Where to stay in gay Athens: Koukaki, Gazi, Metaxourgeio or Monastiraki

Athens is small enough that no central choice is wrong and different enough between neighbourhoods that the choice still shapes the trip. Four options, honestly described.

Koukaki

Under the south side of the Acropolis, residential, full of good small restaurants and quietly gay friendly. You wake up and walk to the Acropolis Museum in ten minutes. The trade is that the nightlife is not here. You will take a short taxi or two metro stops to Gazi and you will not mind.

Monastiraki and Psyrri

The busiest, most convenient and noisiest option. You are on top of the ancient sites, the flea market and the Agia Irini square cafés. Ask for a room off the street, because Psyrri does not go quiet until very late, and pick a hotel with a roof terrace. An Acropolis view with a drink at midnight is worth paying for once.

Metaxourgeio

The interesting one. Creative, scruffy in places, excellent food, walking distance to Gazi, and better value than anywhere else this central. Some streets feel rougher at night than the postcard version of Athens. In practice it is fine, and it is where we would stay ourselves.

Near Gazi

Right in the gay village, which is exactly what some people want. Sodade 2, BIG, Beaver and the rest are on your doorstep and you can walk home at four in the morning. The daytime is less charming, and you are a little further from the ancient city.

One practical warning

Athens hotel prices have risen hard over the last three years and the good boutique places sell out early for June, which is Pride month. If your dates are fixed, book the room before you book anything else. Everything else in Athens can be arranged late. The right hotel cannot.