BEST Beaches in Athens for a Perfect Summer Break

Athens is not a city people come to for the beaches first, and not all beaches here are equally good.

Some are clean, swimmable, and worth planning part of your trip around. Others are crowded, poorly organised, or simply not places where I would want to get into the water.

And because Athens is a huge urban area, the difference in water quality from one part of the coast to another can be very noticeable.

In general, the further south you go along the Athens Riviera towards Vouliagmeni and Sounio, the better the sea tends to get.

So instead of listing every possible beach near the city, I wanted to focus on the ones I would actually recommend, based not only on the experience itself, but also on independently monitored bathing-water records.

Some are fully organised with beach bars, restaurants, and expensive sunbeds. Others are simpler, quieter, and free.

A few are easy to reach by tram or bus directly from the centre, while others are only worth it if you have a car.

Here are the beaches near Athens that I believe are actually worth your time.

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Athens Beach Map

Before going further, make sure to check this free downloadable map of all the beaches featured in this guide so that you can better plan your day.

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• Best beaches near Athens for families: Kavouri, Varkiza, and Anavyssos.
• Best free beaches: Legrena, Harakas, Saronida, and parts of Anavyssos.
• Best organized beaches: Akti Vouliagmeni, Varkiza Resort, and Astir Beach.
• Best luxury beaches: Astir Beach and Zen Beach.
• Best beaches near Athens for water quality: Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, Anavyssos, Legrena, and Sounio.
• Best beaches without a car: Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, and Varkiza.

A note on this Guide

In general, the further down the Athens-Sounio coast you go, the better the sea quality.

That is not a perfect rule, but it is a useful one.

I have only included beaches I would trust and swim at, based on independent bathing-water reports published every year by PAKOE, which monitors bacteria-linked contamination.

If one part of an area is flagged as unsuitable or receives a poor result, I would rather leave the whole area out than pretend the problem stops at a single section of sand.

I will keep updating this article as new official checks come out, adding beaches that remain safe and excluding the ones that do not.

But before getting into the beaches, here are a few terms that will come up throughout the guide and are useful to know.

What is a Blue Flag

The Blue Flag is an annual international award given to beaches that meet a range of environmental, safety, management, and visitor-information standards.

Obviously, water quality is one of the main requirements.

To keep the award, those standards have to be maintained throughout the bathing season.

What is Seatrac

When I mention Seatrac, I mean a beach with a free sea-access system designed for people with disabilities and mobility issues, allowing more independent access into the water.

Many Seatrac beaches also have extra facilities, such as accessible parking, beach tracks, toilets, changing rooms, shade, and showers.

The best beaches near Athens without a car

1. Glyfada A Beach/Glyfada B Beach/ Asterias beach

This is the first part of the coast where I’d feel comfortable stopping stop for a swim.

Glyfada A Beach, Glyfada B Beach, and Asteras are three public beaches set one after the other along a long sandy stretch of the Glyfada waterfront.

The water here is noticeably better than in the earlier parts of the Riviera, and this part of the coast has kept a good water-quality record.

So much so, that these beaches were also included on the 2025 Blue Flag list.

Entry, sunbeds, and what you will pay: There is no entrance fee. They are public beaches with umbrellas set up along the sand.

Beach bar and food: Coffee, snacks, bars, and restaurants are all nearby since Glyfada is pretty much part of the city.

Facilities: There are showers, changing rooms, seating areas, parking spaces, and shade.  

Accessibility: Glyfada B Beach is the most accessible of the three, with Seatrac and other useful facilities for visitors with mobility needs.

How to get there by public transport: Take the tram from Syntagma and change at Pikrodafni for the T7. Get off at either “Paralia Glyfadas” or “Palaio Dimarhio”, depending on which beach you’re aiming for. From Syntagma the full journey is roughly 50 minutes.  

2. Kavouri

Kavouri is a long beach between Glyfada and Vouliagmeni.

It has a sandy shoreline, shallow water, and a wide paved walkway behind the beach, which makes the whole area easy to move around.

The water is clear and shallow, which is one of the main reasons Kavouri is so popular with families.

Entry, sunbeds, and what you will pay: There is no entrance fee. There are both free parts and a few organised sections.

Beach bar and food: There is a refreshment point near the beach, and the wider area has plenty of places to eat within reach.

Facilities: Kavouri has a broad promenade behind the sand, a mix of free and organised areas, and a renovated playground nearby.

Accessibility: There is no Seatrac access here.

