Top 10 Athens Beaches: The Best Coastal Escapes Near The Greek Capital

feel the serenity in the air and soothing vibes enveloping you at Athens beaches

The majority of individuals know Athens for its ancient locations and temples of Greek goddesses and gods. However, this metropolis also has some unique beachfronts that are not just family-friendly but also have many unique amenities. All the Athens Beaches have their own set of allure, and you will encounter them in the southern and northern sections of the Attica Cape. Some beaches are pretty organised, but others carry a reputation for their bars, water sports activities and various other things. Visiting these shorelines will not just let you make unique memories but also make your stay in the city enjoyable.

Top 10 Beaches In Athens

You will certainly encounter many beaches in Athens, and each of them is packed with its own unique allure and benefits.

1. Vouliagmeni Beach

Image of aerial View Idyllic Beach Resort in Albania near the beach during day time

Photo: erika m / Unsplash

The Vouliagmeni Beach is one of the most unique beaches in Athens and offers many amenities to both residents and sightseers. This beach consists of straw-made umbrellas, sun beds, travers and even bars. Apart from that, you will also find many sports facilities like basketball, volleyball and even tennis where you can play and have fun with your friends or family members. Furthermore, the beach has two parts: public and private. You can pick the section you wish to go to. Vouliagmeni Beach also has many changing rooms, WC rooms, and even options for visitors with disabilities.

Location: Vouliagmegi (Athens Riviera)
Best Time To Visit: May to October

2. Astir Beach

 Image of a beach near hills and buildings around - hills covered in lush greenery

Photo: Tanya Dedyukhina / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Astir Beach is probably the most lavish beach in this city as it is filled with high-end beach clubs and top-tier amenities. You will certainly get to enjoy the sunset from this area and also get the chance to de-stress with no hassle. The Greek Government pushed post-war tourism options back in the 1950s, and this beach was transformed into a popular spot not just for the upper class of Greece but also among global sensations, such as The Beatles and Jackie O. Astir has many cabanas, sunbeds and even white and elegant umbrellas. Visiting Astir Beach will let you feel relaxed as its surroundings are pretty quiet and peaceful.

Location: Apollonos Street (Vouliagmeni)
Best Time To Visit: June to September

3. Varkiza Beach

Image of Deckchairs Under Umbrellas on the Varkiza Beach in Greece during day time

Photo: Julia Sakelli / Pexels

Known as one of the famous beaches in Athens, the Varkiza Beach is about 15 miles away from the city. This beach is one of the last actual coastline suburbs in Athens consists of pale white sand and has private and public sections. The private section has sports courts, sun loungers, upscale shopping possibilities and a children’s playground. However, the public section has a small beachside bar where you can sip on drinks and also get to try out some local snacks.

Location: Varkiza (Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni)
Best Time To Visit: Spring to Autumn

4. Alimos Beach

 Image of picturesque Alimos beach with clear blue water under blue sky

Photo: Mister No / Wikimedia Commons

Situated 11 km away from Athens, Alimos Beach stands out as a favourite among visitors and locals due to its fiery aura and accessibility. At this beach, you will find beach bars, sun loungers, and even umbrellas. This beach is a hub for all the young people who like mingling by the ocean, drinking, and listening to music. You will also find many family-friendly options available that make Alimos an adaptable site. Accessing the beach is pretty easy, and you can take any public transport from Athens to reach this site.

Location: Alimos (Southern Athens)
Best Time To Visit: June to August

5. Cape Sounion

 Image of Greece Cape Sounion with stunning views around during day time

Photo: David Iglesias / Pexels

You will find this beach at the southernmost section of the “Athens Riviera.” Cape Sounion will provide you with a remarkable mixture of historical conspiracy and natural magnificence. Voted as one of the leading Athens Beaches by visitors, this shoreline has rocky beaches along with clear waters. Out of all of them, the “Paralia Sounion” is known for its laid-back beach tavern and sandy expanse. You will also find the ancient Temple of Poseidon, which offers incredible vistas, particularly during sunset. Based on mythology, this spot, along with the Aegean Sea, was anointed after King Aegeus, who jumped to his demise from the ridges.

Location: Sounion (Southeastern Athens)
Best Time To Visit: Spring to Autumn

6. Lagonisi Beach

 Image of The small peninsula of Lagonisi in the west coasts of East Attica

Photo: C messier / Wikimedia Commons

Known as one of the most popular beaches in Athens, Lagonissi Beach is roughly 40 km away from Athens, in the southern section. This beach sits on the Athenian Riviera and got its name from “Jack Rabbit Island,” which is a rocky cape that extends into the ocean and also has an elegant resort. In the southern part, you will find a sandy and quiet beach where you can relax, visit the beach bars, and participate in water sports at the Loginisi Sailing Club. The peaceful setting and clear waters offer a serene environment when modern-day establishments merge perfectly with natural magnificence.

