Greece Athens ToursAthens Riviera — Europe’s Best Kept Secret
Did you know that Athens and Lisbon are the only capitals in southern Europe where every tourist can combine their trip with a visit to the beach? The prefecture of Attica has a coastline that starts from Piraeus and extends to Cape Sounion, the Athenian Riviera, which makes it 85 km long, looking to the Aegean Sea. Let’s explore the best beaches near Athens.
On the eastern coast of Attica, there are also many areas for swimming, such as Keratea, Porto Rafti, Loutsa, and Schinias beach. They are not close to Athens, and you need around 40 minutes by car or taxi to reach them.
Greece continuously ranked second in Europe in terms of Blue Fags status and 12% worldwide, with the cleanest beaches to its high standards in water quality and cleanliness. The summer season for swimming starts in June, but the best time to swim is in July and August.
In this article, we also want to inform the visitors about the closest best beaches in Athens, which access is easy to take the tram or bus, just around 20 to 50 minutes away. Just keep in mind that they offer a free sunbed on some organized beaches if you order a coffee. Note: All prices listed are approximate and change seasonally. Always verify current prices locally before visiting. Also, be cautious as there are thief pockets that target mobile phones or bags, and the further you go from the city center, the better, because the sea is cleaner. I will suggest after the Glyfada area at least, and further.
Best Beaches Near Athens
Edem Beach
It is the closest one to the Athens city center is Edem beach, the location is just 9 km away from Syntagma Square. The beach is sandy, and it has free admission as it’s not organized. It is ideal for enjoying sunbathing or a meal, or a dinner, and watching the sunset as it has a coffee restaurant. It is not recommended for swimming; it is more for relaxing.
Bolivar Beach
Next goes the Bolivar beach, which is located 10 km away from the city with easy access. One of the most popular beaches for locals, it is awarded the Blue Flag status. Partly sandy, and organized with bars, restaurants, and water sports. Famous DJs from all over the world are coming during the summer season to play.
Budget-friendly, one of the most affordable organized beaches on the Riviera.
How to go to Bolivar:
Bus 101, 142, A1, A2, B1, B2, X96. STOP “Third Kalamaki”, Tram stop “Kalamaki”. Phone +302109831018
Glyfada Beach
Awarded the blue flag status. It is one of the most popular areas with many hotels around and hundreds of meters of pebbled beaches. You can find sunbeds at a cost in some of them, but all of them are admission-free. Located 15 km away from the center, you can access Glyfada by tram or bus. By car, it will take around 20 minutes to get to the city. The center of Glyfada is ideal for shopping and strolling, where you can find many restaurants and coffee shops.
Bus A1, A2, X96. STOP “Third Glyfada”, Tram stop “Paralia Glyufadas”.
Kavouri Beach
The whole area of Kavouri is very green and elegant. It is one of the most expensive areas of real estate in Greece. There are many kilometers of coastline where you can enjoy plenty of sandy beaches with free admission. Now, if you are looking for a better quality and organized beach with an all-day restaurant, beach bar, sunbeds with a safety lock, and Baywatch, we suggest Zen Beach. The beach is surrounded by pine trees and is family-friendly. Mid-range pricing, excellent value for the facilities, sunbeds available at both free and organized sections
Bus A2 and then from Glyfada square take the 117 bus.
Astir Beach
Located in the chic area of Vouliagmeni, Astir Beach is considered one of the top because of the natural environment and high services that it provides; it is also awarded the blue flag status. From free wi-fi all over the sandy beach, the security, Baywatch, beach bar, food, and beverages. Premium pricing, one of Athens’ most luxurious beach experiences.
Bus A2 and then from Glyfada square take the 117 bus. STOP “Asteras beach.
Vouliagmeni Lake
Although it is not a beach, Vouliagmeni Lake has become popular in recent years for tourists. It is a natural spa, used even in ancient times, because of its constant warm water temperature and its rich content in hydrogen sulfide, plus the area has very low humidity. The lake facilities include an all-inclusive restaurant, showers, massage services, snorkeling, and a gym at the lake. Entrance fee applies, check current prices at the lake.
