Guide To The Best Beaches In Athens You Didn’t Know The City Had!

 

 

 

My recent post was all about where to stay in Athen, in this post we are checking out the best beaches in Athens you never knew the city had. A couple of neighbourhoods I featured in that post are either close to the beaches or just a quick bus ride away. While most visitors think you have to get on a ferry to other Greek islands to experience the beaches in Greece, below I will show you some of the best beaches near Athens. Beautiful clear waters, perfect swimming temperature.

 

Many of the crystal clear waters below can be reached within 20-40 minutes from the city center. I will share details below on how to get to the beach from Athens. You can explore historical monuments like the Acropolis in the morning and later in the afternoon chill by the best beach club Athens has to offer. As part of your Greek itinerary, you can explore the beaches in Athens before heading out to compare with those in Santorini and Mykonos.

 

The Best Beaches In Greece

 

If you are more into beach holidays you can also opt to check some of the best beach resorts in Athens and then check out the tourist sights in the city during your stay. If you are looking for quiet beaches or organised beaches, Athens has plenty to offer. From the Saronic Gulf all the way to southernmost Attica peninsula. You can easily get to many of the beaches below via trams, buses and taxis as Athens is well connected when it comes to transportation. If you want to stay close by check out some of the best Athens beach resorts in the area.

 

Note: Athens has 2 types of beaches, free and public or privately operated. Free beaches will mostly have limited to no amenities. Privately operated will have everything from changing rooms, showers,  sun loungers, umbrella, and bars. Also, note that this will come at a small fee. I will mention below those that are free or paid.

 

Vouliagmeni Beach

This is one of the best beaches in Athens. Well orgnised and suitable for all people and easily accessible for the disabled. There are sports facilities near the beach offering a variety of water sports. There is also a restaurant for when you need to grab a bite to eat.  Entrance fee required.

 

 

Edem Beach

Edem beach is organised but also the free entrance. Its popular with people of all ages. From young crowds to senior citizens. It also draws in those with families as there is a waterslide for kids. Also by the beach, you can plenty of bar, restaurants and shops. Free entrance.

 

Voula A Beach

A busy and bustling beach is perfect for families and the young crowd. There is everything you could want for a comfortable day at the beach. There are playground games, there are sun loungers, umbrellas, Wi-Fi, lifeguard and medical facilities. There are plenty of cafes and bars so you don’t have to bring your own food. If you want a good party then head there on Sunday evenings.   Entrance fee required.

 

Voula B Beach

This is an organised beach with plenty of umbrellas and sun loungers inches away from clear sparkling waters. Near the beach, you can find a sports center, volleyball and a tennis court.  Entrance fee required.

 

Psatha Beach

This is a great beach but one that is the furthest among all the beaches. Its about an hour and 30 minutes drive from Athens. There are cafes and restaurants near the shoreline. Entrance is free.

 

 

Asteras Vouliagmenis Beach (Luxury)

If you want to combine a leisurely afternoon with a little luxe retail therapy then this is the beach to check out. Plenty of luxury facilities on offer, luxury fashion boutiques, great restaurants as well as sports facilities for volleyball, tennis and water slides. There are also individual cabins on offer. The beach is easily accessible for disabled people too. Entrance fee required.

 

Kavouri Beach

If you are looking for a beach perfect for swimming, it doesn’t get any better than Kavouri Beach. Beautiful sparkling shallow waters with powdery sand. This is also popular for night swimmers and couples looking for romantic and private moments on the beach, due to the perfect swimming characteristic on offer. There also bars, cafes and restaurants nearby. Entrance is free.

 

Grand Beach Lagonissi 

Located on the Lagonissi peninsula, if you want a beach that has it all then this is it. Grand beach offers amazing waterfront under the shadows of a luxury beach resort by the name of Grand Resort Lagonissi. There is everything you can possibly want from the beach and also comes with a lifeguard. Also accessible for the disabled. Entrance fee required.

 

Vouliagmeni Limanakia Beach (Nudist Beach)

If you are on the look out for quieter beaches perfect for nudist sunbathing then this is the beach to head to. Bear in mind that there are hardly any amenities here so bring your own food and sacks.  The beach itself has beautiful sand with rock coves with beautiful clear waters for a little dip between sunbathing sessions. Free entrance.

 

 

 

Pachi Beach

Located west of Athens, where you can combine a visit to the beach and a visit to Pachi village. The beach is also popular with locals too. There are Greek tavernas near serving ouzo mezedes. Entrance is free.

