Loft Studio
- 1 Double bed
Hostel · Athens · Attica
City Circus Athens
A design-led hostel in the historic Psirri neighbourhood, with a rooftop terrace facing the Acropolis and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere.
- Rooftop terrace with Acropolis views
- 24-hour reception and security
- Shared kitchen and common areas
8.8
Great
1706 reviews
Booking.com 8.8 · 1706 reviews
About
City Circus Athens
City Circus Athens occupies a handsome building on Sarri Street, in the heart of Psirri, a neighbourhood known for its street art, cafes and tavernas. Thisseio is literally on the doorstep, and Hadrian's Library is about 700 metres away. The hostel mixes historic charm with contemporary design, featuring painted ceilings, parquet floors and a sun terrace that looks straight at the Acropolis.
Guests can choose between dormitory beds and private rooms, all set around a welcoming common area with a shared kitchen, TV lounge and board games. There's a coffee shop and vending machines on site, plus practical touches like luggage storage, lockers, laundry and a paid airport shuttle. The staff are frequently singled out for their warmth and local knowledge.
- No smoking on site
- Wi-Fi
- Safe deposit box
- 24-hour reception
- No pets allowed
- 24-hour security
In brief
What works, what to weigh
+
Strengths
5 reasons to book- Rooftop terrace with Acropolis views — The sun terrace is a recurring highlight, with several guests calling the view stunning and a favourite spot to relax.
- Central Psirri location — Steps from Thisseio, a short walk to Monastiraki Square and the metro, and within easy reach of the Acropolis and the city's bars and restaurants.
- Friendly, helpful staff — Guests repeatedly describe the team as polite, responsive and great at offering travel tips, making solo travellers feel welcome.
- Clean, comfortable rooms — Reviews note clean and comfortable rooms, with daily housekeeping and well-organised dorms and private rooms.
- Great value for money — With prices from £42 and high value ratings, guests say it offers excellent value for the quality and location.
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Worth weighing
4 to weigh- Comfort score is lower than other categories — The comfort rating of 6.5 suggests some guests found beds or noise levels less than ideal, though this is not a recurring complaint in the reviews.
- No pets allowed — The hostel does not accept pets, which may be a drawback for travellers with animals.
- Check-in window is limited — Rooms are available from 15:00 to 22:00, so late arrivals need to plan ahead, although there is 24-hour reception and security.
- No on-site parking — There is no mention of parking, and the central location means guests may need to use public transport or paid parking nearby.
01 — Rooms
Rooms & rates
High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.
6 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Female only
- 1 Bed in shared room
6 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Mixed
- 1 Bed in shared room
4 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Female only
- 1 Bed in shared room
Deluxe 4 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Mixed
- 1 Bed in shared room
4 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Mixed
- 1 Bed in shared room
- Shower
- Heating
- Air conditioning
Deluxe Room
- 2 Single beds or 1 Double bed
- Shower
- Heating
- Air conditioning
Superior Quadruple Room
- Sleeping arrangements for 4 persons
- Shower
- Heating
- Air conditioning
Comfort Double Room
- 1 King-size bed
- City view
- Shower
- Heating
- Balcony
Classic Double Room
- 2 Single beds or 1 Double bed,1 King-size bed
02 — Amenities
Services & amenities
Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.
General
- Wi-Fi
- No smoking on site
- 24-hour reception
- 24-hour security
- Lift
- Key card access
- Key access
- Safe deposit box
- Luggage storage
- Locker room
Food & Drink
- Coffee shop
- Vending machines
- Welcome drink
- Happy hour
- Shared kitchen
- Electric kettle
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Cookware/ Kitchen utensils
- Outdoor dining area
Services
- Paid airport shuttle
- Car hire
- Laundry
- Tours/Ticket assistance
- Housekeeping
- Fax/Photocopying
Room Amenities
- Air conditioning
- Heating
- Soundproofed rooms
- Patio
- Terrace
- Garden furniture
Entertainment
- Entertainment
- Leisure/ TV room
- Board games
- Children's play area
- Game room
Outdoor
- Sun terrace
- Garden area
Photos
Gallery
03 — Reviews
What guests say
Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.