Location: Lagonissi (Athens Riviera)
Best Time To Visit: July to September

7. Kavouri Beach

Image of Small beach at the north part of Kavouri peninsula, Vouliagmeni

Photo: C messier / Wikimedia Commons

This particular beach stands out as a hidden jewel of the Vouliagmeni suburb. Kavouri Beach is around 20 km away from the city of Athens, and many visitors and locals claim it to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Athens for being a pine-covered area. This particular beach has two primary beaches, which are “Megalo” and “Mikro” Kavouri. The beach consists of shallow waters and velvety sands and also stands out as a family-friendly spot where small children can play around safely. The beach also has umbrellas and sun bistros, but the pine trees surrounding the beach create a natural shade for all the visitors and locals during summer.

Location: Kavouri (Vouliagmeni)
Best Time To Visit: March to May

8. Schinias Beach

Schinias Beach view surrounded surrounded by lush green forest under clear blue sky

Photo: PLatsoudis / Wikimedia Commons

Schinias Beach has been claimed to be one of the top 5 beaches in Athens by many people, and it’s just 50 minutes away from Athens. Sits majestically within a national park, Schinias Beach has a massive stretch of golden sand along with Mediterranean pine woodlands. This unspoiled terrain feels more like a remote section but will surely serve as a peaceful retreat from the urban region. This area also carries a high historical value as it used to be the gathering area for all the Persian ships before the Battle of Marathon that occurred in 490 BC. Here, you will find crystal clear waters, and the beach has never been touched by commercialisation.

Location: Schinias (Marathon)
Best Time To Visit: May to October

9. Legrena Beach

Image of seashore with scenic views and clear blue water - one of the best Athens beaches

Photo: Pavel Danilyuk Pexels / Image For Representation Only

The beach is roughly 60 km away from Athens, to its southeast section. Legrena Beach carries an excellent reputation for its cool and clean waters and peaceful vibes. The beach is enveloped by rocky coves, and it will provide you with remote sites where you can enjoy privacy. Even during the hotter months, this beach does not get many people, which ultimately makes it an ideal place to relax. You will surely find several bistros and bars, as these places will provide you with some local refreshments and meals. Legrena Beach is also not that far from the Temple of Poseidon, which you can check out with no hassle. To get to this beach, you can take a private vehicle from Athens.

Location: Legrena (Near Sounion)
Best Time To Visit: Summer or Late Spring

10. Akti Vouliagmeni

Image of picturesque Vouliagmeni beach surrounded by town and nature under blue sky

Photo: C messier / Wikimedia Commons

Situated in the suburb section of Vouliagmeni, Akti Vouliagmeni is a properly maintained beach, and it’s popular due to its family-friendly aura. Apart from offering yellow sands and clear waters, the beach also offers countless amenities, such as loungers, and even umbrellas. Aki Voliagmeni also offers a calm setting and an issue-free coastal experience while also letting you stay closer to all the urban conveniences. This beach is ideal for all the sightseers and locals because of its serene vibes and accessibility.

Location: Vouliagmeni (Athens Riviera)
Best Time To Visit: May to September

Athens’ beaches are where yore and nature connect in peace. Each one tells its saga, from grand getaways to serene refuges. Whether you’re seeking adventure or serenity, Athens’ coasts promise memorable junctures. Pack your bags, head to the coast, and let the Aegean waves greet you to make sure the tour of Athens beaches is great, plan it with the experts of TripXL.

Cover Photo: Anastasia Fomicheva / Unsplash

Frequently Asked Questions

You can access the beaches throughout the year. However, summer, which is between June and September, stands out as the best time to visit due to its calm seas and warm climate. This makes it perfect for sunbathing and swimming.
Yes, they can. Many of the beaches in Athens have water sports facilities, and you can enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, and even windsurfing.
Several beaches will take a fee to access all their facilities. However, the public beaches, like the Schinias Beach, will not take any fee from you.
Kavouri Beach and Varkiza Beach are some of the beaches that are family-friendly due to their shallow waters, peaceful setting, and amenities that are ideal for families.
Alimos Beach stands out as the closest beach to the city, as you can get to it via public transport or a short drive.

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