How to make Athens feel like home with your pet

19.09.2025
A practical guide to visiting Athens with your pet, including pet-friendly accommodation, green spaces and travel tips for a stress-free holiday in Greece with dogs
Updated: Mar 12, 2026
READING TIME
Tout le temps nécessaire pour savourer un souvlaki
READING TIME
Tout le temps nécessaire pour savourer un souvlaki
Athens becomes a different kind of city when you explore it with your pet. From shaded parks and pine-covered hills to outdoor cafes where dogs are welcome, the Greek capital reveals itself at a gentler pace. This guide shares how to make your stay stress-free and enjoyable, with tips on pet-friendly accommodation, green spaces, and everything you need so both you and your four-legged companion feel at home.

How to make Athens feel like home with your pet

Travelling with a pet transforms the way you see a city – and Athens is no exception. A playful tug on the lead, a curious sniff at every corner, a shared pause in a sunlit cafe… and suddenly every moment becomes a memory. From the leafy streets of Kolonaki to the lively avenues and unexpected green spaces in the centre, exploring Athens with a dog feels natural. With most outdoor cafes welcoming dogs and shaded parks offering space for a break, the city reveals itself at a slower, more companionable pace.

The point is that your pet should also be on holiday. That obviously starts with being welcomed – in your accommodation, in cafes and restaurants, and in the streets and city parks. And if you’re worried about that last part, then this will probably surprise you. There is a choice of parks and hills in Athens, where you can walk with or without your four-footed friend. The National Garden, beside Syntagma Square, offers shaded paths and a peaceful setting. Pedion tou Areos, north of Omonia Square, is one of the largest parks in the city and ideal for longer strolls. For views, Filopappou Hill, opposite the Acropolis, and Lycabettus Hill are local favourites, combining pine-covered trails with panoramas that make every walk special. You’ll see Athens in a whole new light – as well as from a different height.

Golden Retriever lying on a wooden floor in a modern living room with a brown sofa, colorful cushions, coffee tables, and abstract wall art.

A warm welcome to the whole family

All of this has inspired HESTIA Luxury Apartments to make pet-inclusivity central to our philosophy. The point is not just to accommodate pets, but to treat them as part of the family – an extension of the deep-rooted Greek tradition of making visitors feel at home. We’re one of the few places in Athens to accommodate large dogs. And thoughtful touches include space for dogs of all sizes to relax, water bowls and treats available on request, and guidance to nearby pet-friendly parks and walkways.

Pet-friendly HESTIA Luxury Apartment accommodation close to parks, making daily walks and outings easy, includes:

Our apartments are also thoroughly sanitised and allergen-free after every pet visit – giving reassurance to both pet owners and fellow guests.

 

Peace of mind on arrival

There’s a lot to think about when travelling with your pet. Apart from managing the flight, you’ll need to make sure you meet all the EU entry requirements (your pet must be microchipped and have an EU pet passport or animal health certificate). The important thing is that you have peace of mind when you’re here, knowing that both you and your furry friend are looked after.

Our goal is to make sure that Athens opens up for all members of the family, tails included.

 
Alexandra Mallosi
Alexandra Mallosi
Managing Director

HESTIA Luxury Apartments are Athens’ largest aparthotel chain, with a collection of serviced apartments in premium locations around the city, including pet-friendly accommodation that welcomes dogs of all sizes, every temperament and every personality. The idea is for both you and your pet to feel at home, while respecting the comfort of all guests.

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