🏖️Athens Riviera: Where Ancient Marvels Meet the Aegean Sea
- Dusan Momcilovic
- Jun 7
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 8
When people imagine Athens, their minds often wander to majestic ruins, ancient philosophers, and awe-inspiring temples. Rightly so. This city is the cradle of Western civilization — a living museum of history, art, and culture. But what many don’t expect is this:
Athens is also a beach destination. A surprisingly good one.
Welcome to the Athens Riviera — a stunning 70-kilometre stretch of coastline that begins just south of the city and unfolds all the way to Cape Sounion. What makes it even more special? It’s one of the few European capitals where you can spend your morning among ancient ruins and your afternoon swimming in turquoise waters.
🏖️ Want to see which beaches are worth visiting?
👉 Check out our detailed Guide to Athens’ 10 Best Beaches — with local insights and exact directions from the city centre.
The Best of Both Worlds: History and the Sea
Staying in Athens city centre gives you front-row access to the Acropolis, Plaka, the Ancient Agora, and countless museums — the main reasons travellers from around the world come to Athens. But just a short ride away lie sun-kissed beaches, rocky coves, and crystal-clear bays waiting to be explored.
Thanks to Athens’ modern and affordable public transport system, reaching the seaside is incredibly simple; you don’t need a car to experience it. In fact, from our centrally located apartments, many of the best beaches on the Athens Riviera are just a tram, bus, or metro ride away. This unique combination is what makes Athens a truly dynamic travel destination.
What Is the Athens Riviera?
Stretching from the neighbourhoods of Palaio Faliro and Alimos all the way to Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, and eventually Sounion, the Athens Riviera is a blend of organised beaches, wild rocky coastlines, hidden coves, beach clubs, and even thermal lakes.
Here, you’ll find both family-friendly sandy shores and quiet spots for a romantic sunset swim. Whether you're into paddleboarding, cocktails by the sea, or just want to take a relaxing dip after a long day of sightseeing, there’s a beach for you.
🧺 Family-friendly sandy beaches
🍹 Trendy beach clubs for lounging
🌿 Natural coves with crystal-clear waters
♨️ Thermal lakes for a unique winter swim
Why Stay in the City Center?
You might wonder — wouldn’t it be better to stay by the beach?
Here’s the thing: The soul of Athens lives in the centre, and staying by the beach means missing out on the real essence of Athens: the ancient sites, the old neighbourhoods, the food markets, and local experiences — most of which happen in the city centre. And that’s exactly where our Athens SmArt Stay Apartments are located.
Our guests often tell us they came for the Acropolis, but were delighted to discover how easy it was to combine culture with relaxation. That’s the sweet spot of staying at Athens SmArt Stay:
🏛️ Walk to major archaeological sites
🚇 Catch a tram or bus to the beach within 30–60 minutes
💤 Come home to a quiet, comfortable apartment at night
📌 Tip: Each beach in our guide includes public transport routes, amenities, maps, so you can explore confidently and efficiently.
A Rare Capital City Experience
Athens offers a travel experience few capitals can match:
✔️ 70 km of accessible coastline: One of the longest beach stretches of any European capital
✔️ Excellent public transport links: Connected by tram, metro, and bus
✔️ No need to rent a car ✔️ Historic-city-meets-beach-town vibes: A rare and enriching combo
✔️ Great value: You don’t need to splurge on beach resorts to enjoy the coast
✔️ Local secrets: Some of the best beaches aren’t in tourist guides (but they’re in ours!)
Make the Most of Your Stay
Whether you're staying for a few days or a few weeks, Athens has more to offer than you might expect. Use your city-center base to dive deep into the city’s cultural heart and easily break away for seaside serenity when the mood strikes.
At Athens SmArt Stay, we’ve carefully crafted guides and insider tips to help our guests experience both sides of Athens: the timeless and the tranquil.
📍 Ready to explore Athens? Our centrally located apartments put you in walking distance to history — and within easy reach of the sea. No car needed, no stress involved. 🛏️ View our apartments (from 12€/person) 📖 Explore our Athens Riviera Beach Guide 📩 Contact us for personalized advice on planning your ideal itinerary!
Catch a glimpse of the Athens Riviera vibe! We recorded this during our recent Easter visit, soaking up the sun and fun on Athens' stunning beaches:
Come for the history. Stay for the beaches.
Experience Athens — the smart way. Athens SmArt Stay
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