10 Best Beaches in Athens

Beaches in Athens offer endless stretches of golden and white sand, crystal clear turquoise waters, and a true Mediterranean paradise to experience between historical excursions to ancient ruins. Athens is largely famed for its sightseeing, but beaches here are also a serious attraction with tons of opportunities spread all across the peninsula. The entire coastline is covered with organized beaches, both public and private, crowded and secluded, for the bathing, sunbathing, or water sports you want to experience.

Most beaches have wonderful amenities for grown-ups and kids alike. Check out some of the most popular beaches in Athens and some of the best-hidden gems of sand and surf.

Athens Hotels

1. Yabanaki Beach (Παραλία Βάρκιζας)

Try all the things at a beach adventure park

Good for: Couples, Families, Adventure

Yabanaki Beach (Παραλία Βάρκιζας) is a partially private beach about 12 miles from the city centre, which is positively packed with amusements, entertainments, amenities and services to enjoy. Here you can find various food options, from fast food to sit-down seafood to restaurants with traditional Mediterranean dishes. You can go waterskiing, hire a banana boat, go windsurfing or standup paddle boarding. A supervised play area is onsite with bouncy castles for the kids to work out that excess energy.

Because it’s semi-private, you will need to pay a small entry fee, but it includes an umbrella and sun loungers. Just head south of the city, and you’ll find this exciting adventure beach park.

Location: Vari 166 72, Greece

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2. Astir Beach (Παραλία Αστέρας)

Enjoy a true luxury beach experience

Good for: Couples, Families, Adventure

Astir Beach (Παραλία Αστέρας) is a semi-private beach about 12 miles from Athens’s city centre, offering a top spot for bathing with tons of luxury experiences and amenities. At this beach, you’ll have access to features like free Wi-Fi and huge, comfortable sun-loungers that you can pre-book before your arrival. The beach also offers a wide range of food and drink, including coffee, ice cream and other eats from sit-down restaurants to takeout street food options. This beach is a spot that’s the place to see and be seen and feel pampered while you do it.

It’s worth noting that this one carries a higher fee than other local beaches but offers high-end amenities. It’s slightly south of the city.

Location: Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni 166 71, Greece

Phone: +30 21 0890 1619

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3. Glyfada Beach (Παραλία Γλυφάδας Ακτή Α)

Relax on a public beach just south of the city

Good for: Couples, Families, Adventure

Glyfada Beach (Παραλία Γλυφάδας Ακτή Α) is a public beach just 7.5 miles south of the city centre and offers tons of local amenities, including food and nightlife. You’ll find many restaurants and eateries here, from quaint cafes to takeout food stands to elegant sit-down Mediterranean fine dining establishments. You can also stick around in the evenings to hit up one of the many bars and clubs that should suit any nightlife, party or musical style, from lively pubs to refined cocktail bars and DJ-fronted dance clubs.

Because this is a public beach, it has benefits and drawbacks. It tends to be more crowded than some private or semi-private beaches, but it also doesn’t carry an entry fee.

Location: South Athens, Diadochou Pavlou 3, Glifada 166 75, Greece

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4. Zen Beach (Νηρηίδες)

Capture stunning views with quiet secluded vibes

Good for: Couples, Families, Adventure

Zen Beach (Νηρηίδες) is a private beach located about 12 miles from the Athens’s city centre and offers clean conditions, soft sand, crystal clear waters and a lively beach bar. Because it’s a private beach, the crowds are much lower here than on many semi-private or public beaches. The surf is calm and ideal for wading or bathing, and you can rent a comfortable sunbed for an additional fee. The onsite restaurant offers delicious food with Filipino-inspired dishes.

However, booking your day at this beach in advance is essential as it’s popular, and they keep access limited to control crowds. The entrance fee is pricey, but the views and amenities make it worthwhile.

Location: Νηρηίδες, Vakchou, Vouliagmeni, Ανατολική, Athina 166 71, Greece

Open: Daily from 8 am to 1 am

Phone: +30 69 4224 0878

5. Votsalakia beach (Παραλία Βοτσαλάκια)

Head south to a vibrant pebble beach

Good for: Couples, Families, Adventure

Votsalakia beach (Παραλία Βοτσαλάκια) is a semi-private beach in Piraeus, about 6 miles from the Athens city centre. It offers a vibrant, lively atmosphere and very clean, picturesque conditions. The pebble-strewn beach leads to clear, dark blue waters and calm surf, great for wading or bathing. Amenities include a volleyball court and a scenic rocky islet within walking distance.

