Best Areas to Live in Athens Near International Schools (2026)
Athens is a large, sprawling city of over three million people in the greater metropolitan area. Its neighbourhoods range from dense urban to leafy suburban, from hillside to coastal. For families whose school choice is already anchored — or whose school commute is a primary constraint — choosing the right neighbourhood is one of the most consequential decisions in the relocation process.
This guide maps Athens's best family areas against the main international school locations.
Where the Schools Are: A Geographic Overview
| School | Location | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Athens College / Psychico College (HAEF) | Psychico campus | North-central (Psychico) |
| Athens College Elementary (HAEF) | Kantza campus | Eastern suburbs |
| Campion School | Pallini | Eastern suburbs |
| Ellinogermaniki Agogi | Pallini | Eastern suburbs |
| St. Catherine's British School | Lykovrissi | Northern suburbs |
| International School of Athens (ISA) | Kifisia | Northern suburbs |
| Doukas School | Marousi | Northern suburbs |
No major international school is in the city centre or the southern coastal suburbs. All are in the northern arc or eastern suburbs. This geography is the starting point for neighbourhood planning.
Psychico and Filothei: Adjacent to Athens College
Best for: Families with children at Athens College or Psychico College (HAEF)
Psychico is one of Athens's most prestigious and leafy residential districts. The HAEF campus sits within Psychico itself; children from the neighbourhood can walk to the school gates. Filothei, immediately adjacent, offers similarly elegant tree-lined streets, large private houses, and a quiet, almost village-like atmosphere for a neighbourhood so close to central Athens.
These are not budget addresses. Villas and large apartments in Psychico and Filothei command among the highest per-square-metre prices in Athens — typically €4,000 to €10,000 per sq m depending on size and specification. The premium reflects both the residential quality and the proximity to Athens College.
For families who have secured a place at HAEF and can accommodate the price, Psychico and Filothei offer the most seamless daily school experience available in Athens.
Kifisia and Ekali: ISA and Northern Suburb Living
Best for: Families at the International School of Athens (ISA); premium northern suburb lifestyle
Kifisia is a leafy northern suburb approximately 14 km from central Athens. It is well-connected by the Metro (Line 1 runs to Kifisia station) and has a strong local infrastructure — good restaurants, parks, independent shops, and a well-established expat community. ISA is in Kifisia, making it the natural base for ISA families.
Ekali, further north, is quieter and more spacious — large houses on generous plots, popular with affluent Greek families and some international executives. Properties in Ekali are generally larger and on bigger land than in Psychico or Filothei but are further from Athens's urban core.
Property prices in Kifisia range broadly: apartments from around €2,500–€5,000 per sq m, houses and villas reaching higher. Ekali tends towards larger properties with commensurately higher totals.
Marousi: Doukas School and Good Connectivity
Best for: Families at Doukas School; those who value metro connectivity and a large suburban base
Marousi is a large, well-established suburb in north Athens, home to Doukas School and several sporting and corporate facilities (the Athens Olympic complex is here). It has excellent transport links — Metro Line 1 serves Marousi — and a wide range of property types from compact apartments to larger houses. It is less "prestigious village" than Psychico or Kifisia but highly practical and well-serviced.
Marousi also has reasonable commuting distance to ISA (a few minutes by car), making it viable for ISA families who want a slightly broader choice and lower prices than Kifisia proper.
Chalandri and Halandri: Value Near the Northern Schools
Best for: Families seeking good value in the northern arc with school bus access to multiple schools
Chalandri is a large, well-connected suburb between Marousi and central Athens. It is served by the Metro and has a broad residential property market. For families who need proximity to the northern school cluster (ISA, Doukas, St. Catherine's) but cannot stretch to Kifisia or Psychico prices, Chalandri offers a practical, affordable compromise.
The neighbourhood has good schools, parks, and local amenities. Property is predominantly apartment-based.
Glyfada and the Southern Coastal Suburbs
Best for: Lifestyle-first families; Athenian Riviera; those whose children attend St. Catherine's (and tolerate a longer commute to northern schools)
Glyfada is Athens's most celebrated beach suburb — part of the Athenian Riviera that stretches south from Piraeus along the Saronic Gulf. It has a strong expat and international community, excellent restaurants, marina, and beaches. For families who value a seaside lifestyle and are relaxed about school commute, Glyfada is genuinely appealing.
