If you’re in Athens, Greece, dreaming of sunny skies and sandy feet, you’re in luck. Right along the Athens Riviera, you can find some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Think: quiet coves, rocky snorkeling spots, beachside cafes, and total coastal relaxation. And the best part? You don’t even have to leave Athens to get there.
Just a short ride by tram, bus, or car from the city center, you’ll find gorgeous stretches of coastline with clear blue water and sandy beaches. It’s the perfect escape after a morning spent exploring the Acropolis and busy streets.
For those visiting Athens, Greece, I highly recommend setting aside time for at least ONE beach day. It gives you a totally different perspective of the city and a chance to cool off in the Mediterranean.
In this post, I’m sharing the best beaches in Athens from organized beach clubs to scenic, Instagram-worthy shores. No matter what kind of beach day you’re looking for, there’s a perfect spot waiting for you.
10 Athens, Greece Beaches Totally Worth Visiting
Athens really gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to visiting Greece. You can spend your morning wandering bustling streets, exploring ancient ruins, and sipping Greek coffee in Plaka. Then you can end the day watching the sunset from a sandy beach along the coast.
If your itinerary doesn’t leave time to visit the Greek islands, don’t worry. Athens still gives you the chance to enjoy beautiful Mediterranean beaches without leaving the city. By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly which beaches in Athens are the best and which might fit your travel style. Let’s dive in!
Are There Beaches in Athens, Greece?
Yes, Athens has quite a few beautiful beaches right along its coastline, an area known as the Athens Riviera. These beach spots sit just outside the city, making them super easy to reach when you need a break from sightseeing.
Each beach along the Riviera has its own unique vibe. Some are perfect for a full, relaxing beach day. Others are great for a quick swim after an afternoon spent touring, walking, and exploring. Either way, Athens makes it surprisingly easy to mix ancient ruins with beach time in the same day.
How Close Is Athens to the Beach?
Most Athens beaches are about 20 to 40 minutes from the city center. So, they’re surprisingly easy to visit even if you only have half a day.
One of the simplest ways to get there is by tram. Lines T6 and T7 run along the Athens Riviera, and you can hop on right from Syntagma Square. Little travel tip: if you’re heading towards Glyfada, try to grab a seat on the right side of the tram. You’ll get the best views of the sea.
You can also reach the beaches by car or taxi. You can call a ride with the Bolt or Freenow apps, or simply flag a taxi down on the street.
What Are the Best Beaches in Athens?
Organized Beaches
Astir Beach
Astir Beach is one of the most polished and upscale beaches alongside the Athens Riviera. You’ll find full-service loungers and umbrellas, so you can settle in and easily spend the entire day by the sea. Everything is designed for comfort—from the attentive beach service to the relaxed, well-organized setup.
There are also great restaurants and drinks available right on-site. In light of this, the experience feels more like a stylish seaside escape than a quick beach stop. If you’re looking for a glamorous, comfortable beach day outside of Athens, Astir Beach is a fantastic choice.
Photos courtesy of Astir Beach website.
Zen Beach
Zen Beach in Vouliagmeni is a smaller, relaxed beach that feels a little calmer than some of the bigger beach clubs nearby. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a peaceful beach day without the louder party vibe.
Here, you’ll find comfortable sunbeds and umbrellas tucked along a cozy little cover. Plus, beach service brings drinks, snacks, and light meals right to your sunbed. There’s also a restaurant overlooking the water that serves Mediterranean dishes and fresh seafood. Overall, Zen Beach is known for its laid-back atmosphere and friendly vibe. It’s perfect if you want a quieter beach experience near Athens.
Family-Friendly Beaches
Voula Beach
Voula Beach is one of the most popular family-friendly beaches in Athens. It’s known for its clean sand, calm water, and organized setup. And for convenience, you’ll find sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, and lifeguards. Most importantly, there’s an inherent level of comfort and safety, essential for those visiting with kids.
The shoreline here is shallow and gently sloping, making it great for swimming and enjoying the water. There are also things to do beyond just lounging, like volleyball, water sports, and nearby playgrounds. With beach bars and casual restaurants serving snacks and simple meals, Voula Beach is a convenient and relaxed place to enjoy a full beach day outside of Athens.
Free Beaches
Kalamaki Beach
Kalamaki Beach is one of the easiest free beaches to reach from Athens’ city center. That means it’s a super popular spot for travelers who just want a quick swim without going far.