How to get there by public transport: Take Metro Line 2 to Elliniko, then bus 122 towards Vouliagmeni and get off at Ouranou. From Syntagma, the full journey takes roughly 60 minutes.

3. Zen Beach

Zen is a beach with sunbeds, beach service, a restaurant above the water, and a location that is clearly more luxurious than the usual municipal beach.

The water is clean, and the beach itself is sandy, which already puts it in a very good category for this part of the coast.

Entry, sunbeds, and what you will pay: Zen does not charge a general entrance fee, but you do pay for sunbeds and parking. Current weekday sunbed prices are €75 ($87) for a first-row set, €65 ($75) for a second-row set, €55 ($64) for a third-row set, and €65 ($75) for the deck. On weekends and holidays, prices go up to €95 ($110), €85 ($98), €75 ($87), and €85 ($98) respectively.

Beach bar and food: The beach service starts early with coffee, juices, and a beach menu, while the restaurant above the sea serves seafood.

Facilities: There are sunbeds, beach service, a restaurant, and paid parking right by the beach. One useful thing to know is that sunbed reservations and restaurant reservations are handled separately.

Accessibility: no

How to get there by public transport: Metro Line 2 to Elliniko, then bus 122 towards Vouliagmeni until you reach “Lok”. From Syntagma the full journey is roughly 60 minutes.  

4. Asteras Vouliagmenis (Astir Beach)

Astir is a private beach with a well-kept sandy shoreline, pine trees behind it, and even the Temple of Apollo Zoster (yes, the ruins of an ancient temple) inside the grounds.

The water is very clear, and the beach holds Blue Flag status in 2025.

When comfort matters almost as much as the sea itself, it is easily one of the most attractive swimming spots near Athens.

Entry, sunbeds, and what you will pay: In January, February, and December, adult entry is €10 ($11) on weekdays and €15 ($16) on weekends and holidays. In March, April, October, and November, it rises to €25 ($27) and €35 ($38). From May to September, adult entry is €50 ($55) on weekdays and €80 ($87) on weekends and holidays.

An umbrella requires two passes, and a first-row umbrella requires those two passes plus an extra €50 ($55). Reservations are handled through Astir’s own ticketing platform.

Beach bar and food: There is service at the umbrella, along with bars and restaurants inside the beach complex. So for coffee, drinks, or lunch without leaving the beach, everything is already there.

Facilities: This is a full-service beach complex, with showers, changing rooms, lockers, Wi-Fi, first aid, lifeguards, security, shops, volleyball courts, a water-ski school, concierge service, and valet parking. 

Accessibility: Astir lists disability access among its facilities. For anyone who needs a specific sea-access arrangement, I would still confirm the exact setup in advance.

How to get there by public transport: Metro Line 2 to Elliniko and continue with bus 122 towards Vouliagmeni. The stop to use is “Apollonos”, and from Syntagma the full journey is roughly 60 to 70 minutes.  

5. Akti Vouliagmeni

Akti Vouliagmeni is one of the best organised beaches without moving into the higher-price category of Astir.

The water is clear, calm, and very easy to swim in. It is a simple, budget-friendly, and always reliable option.

Entry, sunbeds, and what you will pay: A regular ticket costs €10 ($11) on weekdays and €15 ($16) on weekends and holidays. Reduced tickets cost €5 ($5.50) on weekdays and €8 ($9) on weekends and holidays.

Visitors with disabilities and one carer enter free.

Beyond the standard ticket, the beach also offers umbrella and sunbed sets, front-row reserved umbrellas, and cabanas through its reservation system.

Beach bar and food: There is the Oceanida café-restaurant on site, along with refreshments and snack options.

Facilities: There are showers, toilets, accessible toilets, changing rooms, Wi-Fi at the sunbeds, a mini playground, a first-aid area, daily lifeguards, and a place to leave personal items while swimming. There are also tennis, volleyball, basketball, beach volleyball, and beach tennis courts.

Accessibility: There is a special entrance ramp, a sea-access facility, parking spaces for visitors with disabilities, and adapted toilets.

How to get there by public transport: Metro Line 2 to Elliniko and then bus 122 towards Vouliagmeni until you reach “Akti Vouliagmenis”. From Syntagma the full journey is roughly 60 minutes.  

6. Lake Vouliagmeni

This is not exactly a beach, but a natural lake with warm brackish water, rock walls, and a quieter atmosphere than the open coast.

The water stays between 21°C and 29°C (70°F to 84°F) year-round, and there is nothing else quite like it around Athens.