Guest-rated 8.8/10 from 1,706 reviews
Booking.com · 8.8 · 1706 reviews
8.8Verified guest“The location is perfect – Monastiraki Square and the metro are close by, and Psirri is full of restaurants and cafes. The Acropolis is a 20-minute walk. Rooms were clean and comfortable, with good showers and mattresses. The rooftop view of the Acropolis is stunning, and the common areas are cosy and well designed.”
8.8Verified guest“An amazing building with painted ceilings, full of character, spotless, with super comfy beds – and the team running it are polite and responsive. Easily in my top three hostels in Europe.”
8.8Verified guest“It feels like a superior hotel with a quiet atmosphere. We had the superior quadruple room and loved it.”
8.8Verified guest“The staff were friendly and helpful, making me feel welcome and giving great assistance. Facilities were great – a cosy reception area and well-appointed dorms. Cleanliness was really good, with daily cleaning keeping everything organised. The location was fantastic, close to the centre and within walking distance of restaurants and bars.”
8.8Verified guest“This new hostel has everything a backpacker needs: clean, comfortable rooms with lockers, bike rental, healthy and tasty breakfast, free wifi, a computer for guests, cool modern decor, helpful staff, hot showers, and a roof terrace with a fantastic Acropolis view. There's a beer store and a bakery that opens before sunrise right at the door. It has a lift and stairs. The area felt safe, and I was happy to leave my luggage. The location is just perfect – less than 10 minutes on foot from just about everything interesting. Definitely in my top five youth hostels worldwide.”
8.8Verified guest“I fell in love with one of the receptionists – she was really nice.”
04 — Location
Getting around Athens
The property sits in Athens.
Psirri: Right on the doorstep, this lively neighbourhood is packed with cafes, bars and tavernas, and is known for its street art and nightlife.
Monastiraki: A 5-minute walk away, Monastiraki Square is home to the famous flea market, the Pantanassa church and the metro station connecting to the airport and port.
The Acropolis: Roughly a 20-minute walk uphill, the Acropolis and its museum are accessible on foot, with the Parthenon visible from the hostel's rooftop.
Thisseio: Next to the hostel, Thisseio is a historic area with the ancient Agora and the Temple of Hephaestus, plus plenty of pedestrian streets with outdoor seating.
16, Sarri Street, Athens, Attica, 10553, Greece
05 — Good to know
Policies & conditions
Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.
- Check-in
- From 15:00-22:00
- Check-out
- By 07:00-11:00
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
- Payment
- Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
- Pets
- Not allowed
- Property
- 17 rooms
06 — Questions
Frequently asked
What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in is from 15:00 to 22:00, and check-out is from 07:00 to 11:00. The reception is open 24 hours, so you can leave luggage if needed.
Is there parking available?
No on-site parking is listed. As the hostel is in a central area, you may need to use public parking nearby or rely on public transport.
Are pets allowed?
No, pets are not allowed at City Circus Athens.
Is breakfast included?
The amenities list a coffee shop and vending machines, and several reviews mention a breakfast buffet and tasty breakfast, but it is not specified whether it is included in the room rate.
Is there an airport shuttle?
Yes, a paid airport shuttle is available. It's best to arrange this in advance with the hostel.
Do the rooms have air conditioning?
Some rooms, such as the Deluxe Room and Superior Quadruple Room, list air conditioning. Others may not, so it's worth checking the specific room type when booking.
The bottom line
City Circus Athens earns its strong rating with a blend of character, comfort and location. Ideal for backpackers and budget travellers who want a sociable, well-run base close to Athens' key sights, with the bonus of a rooftop Acropolis view. The limited check-in window and lack of parking are minor practicalities to plan around.
8.8A reliable, characterful choice in central Athens, especially for solo travellers and those on a budget.
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