When in Athens Hostel

The accommodation in Athens impresses with exceptionally clean and well-maintained facilities, comfortable beds, and friendly staff. Its prime location near the city center and local attractions adds to its appeal.

Shiny marbles, yes—but the rooms are tiny, crammed with beds, and there’s absolutely no space for your luggage. The toilets and showers are equally small and uncomfortable. I stayed in February when the weather was really cold. The hostel was nearly empty, yet the balding owner decided to squeeze all guests into just two rooms and refused to turn the heaters on. We were absolutely freezing at night. The whole place is covered in CCTV cameras. The owner—mid-to-late 40s, visibly balding, wearing acetate glasses—and his assistant, a disabled man with a mustache around the same age, seemed to be constantly monitoring the footage. It felt creepy, like they were perving on the guests. To top it off, there’s loud noise from the bar next door, so don’t expect a good night’s sleep. I stuck it out for the five nights I had prepaid, then immediately moved to another hostel. Never again.