Swimming in Athens (Beaches)

      Although Athens is mostly famous for the sightseeing and not for the beaches, however it has many beautiful beaches on the southern and the north eastern side of Attica peninsula. All the coastline from Glyfada to Cape Sounion have nice organized beaches as well as secluded coves.

Distance from the Center of Athens=0-30 Km

Alimos(11 km)

 

     Alimos beach is is conspicuous by its fine sandy beach front. Also, the Alimos beach is located in close proximity to the city and is very well connected by the local transportation. In the summer season, Alimos beach is overcrowded with beach enthusiasts. Both the locals as well as the discerning international travelers make a beeline to Alimos beach. There are showers and beach umbrellas available and even exciting water sports like jet skiing and windsurfing, its all here at Alimos beach.

Glyfada(16 km)

 

     Glyfada is located on the coast, and one of the most popular places to go during summertime. This is the place where most of the Greek population goes during the summertime to enjoy the incredible quantity of trendy clubs and bars boarding the town and the coast.
Oddly enough, all the big clubs located in the centre of Athens move to Glyfada during the summer months. Around Glyfada you may discover a lot of private beaches as well as some lovely rocky creeks obviously less crowded than the big sandy beaches.

Kavouri (20 km)

     The coastal region of Kavouri has many coves with free access, others with sand and others with small pebbles. Kavouri is located 20km south of Athens city centre and consists one of the best choices for swimming, close to the town. Most of the beaches in Kavouri are not organized but during the last years the area has been greatly developed in terms of tourist facilities. Moreover, due to the open space, the beach is suitable for beach games, like beach volleyball.

Vouliagmeni (23 km)

 

     This beach offers every thing you need to really enjoy your day: tennis and volleyball courts, play area for children, water slide, individual cabins and a restaurant. It is indeed the most and best organised of all the beaches in Athens. To reach the Vouliagmeni Beach you need to get a bus from the city centre to Glyfada and then change from there.

Varkiza (27 km)

     The sandy beach of Varkiza is the further away from the town centre. Its distance from the centre makes it one of the less crowded of the south-east coast, despite its beauty. This beach is an organised one offering tennis and volleyball courts which can be hired per hour, day or evening, water slides, some snack bars and a play area for children. The beach is easily reachable by bus, directly from the town centre.

Distance from the Center of Athens=30-70 Km

 Kalivia Athens (44km)

Kalivia is a charming coastal area, located 44km south of Athens. This is a major tourist resort where many Athenians go for swimming, particularly in summer weekends. Although the region is used for permanent residence, it is also a spot where many Athenians have their summer houses.

Schinias(45 km)

    Schinias is situated in the south-east side of Marathon and it is said to be the best beach in this part of Attica. It is a wonderful long and pine �circled beach. Its popularity and beauty cause it to be often quite crowded, especially during the weekends. This great beach is well-known and appreciated among windsurfing lovers, since it is really long and located in a windy area. There is a good windsurfer club at the end of the beach. You can easily reach this heavenly place by bus from the centre of Athens town.

Anavissos Athens(52 km)

     Anavissos is a wonderful beach resort situated close to Cape Sounion. During the last years, it has had a rapid development and a great tourist infrastructure. This is a popular destination mostly among the Athenians, as they have many summer houses in the region. The beach of Anavissos is well-known for its clean waters and the soft sand stretching for many meters. It is surrounded by tall pine trees and green environment creating a peaceful landscape.

Cape Sounio Athens(65 km)

 

     This is an amazing site that can't be missed. Majestic, rising out of the Aegean, this splendid rocky promontory carry on its highest point the Temple of Poseidon. Constructed around 600 BC it was destroyed in 480 BC by the Persians and rebuilt in 440 BC by Pericles. If you look closely at the Doric columns rising above the coast you can find, on one of them, the signature of Lord Byron who was so captured by the beauty and the grace of the temple that he included it in his paean to Greek independence in his poem "Isles of Greece".