Your stay — Metropolis Hotel
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The Property — Metropolis Hotel
The Metropolis Hotel sits on a narrow pedestrian street right under the Acropolis, just off Plaka’s main drag. The lobby is modest and tiled, with a small reception desk and a few armchairs — functional rather than flashy. Its USP is location: you step outside and the Parthenon looms overhead, and you’re a two-minute stagger from tavernas and souvenir shops. It suits budget-conscious travellers who prioritise being in the thick of the historic centre over frills.
Chronicles of Athens
Athens has been continuously inhabited for over 3,400 years, making it one of the oldest cities in the world. Classical Athens (5th century BC) was the birthplace of democracy, philosophy and theatre, and its legacy endures in the Parthenon and the Acropolis. Ottoman rule gave way to a neoclassical building spree after independence in 1834, with grand mansions and squares like Syntagma. The 20th century saw rapid, often ugly, concrete expansion, but the 2004 Olympics spurred a cultural and infrastructure revival. Today, Athens is a gritty, vibrant capital where ancient ruins, rooftop bars and street graffiti collide.
Best Time to Visit
Full Athens guide →Best months
April, May and October. Spring has wildflowers, tolerable heat (20-25°C) and fewer tourists than summer. October stays warm (20-24°C) and the crowds thin after September.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak: ferociously hot (30-35°C+), packed with cruise-ship day-trippers and European holidaymakers. Hotel prices double or triple. The Athens & Epidaurus Festival runs June–August, adding some cultural pull, but the main crowd driver is good old-fashioned Mediterranean summer.
Budget shoulder season
Late September and early November are the best budget windows. September still hits 28°C but the visitor numbers drop sharply; November is cool (15-18°C) and quiet. Prices drop by 30-50% and you can book the Acropolis without queuing past noon.
Weather & packing
July in Athens is an oven: the heatwave 'meltemi' wind occasionally drops temperatures but brings dust from North Africa. Pack linen or cotton clothes, a wide-brimmed hat and a reusable water bottle — you will drink 3 litres a day. No jeans unless you want to sweat through them.
Live City Briefing — Athens
- The Acropolis now requires timed-entry tickets with a QR code — book online at least 24 hours ahead or queue for 40 minutes+ at the box office.
- Athens Metro Line 4 construction continues; the Monastiraki station exit to Ermou Street is partially blocked. Use the Areos exit instead for faster access to Plaka.
- The Athens Riviera tram extension has paused — the best way to reach the coast from the centre remains the tram from Syntagma (Line T5) to Elliniko or Alimos.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Metropolis Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd floor or above, facing the courtyard (rear of the building) to avoid street noise from the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor or those facing the front of the hotel, as they pick up traffic rumble and foot traffic from the street entrance.
Best views
Front-facing rooms on upper floors (5th floor) look out over the street and city rooftops, offering a more urban view; rear rooms have limited outlook but better peace.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 5 are generally quieter, further from the lobby and street-level activity.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is on a main road in central Athens, so expect traffic noise, especially on lower front-facing rooms. The lift can be audible from adjacent rooms as it operates up to the top floor.
Insider tips
Pack earplugs if you're a light sleeper—street noise can be persistent. Check in mid-afternoon to request a courtyard-facing room, as those tend to be quieter and book up first.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Metropolis Hotel
Free for all guests – single-device login (password given at check-in); typical speed ~10 Mbps download
One passenger lift serves all 6 floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspaper; lobby TV shows Greek news; building is a 1950s commercial block with a patterned terrazzo floor in the lobby
Check-in 14:00–00:00; early bag drop free from 12:00 (no charge, key left at reception); late check-out until 15:00 costs €20 (subject to availability)
Free for day-of-arrival and day-of-departure (lobby luggage room, locked); ask reception
Two steps at main entrance (no ramp); no designated accessible room; lift is narrow (80 cm door), may not accommodate large wheelchairs
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: 'Parking Metaxourgeio' at 11 Ipirou Street – €12 per 24h; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per room per night (paid on arrival)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment via credit card to guarantee booking; a €50 incidental hold is placed at check-in, released at check-out
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Ι.Ναός Αγ.Αθανάσιου (450 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Αγία Άννα (469 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Ι.Ναός 3 Ιεραρχών (557 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
City Link — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Μουσείο των ψευδαισθήσεων — 342 m · ~4 min walk
Theatro Odou Ermour — 231 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Εθνική Τράπεζα — 182 m · ~2 min walk
Athens City Pharmacy — 44 m · ~1 min walk
Προϊόντα Νάξου — 157 m · ~2 min walk
Θησείο — 620 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau change desks which give poor rates.
Cards widely accepted in shops, restaurants and hotels; contactless and mobile pay common. Carry cash for street stalls and tavernas.
Restaurants: round up or leave 5-10% for good service. Taxis: round up to nearest euro. Hotel staff: €1-2 per bag for porters, €1-2 per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Greek coffee or freddo espresso at a kafeneio, about €2-3.
A gyros pita from a street stand, about €3-4.
A main course at a modest taverna (e.g. moussaka or grilled fish), about €10-15.
Monastiraki and Psiri areas have many souvlaki and gyros stands; also popular along Ermou Street.