It’s a simple public beach, so you’ll mostly find open space where you can lay down a towel and relax. There are also cafes and casual beach bars nearby if you want to grab a drink or snack. Beyond that, the water here is usually calm and clear, and the beach sits close to the seaside promenade that runs through several coastal neighborhoods. It’s perfect if you want to walk along the coast after you swim.
Free beaches are awesome if you’re traveling on a budget. When planning your trip, make sure to check out “Is Greece Expensive?” to know how much you can expect to spend.
Glyfada Beach
Glyfada Beach has long stretches of shoreline where you can simply lie down your towel and enjoy the sea for free. The beach is a mix of sandy and pebbly areas, with generally calm waters, so it’s great for swimming. You’ll also find plenty of open space alongside some organized beach sections if you prefer a sunbed instead.
One of the best parts about Glyfada is the lively promenade nearby. Lined with cafes, restaurants, and marinas, you can grab a drink, snack, or even a full meal after a swim.
Edem Beach
Edem Beach is easily the most convenient free Athens beach. It’s located in the coastal neighborhood of Palaio Faliro, right along the Riviera, making it super easy to reach from the city.
The beach itself is simple and relaxed, with a pebbly shoreline where you can lay down a towel and swim without paying an entrance fee. It’s a great option if you just want a quick dip in the sea without committing to a full beach club day.
Party and Nightlife Beaches
Varkiza Beach
Vakirza Beach is one of the most versatile party and nightlife beaches in Athens. During the day, it’s all about relaxing on sunbeds, swimming, or trying activities like water sports and beach volleyball. The vibe is fun and social, but still relaxed enough to spend a slow afternoon by the sea. As the sun starts to set, the energy shifts. Beach bars come alive, music picks up, and cocktails start flowing. It gives the whole area more of a beach club atmosphere.
With restaurants, bars, DJ sets, and occasional themed events, Varkiza Resort Beach becomes a lively social spot at night. It’s the kind of place where a casual beach afternoon can easily turn into sunset drinks and a beach party that goes late into the night.
Photos courtesy of Varkiza Beach
Bolivar Beach Club
Bolivar Beach Club is one of the most famous beach party spots along the Athens Riviera. It’s located on the organized beach of Alimos, just a short distance from the city.
It’s known for its high-energy beach parties with international DJs, themed events, and a huge open-air dance floor. Music often goes late into the night (and sometimes until sunrise!), making it one of the most exciting nightlife spots in Athens. During the day, it feels like a classic beach club. You can relax on sunbeds, swim in the clear water, and enjoy ice-cold drinks by the sea.
Not sure what to wear to a beach nightclub? Check out my post, “What to Wear in Greece,” for practical, stylish outfit ideas.
Instagram-Worthy BEaches
Sounion Beach
Sounion Beach is easily one of the most Instagram-worthy coastal spots near Athens. And once you see it, you’ll understand why.
The beach sits just below the ancient Temple of Poseidon, which is perched dramatically on cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea. The view is incredible, and it’s especially famous at sunset, when the temple glows above the coastline.
Here, you can swim in clear blue water while looking up at centuries-old ruins. It’s the complete Greek experience! It’s not every day you get a beach view that combines natural beauty with ancient history.
Photos courtesy of Sounion Beach
KAPE Beach
KAPE Beach is simply picture-perfect. It’s known for bright turquoise water, dramatic rocky cliffs, and that “hidden paradise” feeling the moment you arrive. The beach sits inside a small cove near Legrena, and getting there is part of the experience. You’ll walk down a staircase to reach the sand, with beautiful panoramic views of the coastline along the way.
Once you’re down at the beach, the water is incredibly clear and vibrant, contrasting against the white rocks surrounding the cove. It’s the kind of place that photographers love—and it’s just as great for a refreshing swim. It feels more like a secret island beach than something located just outside Athens. If you’re looking for a scenic, postcard-worthy spot, this one is hard to beat.
Plan an epic trip to Greece’s best beaches with confidence.
The Athens Riviera is one of those places that surprises people. In the morning, you can explore ancient ruins, and by the afternoon, you can swim in the sea. Not a bad way to spend a travel day, right?
Now you know the best beaches in Athens for every kind of vibe. Whether you’re looking for a lively beach club, a relaxed swim spot, or somewhere perfect for sunset views, Athens has it.
If you found this guide helpful, check out my other posts, “Beach Honeymoon Destinations” and “How to Plan a Trip to Europe.” And don’t forget to come say hi over on Instagram @sierrainthecity to see where I’m traveling next!
