Villa Olympia: Casual & Cheap in Athens

Today we have a guest post from W. Ruth Kozak, who writes about all thing related to Vancouver, British Columbia, as our expert at PlanetEye’s The Vancouver Guide.  She is recently back from some extensive travels, and shares with us the details of this budget accommodation in Athens.

On a quiet street not far from the heights of Philoppapou Hill and the Acropolis, the Villa Olympia is an old Neoclassical house that serves as guest house, offering budget accommodation. It’s not fancy; in fact it’s perhaps a bit funky and worn, with sparsely furnished bedrooms and shared bathrooms.

Be warned, it doesn’t have much of a star rating, but the friendly owner/host, a British ex-pat who has lived in Athens for years, will greet you warmly, offer you all kinds of tips and advice about your travels, direct you around Athens. She’ll serve you a hearty breakfast and perhaps even invite you up to her rooftop for a chat and a glass of ouzo.

The proprietor offers rooms for long stays as well as short with reasonable rates:

20 Euro single and 35 Euro double (shared) There’s no TV, phones or the usual amenities offered in hotels or hostels but you’re welcome to use the kitchen or the rooftop terrace. The rooms have hardwood floors covered with rugs, shuttered windows, antique furnishings and give the feeling of a casual home atmosphere.

If you don’t mind the casual flavour that is part of this guest house, you’ll find it convenient to all Athens major attractions, shopping areas as well as the trolley and metro lines. The Villa Olympia is in the Koukaki/Makrygianni district just minutes from the Plaka. You can get there easily on the #15, $1 or #5 trolley, getting off at Zini St. on Veikou for a short walk up the hill to Karatsou, or take a cab from the airport bus depot at Syntagma St.

Villa Olympia is located at 16 Karatza Street, Philoppapou 11741, Athens (map).

Photo credit: W. Ruth Kozak