Athens basic information
- Syntagma Square is the centre of the city of Athens and is where the Greek Parliament is situated. It is a major transport hub at the junction of two metro lines (the blue and red lines), many bus and tram routes, and there are numerous large hotels here as well. It is readily accessible from the airport.
- The Acropolis lies about 1 kilometer to the South West of Syntagma, and the easiest way to get there is to take the red metro line one stop from Syntagma to Akropoli. The Acropolis Museum is very close to the metro station; it is a very large modern glass fronted building which should be easy to spot. The maps shown below indicate the easiest walking routes between the Acropolis Museum and the conference venue.
- The area in between Syntagma and the Acropolis is called Plaka and is a popular tourist spot, with many tavernas, restaurants, theatres, museums and souvenir shops. It is also largely pedestrianized and so is considerably quieter than many other central areas of the city.
- On he immediate Eastern boundary of Plaka lie the National Gardens, the Zappion, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which is quite spectacular, particularly in the evening when floodlit.
- All of the hotels we have recommended are within about 10 minutes walk of the Acropolis Museum and within about 20 minutes walk of the conference venue. Several of them are in Plaka. See the hotel information for details. Free wi-fi is available in almost all cafeterias
Transport to and from Athens International Airport
- There are several means of transport available from the airport into the city. There is also a small archaeological museum in the airport itself which is worth visiting if you have time.
- The blue line Metro will take you from the airport into the centre of Athens (to Syntagma). The airport metro ticket costs €8 and the journey will take about 45 minutes. Be sure to catch the Metro and not the Suburban Train, both of which run from the same station. The appropriate platform for the metro will be sign posted, but it is not very obvious. We recommend allowing at least one hour for travel time to reach the airport from your hotel, by Metro.
- The airport is also served by the X95 express bus service which will carry you into Syntagma Square. The bus departs from the airport outside Exits 4 & 5 on the arrivals level and will drop you off immediately outside the parliament building.
A taxi into the center of Athens from the airport will likely cost €30 - 35.
Recommended Hotels
We recommend the following hotels. Please see the details below for more information. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Divani Palace
Divani Palace Acropolis, 19- 25 Parthenonos, Athens, GR-11742,
Tel:+30 210 9280100
http://www.divanis.com/acropolis
This one of the premier hotels of Athens. It is located just a few minutes walk from the Acropolis Museum and about 15 minutes walk from the conference venue. Most of the rooms have private balconies and a view of the Acropolis. The hotel has several bars and restaurants, including a roof garden restaurant. Nearest Metro Station: Akropoli, Fix
Herodion Hotel
4 Rovertou Galli str. Acropolis, Athens
Tel:+302109236832
http://www.herodion.gr
The Herodion is a luxury hotel situated next door to the Acropolis Museum and at the
foot of the Acropolis itself. It has a restaurant, bar, lounge and roof garden with a view of
the Acropolis.
Nearest Metro Station: Akropoli
Athens Gate Hotel
10 Syngrou avenue, Plaka, Athens, GR-11742
Tel.: +30210 9238 302-3
http://www.athensgate.gr
The Athens Gate is a luxury hotel located at the Eastern edge of Plaka, overlooking the Temple of Olympian Zeus. All rooms are en-suite with a balcony and mini - bar. There is an al la carte roof - top restaurant and bar. It is about a 10 minute walk to the Acropolis Museum from here.
Nearest Metro Station: Akropoli
Central Hotel
Apollonos 21, Plaka, Athens, GR-10557,
Tel: +30 210 3234357-9
http://www.centralhotel.gr
The Central is a modern, newly renovated hotel situated in the middle of Plaka. It has a restaurant, all rooms are en-suite and many have a balcony with a view to the Acropolis or over Plaka. It is about a 5 -minute walk to the Acropolis Museum from here.
Nearest Metro Station: Syntagma
Acropolis Hill
7 Mousson Street, Athens, GR-11742
+30 210 9235 151
http://www.acropolishill.gr
The Acropolis Hill is a new hotel located about a 10 minute walk to the West of the Acropolis Museum. All rooms are en- suite and have a balcony. There is also a swimming pool, cocktail bar which serves light meals, and a library(!). Nearest Metro Station: Sygrou-Fix
Hotel Phidias
39 Apostolou Pavlou, Thiseio, Athens, GR-11851
+30 210 3459 511
http://www.phidias.gr
The Hotel Phidias has a 3* rating and is located in the lively area of Thiseio, just over the hill (about 10 minutes walk) from the Acropolis Museum. All rooms are en-suite with a balcony and many with views to the Acropolis. As Thissio is on a small hill, one can see all the way to the edge of Athens from the balcony. It is about a 10-minute walk to the conference venue from the Phidias.
Nearest Metro Station: Thissio
BEST WESTERN Ilisia Hotel
25 Michalakopoulou Street, Athens, Greece, GR-11528
+30 210 724 4051, +30 210 724 1847 39
http://www.ilisiahotel.gr
The Hotel BEST WESTERN Ilisia is located about 30 minutes walk from the Acropolis Museum.
Nearest Metro Station: Evangelismos
Hotel Art Galery
Erechthiou 5, Koukaki, GR-11742
+30 210 92 38 376, +30 210 92 31 933
http://www.artgalleryhotel.gr
The Hotel Art Gallery is located about 5 minutes walk from the Acropolis Museum.
Nearest Metro Station: Acropolis
If you have any questions please get in touch with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.