Beaches in Athens
Beaches in Athens are not famous to tourists, since most people think of archaeological sites when referring to Athens. However, the beaches in Athens are truly lovely and get extremely busy during the months of May through September.
Most of the beaches in Athens are located at the southern suburbs of the city, although you can find many nice beaches at the north- east suburbs as well, close to Marathon and Rafina.
Be aware that most of the beaches in Athens are “private”, meaning that you will have to pay an entrance fee to enjoy swimming and sport activities – the fee includes an umbrella and 2 sun chairs. You can reach most of the beaches by tram, metro or bus, but if you want a convenient and fast way, you can hire Athens Taxi, which can drive you safely to each one of the following beaches, avoiding crowded means of transportation.
Recommended beaches in Athens
Vouliagmeni beach in Athens
Vouliagmeni beach is located 20 km away from the center of Athens. This beach has everything you need for enjoying a relaxing day when the weather in Athens is sunny and hot.
There is a children’s play area, tennis and volleyball courts, and a water slide. Additionally, Vouliagmeni is a “free” beach that features individual cabins as well as numerous cafés, restaurants and bars.
Vouliagmeni beach is one of the most gorgeous beaches in Athens, the greener waterfront of Athens, with two spectacular peninsulas, Kavouri and Lemos, covered with vegetation and white sandy beaches.
Vouliagmeni is the seaside area with many hotels even of luxury-class and with first order sports facilities that were used during the Olympics in 2004. Besides the beaches, in Vouliagmeni, there are also a marina and yacht clubs.
Lake Vouliagmeni: This small fresh-water lake is surrounded by steep rocks backed by Mount Imittos.
The waters of Lake Vouliagmeni are believed to have healing properties, hence this mineral spa is popular among those seeking cures against rheumatic, spinal, neurological and even skin problems. Hydrotherapy is offered from May to October.
The water’s temperature in Lake Vouliagmeni never drops below 21 degrees Celsius and for this reason invites bathers to swim year-round.
Kavouri beach in Athens
Kavouri beach is located 20km (12.4 mi.) south and east from the center of Athens. The beach of Kavouri is one of the “free” beaches in Athens that feature a very clean and sandy beach. It is next to Vouliagmeni beach, and features many restaurants and cafés, so that you can grab a bite after swimming.
Alimos beach in Athens
Alimos Beach is located 10km away from the city center and it is located next to the main marina of Athens, the Alimos Marina. Alimos beach is very popular (especially by the Athenians) for the proximity to the centre, but also because it is one of the best equipped for sport, not only water sport, but also with fields for tennis and volleyball.
It is a sandy beach with a nice restaurant at the backside offering Greek food to the swimmers – there is also a canteen that delivers coffees and soft drinks to those who do not want to stop sunbathing.
Glyfada beach in Athens
Glyfada beach is located 16km (10 mi.) south and east from the center of Athens. This seaside resort area offers some of the best marinas and a large array of water sports. For those parents who are traveling with children, Glyfada is an ideal destination.
The beaches of Glyfada (and Helliniko, since they are actually one long beach) are always full of people: considered “popular” by the city bourgeoisie, these are places where fun is guaranteed from morning to evening. Glyfada is in fact known for the tourist facilities of various kinds, both sports and recreational.
Along the beach of Glyfada you will find several restaurants, bars and discos.
Varkiza beach in Athens
Varkiza Beach is located 27km (16.8 mi.) south and east of the center of Athens. Varkiza is one of the “free” beaches and very well organized. Tennis and volleyball courts (hired by the hour during the day or evening), a children’s play area, and several snack bars are all available to the traveling family. Varkiza is still a place very populated by tourists and citizens of the Greek capital. The main feature of this site is the wide beach, both free and equipped, and all the seaside resorts. Here, we are in the Poseidon Coast, a very nice spit of land and sea, pretty green and bone-white beach. In this are there are many hotels, restaurants and locals where to spend a bit of time when you are tired of the sun and sea.
Schinias beach near Marathon
Schinias beach is located near Marathon in the east coast of the Attica Peninsula, which can be reached within less than an hour from central Athens. The major draw of Schinias beach is the picture-perfect coastal pine forest that reaches the water’s edge as well as the fine sand of the beach.
The eastern portion of the beach of Schinias is occupied by a series of beach bars that offer umbrellas, lounge chairs, water sports, loud music and people watching. Further to the west, bathers enjoy long stretches of sand. A number of tavernas cater to the needs of day trippers from Athens.
Yabanaki Resort
The main difference between private and public beaches in Athens is service, cleanliness and cost. Yabanaki (means “a little swim” in Greek) makes it well worth the entry fee with a well groomed, perfectly organized resort where you could easily spend the full twelve hours they are open (8am to 8pm).
In the beach of Yabanaki there is an ouzo bar, a cafe, separate showers for men and women, water sports such as banana boats and windsurfing, three private areas for wedding receptions or other events, private cabanas, beach chairs and umbrellas, water slides, and playgrounds. Some of these have additional costs, but overall Yabanaki is one of the most pleasant beaches the Attica coastline has to offer.
Yabanaki beach is located in Varkiza, 27 Km from Athens and near Vari and Vouliagmeni.
Lagonissi beach in Athens
Grand Resort Lagonissi beach is a small sandy beach located right next to the Hotel Grand Resort Lagonissi (a beautiful luxury resort complex) and is about one hour from downtown Athens.
The beach of Lagonissi is one of the many organized beaches in Athens and the entrance fee gets you an umbrella and beach chair. You can relax under the shade or indulge in a number of water sports (water ski, wake board, …). Facilities include changing cabins, showers, a self service cafe and a restaurant. Music plays over loudspeakers and crowds prevail later in the day.