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Athens International Airport (ATH) is the gateway to Athens and also its port, which gives you access to all the Greek islands.
While Athens isn’t the best airport in the world, you don’t have Singapore Changi airport lounges, rooftop pool or its butterfly garden, with orchids and a koi pond, it will be your main start and endpoint (if you are flying) in and out of this ancient city.
Once you arrive into Athens, we have reviewed the best hotel executive club lounges in Athens and the best luxury hotels in Athens.
Free Airport Lounge Access
If you have not paid for Business Class or First Class, you can still access several brilliant lounges at Athens Airport for a fee or for free if you have a Priority Pass. There are four different Priority Pass ATH airport lounges:
- Goldair Handling lounge – Hall A
- Skyserv Aristotle Onassis Lounge – Hall A
- Goldair Handling CIP lounge – Hall B
- Skyserv Melina Markouri lounge – Hall B
Paid entrance is also sometimes possible using cash or you can get in for free if you have a Priority Pass which comes free with the Amex Platinum card. You can also access most Priority Pass lounges for free using the free American Express Gold with its two free Lounge Club passes. To get extra referral points and advice on these free-lounge-access cards and more, have a read of our best credit cards for luxury travel.
Below, I outline the very best Priority Pass and non-Priority Pass airline lounges at Athens Airport (ATH):
1. Aegean Airlines Lounge Terminal A: For International FLights
Aegean Airlines’ main hub is Athens International Airport, where it operates two lounges. Both are your best lounge options at Athens Airport if you are able to access them.
Passengers can access this lounge if they are flying Aegean Business Class or are an Aegean Miles and Bonus Gold member. Star Alliance Gold Cardholders can also access this lounge. In fact, this lounge serves all Star Alliance airlines, including Air Canada, Air China, Turkish Airways, United as well as Aegean.
Located at the far end of the concourse near gate A13, the design is similar to Aegean’s lounges in Thessaloniki and Larnaca, with a silvery grey look to the walls and seats and natural pine floors. Grey leather armchairs make up most of the lounge, and they have USB plugs built-in.
The highlight is the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the tarmac and the free Wi-Fi, which is a decent speed. There is also a long desk and cafe-style tables and chairs for working and eating. The food in this lounge is good, with Greek pastries, sandwiches, cheeses, cakes, bread, cereal, a selection of yogurts, fruit, and smoothies. This is easily the best airport lounge in Athens.
It is a really delicious spread when compared to the less appealing Priority Pass lounges outlined below, although there are no hot dishes. A Nespresso machine provides coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Alcoholic drinks are available, including beer, wine, and spirits.
2. Aegean Airport Lounge Terminal B: Intra-Schengen flights
Located at the far end of the concourse after the shops near B13, the Aegean Airport Lounge Terminal B is your second-best lounge choice in Athens Airport and your top choice for Intra-Schengen flights.
Passengers can access this lounge if they are flying Aegean Business Class or are an Aegean Miles and Bonus Gold member. Star Alliance Gold Cardholders can access this lounge. We have not reviewed this lounge, but reports suggest it remains a step above the Priority Pass lounges outlined below.
3. Goldair Handling Lounge: Hall A International Departures
This is a fairly basic lounge with no special decor, just a bunch of leather (faux?) seats stuffed into an area that looks very much like the rest of Athens airport. Priority Pass holders get access to the Athens Goldair lounge, so whether you are traveling in Economy or not, you can access this lounge if you hold a Priority Pass.
Interestingly, this lounge is located next to the Aegean Airlines lounge, beside Gate B13, which is rather a long way from the rest of the gates in the terminal. You have been warned. Leave plenty of time for walking to your gate.
This lounge is quite small, with under 50 seats. The food and drink at this Priority Pass Athens Goldair CIP lounge is not noteworthy. Breakfast offers yogurt, low-quality croissants, and fruit, plus 3 hot options – mini omelets, soup, and sandwiches. The food is fine, but you won’t be rushing back for more.
There are also a variety of soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, beer, wine, etc., in this airport lounge.
4. Skyserv Aristotle Onassis Lounge: Hall A International Departures
Skyserv Aristotle Onassis Lounge is found airside in the Extra Schengen Area (International flights) after passport control and security. The lounge is located across from Gate A9. This lounge is not accessible to passengers departing from Hall B and the Satellite Terminal.
The look is rather depressing with black leather seats, and although it can be accessed with your Priority Pass, like many of the other lounges mentioned in this article, it is not a noteworthy lounge. Snacks and drinks, including alcoholic, are available.
5. Goldair Handling CIP lounge: Hall B Intra-Schengen departures
The Goldair Handling CIP lounge for Intra-Schengen departures is located in Terminal B, inside Security on Level 1 in the Schengen Departure Hall, opposite Gate B13.
Like the Goldair Handling lounge in Hall A, this lounge is average at best, with a decent drink (soft and alcoholic, including wine) and snack selection and charging outlets. On the downside, it is very small, and there are reports of Priority Pass holders being turned away when the lounge is full. So, while this airport lounge should be accessible with your Priority Pass, you may not be able to get in!
6. Skyserv Melina Markouri lounge: Hall B Intra-Schengen departures
The fourth and final Priority pass lounge in Athens airport is the Skyserv Melina Markouri lounge located Airside, after Security Checks, across from Gate B11 in the Intra-Schengen Area. The lounge is not accessible to passengers departing from Hall A and the Satellite Terminal. Again, this is not a lounge to go crazy for. It is adequate for snacks and drinks, including alcohol. All four Priority Pass lounges at Athens airport are fine, but if you want to pick the best, there isn’t a best Priority Pass lounge as such. The best lounges are the Aegean lounges, but you can’t access these with your Priority Pass.
7. Sofitel Athens Airport: Club Lounge
While this is not one of the best luxury hotels in Athens, the Sofitel Athens Airport is the best airport hotel at Athens airport, and it has a club lounge too, although, sadly, is not worth paying to upgrade to use this airside hotel club lounge as the club lounge here isn’t great.
Sofitel Athens Airport luxury hotel is just 50m away from the arrival and departure terminals of Athens International Airport and only 35 minutes from central Athens by metro. The hotel is the only one to be located within the airport, overlooking the Messoghia Valley. The hotel provides direct access to the Olympic Stadium, the Trade Center, and the main highway, Attiki Odos.
The club lounge here is very small with no natural light and tables which are rather too close together and some sofas. There is a small business center with a computer and printer and a buffet area towards the entrance, which serves a very mediocre breakfast and dinner. Throughout the day is a selection of non-alcoholic drinks, including soda, water, and two coffee machines.
An evening food selection is available, not noteworthy with cold cuts, sandwiches that do not seem fresh, and whole fruit. While the alcoholic drinks, including wine and liquor, may make this club lounge worthwhile, the food is not of great quality and is not good enough to be a dinner substitute.
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