Best Beaches Near Athens – Where to Swim on the Athens Riviera

Posted on 2026-10-02

Athens may be famous for ancient temples, lively neighborhoods and world-class museums, but you don't have to travel to a Greek island to spend a day trip from Athens by the sea. Just south of the city center begins the Athens Riviera, a long stretch of coastline with beaches, marinas, seaside restaurants and beach clubs along the Saronic Gulf.

Some beaches near Athens can easily be reached by tram or public bus, while the most beautiful stretches of coastline are further south towards Vouliagmeni and Cape Sounion. Whether you're looking for a quick swim after sightseeing, a sandy beach for a full day by the sea or a stylish beach club, there are plenty of options.

1. Edem Beach – the easiest beach from central Athens

If you simply want to combine sightseeing in Athens with a few hours at the beach, Edem Beach is one of the easiest options. It is located in Palaio Faliro, roughly 7 kilometers south of the city center.

The beach itself isn't the most spectacular on the Athens Riviera, but its location makes it very convenient. You can reach the Palaio Faliro coastline by tram from central Athens and combine your visit with a walk along the seaside promenade and Flisvos Marina.

Edem is a public beach, making it a good choice if you don't want to pay an entrance fee or rent a sunbed.

Best for: a quick and inexpensive beach visit close to Athens.

2. Alimos Beach – popular and close to Athens

Continue south along the coast and you'll reach Alimos, one of the most popular seaside areas close to central Athens. Alimos has several stretches of beach, including both public areas and organized beach facilities.

The biggest advantage of Alimos is accessibility. It is relatively easy to reach from the center of Athens and there are plenty of restaurants, cafés and other facilities nearby.

Don't expect an idyllic Greek island beach, however. Alimos is part of the urban Athens coastline and can become busy, particularly during summer weekends.

Best for: travelers looking for a convenient beach with plenty of facilities.

3. Glyfada – combine the beach with shopping and restaurants

Glyfada is one of the best-known suburbs along the Athens Riviera. It feels very different from central Athens, with palm trees, marinas, fashionable shops, cocktail bars and numerous restaurants.

There are several beaches around Glyfada, although the area is perhaps more attractive for its overall seaside atmosphere than for having the Riviera's most beautiful beach.

Glyfada is therefore a particularly good destination if you want to combine a few hours of swimming and sunbathing with lunch, shopping or drinks.

Best for: combining a beach visit with the lively atmosphere of the Athens Riviera.

4. Voula Beach – a good all-round beach

A little further south is Voula, where the coastline starts to feel less urban. Voula has long been a popular beach destination for Athenians and offers more of a traditional beach-day experience.

Parts of the coastline have organized facilities where you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas, while you'll also find places for food and drinks nearby.

Voula is a good compromise if you want a proper beach but don't want to travel as far as Vouliagmeni or Cape Sounion.

Best for: a relaxing half or full day at the beach without traveling too far from Athens.

5. Kavouri Beach – one of my favorites near Athens

For a more attractive setting, continue towards the Kavouri peninsula, between Voula and Vouliagmeni. Here you'll find several small beaches and rocky swimming spots surrounded by more greenery than at the beaches closer to Athens.

Megalo Kavouri is the largest and most popular beach in the area. The water is generally shallow close to shore, while the surrounding pine trees and small bays give this part of the Riviera a much more relaxed atmosphere.

Kavouri is also a pleasant place to stay until sunset and combine your beach day with dinner somewhere along the coast.

Best for: travelers who want a scenic beach without going too far from Athens.

6. Vouliagmeni Beach – one of the best beaches on the Athens Riviera

If you have time for only one proper beach day during your trip to Athens, Vouliagmeni is one of the best areas to choose.

Vouliagmeni is an upscale seaside suburb around 20 kilometers south of central Athens. Its sheltered bay, clear water and attractive surroundings make it noticeably prettier than many of the beaches closer to the city center.

There are several swimming options around Vouliagmeni, ranging from organized beaches with sunbeds and facilities to smaller stretches of coastline.

The area also has excellent restaurants and cafés, making it easy to spend an entire day here.

Best for: the complete Athens Riviera experience.

7. Lake Vouliagmeni – swimming somewhere completely different

Technically, Lake Vouliagmeni isn't a beach, but it deserves a mention if you're looking for somewhere special to swim near Athens.

This natural lake lies just inland from the coast and is fed partly by underground thermal springs. The dramatic limestone cliffs surrounding the water make it one of the most unusual swimming locations around Athens.

Entrance is paid and the experience is quite different from spending the day on a public beach. Lake Vouliagmeni is particularly interesting if you want to combine swimming with relaxation rather than a traditional beach day.

You can also combine the lake with nearby Vouliagmeni Beach on the same day.

Best for: a unique swimming experience and a relaxing day away from central Athens.

8. Varkiza Beach – worth traveling a little further

South of Vouliagmeni you'll reach Varkiza, another popular beach destination on the Athens Riviera.

The coastline here is wider and feels further removed from the city. Varkiza has both organized beach areas and places where you can simply find a spot by the sea. There are plenty of facilities nearby, making it suitable for spending most of the day.

The downside is that Varkiza takes longer to reach by public transport than beaches such as Edem or Alimos. If you have a rental car, however, it becomes a much more convenient option.

Best for: a full beach day away from the busiest parts of Athens.

9. Legrena – escape the city crowds

If you have a rental car and are willing to travel further, the beaches around Legrena are well worth considering.

Legrena lies much further along the coast towards Cape Sounion. This part of Attica feels completely different from the urban beaches near Athens. You'll find smaller coves, clearer water and stretches of coastline that can feel surprisingly peaceful outside the busiest summer weekends.

Facilities are more limited, which is part of the appeal.

Best for: independent travelers with a rental car looking for quieter beaches.

10. Cape Sounion – combine the beach with the Temple of Poseidon

One of my favorite ways to combine sightseeing and swimming is to travel all the way to Cape Sounion.

The beaches around Sounion are roughly 65–70 kilometers from central Athens, so I wouldn't recommend traveling this far purely for a beach day. Instead, combine swimming with a visit to the spectacular Temple of Poseidon.

Spend the afternoon at one of the beaches near Sounion, have dinner by the sea and visit the Temple of Poseidon towards the end of the day. The temple's location high above the Aegean makes Sounion particularly beautiful around sunset.

Best for: combining a scenic road trip, beach and one of Attica's most impressive archaeological sites.

Which beach near Athens should you choose?

The best beach depends mainly on how much time you have and how far you're willing to travel.

For a quick beach visit from central Athens, Edem or Alimos are the easiest options. If you want to combine the sea with restaurants and shopping, head to Glyfada. For a proper beach day, I would continue further south to Kavouri, Vouliagmeni or Varkiza as one of the best things to do in Athens.

If you have a rental car and an entire day available, the coastal road towards Cape Sounion is my favorite option. The further you travel from central Athens, the more scenic and less urban the coastline generally becomes.