Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Athens

Before you go

What happens when you get there

Metro, tram and bus

Dogs ride the STASY metro and tram and the OASA buses and trolleys only inside a closed carrier no bigger than 70 x 40 x 50 cm, no ticket needed. There is no leash-and-muzzle option for a bigger dog, so anything over about 10 kg is on foot, in a taxi or in your own car. Guide and assistance dogs travel on a leash without a carrier. The suburban train to the airport takes small dogs in a carrier on every service and large dogs not at all. In practice a small dog in a bag is no issue at all, and you will see bigger dogs on the metro, especially at weekends, so the rule is applied loosely. Don't rely on that for a big dog on a bus though. The City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus takes dogs, which is the easy way to see the centre with one.

The sights

The Acropolis refuses dogs, and so does the Acropolis Museum. The Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora, Hadrian's Library, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion admit a leashed dog, though not inside any roofed building or onto mosaic floors, and bigger dogs are asked to wear a muzzle. Lake Vouliagmeni bans pets outright. The Lycabettus funicular publishes no pet rule, so plan to walk the hill.

Beaches

Dogs go on the beaches all round Athens and the Riviera, and you won't be the only one with a dog on a sun lounger. Everyone takes their little dog to the beach. The paid beach clubs set their own rule, so ask at the gate, but it's usually yes. Greek law allows a dog on any unorganised beach and into the sea, on a lead out of the water. The one narrow exception is a handful of Blue Flag concession sections, Glyfada, Glyfada A and B, Voula A, Vouliagmeni and Astir Beach in 2026, plus the Grecotel frontage at Sounion, and the free sand next to them is open. Bring a float, Daisy's goes everywhere.

Dogs at breakfast

No hotel on this list publishes a yes. Divani Apollon Palace serves breakfast indoors, so the dog waits, though the outdoor dining terraces are open to dogs later in the day. The Grand Hyatt, Grande Bretagne, Divani Caravel, THE DOLLI, the Marriott and Athens Capital Center all say no to the breakfast room. The rest don't say, so ask by name when you book.

Fees and weight limits

Free at Perianth, The Margi, The Athens Gate, Brown Acropol and the Grand Hyatt. EUR 20 a stay at Titania. EUR 25 a night at The Modernist and Athens Capital Center. EUR 40 a night at Divani Apollon Palace and Divani Caravel. EUR 50 a stay at the Four Seasons, THE DOLLI and the Marriott. EUR 200 a stay at Grande Bretagne. COCO-MAT, Cape Sounio and Divani Apollon Suites charge but don't publish the figure. Athens Capital Center takes two dogs up to 3.5 kg each. The Grand Hyatt stops at 6 kg. The Four Seasons Astir Palace, THE DOLLI and Cape Sounio cap at 8 kg, Brown Acropol at 9 kg, the two Divani hotels, Divani Apollon Suites and The Modernist at 10 kg, the Marriott and Titania at 12 kg. COCO-MAT Athens BC goes to 25 kg. Perianth, The Athens Gate, The Margi and Grande Bretagne publish no cap.

Getting there

Athens International Airport is 35 km east of the centre. Aegean takes a dog up to 8 kg including the carrier in the cabin from Dublin, Heathrow and Manchester for EUR 65. On the way back no airline puts a dog in the cabin into the UK, and Aegean only flies them to Heathrow as cargo. Ireland is different, so check the flights app. Ferries from Piraeus and Rafina take small dogs in a carrier and larger dogs in deck kennels, and the rules vary by operator.

Heat

From late June to early September the pavements in the centre are too hot for paws by mid-morning and stay that way until after seven. The Ministry of Culture shuts the Acropolis in the afternoon during heatwaves, as it did in July 2025 at 38 to 42 degrees. Walk early, walk late, and spend the middle of the day on the Riviera or in the room.

Vets

Plakentia Veterinary Clinic in Agia Paraskevi runs 24 hours all year, next to Doukissis Plakentias metro on the airport line, +30 210 608 2308. Attica Animal Hospital in Peania is also 24 hours and ten minutes from the airport, +30 210 664 0552.

Ferries to the islands

We've taken Daisy on ferries from Piraeus and Rafina to the islands many times and never had a problem finding one that takes dogs. Declare the dog when you book. Small dogs travel in a carrier, and dogs stay out of the indoor lounges on most boats, so plan on the open deck or a pet cabin.

Best walks

The Dionysiou Areopagitou and Apostolou Pavlou pedestrian loop under the Acropolis from the Athens Gate round to Thissio, then up through the pines of Filopappou Hill and the Pnyx. The National Garden's shaded paths from Syntagma through to the Zappeion. Lycabettus by the footpath from Dexameni Square in Kolonaki. Pedion tou Areos for the widest flat paths in the centre. On the coast, the seafront from Flisvos Marina through Glyfada to Voula, and the Kavouri pine promontory and coves at Vouliagmeni, with the free sand between the paid beaches for a swim. The city's fenced dog parks at Serafio in Petralona, Lambrakis Hill in Neos Kosmos, the old Gendarmerie School in Ambelokipi and Flisvos Marina are split for small and large dogs and have water. The National Garden publishes no dog rule, so keep the lead on there.

When to go

April to early June and late September to early November. The sea is warm enough for a dog from May well into October, the terraces are full and the stone hasn't turned into a hotplate. July and August are for the Riviera only, with early and late walks, and the Acropolis can close in the afternoon heat. December to March is mild and quiet with the odd wet week, and the city sights are at their best for a dog then. Check the Riviera hotels' winter opening before you book, some close.