and hundred of Athens hotels, ready to house the travelling athletes and spectators.

Although a key visit for anyone fascinated by mythology or ancient Greece, Athens can also offer a more traditional holiday through its neighbouring surroundings. Each year it acts as the launching pad for many backpackers and tourists trying their luck at island hopping off the Aegean Sea. Boats leave daily to the stunning retreats of Piraeus and Rafina. A great way to experience a plethora of destinations in one holiday, veterans of the trip will simply sign themselves into one of the many Athens hotels for a night or two and then take a tent to camp in when they have left the mainland.

The practice of island hopping is habituated in the summer by a typical Mediterranean climate that can swell to up to 38°C in July and August. Similar to neighbouring resorts of Corfu or Rhodes, Athens cools in the months of October through to May, only really reaching sunbathing temperatures in the peak season. Rain is scarce in this time, often a persuading factor for those tempted to leave British shores.

A popular tourist destination for those seeking cultural enlightening and an escape to the sun, there is no shortage of Athens hotels. The city is abundant with places to rest your head, with a 4-star double room starting at around £42 a night in the peak season. Like any Greek holiday, this price is almost halved in the off-season, with the majority of travellers wanting to take their holiday between June and September.

Compare prices of Athens Hotels

A fantastic getaway for both young and old, Athens combines the history of the ancient Greeks with the suave modernity of Western Europe. To ensure you get the best deal use our hotel search box to compare all the hotel prices in Athens.