5 reviewed party hostels · from €1.00/night · Hostelworld rated
Athens hits differently at night. The Acropolis glows from almost every rooftop bar in the city, and by midnight Monastiraki Square is still packed with people clutching ice-cold Mythos bottles. The hostel scene here is concentrated around the historic centre, with a cluster of solid party spots within walking distance of the Acropolis Metro station. Athens Backpackers on Makri Street is the longest-standing option and still draws a loyal crowd, while newer places have sharpened the competition. Psiri and Gazi are the two neighbourhoods that do most of the heavy lifting after dark: Psiri for bar-hopping through narrow streets, Gazi for clubs that run until sunrise. Budget dorms start around €18 a night in the low season and climb to €35 in July and August. The city rewards people who stay long enough to get past the monuments.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Athens Hawks Hostel stands as the undisputed social epicentre for party travellers in central Athens, delivering guaranteed nightlife connections through its legendary rooftop bar and consistent 22-28 age demographic. Located directly next to Omonia Metro station with 24/7 reception, this nine-floor backpacker hub accepts same-day walk-ins with flexible payment options (cash, cards accepted), making it ideal for spontaneous European bookers. While the Omonia neighbourhood appears rough initially, the hostel's central position provides 5-minute walks to Syntagma Square via well-lit main streets, with safe transport options available after 2am for €5-8 to major nightlife districts.
Athens Backpackers delivers the premium party hostel experience with unmatched Acropolis access and mature social atmosphere that consistently attracts international travellers aged 20-30. Located directly outside Acropoli Metro station with 2-minute walks to the Acropolis, this highly-rated property (90% from 9,300+ guests) combines guaranteed social mixing through its rooftop Sunnies Bar (operating until 23:30) with structured activities including Monday pub quiz and Friday karaoke. The AC situation requires attention - while some rooms feature climate control, recent guests report mixed coverage with very cold central systems when operational, making summer room selection crucial for comfort.
Pagration Youth Hostel operates as Athens' most authentic traditional backpacker community, functioning as a founding member of the Greek Youth Hostel Organization for over 50 years with family management creating genuine φιλοξενία (Greek hospitality). Located in residential Pagrati neighbourhood with 91% guest satisfaction from 2,600+ reviews, this budget-friendly option (€14-16 dorms) accepts walk-ins through 24-hour reception with flexible policies and no age restrictions. While lacking air conditioning and modern party amenities, the hostel delivers consistent social atmosphere through staff members George and Terry who actively facilitate connections, creating organic community bonds where guests routinely extend stays and form lasting friendships in authentic neighbourhood setting.
YellowSquare Athens represents the premium modern hostel experience, combining brand-new facilities with sophisticated social programming designed for the 18-45 demographic seeking both comfort and connections. Located at 8 Theatrou near Monastiraki with a 96% rating from 113+ reviews, this newest addition to the YellowSquare family delivers hotel-quality amenities including air conditioning, coworking spaces, and a rooftop bar with unobstructed Acropolis views. Daily organized activities including quiz nights, yoga classes, and rooftop events create consistent social opportunities, though some guests note the large size can feel impersonal compared to smaller properties.
Baloo Hostel transforms a restored 20th-century neoclassical building into a "jungle oasis" featuring plant-filled courtyard bar that creates intimate, home-like atmosphere. Located near Omonia with 94% satisfaction from 730+ reviews, this boutique property delivers exceptional cleanliness standards and personalized family-style service from individually-praised staff members, though the central Athens location requires urban awareness due to visible homelessness and social challenges in surrounding streets.
How Athens's nightlife zones break down
Monastiraki sits at the heart of backpacker Athens, flanked by the Acropolis to the south and the flea market to the west. Adrianou Street runs through it and is lined with bars, tavernas and souvenir stalls that stay busy well into the early hours. The area is walkable to almost every major hostel in the city, and the metro station puts the rest of Athens within 15 minutes.
Psiri is the grittier, more local-feeling neighbourhood just north of Monastiraki, centred on Plateia Iroon square. The streets here fill up from around 10pm with a mix of Athenians and travellers moving between small bars, live rembetika music venues and late-night souvlaki spots. It is a five-minute walk from most Monastiraki-area hostels and far cheaper for drinks than the tourist-facing strips.
Gazi takes its name from the old gasworks building, now repurposed as the Technopolis cultural centre on Pireos Street. The neighbourhood around it holds the highest concentration of clubs in Athens, most of which do not fill up until after 1am and run until well past dawn. It is a 20-minute walk from Monastiraki or a short taxi ride, and admission to most clubs runs between €10 and €15.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
A multi-level arts and nightlife space in Monastiraki with an outdoor garden bar that gets packed from early evening. DJs take over later in the night playing everything from indie to electronic, and the crowd is a reliable mix of local students and international travellers. Drinks are reasonably priced at around €7 for a beer or cocktail.
Bios occupies a converted building on Pireos Street in Gazi and runs across multiple floors including a rooftop. It hosts a mix of live acts, film screenings and DJ nights, making it one of the more interesting spots in the city for people who want more than a standard nightclub. The rooftop has views towards the Acropolis and gets busy from around 11pm.
A well-established rooftop bar and club on Voutadon Street in Gazi, popular for its unobstructed Acropolis views and open-air terrace. It gets going from around 10pm with commercial and Greek pop, and the crowd skews mid-20s to early 30s. Expect to queue on weekends during summer.
One of the oldest distilleries in Athens, sitting on Kydathinaion Street in the Plaka neighbourhood with a wall of coloured bottles that makes it instantly recognisable. It is more of a drinking landmark than a party venue, but the house ouzo and brandy are excellent and cheap, and it stays open late. A good first stop before heading to Psiri or Monastiraki.
A Psiri institution for live rembetika and laika music, with performances most nights from around 10pm. The venue is small and atmospheric, the wine comes in carafes, and the dancing usually starts before midnight. Booking ahead is recommended on Fridays and Saturdays.
One of the more mainstream clubs in Gazi, playing commercial house and R&B to a crowd that skews young and international. It does not get going until after 1am but runs until well after sunrise on weekends. Admission is typically around €12 and sometimes includes a drink.
A cocktail bar with a molecular mixology angle, sitting right on the edge of Monastiraki Square. It draws a lively pre-club crowd with creative drinks starting around €10, and the outdoor seating gives a front-row view of the square's late-night energy. Staff are used to dealing with groups and keep service moving quickly.
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