The Greek capital is one that is literally lapped by the Aegean, meaning that some great beaches are only a short drive - or even tram-ride away. So you’re in Athens sightseeing or on business but are yearning wistfully for those blue seas you see on seemingly every advert, wall calendar or restaurant menu cover. Fear not – a refreshing salty dip is closer than you think. All around the coast of Attica are dozens upon dozens of beaches and swimming spots to cater to every taste, from organized, luxury options, to empty stretches of sand that will make you feel that the thrum of the city is a million miles away. Below are some of our favourites, grouped roughly according to their distance from the city. But feel free to explore: there are plenty of mini-paradises to discover along each coast and all of the swimming spots around Athens have excellent water quality according to the latest annual report by the European Environmental Agency. These are the best option if you don’t have a huge amount of time or easy access to a car to take you to the other side of Attica. All the beaches on the south coast of Athens are easily accessible by taxi (and you won’t have a problem finding one to bring you back), or by tram and bus. Astir Vouliagmeni The ultimate luxury beach experience, Astir Vouliagmeni is considered one of the top spots for a summer swim in Athens. Located – as it’s name would suggest – in the chic southern suburb of Vouliagmeni, Astir offers a full range of high-quality services, from free WiFi across the beach, to the ability to pre-book one of the large and comfortable sun-loungers. And of course, a wide selection of coffees, ice creams, food and drink are all available. All of
The Greek capital is one that is literally lapped by the Aegean, meaning that some great beaches are only a short drive – or even tram-ride away.
