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Athens hostel?

College girl traveling alone. Is there a best youth hostel? Best area of Athens in this riotous time?

Posted by
3115 posts

Both Athens Backpackers and Student and Travellers Inn are safe and secure but you'll want to avoid surfacing from the Metro at Syntagma Square. Both hostels are within walking distance to the Akropoli Metro Station. AB is the closest one to this station by several blocks so it's easier to reach. S&T directions say to go to Syntagma Square but that's where the demonstrations are, so if you're arriving by ferry at Piraeus take the Green Line train from the Piraeus Station to the Omonia Station and transfer to the Red Line to the Akropoli Station and walk to S&T from there. If you're arriving by plane take the Blue Line Airport Metro to Syntagma and transfer to the Red Line to the Akropoli Station. Don't worry, the Syntagma Station is underground and is not affected by the demonstration aboveground. The demonstrations, by the way, are seldom violent or riotous. There is an occasional outburst caused by a very small contingent who try to cause trouble and sometimes succeed. I walked through Syntagma's demonstration in June and it felt more like a street fair than a political demonstration.

Posted by
32173 posts

Ellen, As Lee mentioned, you shouldn't have any worries about the "riotous time" when staying at the Hostels. The problems have been occurring in the vicinity of the Greek Parliament in Syntagma Square, so avoid that area if there's something happening. I was at Athens Backpackers last year for a few hours (I wasn't staying there, but went to use the Laundromat - it was the closest one to the Hotel). While there I chatted with several of the guests, and they all seemed to be having a good time. It's a relatively easy walk from there to the Acropolis, and as I recall it's not too far from the Sygrou-Fix Metro stop. Happy travels!

Posted by
3115 posts

It's a LOT closer to the Akropoli Metro Station than to the Syngrou-Fix Station. Do a google map search and you'll see just how close it is.

Posted by
32173 posts

Lee, I couldn't remember all the Metro details. I always used Sygrou-Fix, as that was the closest one to my Hotel. I walked from the Hotel to Athens Backpackers, so wasn't aware there was a closer Metro stop. Cheers!

Posted by
6 posts

Thank you so much. This kind of advice led us to a terrific hostel in Florence, and we'll make reservations based on your recommendation, today. Guidebooks are a start, but I truly appreciate thoughts from those who have been there.

Posted by
6 posts

Thank you so much. This kind of advice led us to a terrific hostel in Florence, and we'll make reservations based on your recommendation, today. Guidebooks are a start, but I truly appreciate thoughts from those who have been there.