Athens is one of the world's great sightseeing cities, with cultural attractions that span thousands of years. But in the heat of a summer afternoon, after a morning spent trekking around the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora or shopping in the Athens Flea Market, the prospect of cooling off in a fabulous hotel pool is very alluring. You'll find hotels with indoor and outdoor pools in the city centre around Syntagma and Kolonaki, in Plaka and in leafy Kifissia on the outskirts of Athens.

The best hotels with pools in Athens

For a pool with a view

Watching the sun set over the columns of the Acropolis and the rooftops of Plaka from a rooftop pool is a joy. You'll find rooftop pools atop luxury hotels and boutique properties in the city centre.

• The rooftop pool at the St George Lycabettus has panoramic views over the city, Mt Lycabettus and the distant Acropolis. Rooms are luxurious, and the classy café life and shopping of posh Kolonaki are on the doorstep.
• The view over Plaka from the pool at Fresh Hotel is an Athens classic and the rooftop bar is perfect for a sunset cocktail, while rooms are spacious and stylish.
• The epic view of the Acropolis from the pool of the Electra Metropolis is another stunner.
• At Novus City Hotel the rooftop pool on the eighth floor overlooks the cultural hub of Karaiskaki Square and has a colourful terrace bar.

For a private pool

For the ultimate poolside experience in Athens, splash out on a suite with a private pool.

• The Penthouse Suite at the classically opulent King George Palace has its own pool with a great view over Syntagma.

Pools for all seasons

Most of the best hotels with pools in Athens have outdoor pools that are open only from April to October and are unheated – so a dip in April or May can be surprisingly bracing. For year-round swimming, seek out a hotel which also has an indoor pool.

• The Grande Bretagne offers indoor swimming to complement its fab rooftop pool.
• The huge Divani Caravel has an expansive indoor/outdoor rooftop pool that offers the best of both worlds, complementing top notch facilities and bright, modern rooms.

Garden Pools

Swimmers and sunbathers at most of the best hotels with pools in Athens find themselves poised at rooftop level, looking out over seemingly endless cityscapes. But look further afield and you can find a select few hotel pools in greener surroundings.

• The LIfe Gallery hotel is located in Athens' northern suburbs, but this means you get a unique glass-walled swimming pool surrounded by fragrant pine trees and lawns for relaxing.
• The garden-level pool at the Semiramis is a lush oasis, and from poolside bungalow rooms at this gorgeous resort-style hotel you can step straight into its embrace.

Still not sure? Browse through our list of the best luxury hotels in Athens, expand your search to include all our Athens recommendations, or contact a friendly guru for advice.

 

Written by Robin Gauldie

posted Tuesday, 2nd August 2022