Athens Beaches: Plan a Beach Day

It’s an Athens beach that is family-friendly. If you have a family with kids or enjoy being active, Akti Vouliagmenis is a perfect choice. There are many water sport activities here as well as seafood taverns. Note that this beach can be a bit crowded with all families and children around. If so, you can walk along the coast and find great coves in the area. From Athens, Vouliagmeni Beach is around 20 kilometers. It’s an option to get a taxi from Syntagma Square. Or, you can take the metro to Elliniko, then get on the bus numbered 122.

Features: Sunbeds, lounges, water sports, restaurants, showers, grassy areas

Payment: €5 for adults, €3 for children over 6

Opening times: 8am-8.30pm

Address: 2 Poseidonos Ave, Vouliagmeni

This beach is on the south of Vouliagmeni. You can find luxurious hotels around this area. You can even see a few of Athen’s most luxurious hotels here. Astir Palace is only one of them. There are chic restaurants and bars on the beach as well. Furthermore, you can find free Wi-fi along the beach. It’s also possible to book a sunbed before you arrive at the beach.  On weekdays, the entrance fee is around €25, and on weekends, it is €40 per person. Note that it’s always crowded. It’s open between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. However, the restaurants are open until midnight.

If you wonder how to arrive at Astir Beach, you have two options. One is to take the tram and leave at the stop Voula. The other option is to get the metro and leave it at Elliniko. 

Being a peninsula, Kavouri is also situated in Vouliagmeni. There are both paid and free areas along this beach. As you can expect, the free entry beaches are crowded in summer. Yet, if you walk away a bit, it’s possible to find quietness. It’s also a sandy beach with shallow water to a further point at sea. Here on this beach, you can see people playing beach paddle ball. Here you can find many places to buy snacks as well. 

The famous Divani Palace Hotel also overlooks Kavouri beach and the peninsula.

It’s also easy to arrive at this destination. From Athens, Kavouri is around 20 kilometers. As always, you have an option to get a taxi. Or, take the metro up to Elliniko, and take the bus with the number 122. 

Voula Beach is another popular destination for swimming in Athens. It also has a sandy beach and affordable sunbeds. The entrance fee to this beach is around €7-8. The price doesn’t change much on weekends.

A very attractive part of this beach is the beach parties. Also, they host famous singers from Greece at these parties. 

Public transport is also available to reach Voula. You can follow this route to get Voula:

1. Tram No.3 (from Piraeus)
2. Tram No.5 (from Athens)
3. Buses No.115,120,117 and 121

Yabanaki, Varkiza Resort, is a beach situated in southern Varkiza. Here, you can find all sorts of refreshments such as different options of coffee, seafood, fast food, and many more. 

You’ll find different kinds of water sports here, such as windsurfing, waterskiing, paddleboarding, and so on. For children, bouncy castles are also available in the afternoons. The entrance fee is around €5-6 on weekdays and weekends. However, while a parasol and sunbed are included on weekdays, you need to pay extra for parasols on weekends.

You can take the metro to the station of Elliniko, then take the 122 or 171 bus.

Kape Beach has a great view of the Aegean. Note that it’s a pebble beach. The water is very clean but it can get very deep suddenly. It has become more popular in recent years, this is why it’s crowded on weekends. Kape Beach coast is free. It has no facilities, only nature.

Features: Pebble, virgin beach, turquoise water

Payment: Free

Opening times: 7/24

Address:Leof. Athinon, Sounio 195

Sounio Beach is a well-kept sandy beach with a variety of services for guests. You can also find excellent tavernas that offer delicious starters and seafood. Also, it overlooks the Temple of Poseidon and has very clean water. 

It takes around one hour to arrive here from the center of Athens. 

Features: Sunbeds, bars, tavernas, Wi-Fi, showers, lounges

Payment: €15 on weekdays, €30 on weekends

Opening times: 9 am – 9 pm

Address:Leof. Athinon Souniou 6932

Edem is the closest beach to the center of Athens. It’s a sandy beach located between Palio Faliro and Alimos. Note that it is an organized area but it still gets quite crowded.  The long promenade of the beach leads to other beaches as well. There is also a big chessboard on the way. It’s on the pavement, and you can see people playing it and enjoying the weather. You can take the tram to arrive here. You can leave at the Edem stop. 

Features: Sunbeds, bars, restaurants, lounges

Payment: Free

Opening times: 7/24

Address: Palaio Faliro 175 62

Bolivar Beach is located on one end of Alimos’ Akti Tou Iliou beach. It is one of the first beaches you will notice if you arrive in the city center of Athens. During the day, it’s a buzzing hangout with a youthful feel, and in the evening, it transforms into a nightclub hosting huge events. The tropical decor and isolation from the bustling beach road make you forget you’re only a short distance from Athens’ downtown (10km).

Features: Summer club, bars, restaurants, lounges, nightlife

Payment: 5€ on weekdays, 8€ on weekends

Opening times: 9 am- 5 am

Address: Leof. Poseidonos, Alimos 174 55

This beach offers you a great nightlife experience. You can enjoy the music, cocktails, and the bars during the day as well. On weekends, live music is also available at this beach. At night, the beach is like a big party. 

From the city center, Akanthus is around 11 km. It’s situated on Poseidonos Avenue. You can get on the tram and leave at the Zephyros stop.

Features: Summer club, bars, restaurants, lounges, nightlife

Payment: €5 for adults

Opening times: 9 am- 4 am

Address: Leof. Poseidonos, Alimos 174

Not to mention that this beach also offers you clear water. You can also find great cafes, bars, and chic restaurants here. Also, it’s famous for its shopping malls. The beach is popular with locals of Athens. Despite the fact that Athens beach resorts occupy a huge part of the beach, there is still a wide section that is open to the public. Glyfada Beach is 16 km away from Athens city center, located in the south. You can take the tram from Syntagma Square, and leave at the stop Kentro Istioploias. It takes around 40 minutes to arrive at this beach.

Features: For the hotel side; loungers, umbrellas, restaurant, changing rooms, showers, toilets, water activities.

Payment: Outside of the Hotel territory is free.

Opening times: –

Address: Leof. Poseidonos, Alimos 174