The honest school-commute picture: Glyfada to Campion (Pallini) takes 40 to 60 minutes by car, depending on traffic and the direction of the Athens ring road. ISA in Kifisia is a similar or longer drive. St. Catherine's in Lykovrissi is more manageable (30 to 40 minutes). The Attica Tollway helps, but Athens traffic can be unpredictable.
Other southern coastal suburbs popular with expat families include Voula, Vouliagmeni, and Vari — progressively quieter and more spacious as you move south. Vouliagmeni in particular, on its own small peninsula with a famous thermal lake, attracts a premium-property crowd.
Kolonaki: City Centre Living
Best for: Families who prioritise urban living, walkable culture, and do not mind longer school commutes
Kolonaki is Athens's smartest central neighbourhood — boutiques, galleries, embassies, and a dense café culture below Lycabettus Hill. It is convenient for everything except the schools, which are all a drive away. Families who choose Kolonaki typically rely on school buses and value the cultural and social richness of central Athens living over a short school commute.
Properties in Kolonaki are expensive and predominantly apartments; larger family-sized flats command premium prices in an area where space is at a premium.
Summary: Neighbourhood vs School Matrix
| Area | Closest School(s) | Character | Price Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychico / Filothei | Athens College / HAEF | Leafy, prestigious, quiet | High–Very High |
| Kifisia | ISA | Metro-connected, leafy, expat community | High |
| Ekali | ISA (drive) | Spacious, rural-feeling, exclusive | High–Very High |
| Marousi | Doukas; ISA nearby | Practical, well-connected, suburban | Medium–High |
| Chalandri | Northern school cluster (bus) | Practical, value, good amenities | Medium |
| Glyfada / Voula | St. Catherine's (manageable); others by drive | Beach lifestyle, expat community | Medium–High |
| Kolonaki | All schools (bus/drive) | Urban, cultural, prestigious | High |
Property and the Golden Visa
Families investing in Athens property as part of a Golden Visa residency application should note that the Attica region (which includes all Athens areas listed here) carries the €800,000 investment threshold for a single residential unit of at least 120 sq m. This higher bar compared to the rest of Greece reflects Athens's significance in the national property market.
For premium family-sized homes in Psychico, Filothei, Kifisia, or Ekali, properties of 120 sq m or more at €800,000 or above are available — meaning the Golden Visa investment and the family home requirement can align. Browse listings or see property in Greece for current options.
How Global Investments Can Help
Choosing the right Athens neighbourhood is a decision that combines the school commute, property budget, lifestyle preferences, and — for some families — the Golden Visa investment threshold. Global Investments advisers can help you map these factors and identify the right shortlist of properties in Athens. Contact us to start a conversation about your family's requirements.
This guide is for information purposes only. Property prices and school locations are subject to change. Investment values can fall as well as rise. Seek professional advice before making investment decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Which Athens neighbourhood is closest to Athens College and Psychico College?
Psychico and Filothei are the closest neighbourhoods to the HAEF (Athens College/Psychico College) campuses. The schools sit in Psychico itself, so families in Psychico and neighbouring Filothei are within a short walk or drive. These are among the most prestigious residential addresses in Athens, with higher property prices reflecting demand.
Where do expats with children at Campion School tend to live?
Campion School is in Pallini, in the eastern suburbs. Families attending Campion live across a wide range — from Pallini and nearby Gerakas to more central areas — using the school bus network. Some families based in the northern suburbs (Kifisia, Chalandri) also use Campion, though the commute is longer.
Is Glyfada a good base for families with children at Athens international schools?
Glyfada is a popular, family-friendly southern suburb with good amenities, beach access, and a strong expat community. The trade-off is commute: Campion (Pallini) and ISA (Kifisia) are both a significant drive away. St. Catherine's (Lykovrissi) and central Athens schools are more accessible. Glyfada works best for families using St. Catherine's or for those who drive and value the Athenian Riviera lifestyle.
What are property prices like in the best family areas of Athens near international schools?
Psychico and Filothei command some of the highest prices in Athens: luxury apartments and villas typically sell at €4,000–€10,000 per sq m as of 2025–2026. Kifisia and Ekali are also premium. Marousi and Chalandri offer good value with strong infrastructure. Glyfada and the southern coast offer beach-lifestyle premium. Central Kolonaki is expensive but compact.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and regulations change frequently; verify current requirements with a qualified adviser before acting.