The Athenian Riviera has it all: Centuries-old historic sites, stunning geological formations, big city life, and great beaches.

Good To Know

• Athens itself is great for a trip even during winter, with crowds being smaller, wait times to the sights shorter, and mild temperatures. A visit to the Riviera is more worthwhile from May to October when the water is warm enough for a swim. 
• Base your trip out of Athens or stay directly in a beach-side town like Vougliameni or Varkiza, for close access to both the city and the beach!
• Public transport is cheap and widely available, nevertheless, you may need to take a cab to some of these places. Or rent a car for your trips along the coastline!

Highlights

Athens

Once the capital of the ancient greek empire and the birthplace of democracy, Athens is filled to the brim with important archaeological sites. Find out more: Athens.

Cape Sounion

Cape Sounion marks the southern end of the Athenian Riviera. Begin your trip to Sounion with a visit to Sounion Beach and lounge in the sun. The clear waters are calm and great for swimming, due to the beach being enclosed in a bay. Next, make your way up the cliffside and explore the Sanctuary of Athena Sounias. Here stand the ruins of a temple dedicated to Athena, as well as a second smaller temple, perhaps dedicated to the hero Phrontis, who was buried at Sounion and who was even mentioned in Homer's "Odyssey". Sadly, not much is left of Athena's 2500-year-old temple besides its foundation, as it was destroyed in the 1st century AD and its columns repurposed in the Athen's Agora. The highlight of Cape Sounion are the well-preserved remains of the Temple of Poseidon, honoring the Greek god of the sea. Built during Greece's Archaic Period (800 BC to 480 BC), the original temple was most likely destroyed during the Persian Invasion of Greece under Xerxes in 480 BC, the event that ended the Archaic Period. Half a century after its destruction, the temple was rebuilt on the remains of its predecessor. The white marble ruins stand on a cliffside, allowing for a mesmerizing view of the Saronic Gulf and the Aegean Sea. While always stunning, the temple is at its most beautiful during sunset, when the sea is tinged in dark oranges and reds with the temple dramatically towering above.

Vouliagmeni

A suburb just outside of Athens, Vouliagmeni and its neighboring towns Vari and Voula constitute the beach hotspots along the Riviera. The towns' shores are lined with long, white, sandy beaches which give comfortable access to the calm turquoise waters. All the beaches in the area have plenty of sunbeds and other amenities, with Varkiza Beach in Vari offering massages, bars, and even a nightclub. If you're looking for a slightly less commercial, yet still a blue-flag beach, then Kavouri Beach in Vouliagmeni is the one for you. Make sure to exchange at least one day at the beach for a visit to Lake Vouliagmeni. The gorgeous lake is bordered by the sea on one side, merely the road in between, and staggering cliffs on the other side. For a great view of the lake and sea, hike up Faskomilia Hill behind the lake and stand atop its cliffs! The entry fee of 15€ (18€ on the weekend) for a sunbed may sound steep, but it is worthwhile. Lake Vouliagmeni is known as a natural spa. The lake's water is supplied by both underground thermal springs as well as by the sea and is known for its healing qualities. But it is also the marine life, offering a unique wellness experience: lie still enough in the water, and small "doctor fish" will quickly swarm you and nibble off dead skin cells. Don't worry, it is at most a ticklish feeling and completely safe and beneficial to your skin. Another interesting thing to note about the lake is that it seems to be connected to the sea via underwater caves, with the largest one, being the longest underwater tunnel in the world! Be aware that sunscreen must be washed off before swimming in the lake, as to not disrupt the water.