If you choose a hotel in one of these areas, you will be in walking distance of the major downtown sights and fantastic restaurants and cafes. Athena will be at your doorstep.
Our suggestion is to choose a hotel in Plaka. See some lovely hotels below. This area has the feeling of a village right in the heart of Athens, and is away from all the hubbub, right at the base of the magical Acropolis with the ancient Parthenon.
Here in Plaka are some of the best restaurants and tavernas in Athens, with music and atmosphere.
Also close by is the airport bus station, Syntagma Square and the Athens Cathedral, museums, parliament house and Ermou street, a principle shopping street.
The enclave of Plaka is serviced by both Syntagma and Monastiraki Metro stations, from where you can travel to Pireaus to catch your ferry to Crete. The modern metro system in Athens is the way to get around, and the way to get from the airport to the city, making a quick Athens stopover possible.
Leave plenty of time to visit the Acropolis, to wander up the hill, take in the view, to see and learn about each of the monuments and ruins, and visit the various museums.
Leave time because there are always crowds, especially in summer, and if you are relaxed and have plenty of time you won’t be bothered by those sweating, rushing hordes speeding past you. You get to stop and enjoy the view and the immensity of it all.
There is plenty more to see at the Acropolis than the Parthenon, including the stunningly beautiful Caryatids of the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike.
On the graceful hillside of the Acropolis are the Theatre of Dionysos and the simply breathtaking Theatre of Herodes Atticus, with its white marble amphitheatre.
What many people don't realise before they arrive in Athena is that at the base of the Acropolis is the Ancient Agora (above), the former market. It is now a park dotted with ruins and trees, including the beautiful Stoa of Attalos, the Temple of Hephaestus, and the picturesque Holy Church of the Apostles from 11th century.
The agora is a green space in the middle of the chaos of Athena, and certainly worth a good exploration.
The National Archaeological Museum has been established since 1829 and houses the most significant archaeological treasures from all over Greece.
With Prehistoric, Neolithic, Cycladic, Mycenaean exhibits, as well as other collections, you will need to leave some good time in your itinerary to enjoy this feast of history.
Located at 44 Patission Street it is again easy walking distance from Plaka.
Entry is 7 Euros and the museum is open from 8.30am to 3pm except Sundays when it is open from 1.30pm to 8pm.
Adrian Hotel. This small hotel is in Plaka and represents good value. It is a small hotel with only 34 rooms. Make sure you request a balcony with a view to the Acropolis, perfect for an Athens stopover. The terrace for breakfast has a wonderful view of the Acropolis and this starts off the day in a special way. This hotel is a bit shabby but is in an excellent central location for exploring Plaka.
Metropolis Hotel. This small very centrally located hotel is near the Athena Cathedral in Plaka. Also near Ermou Street, a popular shopping street, it has only 21 rooms and lots of features for the discerning traveller, such as air conditioning and double glazed windows, which help with the noise of Athena.
Acropolis Select Hotel. This hotel has a terrace with Acropolis views, and again is a small stylish hotel. An excellent location with everything in walking distance and a more up market three star hotel, ideal for an Athens stopover.
Carolina Hotel. This hotel is even more stylish again with only 34 rooms and Acropolis view. Its location makes walking to all the sights possible on one Athens stopover. A tastefully renovated property, this is a simple classic hotel.
Hotel Philippos. This hotel is within walking distance of Plaka and again is a delightful small hotel. Some of the rooms have views from the balcony so be clear when you are booking to request one with an Acropolis view. Very safe and handy location and a good three star hotel.
Art Hotel This hotel is a little outside our usual location and may require a taxi or metro ride to stroll through Plaka, but we just couldn't resist mentioning it for those looking for a luxury boutique hotel. This is a renovated neoclassical building from the 1930s, an eclectically decorated interior and a modern hotel. Some great rates are available for the Art Hotel Athena.
The Hellenic Festival, with events in and around Athena, including Epidauvros, from May to September, this festival is the epitome of summer in the Greek year.
Also known as the Athens Epidauvros Festival, it encompasses so many art forms from ballet, theatre, opera and contemporary dance to exhibitions and workshops of all rich varieties.
The Petras Festival runs from June to September featuring the best in Greek theatre and concerts at Theatro Petras in Petropoulis, Athena. See the works of Aristophanes, Sophocles and Euripedes performed.
The New Acropolis Museum opened for visitors for the first time in June 2009 and is the most modern major construction in Athens, housing the Parthenon Marbles and awaiting the return of some marbles from other countries. This controversy, and the design of the new museum, makes for a fascinating collision between history and current affairs. 
