Journey to the best Southern Beaches of Athens
We started from Vouliagmeni towards Sounion, made several stops, and selected the 10 beaches of the Athens Riviera (organized and unorganized). These beaches may be in Athens, but they will make you feel like you are on a Greek island.
- 10/07/2024
Starting from Vouliagmeni and following the scenic coastal road towards Sounio on your right hand and along the coastline, you will come across several beaches that will catch your eye thanks to their azure-green waters and sandy shores. With this in mind, we embarked on a journey to discover the most beautiful beaches in the South of Athens (the famous Athens Riviera) and created a top 10 list of those that are definitely worth choosing for a wonderful day by the sea.
The journey began at Limanakia (on the border of Vouliagmeni and Varkiza coastal suburbs): the small coves with their crystal-clear waters and wild beauty, which are also one of the most famous landmarks of the southern suburbs of Athens, as well as a magnet for young people who lay their towels on the rocks and enjoy their swims.
At Limanakia, you will also find the famous kiosk of Lefteris, which has been operating since the 60s, to get the essentials, so all that will be left for you is to find the perfect spot. If you are good with navigating the rocky paths, try to distance yourself from the crowds to enjoy the magic of the place in a more secluded way.
Continuing our journey, we found ourselves at Althea Beach in Agia Marina and the famous “little steps” that you descend to reach a paradise within minutes. It is a relatively small beach that is definitely worth visiting on a weekday when there are fewer people, so you can enjoy the waters and sandy shore even more.
It is somewhat hidden among rocks, and access may be a bit challenging, but believe us, in the end, you will be rewarded. Apart from the steps, a little further along, you will find other small coves with equally beautiful waters to swim in and explore the seabed.
A few kilometers further down, in Lagonissi, we came across Heaven Beach, which got its name from the beach bar that used to be there. The beach bar has been closed for the last years, so at least until now, the beach remains unorganized and has plenty of space to spread out your straw mat and enjoy the sun. Also, note that there are some small boats at the edge, creating an island-like scenery for you to gaze at for hours.
In the area of Saronida, there is the beach called Mavro Lithari, which offers you everything you could ask for: beach bars, water sports, delightful sandy shore, and clear waters.
The beach gets crowded even on weekdays, but it is quite large, so you can find a place to sit (there is also an unorganized part) without feeling crowded. On the rocks to the left of the beach, you will notice some beautiful caves, perfect for exploration with a mask. However, we also followed a path that starts from the left side of the beach, takes you up high on the rocks, and leads you to hidden beaches, ideal if you are looking for extra privacy.
In Anavyssos, we discovered two beaches that stand out: Agios Nikolaos Beach, a fairly large, comfortable beach with the characteristic rocky islet and chapel, which many describe as the “Balos of Attica” due to its resemblance to the famous beautiful beach in Crete (Balos).
Additionally, there are the Anavyssos Steps (or Skalakia Anavyssou), a beach which you won’t find on Google maps (or just try the Nisos Café Bar, which is right above the beach), but promises to transfer you in a heavenly setting. The crystal clear waters here will steal your heart!
Our journey continued towards Thymari and its namesake beach in the settlement. While it is organized, a large part of it remains intouched, giving you the option to sit on your straw mat in a more secluded spot. Exploring to the left, you can find hidden beaches for solo swims.
Similarly, the beach of Harakas offers more choices in terms of beach bars, but also plenty of space to spread out your towel. It’s worth staying here until late afternoon to see the sun setting in front of the horizon.
Next stop -approaching Sounion – was Legrena. There you will find the KAPE Beach, one of the most well-known and beloved beaches by the Athenian – and not only – public. Once again, you will have to descend around a hundred steps and step onto the small white pebbles that lead to the beautiful waters. Find a spot, preferably near the rocks to secure some shade, and get ready for endless swims, with the backdrop of the islet of Patroklos visible in the distance.
Our journey concludes at Cape Sounion, the southernmost point of Attica, with the beach located beneath the Temple of Poseidon. It is impossible not to include this beach on our list.
Can you imagine a more ideal background? The azure-green waters also make it a significant factor in choosing this beach. The beach is organized, with shallow waters and a few taverns nearby for seafood after your swim.
