Accessible from Athens with a simple tram ticket, this 50 km coastline is now a destination in itself.
From
Piraeus
to
Cape Sounion
, trendy bars, luxury marinas and tidy beaches follow one another in a merry din of vacationers, colorful kiosks and street vendors.
But after
Sounion
, in the direction of
Marathon
, the coast changes.
It then unrolls a lace of coves and beaches with discreet charm.
Follow the guide for a taste of the islands.
Read also48 hours in Athens, our guide to vibrate with the Greek capital
The coast of the Saronic Gulf, the "Riviera"
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation
The SNFCC cultural center bequeathed by a patron to the city of Athens.
GNTO / YSkoulas
This cultural center imagined by the architect Enzo Piano is both a Mediterranean park and an artistic complex that hosts the Opera, the National Library and many cultural events.
Produced by the late shipowner Stavros Niarchos, it was offered to the Greek state, to the delight of the Athenians.
An essential place to feel the creativity and richness of the Greek soul.
SNFCC
, open every day from 6 a.m. to midnight (2 a.m. on weekends).
Phone.
: + 30 216 80 91 000.
Power supplies
35 minutes by tram from the center of Athens, two adjoining beaches are particularly easy to access, just after the Alimou marina.
Kalamaki first, a public beach with its cabins, showers, bar and space for racket players.
Then Akti Iliou, on the other side of the dike, the private beach equipped with pedal boat rentals and games for children.
Akti Iliou beach
, deckchair rental of your choice from one of the three bars on the beach, € 6 per adult, € 3 for 5-18 year olds.
Glyfada
People come here for its 18-hole golf course, its residences under the pine forests and for its wide avenues where luxury brands are displayed.
On the sea side, a succession of beaches planted with palm trees, marinas where yachts and sailboats are moored, and a sea turtle rescue center. At the end of Glyfada bay, the Balux serves as a trendy meeting place.
With its oceanfront swimming pool (for adults only), lively beach with cocktail bar, restaurants and sunset parties with DJs, this is the place to be seen.
Le Balux
, between 5 and 9 € entry.
Vouliagmeni
Lake Vouliagméni, a natural spa at the foot of the rocks.
Adobe Stock
Jackie Kennedy-Onassis liked to come and bathe in Astir.
Today, it is the VIP beach of the Riviera with gourmet restaurant and luxury spa.
A few coves further on, on the other side of the road, Lake Vouliagméni is a natural spa at the foot of the rocks.
A unique geological curiosity, the result of the collapse of a cave at the foot of a cliff.
The landscaped lake is frequented all year round by Athenians for its emerald-colored thermal waters which never drop below 22 ° and to which countless virtues are attributed.
Lake Vouliagmeni
, accessible every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., admission between 10 and 15 €, free for children under 5 years old.
Anavissos
15 km from Cape Sounion, the Gulf of Anavissos offers a simple and authentic decor.
The shallow bay protected by the rocks concentrates the winds which blow from the sea.
Ideal for families with toddlers and, of course, a windsurfing paradise.
Kouros windsurf club
.
Cape Sounion
The god of the seas has sat majestically there for 2,500 years.
An imperative stop for a breathtaking sunset over the Saronic Gulf, the temple of Poseidon still has many secrets to unveil.
To extend the experience, drop off your luggage at Greco, a 5-star establishment overlooking the beach, just 2 km from the entrance to the archaeological site.
Cap Sounion, accessible every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., admission € 10. Night at
Le Greco
between 423 and 2250 €.
The Gulf Coast of the Petalis Islands, a lace of beaches
Lavrion
Even though it is not a very well-known city, Lavrion is home to the largest and oldest amphitheater in ancient Greece.
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The glorious past of Lavrion, when he made the fortune of the city of Athens, now comes down to the remains of the gold and silver mines and two museums.
Today it is a quiet port from which boats leave for the small Cyclades Kea and Kithnos.
We take pleasure in strolling in town or along the quays of the marina, tasting one of the best ice cream in Attica.
Arte italiana
, Politechniou 29, open from 11 a.m. to midnight.
Porto Rafti
In any season, Athenians go there for its beaches, its promenade on the ledge, the soothing spectacle of the boats moored in the bay and its taverns with its feet in the water (like Del Mar, where you can taste the fish. fished in the morning).
Avlaki's equipped beach is in the far east of the city, while coves, pebble bays and sandy beaches stretch out on either side of the pocket marina.
A walk along the rocks from the beach of Agios Spiridon leads to the secret bay of Erotopilia, "the cave of Eros".
Del Mar, Leoforos Avlakiou, open from 11 a.m. to midnight. Phone: + 30 229 90 75 688.
Vravrona
View over the bay of Vravrona.
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15 km from the airport, Vravrona beach faces the eponymous rock, topped with a white and blue chapel.
After passing the wooden pontoon in front of the Dolce Attica Riviera hotel
,
the landscape becomes marshy and gives way to a protected ecological park where herons come to nest.
This is also where the Temple of Artemis complex is located, one of the most charming archaeological sites in Attica.
Archaeological site, open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., 6 € for the temple and the museum (Brauron). Count between 150 and 450 € per night to stay at the
Dolce Attica Riviera
.
Artemis
6 km north of Vravrona, it is a perfect stopover to take a last bath before boarding the plane.
Here begins a long tongue of golden sand that borders the entire bay to Loutsa beach and the village of Agios Nikolaos.
Boarders and water sports enthusiasts meet there all year round.
Windsurfing, kite surfing and sea kayaking rental at
Loutsa surf school
.
Marathon
The sandy beach of Schinias stretches for 5 km along a refreshing forest of pines and palm trees.
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In addition to the memory of the battle that made it famous, Marathon is one of the favorite beaches of the inhabitants of Attica ... 42.2 km from Athens.
The sandy beach of Schinias stretches for 5 km along a refreshing forest of pines and palm trees.
Since the illegal taverns have been dismantled, we can enjoy the spectacle of sails on the sea in all serenity.
Marathon archaeological site, open Wednesday to Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., € 3 entry to the site and museum. Two clubs on Schinias beach allow you to learn about sailing sports:
Moraïtis
and
Karavi
.