Supermarkets: AB Vasilopoulos, My Market, and Lidl are common in central Athens.
Ermou Street is the main high street for affordable chains (Zara, H&M, etc.); also markets like Monastiraki Flea Market on Sundays.
Cheapest way around: a 24-hour ticket on Athens public transport (metro, bus, tram) costs €4.40. From the airport, the metro (€9 one-way) is cheaper than taxis (€38-50).
Buy a 5-ride ticket (€9) or 3-day tourist pass (€20) if you're using public transport often.Eat lunch at tavernas slightly away from major tourist squares for lower prices.Visit museums and archaeological sites on free-entry Sundays (first Sunday of each month from November to March).
Good to know — Athens
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
AthensIn Athens, Greece: Police (100), Ambulance/Medical (166), Fire Department (199). For general emergencies, dial 112 (EU standard). Tourist Police: 171. Non-emergency medical: 1016. Poison Control: 210-7793777.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Athens, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Metropolis Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Εθνική Τράπεζα — 182 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Athens City Pharmacy — 44 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Athens Airport Station → Larissa Station + Local Transit to Syntagma
💡 Alternative to metro. Connects to central station; requires additional transit. Less crowded than metro during peak hours.
Airport Station (Stathmo Aerodromio) → Syntagma Station (connected to King George hotel)
💡 Modern, clean system. Direct line to Syntagma. Purchase multi-day pass (€20 for 3 days) for unlimited local transit including metro, tram, and buses throughout stay.
Athens Airport Station → Syntagma Station (Line 3) / The Stanley Hotel
💡 Fastest, most reliable option. Direct Line 3 to Syntagma. Buy day pass (€24) for unlimited local transit.
Athens International Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos' (ATH) → Syntagma Metro Station (5-min walk to King George)
💡 Most economical option. Train arrives directly at central Athens. Buy tickets at airport station kiosk. Night buses (X93, X95) operate 00:00-05:00 if late arrival.
Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" → The Stanley Hotel, Syntagma Square
💡 Use official white taxis at designated stands. Fixed rates to city center available. Avoid unmarked taxis.
Athens International Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos' (ATH) → King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens (Syntagma Square)
💡 Use official taxi stand at airport for fixed rates or pre-book through your hotel. Avoid unmarked taxis. Uber/Beat often cheaper than metered taxis during peak hours.
Athens Airport Terminal 3 → Syntagma Square / The Stanley Hotel
💡 Most economical option. X95 goes to Syntagma; buy combined ticket. Night service available with reduced frequency.
Athens International Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos' (ATH) → Syntagma Square / Omonoia (walking distance to King George)
💡 Cheapest option but slower. Operates overnight when metro closes. Request stop near hotel. Best for budget travelers without luggage. 24/7 service makes it ideal for late/early arrivals.
About Athens
Wikipedia ↗
Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica region and is the southernmost capital on the European mainland. With its urban area's population numbering over 3.6 million, it is the eighth-largest urb...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Metropolis Hotel?
Request a room on the 3rd floor or above, facing the courtyard (rear of the building) to avoid street noise from the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Metropolis Hotel?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor or those facing the front of the hotel, as they pick up traffic rumble and foot traffic from the street entrance.
Is Metropolis Hotel noisy?
The hotel is on a main road in central Athens, so expect traffic noise, especially on lower front-facing rooms. The lift can be audible from adjacent rooms as it operates up to the top floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Metropolis Hotel?
Front-facing rooms on upper floors (5th floor) look out over the street and city rooftops, offering a more urban view; rear rooms have limited outlook but better peace.
What are insider tips for staying at Metropolis Hotel?
Pack earplugs if you're a light sleeper—street noise can be persistent. Check in mid-afternoon to request a courtyard-facing room, as those tend to be quieter and book up first.
What time is check-in at Metropolis Hotel?
Check-in at Metropolis Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Metropolis Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests – single-device login (password given at check-in); typical speed ~10 Mbps download
Is there a city or tourist tax at Metropolis Hotel?
€1.50 per room per night (paid on arrival)
Where can I eat cheaply near Metropolis Hotel?
A gyros pita from a street stand, about €3-4.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Metropolis Hotel?
Cheapest way around: a 24-hour ticket on Athens public transport (metro, bus, tram) costs €4.40. From the airport, the metro (€9 one-way) is cheaper than taxis (€38-50).
When is the best time to visit Athens?
April, May and October. Spring has wildflowers, tolerable heat (20-25°C) and fewer tourists than summer. October stays warm (20-24°C) and the crowds thin after September.
Top Attractions in Athens
💡 Go on Sunday morning when it's busiest and more antiques appear. Watch your pockets in crowds. The adjacent Monastiraki Square has good souvlaki for €3-4.
💡 The permanent collection covers ancient Greek to modern coins. The building itself—designed by Ernst Ziller—is worth seeing. Café has good coffee at Athens prices (around €3).
💡 Bring water and a snack. The small zoo in the corner is free too—but skip it if you don't like cramped animal enclosures.
💡 Climb up from Dionysiou Areopagitou street—it's a 10-minute hike. Bring a hat in summer; there's little shade near the top. Best at sunset for photos.
💡 Go at 8am when gates open. Crowds build fast, and by 10am it's shoulder-to-shoulder. Check the official site for updated dates.