Surrounding the shore are tons of cafes and restaurants offering various food choices to grab a meal during your day in the sun. The beach does tend to get crowded as it’s one of the only in the Piraeus area, so get here early to secure a good spot.

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6. Kalamaki Beach (Παραλία Καλαμακίου)

See turtle-nesting sites as they rush to the water

Good for: Couples, Families, Adventure

Kalamaki Beach (Παραλία Καλαμακίου) is a public beach about 6 miles from Athens near the town of Laganas, where you can spot sea turtles rushing to the ocean. Like many local beaches, you can hit up restaurants and beach bars for refreshments and cocktails during the afternoon or after lounging through the day. The warm waters are calm, shallow and good for bathing. The sand is powder-soft, and the cost to hire sunbeds and parasols is quite inexpensive.

It’s worth noting that the turtle-nesting neighborhoods are off-limits to the public. While you can see the turtles, you can’t go onto those beach neighborhoods. Still, many visitors call turtle watching a highlight of this beautiful beach.

Location: Alimos 174 55, Greece

Phone: +30 21 3200 8000

7. Voula Beach (A“ Πλαζ Βούλας)

Play at sports facilities or go beach camping

Good for: Couples, Families, Adventure

Voula Beach (A“ Πλαζ Βούλας) is a partly private beach about 9 miles from central Athens and is among the most popular beaches in the suburbs, with Blue Flag certification. The certification verifies this as one of the cleanest beaches, offering soft, pristine sandy coastline with gorgeous, clear, turquoise waters. Local amenities include cafes and restaurants as well as sunbeds and umbrellas for hire.

You can also enjoy camping, mini-golf, volleyball and tennis facilities, and a children’s play area. The beach gets crowded with locals and visitors alike, so it’s good to get here early to ensure that you get a good spot.

Location: Voula 166 73, Greece

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8. Erotospilia beach (Παραλία Ερωτοσπηλιά)

Relax in the secluded Lovers’ Cave

Good for: Couples, Families, Adventure

Erotospilia beach (Παραλία Ερωτοσπηλιά) is a semi-private beach around 19 miles from Athens, offering a secluded, tree-lined cove with a wild shoreline with relaxed vibes. The beach’s name translates to “lovers’ cave”, and it’s known for its peaceful, serene locale and thin crowds despite being a popular destination for Greek youth. It’s also known for its spectacular sunset views, so if you’re on a couples’ retreat, this is the spot for the ultimate in romantic moments together.

Amenities are few here; you can bring your own loungers and umbrellas. Within a short walk is a beach bar for snacks and beverages. Restaurants are a short drive away.

Location: Apollonos 23, Porto Rafti 190 03, Greece

9. Vouliagmeni Beach (Παραλία Βουλιαγμένης)

Relax around an inland salt lake

Good for: Couples, Families, Adventure

Vouliagmeni Beach (Παραλία Βουλιαγμένης) is a public beach situated 12 miles from the Athens city centre with tons of amenities from sports to water rides and cabins for hire. Here you can enjoy a children’s play area, water slides, even tennis and volleyball courts to play all day long. For an extended stay, you can book a cabin on the beach. A nearby restaurant offers plenty of food and drink options, and the wider region offers many other seaside cafes and eateries. This is a well-organised beach that’s free to visit and provides a world of adventure.

The beach is south of the city centre, situated around an inland saltwater lake backed by cliffs. The waters are calm and shallow.

Location: Vouliagmeni 166 71, Greece

Open: 24/7

10. Sounio Beach (Παραλία Σουνίου)

Capture sunset views of the Temple of Poseidon

Good for: Couples, Families, Adventure

Sounio Beach (Παραλία Σουνίου) is a private beach about 28 miles from central Athens with all sorts of amenities and offering astonishing views of the Temple of Poseidon. While the greater beach is secluded and carries a fee to get in, a few smaller neighborhoods are free to the public. Accessible neighborhoods, however, do not offer the full amenities of the paid places. Near the beach, you can find tavernas offering up fantastic seafood mezes. The waters here are deep and dark, and you can enjoy sunbeds just to relax and reconnect with nature.

The beach offers great bathing in the shadow of history. However, it does get crowded, so book your spot ahead of time.

Location: Laurium 195 00, Greece

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