The Athens Riviera is the Saronic Gulf coast running south-east from Piraeus to Cape Sounion, for about 50 km. It is the Athenians' "city sea", reached in summer by tram, bus or scooter for a swim after work. In recent years it has been renewed with seafronts, cycle paths and the huge redevelopment of the former Elliniko airport, still under construction, which includes a park, homes and towers.
Stops from north to south
| Place | What you'll find |
|---|---|
| Neo and Palaio Faliro | The seafront closest to the centre, Flisvos marina with its bars, the battleship Georgios Averof, a museum ship |
| Kallithea | Renzo Piano's Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, with park, canal, National Library and Opera |
| Alimos | Large marina, city beaches, fish tavernas |
| Glyfada | Upmarket district, shopping, cafés, golf course, summer nightlife |
| Voula | Organised and free beaches, end of the tram line |
| Vouliagmeni | The clearest water on the Riviera, exclusive beaches, the thermal lake |
| Varkiza and Lagonisi | Wide beaches, beach bars, coves among the rocks |
| Cape Sounion | The temple of Poseidon on the headland, see the page |
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), opened in 2017, is one of Athenians' favourite places. Architect Renzo Piano built an artificial hill sloping towards the sea, covered by a 21-hectare Mediterranean park, beneath which are the National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera; on top, a great canopy of solar panels seems to hover in the sky. From the "lighthouse", the panoramic terrace, you can see the Acropolis and the whole bay of Faliro. Entry to the park is free, with concerts, open-air cinema, water games and bike hire. See contemporary art.
Lake Vouliagmeni
One of the most unusual places near Athens is Lake Vouliagmeni, a pool of brackish water in a collapsed cave at the foot of a rock face, fed by underground springs that keep the water between 20 and 29 degrees all year. People swim even in winter, with sunbeds and a café; entry is charged. At the bottom opens a system of underwater caves explored by cave divers.
Free and organised beaches
Along the Riviera there are both free beaches and paid beach clubs with umbrellas, sunbeds, bars and facilities, some very upmarket (at Vouliagmeni and Glyfada prices are those of luxury resorts). The beaches closest to the centre, such as Faliro, are busier and the water less clear; from Glyfada onwards the sea improves markedly. Many beaches fly the Blue Flag. The rocks of Limanakia, between Varkiza and Vouliagmeni, are loved by those who prefer diving off the rocks.
Getting there
| Transport | Route |
|---|---|
| Tram | From Syntagma (line T6) to Faliro; then T7 along the coast to Voula |
| Bus | Express routes from Syntagma and the metro to Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza; KTEL buses to Sounion from Mavromateon Street |
| Shuttle | Free shuttle from Syntagma to the Stavros Niarchos Center |
| Car | Poseidonos Avenue runs the length of the Riviera; parking is hard on summer weekends |
See also day trips from Athens, Athens with children and summer nightlife.