10 of the best beaches in Athens

Chances are most travelers aren’t visiting Athens for its beaches. As the capital of a country with world-famous islands, Athens is better known for its resplendent ancient ruins and busy cultural life than for its sandy glories. But as this is Greece, after all, there is coastline to enjoy nearby, as well as several major ferry ports just minutes away.

If you are looking for a quick swim or a bit of rest and relaxation in between all the sightseeing, there are plenty of beaches to choose from on the Athens Riviera, aka the Apollo Coast – the coastline running south of Athens from Piraeus to Cape Sounion.

If you have a whole day to spare, consider hopping on a boat to an island in the morning and returning to Athens in the twilight glow later the same day. Either way, despair not, the water awaits you.

Some of the following beaches can be reached by public transport, others require a vehicle. Read on for the best beaches within easy reach of the capital, Athens.

1. Varkiza Beach

Best for proper relaxation

One of the southernmost beaches on the Athens Riviera, Varkiza is a local favorite for its relative peace and quiet. Small sandy sweeps alternate with rock formations where you can hang out independently.

The beach is free to visit and is surrounded by restaurants and cafes. If you want a daybed, you can pay for a chaise at the popular resort Varkiza Resort – Yabanaki Beach and join the fray of seaside umbrellas and restaurants. After a day of seaside fun, satisfy your hunger with a visit to Aperanto Galazio, an excellent seafood taverna offering fresh fish directly on the beach.

How to get here: From the city center, take Bus X96 (Piraeus – Airport Route) to Varkiza. It's around 45 minutes. If you drive, there is plenty of paid parking, but get there early in summer.

2. Astir Beach

Best for glamour

Silky sands and softly lapping seas are only the start of what makes Astir Beach great. It feels more like Mykonos than Athens, and it’s one of the most beloved of the see-and-be-seen organized beaches on the Athens Riviera.

Entrance fees vary by season and the location of your sunbed. If you want to go all out, daybeds can be rented at Astir Beach Club, but they don't come cheap, with parasol rentals starting from €160 (US$186) per two people per day. Astir is a land of high fashion, seafront chaises and cabanas, and luxury like chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s Athens outpost and the Four Seasons Astir Palace.

How to get here: Catch the tram and a bus (approximately 1 hour) from Athens city. If you drive, parking is a challenge. Alternatively, a taxi will cost around €30 and get you there in 30 minutes.

3. Schinias Beach

Best for swimming

Repeatedly recognized for its crystal-clear waters with Blue Flag ratings, Schinias Beach, 45km (about 28 miles) northeast of Athens, offers a grand stretch of pristine white sand backed by pine trees. Schinias is free to access but you can also rent sunloungers for the day. The shimmering waters near the town of Marathon are a favorite for swimming and windsurfing, followed by lunch at one of the nearby seafood tavernas.

There are sunloungers and a taverna, but no other major developments around. It gets busy at the weekend with locals, so arrive early to secure a spot.

How to get here: It's around an hour's drive from the city center. There's some free parking on the streets nearby, but not inside the national park.

4. Legrena Beach

Best for naturists

Care to get (wonderfully) lost on the coast near Athens? Explore the coves and inlets along the Legrena area, about 3km (2 miles) west of the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. Devoid of the organized umbrellas and thumping sounds of the grand resorts of the rest of this coastline and with no cover charge, this place is for the explorers. The currents keep these waters crisp and clean, and nearby tavernas dot the coast. It’s also the place to go if you care to sunbathe in the buff.

How to get here: It's approximately a 1.25-hour drive, and there is plenty of free parking on dirt tracks behind the beach.

5. Sounion Beach

Best for sightseeing

Undoubtedly, the claim to fame of this small beach at the farthest reaches of the Athens Riviera is the Temple of Poseidon on the cape overlooking the beach. The gleaming marble columns 65m (about 213 feet) above the sea are one of the country’s most inspiring coastal sights, and the sunset here is also eye-catching. On a clear day, you can enjoy views of Kea, Kythnos and Serifos to the southeast, as well as Aegina and the Peloponnese to the west.

The beach is well-served with beach bars, tavernas and shower facilities. There's a small entry fee on weekends.

How to get here: It's a 1.25-hour drive, and there is plenty of free parking, but this fills up quickly in summer.

6. Aegina and Angistri Islands

Best for an island-hopping day trip

One of the beauties of Athens is that it is surrounded by ports. If you have an entire day, it’s short work to go to Piraeus and catch a ferry to one of the Saronic Gulf Islands. Aegina and Angistri are the closest, a mere 30 minutes away, and both will give you an instant sense of island life, replete with beaches. Aegina is the larger, with ancient ruins and nightlife to boot, while Angistri is more remote and peaceful.

How to get here: There are daily ferry services from Athens to Aegina and Angistri during peak season. The route can be popular with overheated Athenians, especially on weekends, so book tickets in advance.

7. Vouliagmeni Lake and Beach

Best for families

Vouliagmeni, 23km (about 14 miles) southwest of Athens, is an evergreen favorite of Athenians. People visit year-round for the saltwater natural lake just inland, backed by cliffs. It stays warmer (at 21°C or about 71°F) than the open sea and is served by an understated restaurant complex. Or you can brave the weekend crowds at the busy seafront, which arcs around a deep bay and is lined with lounge chairs and umbrellas.

Vouliagmeni offers a wide range of facilities suitable for all ages, including amenities such as racquetball, tennis, volleyball and changing rooms. Like many beaches on the Athenian Riviera, Vouliagmeni is privately owned and charges an entry fee.

How to get here: You can take the tram and bus (45 minutes) or drive (30 mins). Parking is included in your admission fee, but is limited. Alternatively, take a taxi.

8. Vravrona Beach

Best for a quick dip on arrival

A mere 11km (about 7 miles) east of Athens International Airport, this small, pebbled beach rewards you if you have a few hours to kill between flights. Better yet, pair a swim with a visit to the nearby 420 BC Temple of Artemis (goddess of the hunt) to combine relaxation and culture. There's a small entry fee that increases at weekends.

How to get here: If you hire a car at the airport, it's a mere 20-minute drive to the beach and there's ample free parking (except in the summer peak).

9. Marathon Beach

Best for history buffs

Stone and sand combine to form the thin scrim of Marathon Beach, near the town of Marathon, made famous by the 490 BCE battle and its 42km (26-mile) runner. This beach is best for a quick dip after visiting the local sites, from the battlefield and tomb and the town’s archaeological museum to the famed 435 BCE Doric sanctuary of Nemesis at Ramnous. You can also raft up for a long, lazy afternoon at the organized beach of Galazia Akti. Feeling peckish? Head to Isidora right on the beach, a restaurant serving seasonal fresh fish and seafood.

How to get here: It's just over an hour by car, or if you have time on your side, you can catch a tram and bus all the way (under 2 hours).

10. Glyfada Beach

Best for travelers on a budget

Packed during the summer, Glyfada Beach is perfect for those who want to avoid the high price tags of the private resort chaises. Bring a towel, stake out a square of sand on this beach alongside the busy Athenian beachfront suburb of Glyfada, and wade right in. It's popular with Athenians during the summer months and renowned for its nightlife and seafront clubs.

How to get here: Glyfada is easily accessible by bus. Take the A2 (approximately 30 mins) from the Athens city center.