From Neoclassical Homes to Bohemian Gems, These Are the Best Airbnbs in Athens

It seems a little ridiculous to brand one of the oldest cities in the world as “up and coming,” but in certain circles, that’s exactly the working title of Athens these days. New wave tavernas, natural wine bars, and design-forward concept shops all conspire to attract a certain kind of traveler: cosmopolitan and contemporary for sure, but one not above embracing the simplicity of a paper tablecloth and hand-written menu when a plate of stewed chickpeas is on the line. For some of us, Athens has always been more than ruins and retsina. So to experience the capital—resurgence or not—like a local, why not book an Airbnb right in the heart of the city?

Vogue’s Guide to the Best Airbnbs in Athens:

• For a Design-Forward Stay: Casa L’on, from $263 per night
• For a Central Option: Penthouse Under Acropolis, from $406 per night
• For an Unbeatable View: The Acropolis Viewer, from $439 per night
• For True Old-World Charm: Okela Alexandria, from $188 per night
• For a Cozy Family Spot: Our Kolonaki Home, from $544 per night

Admittedly, Athens has a complicated relationship with Airbnb owing to the housing crisis (in fact, a recent freeze on new short-term rental properties has just gone into effect this year), but that’s not to say you don’t have options. In bougainvillia-lined Plaka, an elegantly styled penthouse puts you right in view of the Acropolis. In the neighborhood of Psirri, a Neoclassical apartment is steps away from the most famous food market in the city. And in trendy Koukaki, a spacious spot with eclectic design makes a great home base for a larger group.

Keep reading for eight great Athenian Airbnbs to book ahead of your trip to Greece this summer.

Penthouse Under Acropolis

Courtesy of Airbnb

If you want to be centrally located on your first visit to the Greek capital, this apartment in a renovated 1950s building puts you right in the middle: You have a direct line to the Acropolis from the spacious balcony. You’ll be within walking distance to all the key sights, and when you want a quiet respite, the well-decorated interiors provide the ideal backdrop. Inside, it’s all chrome fixtures mixed with sculptural stone; the perfect balancing act of new and old.

Rooms: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom

Amenities: Washer, mosquito net, TV, sound system, air conditioning, balcony, elevator

Neighborhood: Plaka

Casa L’on

Courtesy of Airbnb

The aesthetically minded traveler may check in and find they never want to leave; from the red-striped furniture to the exposed Neoclassical columns to the home’s not-insignificant collectsion of terracotta urns, every centimeter of this rental was carefully considered. It’s well-located, right on Evripidou Street where spice stalls and bakeries provide enough gastronomical occupation for days. (And for a sit-down meal: Diporto, the underground taverna loved by locals and tourists alike, is just a couple streets over.) Take home your market haul to make use of the beautifully tiled kitchen.

Rooms: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom

Amenities: Bathtub, washer, air conditioning, balcony, pet-friendly

Neighborhood: Psirri

Okela Alexandria

Courtesy of Airbnb

Tucked away in the more local neighborhood of Exarcheia, this spot is a nod to antiquity in more ways than one. When not splashed with colorful tiles, the floors are covered in handmade rugs; ornate decor shipped from Alexandria brings old-world charm; intricate crown molding highlights the tall, stately ceilings. Venture out to the National Archaeological Museum (just a five-minute walk away) to immerse yourself further in artifacts.

Rooms: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

Amenities: Bathtub, AC, patio, pet-friendly

Neighborhood: Exarcheia

Little Hidden Paradise

Courtesy of Airbnb

On the other side of Filopappou, in the opposite direction of the tourist spots, you’ll find this little gem. It received a head-to-toe renovation in the early 2000s by its owner, and is now built around a garden, with many of the rooms opening directly to the outdoors and many of the walls consisting of one big slab of glass—expect lots of natural sunlight streaming in. The design leans eclectic: French and Spanish antiques mix with modern, clean lines. If you find the noise of a big city stressful, consider this apartment your solution.

Rooms: 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms

Amenities: Bathtub, washer, HDTV, sound system, air conditioning, bikes, sun loungers, garden terrace

Neighborhood: Ano Petralona

The Acropolis Viewer

Courtesy of Airbnb

There’s really no beating this view. The ancient Agora, the Parthenon, and the winding shopping streets of Monastiraki are quite literally at your doorstep here; it’s not exactly an under-the-radar location, but for the family looking for convenience in the heart of the city, this Airbnb is ideally situated. It can sleep up to six (request the extra fold-out beds for a larger group), and you can bring a souvlaki from one of the many nearby shops back home to enjoy on the spacious terrace in lieu of a sit-down meal when you want something more low-key.

Rooms: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

Amenities: Crib, AC, balcony

Neighborhood: Monastiraki

Klavdia’s Apartment in Acropolis

Courtesy of Airbnb

The interiors in this house are a real mishmash: a Bertoia Diamond chair here, a gilded mirror there. This eclectic collectsion provides a sense of comfort in this space, which is surprisingly spacious (it can sleep up to six guests, with a massive yellow kitchen fully equipped with all the cooking basics). The neighborhood is a great one to explore on foot; make a pit stop at Ta Koritsia for a souvlaki to-go.

Rooms: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom

Amenities: Washer, AC, elevator, housekeeping available for a cost

Neighborhood: Koukaki

Bohemian Dream

Courtesy of Airbnb

Sunny and bright, from the butter yellow walls to the oversized windows, this two-bedroom offers a more modern approach to Athenian design. Bright colors provide the throughline, from a coral wall in one bedroom to tomato-red appliances in the kitchen—which, by the way, has an espresso machine in case you want to fuel up at home before a day of sight-seeing. In the evenings, head upstairs to the plant-filled terrace for a game of cards and a glass of wine.

Rooms: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom

Amenities: Bathtub, washer, HDTV, crib, AC, terrace, grill

Neighborhood: Exarcheia

Our Kolonaki Home

Courtesy of Airbnb

If this feels like a cozy family home, that’s because it is: The family who owns this well-designed apartment decorated it carefully over the course of 30 years, and now lives mostly full-time in Santorini. While you’re here, stretch out and make it your own—the penthouse is stocked with walls of books, a large kitchen for cooking meals with your farmers market bounty, and several little nooks for every member of your group to carve out space for downtime. Outside, Kolonaki’s high-end boutiques await; the Benaki museum is also a short walk away.

Rooms: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

Amenities: Bathtub, washer, TV, AC, indoor fireplace, elevator

Neighborhood: Kolonaki