 

Porto Rafti Beach

A calm beach that is shielded the wind, Porto Rafti beach is not that big which can be crowded during the summer months. A free beach that also comes complete with umbrellas, sunloungers and plenty of bar bars, cafe and nightlife if you want to stick around the area into the evening. There are restaurants if you want something before getting into the swing of things at the bars. Entrance is free.

 

Schinias Beach

Another popular beach in Athens with plenty of amenities. Schinias beach is located along a beautiful coastline with plenty of restaurants, beach bars, and sports facilities like volleyball courts. Due to the open location of the beach, it is said to be one of the best beaches in Athens for windsurfing. If you want a lively beach for a fun weekend this is one to head to. Entrance is free.

 

 

Yabanki Beach

This is a really nice and among the best beaches in Athens with nice fluffy sand. If you are a lover of adventurous watersports then this the beach for you! You can find facilities for windsurfing, water tubes, wakeboarding, water skiing and when you have worked up an appetite there are plenty of restaurants, bars and shops near the beach.  Entrance fee required.

 

Legrena Beach

Located in the east of Athens and west of Sounio on a road leading to Temple of Poseidon. The beach is in front of Legrena Beach, and one of the best beaches Athens, Greece has to offer. Stunning and stretches along the villages’ coastline and perfect for those that not only want scenic beaches but also peace and quiet too. There are cafes and tavernas around the village but within easy reach for to the beach. Entrance is free.

 

Porto Germeno Beach

Named after an ancient settlement of Aigosthena which used to be the port of Megara but the Corinthian gulf. Porto Germeno beach lies between Mount Kytheron and Peteras. Its another one of the beaches near Athens that locals also love. It’s especially popular in the summer months with easy swimming shallow waters among the Greek tavernas that line the shoreline. Entrance is free.

 

 

Things To Do On The Beaches In Athens 

 

Many of the beaches offer a wide variety of sports. From sand games to water sports. From Volleyball, football to windsurfing as well as parasailing, canoeing, waterskiing and diving.

 

 

Things To Know Before You Go – Tip For Visiting Beaches In Athens

• Nudist beaches in Athens – Majority of the beaches will expect your to keep your kit on but there are a couple where you are more than welcome to run around in your birthday suit. If you want to sunbathe free of clothing then head towards Athens Sounio Coastal Road where you can find quieter coves. Also Limanakia Vouliagmenis – a famed Nudist beach in Athens. Just note that there aren’t many amenities so be sure to break your own drinks and snacks.
• Beach safety in Athens – The beaches are perfect for swimming with many being shallow, calm and no strong currents.
• Disability Access to the beaches – The majority of the beaches have great access for the disabled.
• Lifeguards on the beaches – Most of the beaches will have a lifeguard on duty. Just note that there is usually signage to that effect, via a flag. An orange flag means that is a lifeguard on duty and a red flag means no lifeguard.

 

What to bring to the beach in Athens

 

While there are shops nearby always bring sunscreen as well as not to sunbath during the early afternoon sun. Best times to visit the beaches are after 3pm. 

 

How To Get To Athens Beaches By Tram and Buses

 

Getting to the beach from Athens city center is super easy. You can take many of the buses and trams from Syntagma Square to Edem stop which will then lead you on to many of the beaches above.

• Take Bus E22 to get to the beaches in the south coast for Edem, Kavouri and Vouliagmeni Limanakia beaches.
• Take the KTEL bus from Thiseio to get to the beaches in the west coast of Athens; Porto Germeno, Psatha, Alepochori and Pachi beaches.
• Take the KTEL bus from Pedion tou Areos to get to the beaches in the east coast of Athens; Porto Rafti, Legrena and Schinias. 

 

 

Where To Stay – Athens Beach Hotels

 

If you would much prefer to stay by the beach than to stay in the centre of town, there are plenty to choose from when it comes to beach hotels. Many are right by the beaches mentioned above as well as allowing you to experience Athenian Riveria. Below are a couple of beach hotels in Athens to check out but for more beachfront hotels in Athens click here.

 

• Divani Apollon Suites – Located in Vouliagmeni of the Athenian Riviera.

• Amarilia Hotel – Offers open views of Saronikos Gulf.

• Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens – Set in the Athenian Riviera, the 5-star Four Seasons Astir Palace features 8 restaurants and bars, a spa center with 10 treatment rooms, a fitness center and a private beach area.

• Hotel London – Located on the southern coast of Athens, meters from Glyfada’s sandy beach, and a short walk from the tram station.
• Fourth Floor condo with Sea and Beachfront Views  – Everything you could want in one apartment plus comes with sea and beachfront views

 

Also See:

• The Best Beaches In Tel Aviv
• The Best Beaches In Santorini
• Where To Stay In Mykonos 
• How To Get To Santorini From Athens

 

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