Athens hotel locations: Is Victoria Square a good location for sight seeing?

Question

I am traveling to Athens in 2 weeks for 3 days of sight seeing. I have what looks like a great hotel located 5 minutes from Victoria Square, near the Victoria station at: 62 Filis Street, Athens 104 34, Greece

The location is not mentioned in guide books which instead recommend Syntagma Square and Plaka/ Monastiraki.

If someone who knows Athens can ofer an opinion as to whether Victoria Station is a suitable choice (we are young in healthy, so don't mind some walking).

Answer 1

Hi Canabou,

Indeed, the Victoria square is very close to the historical center of Athens (one station away by metro which is right at the square). Hotels are significantly cheaper as well compared to those at the Syntagma square. That being said, the square itself or the surrounding area is nothing special (very busy, rather smoggy due to the excessive traffic but still very much Athenian). All in all, I would say it is a good, rational choice. I also must say that somewhere at the Filis street there were some houses with red lights back in the old days. I don't know, however, how that looks like now (have that in mind though...).

If I may say, I would still try to find a hotel in Paleo Faliro, an area in the south bay area of Athens that still is no more than 10 minutes away from the historical center (by tram).

Here are my choices:

for 140$/night
http://www.coralhotel.gr/en/default.asp

for 86$/night
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g189400-d260383-Reviews-Poseidon_Hotel-Athens_Attica.html

for possibly less (ask for their prices). It is not at the bay but still it looks interesting and modern.
http://www.nestoriohotel.gr/hospitality_e.html

And so many others at Paleo Faliro.

Have a nice stay!

Answer 2

Victoria square is indeed very centrally located - and served by one metro line and several buses on the main road (Patission). The archaeological museum is at walking distance (at the moment they stage an exhibition about the ancient sculptor Praxiteles, more precise than the one in Louvre last spring), there is a big shopping area (cheaper than the one downtown around Syntagma square or Kolonaki), and you are also at walking distance from a park (Pedion tou Areos) and from the lively area of Exarcheia which offers lots of choices when eating or drinking out.
However, Filis street is indeed a street with brothels - but there is also normal accommodation. If there are any bars, I think you should avoid them.
In any case, it is always advisable in Athens as in most big cities to mind your wallet/bag in the buses and on the streets or when you sit at an outdoors cafe.
And apart from your scheduled main sightseeing (I guess Akropolis, Lycabettus, Plaka / Thissio / Monastiraki), you could include a visit to the first bienale of the city "Destruct Athens" (posters are everywhere i.e at the metro stations) at Gazi (also a good area for going out in the night) and a visit to the seaside (which is 10 min. from downtown in August, and never by tram - 40 min from Syntagma to Faliro).

Answer 3

Athens Red Light District

Answer 4

Ten years ago, my husband and I stayed at Hostel Aphrodite:

http://www.hostelaphrodite.com/index.html

which was close to Victoria Square. It was a couple of blocks from the station. We walked to the Archaeological Museum from there every morning (we visited 2 hours a day, 3 different days--we got overwhelmed very quickly).

I think you would be fine by Victoria Square. It was quiet for being in the middle of a major city so we were able to sleep at night (the bar is in the basement and the rooms are 2 floors above). We even sent out our laundry to be done (we'd just come in from 3 weeks in the islands). I would absolutely stay in that area (and in the Hostel) again.

Have fun in Greece!

Answer 5

This territory is really very close to the National Museum and provides also the facility of the Metro for your transport, but the Square itself and the whole area round it is inhabited mainly by immigrants from Albania, while Filis Street, where your hotel is located, is one of the known and tradional "red light houses" ones.
In this area no hotel can be great. Pay attention on your way back at night.

Answer 6

PLEASE FIND ANOTHER LOCATION! Filis street is the street where all the brothels are found, the hotel is probably a hotel for hookers!
It's better to find something near Syntagma, Plaka or Monastiraki.

Answer 7

It is true that it is in the heart of Athens, closed also to the national museum.Be careful in the evening, the area is not so safe..

Answer 8

yiotadelta is right. It's a great area. I lived there for a while and very much enjoyed it. Yes, it is also true it is in the red light district, and there are a number of seedy hotels, gay nightclubs and clip-joints but you will also find seedy cinemas and the sex industry around Omonia too, and most of it around Atehns is hidden: just be careful about who offers you a drink and why. and watch your wallet. As for the Albanian threat - well, the writer who cautions you about this is simply racist - he has exposed himself elsewhere - and instancing one particular group. There are others of different nationalities including Greeks. But, on the credit side, you have the Museum, Exarchia and so on. Also a great church designed by Kontoglou in the park and a bust of Cavafy appropriately at the end of Alexandras. If you don't choose to live here, make sure you visit the area. And just past the park, there are some excellent and cheap restaurants.

Answer 9

I advise you to avoid this location. In the past 10 years it has become a ghetto, and one of the places where at night Albanian gangs solve their problems at. Any Greeks left sell their appartments move to other areas of Athens.
Take care.

Answer 10

Sum up all the advice given above. With all that in mind, neither Albanians nor hookers should be a hinder to your visit.
You were fairly warned and you will only have yourself to blame if something wrong on the very extreme happened to you. It could be just as easily happen in any major city, and not only, in Europe or the States.
Don't let extreme views interfere with your visit. It is people like them that make them act that way.