Have you ever wondered if you can enjoy both magnificent historical sites and beautiful beaches all in one place? The answer is yes, of course, you can because while visiting Athens you can have it all!
Along with all the astonishing ancient temples and monuments, it has to offer, Athens is a city surrounded by the beautiful sea. As a matter of fact, one can find more than 80 beaches in the region of Attica, with 13 of them having been awarded a 'blue flag'!
Here, we will introduce our top beaches near Athens, where you can enjoy the glorious sun and crystal-clear waters of Greece without leaving its capital!
Karavi Schinias
Karavi beach and water sports club is located 42km north-east of Athens, with its 100-meter-long sandy beach having been awarded a 'blue flag' in the past. Karavi is a beach club where parking, beach bars, restaurants, beach volley courts, and water sports facilities are only a few of its offerings, presenting a diverse scene that both families and younger crowds can enjoy.
Open from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm, the clear, refreshing waters, along with the abundance of conveniences one can find there, make it an optimum destination for a dive near Athens.
Brexiza
Brexiza is just a 5-minute drive from Nea Makri, having also been awarded the 'blue flag' in previous years.
It is a local-favorite beach near Athens not only for its clean waters and smooth sandy shore but for its central spot and organized nature, which offers the luxury of beach showers and designated lifeguards.
Being located near various taverns and cafes, Brexiza offers the perfect opportunity for a day trip from Athens!
The beach has been named after the ancient monument of the area, so if you're up for a cultural adventure, don't miss the opportunity to stroll through the region's heritage.
Yabanaki
Varkiza Resort, in which Yabanaki beach is located, presents an all-day experience by the sea, being one of the most favored social spots in the summertime.
Yabanaki has a long sandy shore and shallow water, perfect for kids to play around. It has been awarded a 'blue flag' -have you noticed a theme running through our beaches?- and offers a number of water sports for its more adventurous visitors.
The beach itself has specially designed corners across its premises to satisfy all tastes and needs, consisting of a V.I.P area, an ice-cream corner, a baked-goods corner, comfortable cushioned sunbeds, taverns, and beach bars.
Your swimming will be accompanied by upbeat music, which will guarantee that you'll have a fun and memorable experience at one of the liveliest beaches near Athens, however, the beach can get too crowded and sometimes too loud, so try visiting it early in the morning to avoid the rush hour as you pass by Athens riviera.
Daskalio
55 km away from Athens city center, southeast of Attica, around an alluring landscape consisting of fig trees, country houses, and blooming nature, you will find Daskalio, a hidden gem even most Athenians are unaware of.
Passing by the first little port that is clearly quieter and family-friendly, you get to a second one, designed for you to enjoy a game of beach volley, with a huge nettle decorating the middle of the beach.
The bar of the area is fond of old-school RnB and Hip Hop tunes while also serving beer in plastic cups, as well as intricate cocktail mixes. Each sunbed costs 2,50 €, only a small price to pay for the hours of total relaxation you'll be awarded!
Kokkino Limanaki
Kokkino limanaki beach -meaning 'little red port' in Greek- is just 1.5km away from Rafina.
Its name occurred due to the red rocks, which protect the beach from the northerly summer winds.
It is known as a quiet, shaded beach perfect for people looking to escape the bustling city. This is the reason why it is a beach usually preferred by families.
Despite being quite remote, you can find a restaurant called 'Balcony,' which serves both delicious seafood and meat dishes. From there, you can also see the striking view from the balcony that is located on the rocks of Kokkino Limanaki.
Porto Germeno
Porto Germeno Beach - credits: tripadvisor.com
Porto Germeno is a 1-hour-drive from the city center -about 60 km-, but definitely worth the hassle of the trip! After passing Alepohori and Psatha you will find one of the most beautiful beaches of Attica; clean, quiet, naturally shaded, with a stunning view – simply dreamlike!
However, it’s not just the amazing beach that attracts people there, it’s also the incredibly tasty food one can enjoy after swimming. With several taverns offering fresh seafood and other traditional Greek delicacies, Porto Germeno is an absolute must-visit for sea-lovers and foodies alike.
Asteras Vouliagmenis
This is one of the most popular beaches and water sports clubs in Athens, due to its close proximity to the city center. It is accessible by public transportation and offers a large variety of things to do within its facilities. Its large size prevents it from becoming too crowded easily, while according to the policy of Asteras Vouliagmenis, the visitors never outnumber the capacity of it.
However, on the weekends, it gathers large crowds looking to escape the summer's heat. The lovely sandy beach and refreshing, blue waters, along with the fact that the beach is only a breath away from the city center, make Asteras a temptation you have to give in!
Lagonisi
Lagonisi has been awarded 3 'blue flags' over the years for the beaches of Grand beach, Mediterraneo, and Kochilia!
They are all part of the Lagonissi resort, 40km from Athens' center. Decorated with palm and pine trees, these sandy beaches have an exotic vibe that easily conceals the fact that they are located near Greece's capital.
The entrance fee for Lagonisi resort is compensated by the many facilities it offers, putting the visitors' comfort and welfare first.
And as if that wasn't enough, Lagonisi is easily accessible by car or public transportation as well! You have no excuse to leave out of your 'to-do' list!
