Athens and its region are not very famous for their beaches. And let’s be honest, the most impressive Greek beaches, the ones you see on postcards, are not in Attica. Nevertheless, there are several nice and pleasant beaches in the surroundings of Athens and it would be a shame not to take advantage of them. They allow you to escape the heat of the capital in summer and to make a nice seaside stop if you do not have time to go to the islands.
What’s more, if you don’t have a car and want to escape the heat of the capital, some beaches are easily accessible by public transport (streetcar or tramway, metro, bus) from the center of Athens.
The beaches south of Athens: the coast of Apollo
About twenty kilometers south of Athens, between Piraeus and Cape Sounion, the coast of Apollo, which some people call “the Riviera“, has some beautiful beaches. The atmosphere is chic and most of the beaches are private, therefore paying. Depending on the place, you should count between 4€ and 40€ (!!!) per person.
The advantage of the Apollo coast is that it is easy to access because it is served by public transport, notably the tramway (direct line from Syntagma square to Voula) as well as by the multi-stop buses
very convenient.
Our favorite beaches on the Apollo Coast
- Astir Beach : one of the most famous beaches in Athens, offering a wide range of services (wifi, SPA, water and beach sports, restaurant, etc.). A beach that is certainly beautiful but expensive, really expensive.
- Bolivar Beach Bar in Alimos : young and festive atmosphere during the day but also in the evening as the place turns into a seaside nightclub. Wild festive atmosphere until the sunrise. The tropical atmosphere makes you forget that you are only 10 km from the center of Athens.
- Right next door you can also try the Akanthus Beach (entrance next to the Nalu Café): great music all day long and as the sun goes down, the place becomes one of the trendiest nightclubs in Athens.
- Vouliagmeni lake: a thermal lake known for its benefits and where you can bathe all year round because the temperature of the water never drops below 20 degrees.
- Lagonissi Grand Resort, Grand Beach: An ultra-luxurious private beach. You will find deckchairs, umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, volleyball court. And also a pool overlooking the sea. All this in a beautiful environment… but at very high prices.
- The beach of Agia Marina and especially the restaurant on the beach Copamar. A simple and pleasant place
- Very pleasant, there are two nice little coves continuing the road after the beach of Agia Marina.
Beaches of Cape Sounion and surroundings
Cape Sounion is a magical place, known in particular for the superb temple of Poseidon overlooking the sea. There are beautiful beaches in the area.
Our favorite beaches:
- Beach of the Aegeon Hotel: sand, clear water, deckchairs and umbrellas. And above all, a magnificent view of the temple of Poseidon. Right next to it, there is an undeveloped area and therefore free.
- Beach of Legraina also called Kape Beach one of our favorites. A beautiful sandy beach, wild and undeveloped. Absolutely beautiful! Remember to take water and sun protection.
- Charakas beach: A family beach less than five minutes drive from Cape Sounion.
- Anavissos Bay: a large sandy beach, with free access, about 15 km from Cape Sounion, with clean and shallow waters. If you wish, you can enjoy sunbeds and lunch in one of the many taverns. This beach is famous for windsurfing and kite-surfing. We recommend the Amico beach bar.
All our solutions to go to Cape Sounion are in this article.
The beaches of Athens: the east coast
The beaches in the east of Athens are wilder and more family friendly than in the south of the capital. They are also less exclusive and therefore much cheaper (or even free). However, access is not easy by public transport, so it is better to have a car or to take a cab.
Our favorite beaches:
- Avlaki beach near Porto Rafti: a very nice beach, protected from the wind, with crystal clear waters awarded with the Blue Flag, with fine sand. The beach is organized (deckchairs, umbrellas, cafes) and access is not free. The place is nice and attracts a lot of people in summer, especially on weekends.
- Beaches of Schinias : sandy beaches lined with pine trees, which are among our favorite beaches in Athens. They have a wild side. We like, for example, Moraitis Beach in Schinias.
- Kaki Thalassa Beach: a nice beach, with a developed part and another in free access, overhung by a small church. Try for example the Vrasxos Beach Club
- Kokkino Limanaki Beach: located only a few minutes from Rafina, this small beach is quiet and charming
- Beaches of Marathon and Nea Makri: simple and family beaches, sandy or pebble, public or private.
Where to go to the beach in Athens before flying?
Here are two beaches located near the Athens airport. Very convenient if you are in transit in Athens or if you want to freshen up before your flight.
- Beaches of Loutsa-Artemida : there are several beaches in Loutsa-Artemida. We recommend the Albatross beach club. It is located only 10 km from the airport. It’s a 15 minute drive (by cab, it costs about 10€ – ask your driver not to take Attiki Odos and to use the small roads). The water is clean, there is a lawn, deckchairs, a bar-restaurant. Ideal to relax. And the place is perfect for windsurfers!
- Vravrona Beach: This sandy beach is located about 15 km from the airport (about 25 minutes by car). And near the archaeological site of the same name (where the ancient temple of Artemis is located). It is pleasant and protected from the wind.
How to get to the beach near Athens: public transport, tourist bus, car, cab
How to get to the beaches south of Athens?
- Public transportation first : some beaches are accessible by bus, metro or streetcar. You will find the details for each of the beaches in the practical information below.
- By bus, you can take the blue tourist bus which goes to Glyfada. It’s cheap, less complicated than public transportation and you can stop whenever you want.
- By car: the car will offer you much more flexibility, especially if you travel with your family. Moreover, the daily rental is not too expensive. However, remember to reserve your car before you leave on vacation, especially if you are traveling during the high tourist season. On our side we use Rentalcars
a comparator that allows you to find the best offer. - By cab: it is more expensive but comfortable. We recommend the company Welcome PickUps
This is the one we always use for our own use. They are almost no more expensive than regular cabs and you can book in advance… and therefore know the price.
Enjoy swimming on the beaches of Athens!
Laure M.