Entry, sunbeds, and what you will pay: General admission is €16 ($17.50) on weekdays and €19 ($21) on weekends and national holidays. The main deck runs on a first-come, first-served basis, with sunbeds, chaise longues, and tables with chairs available when you arrive.

Upgraded areas such as cabanas, comfort sets, lounge chair sets, sunbed sets, the Prive area, and the Small Lake area can be reserved separately.

Beach bar and food: There is an on-site café-restaurant. Outside food and drinks are not allowed.

Facilities: The lake has changing rooms, lockers, hot showers, toilets, Wi-Fi, lifeguard and medical support, parking, and a small shop for basics.

Accessibility: Lake Vouliagmeni is fully accessible, with adapted access around the site and into the water. The Main Deck is also accessible for visitors with disabilities.

How to get there by public transport: Metro Line 2 to Elliniko and then bus 122 until you reach “Limni”. From Syntagma the full journey is roughly 60 minutes.

7. Varkiza

Varkiza is a very good beach choice for space, sandy ground, and water that stays shallow for quite a while.

The shoreline runs for about a kilometre, with the central organised section inside Varkiza Resort and a freer, more open municipal part toward the eastern side.

The water is shallow and easy to swim in, which makes Varkiza a great option for families. The sandy seabed also helps for that.

Entry, sunbeds, and what you will pay: The eastern municipal section is free. On the organized Varkiza Resort side, entrance costs €10 ($11) from Monday to Friday and €15 ($16) on weekends. Sunbed sets cost €30 ($33) in the first and second rows and €20 ($22) from the third row back. There is also a designated area for swimmers who do not want to rent a set.

Beach bars and food: The organized side has bars and restaurants inside, so coffee, drinks, lunch, and dinner are easy to handle without leaving the beach. Around the wider Varkiza seafront, there are also plenty of cafés and tavernas within walking distance.

Facilities: The organized section covers the practical basics well – lifeguards, first aid, showers, toilets for visitors with disabilities, security, bars, restaurants, and sports areas. The resort operates daily from 09:00 until late.

Accessibility: The organized beach includes toilets for visitors with disabilities and an easy entrance layout.

How to get there by public transport: From Elliniko Metro Station, take bus 171 to Varkiza. The ride takes about 30 to 35 minutes and drops you near the resort entrance. Another option is bus 122 or 117 from the Glyfada and Voula side of the coast.

8. El Pouda Beach

El Pouda is on the Lagonisi side of the Athens-Sounio road, around the 38.5 km mark.

This part of the coast is greener than much of the earlier Riviera, and the beach has a smaller, more relaxed beach-bar atmosphere.

The water is clear, with a blue-green colour. The shoreline mixes sand with rockier patches, so the swim depends a bit on where you put your towel or rent your bed.

It is a great spot for a simple summer swim.

Entry, sunbeds, and what you will pay: Entry is free. There is a beach-bar area on site, and sunbeds are available to rent for an extra charge.

Beach bar and food: El Pouda runs with a canteen-style beach bar, so coffee, drinks, and something simple to eat are easy enough to find.

Facilities: There is a basic beach-bar area with seating, but I would still keep expectations moderate. This is not one of the more fully serviced beaches on the coast.

Accessibility: No

How to get there by public transport: Metro Line 2 to Elliniko and then bus 122 down the coast. The nearest stop for the beach area is “Agios Nikolaos”, followed by a short walk.   

9. Saronida

Saronida is a free beach at the southern end of the bus line, just below the residential part of the area.

The shore is mostly sandy with a few pebbly patches, the bay is open, and the whole place works well when all you want is a few quiet hours by the sea.

The water quality is very good. The Saronida stretches have held an excellent rating for years, which makes this one of the more reassuring swim spots further down the coast.

Entry, sunbeds, and what you will pay: There is no entrance fee. In high season, you may find a few umbrellas on the sand.

Beach bar and food: There is no beach bar. The best plan is to swim first and then head for coffee, snacks, or something cold to drink in Saronida afterwards, since the beach is very close to the residential area and the main road.

Facilities: No

Accessibility: No

How to get there by public transport: Metro Line 2 to Argyroupoli or Elliniko, then continue with bus 122 to Saronida. The 122 runs all the way down the coast and ends at the Terminal 122 / Start 123 stop in Saronida. From there, the beach is a short walk downhill, about three minutes.

10. Anavyssos

Anavyssos is a long sandy beach in a wide natural bay, around 50 km from Syntagma.

