Every year, the Athens Authentic Marathon gives the city’s short-term rental market a boost, bringing international visitors to the Greek capital at a traditionally quieter time of year. Thousands of runners travel to Athens in November, many with friends or family, generating additional demand for accommodation.
The participation figures show how far the event’s international reach extends. The 43rd Athens Authentic Marathon, held on 7–8 November 2026, drew a record of more than 85,000 runners from over 120 countries across all events. Around 25,000 took part in the full 42.195 km marathon, following the historic route from Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium. The remaining participants took part in the 5 km and 10 km races, the Universities Night Run and the children’s events.
Cyprus, Italy, France, the United States and Germany were among the countries with the largest contingents, each with more than 1,000 runners. In 2025, registrations from abroad for the marathon reached a then-record 10,574, up from 9,081 in 2024. Participants came from 126 countries across five continents, and the 5 km and 10 km races also attracted substantial international participation.
The tourism impact extends beyond the runners themselves. One estimate puts the average at two companions per runner, although that figure should be treated as indicative. Runners and their companions can stay for several days, spending not only on accommodation but also on meals, shopping, transport and other visitor services.
What the accommodation figures show
Athens Airport’s international passenger traffic offers some context for the city’s broader November travel market. International passenger movements, including arrivals and departures, rose from 1,306,965 in November 2023 to 1,512,471 in 2024 and 1,686,388 in 2025, an increase of around 29% over two years.
Figures from the Athens–Attica and Argosaronic Hotel Association show that average hotel occupancy reached 73.8% in November 2024. The average daily room rate was up 7.9% year on year, while revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose by 13.7%. These monthly figures describe the wider market; they do not isolate the effect of marathon weekend.
Short-term rentals are also an established part of the city’s accommodation market. AirROI estimates that active short-term rentals in Athens recorded average occupancy of 42.2% in November 2025, with an average nightly rate of €95 and an average stay of 4.2 nights.
Hosthub offers a more local snapshot from its own partner portfolio. During the four-day period around the 2025 event, occupancy among the properties it tracked within three kilometres of the Panathenaic Stadium reached 30.5%. Hosthub reported an increase of 16.6% and an average nightly rate of €95. That snapshot covers a specific set of properties and dates, so it is not directly comparable with AirROI’s citywide monthly estimate.
Why an apartment can make sense for runners
Many runners travel with family or in groups. For them, an apartment can be a more practical and affordable option than booking several hotel rooms. It offers space for more people under one roof, a kitchen and the option to split the cost.
Solo travellers or those who prefer a staffed reception, breakfast and other on-site services may find a hotel better suited to their needs.
Where marathon visitors may look for a short-term rental
Three broad areas stand out for different reasons: proximity to the finish line, convenient transport or potentially lower accommodation costs. These are practical advantages for visitors, not a ranking based on 2026 occupancy figures.
1. Within walking distance of the finish line
For runners who want to walk back to their accommodation after the race, neighbourhoods within roughly one to two kilometres of the Panathenaic Stadium have an obvious advantage.
Mets sits just above the stadium. Its location and limited accommodation supply make it a natural choice for runners who want to stay close to the finish.
Pangrati, particularly around Proskopon Square and the streets near the stadium, offers a wider choice of apartments. Its cafés and restaurants also make it a convenient base for friends and family accompanying runners.
Kolonaki and Ilisia are convenient for participants in the shorter races and for visitors looking for higher-end accommodation. In some properties overlooking Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, companions can watch runners pass from the balcony.
2. The Acropolis area and central transport links
Koukaki and Makrygianni are among Athens’s established short-term rental neighbourhoods. They offer easy access to the metro and a walk to the stadium via Dionysiou Areopagitou Street.
Syntagma, Plaka and the Commercial Triangle are practical for runners who want to be near the early-morning shuttle departure points around Syntagma. Those buses take participants to the marathon start.
3. More affordable alternatives with good transport links
Neos Kosmos has a substantial supply of short-term rentals and can offer lower rates for visitors who still want to stay within easy reach of the centre and the stadium.
Exarchia and Neapoli are other options for groups looking for more affordable accommodation without giving up the ability to walk into central Athens.
How the freeze on new registrations affects the picture
Parts of central Athens are subject to a freeze on new short-term rental registrations covering the city’s first three municipal districts. That limits one route for new supply to enter the market and can give well-located, already registered properties an advantage during major events. It does not mean the number of active listings stays fixed, or that demand rises by the same amount in every neighbourhood.
A reason to visit Athens in November
The Athens Authentic Marathon gives visitors a reason to come to the city outside the summer season. For short-term rental operators, the opportunity is not necessarily confined to race day. Some visitors arrive early, stay on after the event or combine the race with a city break.
For hosts, that makes marathon weekend more than a chance to raise the nightly rate. It is also an opportunity to attract groups, sell nights on either side of the event and make the most of a November weekend when location and transport links can matter as much as price.