Psatha
Psatha is often characterized as 'the paradise of Attica.' One needs to drive along the coastal highway to get there, but the scenery will make up for the long journey.
It’s a pebbly beach famous for its clear -yet cold- waters, giving you the choice of either lying on the sunbeds offered by the beach bar or staying away from the crowd and lying down on top of your spread towel for free.
In case you want to opt for a sunbed, keep in mind that some of the beach bars charge the swimmers, while others offer them for free to their customers.
It’s arguably a beach of unique beauty and one of our personal favorites!
Kape Beach Legrena
Despite being only an hour’s drive from Athens, Kape Beach Legrena is a beach that as soon as you step foot on it, it feels as if you've been transported to a Greek island.
The island-esque vibe it gives off may be attributed to either the magnificent view of the Aegean sea one can enjoy from the beach or its small pebbles and crisp, clean waters that get abruptly deep, allowing for a truly magical swimming experience.
The once 'lucky find' has grown popular over the years, which unfortunately translates to the beach getting crowded, especially on the weekends.
It's not as easily accessible as the other beaches mentioned above, and you need to walk down a short, but somewhat steep, path; however, it's more than worth your effort!
Sounio Beach
Sounio beach - credits: Aerial-motion/Shutterstock.com
Planning a fun getaway to a Greek beach, while still satisfying the history junkie inside of you is more than possible!
Visit Cape Sounio, where the ancient temple of the Greek god Poseidon, god of the sea, is located, overlooking the blue hues of the Saronic Gulf and the Aegean Sea.
The beach just below the temple is the perfect spot for you to relax on a sunbed and take in the scenery; the mesmerizing beauty of nature along with the glory of the remnants of an ancient civilization.
If that sounds ideal to you, then we got you! Book your own day trip to Cape Sounio with private transportation and stop at the beach for a swimming session.
Mavro Lithari Beach
Mavro Lithari beach -credits: MyTraveler.gr
Mavro Lithari beach is an organized beach in Anavyssos, a settlement of East Attica just an hour away from Athens city center.
There you will find a beach bar right next to the beach that will check all your boxes. Whether you want to lie down on a sunbed with a Greek coffee or beer at hand or have a light snack at one of their tables while gazing at the bright blue sea.
For the adventurous spirits out there, you can try some of the water sports it offers, such as canoeing, sea bike, and stand-up paddling.
Erotospilia Beach
Erotospilia beach - credits: beachsearcher.com
In case you want to escape the cosmopolitan thrill of organized beaches and seek a more relaxed option, Porto Rafti has the perfect destination for you.
Erotospilia, meaning ‘lovers’ cave’ in Greek, is a sandy coast that you are free to go and enjoy, in some peace and quiet. Erotospilia is a popular destination among the Greek youth, especially during sunsets.
There are no sunbeds or umbrellas, but you are welcome to bring your own equipment.
A beach bar is at a close distance, in case you want to grab something to drink and the coastal road of Porto Rafti is filled with small taverns and restaurants for you to enjoy some original Greek dishes after you’re done swimming.
Artemida Beach
Artemida Beach - credits: athensattica.com
Artemida is a town in the eastern suburbs of Athens, only an hour's drive away from the city center.
It got its name from Artemis, goddess of hunting, who was being worshipped at a temple, right next to the beach, where an archaeological site is open to the public.
The town center, Loutsa, is now a highly popular destination and the beaches are playing a big part in that!
Fully organized and with a plethora of sunbeds and umbrellas for you to settle in and enjoy the crystal clear water, Artemida Beach is the perfect getaway destination.
There is a large number of shops, taverns, and cafes along the main road of Loutsa, for you to eat and drink, as well as a water sports club, in case you are interested in windsurfing or kitesurfing lessons. Loutsa is also accessed via public transportation from the center of Athens.
Just take the 305 bus from Mint Athens metro station (Line 3). The bus stop ‘Tounta’ is located on the main road of Loutsa, right outside the beach.
Lake Vouliagmeni
Lake Vouliagemni - credits: Sven Hansche/Shutterstock.com
If you are looking for a more special destination for you to swim and soak up the sun, then Lake Vouliagmeni is the right fit for you. This is actually a natural brackish lake, whose water has curative properties.
It is indicated that at some depths the lake communicates with the volcanic arc of the Aegean, hence its temperature of 22 to 29 Celsius degrees (71.6 to 84.2 F).
Lake Vouliagmeni is located at the southern end of Mount Hymettus, and the natural scenery is absolutely stunning, as it is part of the Natura 2000 area. You will find plenty of sunbeds and umbrella sets for you to relax and absorb the natural sight, as well as a cafe - restaurant.
Final Thoughts
It is clear that Athens is a place where visitors can enjoy sunbathing and swimming alongside sightseeing and cultural exploration. Wonderful beaches on the coastline of Attica make their swimmers feel like they are instantly transported to an enchanting Greek island.
So, before you book your ticket to a Greek island, think it over and read our Athens travel guide; you may find amazing beaches and beach bars in Athens.
Saving time from your transfers means more hours of sunbathing or city exploration, while our tailor-made Athens tours will ensure you discover the beauties of our country efficiently and, most importantly, easily!