The water quality is excellent, and the sea is calmer than in more exposed parts of the coast because the bay is protected from most winds.

The sandy seabed and gradual entry make swimming very easy, while windier days tend to bring windsurfers further out.

Entry, sunbeds, and what you will pay: There is no entrance fee. Some parts are organized through the beach bars, with parasols and sunbeds available in season, while other sections stay much simpler and more open.

Beach bars and food: Along the waterfront, there are beach bars, cafés, restaurants, and tavernas within walking distance, which makes lunch or a drink after swimming very easy to sort out.

Facilities: The beach has showers, changing cabins, toilets, water-sports points, beach bars, and free parking along the coast.

Accessibility: Anavyssos has independent sea access for visitors with mobility issues, along with parking, a beach track, WC, changing room, shade, and shower facilities.

How to get there by public transport: Metro Line 2 to Argyroupoli or Elliniko, then bus 122 to Saronida and change to bus 123 toward Anavyssos / Palaia Fokaia. For the main beach area, the most useful stop is “Kava”, which is a short walk from the shore.

The best beaches near Athens with a car

11. Harakas

Harakas is a long sandy beach near Palaia Fokaia. The shoreline opens out nicely and the water stays shallow for quite a while.

The water is clear and clean, and the gradual entry makes swimming easy. This beach works well when you want space, calm conditions, and nothing too complicated.

Entry, sunbeds, and what you will pay: There is no entrance fee. In summer, there may be a small organized section with loungers.

Beach bar and food: There is no beach bar, so I would bring water and anything else you might want for a few hours there.

Facilities: No

Accessibility: No

12. KAPE

KAPE is a small cove with fantastic turquoise water, a pebbly shore, and is more secluded than the larger beaches along this part of the coast.

The water is exceptionally clear, and the colour stands out straight away. Because the bay is small and more sheltered, swimming here has a quieter, more protected character.

Entry, sunbeds, and what you will pay: There is no entrance fee. There are no organized sunbeds on the beach, so come with your own umbrella, towel, and anything else you want for the day.

Beach bar and food: There is no beach bar on the sand. In season, there may be a small kiosk near the start of the path, but I would not rely on it. It is better to bring water, snacks, and anything else you might want from the start.

Facilities: Facilities are very limited. There are no showers, changing rooms, or managed beach services.

Accessibility: No

13. Legrena

Legrena is a free beach just before you hit Cape Sounion. It’s not really one long strip; instead, it’s a main stretch dotted with smaller coves and inlets, which gives it a much wilder, less “organized” vibe compared to the beaches closer to Athens. The water is incredibly clear with that deep blue color the area is famous for.

Entry, sunbeds, and what you will pay: There is no entrance fee. I would treat Legrena as a towel-and-umbrella kind of beach and come prepared from the start.

Beach bar and food: There are tavernas and cafés nearby with sea views, so food is easy enough to sort out without the beach itself being organised.

Facilities: Facilities are minimal.

Accessibility: No

14. Sounio Beach

Sounio Beach lies right below the Temple of Poseidon, right in front of the Aegeon Beach Hotel. It is a sandy beach with one of the best backdrops on the city.

The water is clean, calm, and here are very few places near Athens where you can swim with an ancient temple rising above the coast.

Entry, sunbeds, and what you will pay: There is no entrance fee to use the beach. For the organized section, a set of two sunbeds with an umbrella costs €20 (about $22) on weekdays and €40 (about $44) on weekends and public holidays.

A beige cabana for two costs €30 (about $33) on weekdays and €40 (about $44) on weekends and holidays, while a black cabana for four costs €40 (about $44) on weekdays and €60 (about $66) on weekends and holidays. There is also a reserved VIP section available through online booking.  

Beach bar and food: There are two beach bars, one taverna, and the hotel restaurant.

Facilities: The beach has umbrellas, sunbeds, showers, W.C., and free parking. It is open daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Outside food and drinks are not allowed.

Accessibility: I would check directly before going.

How to get there by public transport: The only realistic public transport option is the coastal KTEL bus toward Sounion.

Final Thoughts

Athens will never beat the islands on beaches alone, and it does not need to.

The point of the coast here is that you can leave the city behind for a few hours, get in decent water, eat by the sea, and be back in town the same evening without turning it into a whole separate trip.

That is what makes these beaches useful. Pick the right stretch, go a little further than the obvious first stops, and the Athens Riviera starts to be a lot more worth your time.