Gay Athens Athens City Guide City Guides > Greece > Gay Athens Athens Matthew TrinettiAh, Athens. Mother of democracy, daughter of Zeus and naughty stepsister of the global economic crisis. Lying at the juncture of Europe, Asia and Africa, Greece is lucky heir to the heritage of the Byzantine Empire, four centuries of Ottoman Turkish rule and Classical Greece. And so, its capital city, regardless of recent financial troubles and political turmoil, is still, without doubt, one of the world’s finest cities, drenched as it is in ancient history, trail-blazing culture and year-round sunshine. As for modern Athenians, nothing can keep them from their bold afternoon coffee breaks, street-side philosophising and endearing laissez-faire attitude. Nor should anything stop you. Savour the city slowly, soaking up the affordable luxury amid world-class archaeological sites, before hitting the grungier neighbourhoods for a taste of contemporary Greek culture and its glittering nightlife. Looking for the ultimate Athens points of interest? Mr Hudson’s Athens gay city guide has got you covered. Feel like getting away? Take a trip planned just for you, and let us do all the work. Discover Trip Design Hotels Things to do Things to see Food & Drink Shopping Nightlife Trip Design The best hotels in AthensLet’s start this gay Athens travel guide with a roundup of the best places to stay. Plaka is the old central standby that gets all the love (as well as the crowds), and understandably so: it’s the cultural heartbeat of the city and boasts many of the best things to do in Athens. Sitting downslope from the famed Acropolis and sandwiched east and west between humming Syntagma and Monastiraki squares, Plaka is Athens’ oldest and most famous neighbourhood. It also happens to be the location of AthensWas Hotel, offering central yet quiet accommodation tastefully designed with an archaic touch. As well as daily traditional Greek breakfasts, the hotel also boasts a quiet terrace and garden rooftop balcony offering unparalleled panoramas of the Acropolis and all of Athens. Just 200 metres from Monastiraki Square is 14 Reason Why, a beautiful property on prime real estate within walking distance of Ermou shopping area and the Roman Agora, featuring a terrace and shared lounge. The Foundry HotelNortheast of Plaka you’ll find Kolonaki: elite, modern and sophisticated without being too pretentious. Home to Athens’ wealthiest locals and characterized by artisan shops, hip cafes and ritzy restaurants, it’s fashionable to stay in Kolonaki. With that in mind, why not try the Coco-Mat Hotel Athens? Offering well-located, elegantly designed units within one of the city’s most vibrant areas, Coco-Mat is a modish haven, providing relaxation, homemade breakfasts and select services. If being close to the beach is a priority, however, head down to Glyfada, a lively, lovely and self-sufficient seaside neighbourhood 30 minutes south of central Athens. Luxurious and contemporary minimalist Brasil Suites Boutique Hotel is a fine choice if you plan on staying in the area, just a short walk from Glyfada’s exclusive shopping district and beach. Brasil Suites Boutique HotelThank you for reading Mr Hudson.Subscribe to City Guides or log in to continue reading. Subscribe now Log inSpecial SelectionExclusive Mr Hudson offersOut now from gestaltenMr Hudson Explores Browse the Book Explore more MASC - next-generation men’s skincare in VancouverSince 2007, MASC’s mission has been to offer men of all ages the tools and information necessary to maintain a healthy and well-groomed appearance in a simple no-fuss manner. “Look good, feel great” is their motto. Read story > The best beaches in CroatiaIf you could capture the essence of Croatia and put it in a bottle, it would smell like pine forest and fig trees, taste like olive oil and wild flower honey and be as blue as the sky and iridescent as the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic. Read story > The 12 best wine hotels in South AfricaSouth Africa is a top choice for wine tourists keen on sampling the crisp chardonnay of Stellenbosch and the dark-toned shiraz of Paarl first-hand. Today we sip our way slowly through the best white and red wine from South Africa on a hotel-hopping tour of the Cape Winelands, covering Stellenbosch, Constantia, the Western Cape and beyond. Read story > Subscribe to our newsletterYou can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Sign up for exclusive insider promotions SIGN UP