Bus A2 and then from Glyfada square take the 117 bus. STOP “Limni Vouliagmenis”
Yabanaki Beach
A very popular and organized sandy beach that combines many facilities. The beach offers sunbeds with safe locks, shops, several restaurants, beach bars, coffee shops, gelato shops, massage services, and playgrounds for children is the Yabanaki beach. This grand beach is family-friendly, and it is awarded the blue flag, located in the area of Varkiza. Very affordable, great value for families
Bus 122 or 117. STOP “fournos”
Lagonisi Grand Resort
A real jewel in the Athenian Riviera, the Grand Resort Lagonisi offers an unforgettable experience for its visitors and a stunning view of the Saronic Gulf. It is awarded the blue flag status. Here you can find a sandy beach, crystal clear waters, water sports, a spa, swimming pools, a beach bar, tennis courts, a kids’ club, restaurants, etc. The Resort offers high services, and it is considered one of the best hotels in Athens. Mid-to-premium pricing for resort-level facilities
Bus 122. STOP “Lagonisi Resort”
As you drive further to Cape Sounio, where the temple of Poseidon is, there are plenty of beaches that have sandy beaches, some of which are organized, and they remind beaches like those in Greek islands.
Indeed, there are beaches near Athens, and a lot of them are promising ones. This makes the Athenian Riviera unique, including its archaeological treasures such as Cape Sounio and the temple of Poseidon.
We covered beaches close to Athens that visitors can access by public transport. The Athens Riviera is undoubtedly a pleasant surprise for its visitors, promising crystal clear waters, sandy beaches, and beautiful landscapes.
Combine Beach and History — The Ultimate Athens Riviera Day Trip
The most rewarding way to experience the Athens Riviera is to combine a morning at one of the Vouliagmeni or Varkiza beaches with an afternoon at Cape Sounion, where the Temple of Poseidon crowns dramatic cliffs above the clearest water on the entire Attica coastline.
This is exactly what our private Cape Sounion and Vouliagmeni tour from Athens offers, following the scenic coastal road past the Riviera beaches, with a swim stop at Vouliagmeni Lake, before continuing to the Temple of Poseidon for sunset. The same road that takes you to the beach takes you to one of the most breathtaking ancient sites in Greece.
Standing at Cape Sounion as the sun descends into the Aegean — the same view that inspired Lord Byron to carve his name into a column- is an experience that combines the best of Athens in a single day: crystal clear water, ancient history, and the legendary Greek light that has inspired artists and travelers for centuries.
Book our private Vouliagmeni and Sounion tour or Cape Sounion tour.
Are there beaches near the Athens city center?
Yes, the closest beach to central Athens is Edem Beach, just 9km from Syntagma Square, reachable by tram in about 20 minutes. The Athenian Riviera stretches 85km from Piraeus to Cape Sounion along the Saronic Gulf, offering everything from free public beaches to luxury organized resorts. Athens and Lisbon are the only European capitals where visitors can combine a city break with a genuine beach experience.
Which is the best beach near Athens?
For luxury and facilities, Astir Beach in Vouliagmeni is consistently rated the finest — Blue Flag awarded, with full security, beach bar, and crystal clear water. For families, Yabanaki in Varkiza offers excellent facilities at reasonable prices. For something truly unique, Vouliagmeni Lake, a natural geothermal spa with warm mineral-rich water, is unlike anything else in Greece. For free beaches with good water quality, Glyfada and Kavouri are the local favorites.
How do I get to the Athens beaches by public transport?
The Athens tram connects central Athens to the Faliro and Glyfada coastal area in 20-30 minutes, one of the easiest beach commutes of any European capital. From Glyfada, buses 117 and A2 continue south to Kavouri, Vouliagmeni, and Varkiza. For beaches further south toward Cape Sounion, a taxi, rental car, or private tour is the most practical option.
Is Vouliagmeni Lake worth visiting?
Absolutely! Vouliagmeni Lake is one of Athens’ most extraordinary natural attractions. A geothermal lake with a constant water temperature of 22-29°C year-round, it was used for therapeutic bathing in ancient times and remains popular for its mineral-rich waters believed to ease joint and skin conditions. It is particularly magical from September to May when the sea is too cold for swimming, but the lake remains perfectly warm.
Can I combine a beach visit with Cape Sounion?
Yes, this is the perfect Athens Riviera day trip. The coastal road from Athens passes all the Riviera beaches before continuing to Cape Sounion, where the Temple of Poseidon stands on dramatic cliffs above the sea. Our private tours combine a swim stop at Vouliagmeni with sunset at the Temple of Poseidon, experiencing ancient history and crystal clear Aegean water in a single unforgettable day.
