6 Best Hostels in Athens (Updated 2023)

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Athens one of the most popular destinations in Europe.

Boasting incredible historic sites like the thousands-year-old Acropolis, delicious (and affordable) food, and a thriving cocktail bar, Athens is a sprawling city popular with backpackers, foodies, and history buffs.

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 keep in mind before choosing a hostel in Athens:

1. Location – Great Athens. Choosing a hostel in your desired location is important.
2. Price – Like anywhere, you get what you pay for. If you choose a really cheap hostel, you may end up with one that is small and cramped and doesn't offer great service.
3. Facility – Every hostel in town offers free Wi-Fi, and most have self-catering amenities so you can cook your own meals. Many – but not all – include free breakfast, so be sure to do your research to find one that best meets your needs.
4. Staff – All the hostels listed here have amazing staff who are very friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don't stay at one of the places listed below, be sure to look up reviews so you know you'll have helpful and friendly staff.

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, here are the best in each category:

Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: Pagrasi Youth Hostel
Best Hostel for Party: Athena Hawks
Best Hostel for Solo Travelers: Athens Backpackers
Best Hostel for Couples: Athens Studio Dormitory
Best Hostel for Solo Female Traveler: Athens Hub Hostels
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads: BedBox
Best Overall Hostel: Athens Backpackers

Want the specifications of each hostel? Here is my breakdown of the best hostels in Athens and why I love them:

Price legend (per night)

• $ = Under 20 EUR
• $$ = 20-30 EUR
• $$$ = More than 30 EUR

1. Pagrasi Youth Dormitory

This family run hostel is one of the most affordable in town. The beds in the five and eight bed dorm rooms were pretty basic (no curtains or individual outlets) and I thought the mattresses were a little thin. All rooms have individual lockers and the bathrooms are large and clean. It's basic but cheap!

The hostel also has a washing machine, a common room with board games where you can usually find other travelers hanging out, and a big kitchen to cook your own food. This is a great hostel for meeting other travelers and one of the best cheap ones in town.

A Glance about the Pagration Youth Hostel:

• $
• Very affordable
• A lively common room with board games
• Centrally located in Pangrati

Beds start at EUR 12 per night.

2. Athena Hawks hostel

If you want to party, this is the hostel for you. There's a raucous ground floor bar and an even more raucous rooftop bar (with great views of the city). The hostel also offers pub crawls. And pub-hopping gets tough: You can get unlimited beer and sangria for an hour and free shots along the way.

The hostel itself is also very nice. Each dormitory bed has a privacy curtain, thick mattress and a power outlet. You have your own little room to sleep. The bathroom is also very clean.

Athena Hawks at a glance:

• $$
• Full kitchen
• Active common room with billiards and games
• Complimentary “welcome shot” upon check-in

Beds from 25 EUR per night, private rooms from 70 EUR.

3. Athens Backpackers

Nestled under the auspices of the Acropolis, Athens Backpackers is a very social accommodation option. The hostel hosts many events, from daily guided walking tours to happy hours to karaoke sessions to soup nights. If you're a solo traveler and looking forward to meeting fellow travelers, there's a good chance it will happen here.

Free breakfast, as well as coffee and tea, are available all day. The rooftop bar is a great place to watch the sunset over a drink or two too.

This Australian owned hostel offers pod style beds, so you get a lot more privacy here than with a traditional bunk bed. The bed is also comfortable. There are also private rooms, some of which are large enough to accommodate up to five people.

Athens Backpacker at a Glance:

• $$
• rooftop bar
• Free breakfast
• Many organized social events make it easy to meet people

Beds from 28 EUR per night, private rooms from 125 EUR.

4. Athena Studios

If you like a bit of privacy — say, you're a traveling couple — Athens Studios is the place for you. The property, not far from the centrally located Acropolis Museum, has private rooms for two and even apartments, if you're traveling as a family or a larger group.

The hostel also comes with fun amenities: a rooftop bar, a sports bar on the ground floor that is always busy, and a popular restaurant serving Greek comfort food. Breakfast is free – and it's good for that – and the staff are known for being friendly, warm and helpful.

Athena Studios at a Glance:

• $$$
• Comfortable, safe atmosphere
• Rooftop bar and sports bar on the ground floor
• Free breakfast

Private room from 140 EUR.

5. Hostel Athens Hub

Stylish, neat and clean, Athens Hub is a boutique hostel located in the city center. Dormitory rooms are four-bed, six-bed, and eight-bed rooms, and dormitories also offer female-only dorms. The sturdy and comfortable bunk beds have privacy curtains, electrical outlets and reading lights. And every guest get his own locker. The private double room has a queen bed and an en suite bathroom and shower.

This hostel is located in the hip and middle of Psyri, one of the nicest neighborhoods in Athens. The ground floor bar, with alfresco dining, is always a great place for a coffee or beer.

Athens Hub Hostel at a glance:

• $$$
• Stylish and comfortable environment
• Fun, lively bar attached to the property
• Very friendly reception staff

Beds from 36 EUR per night, private rooms from 90 EUR.

6. Box Bed

If you need to do some work while in Athens or you're a digital nomad, BedBox offers fast Wi-Fi throughout the hostel, and the cafe and bar on the ground floor is the ideal place to park yourself for a few days. hours if you need to be productive.

BedBox has four-bed and six-bed dorms, and some beds are doubles, so if you're alone you can spread out, or if you're traveling with a partner you can easily share a bed. Bunk beds have privacy curtains, reading lights and power outlets so you can always make sure your electronics are charged and ready to go.

Overview of BedBox:

• $$
• Spacious guest room
• The onsite bar is perfect for working
• Free and fast Wi-Fi throughout the building

Beds from 25 EUR.

Athens is a fun and bustling city — but a huge one. Choosing 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 continent's most iconic cities!

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