Why the Athens Riviera is Poised to be Greece’s Next Big Coastal Destination

Why the Athens Riviera is Poised to be Greece’s Next Big Coastal Destination
The Athens Riviera blends city convenience with Mediterranean seaside living.|©iStock/Bernard Bialorucki

Stretching along the coast south of the nation’s capital, the Athens Riviera is a blend of Mediterranean living and urban sophistication. This 43-mile (70 km) shoreline from Palaio Faliro to Cape Sounio has evolved from a local secret into one of Europe’s most up-and-coming coastal lifestyle destinations. It offers well-established neighborhoods like Vouliagmeni and Glyfada, as well as developing areas like the Ellinikon Project, an enormous urban regeneration project featuring luxury housing and green park areas.

The term “Athens Riviera” was first coined in the late 1990s to describe the coastal areas south of Athens. There was a time when the term was used ironically, but that has changed. Since the end of Greece’s financial crisis, the beach towns to the south have been gaining popularity, due largely to their attractive beaches and easy proximity to Athens.

Deciding which Athens Riviera beachside community is best for you can be a balancing act between beach quality, easy access to Athens, affordability, and finding a vibe that fits your lifestyle. While the better beaches with cleaner water and more upscale facilities are typically the ones further south heading toward Vouliagmeni and Varkiza, they are also farther from central Athens. The closer neighborhoods have their own charm, but may not offer the same pristine waters. Let’s take a closer look at the seaside towns that make up the Athens Riviera.

Palaio Faliro: A Seaside Blend of Tradition and Culture

Seaside promenades and city vibes meet in this historic Athens neighborhood.
Seaside promenades and city vibes meet in this historic Athens neighborhood.|©iStock/Kirk Fisher

Palaio Faliro is one of the seaside towns closest to Athens. With its relaxed atmosphere, well-maintained coastal promenade, and wide variety of housing options, it is an attractive option for anyone who wants to live by the sea but still have all the amenities of urban living.

Located about 4 miles (7 km) from Athens’ city center, Palaio Faliro is known for its traditional Greek charm. The town of approximately 64,000 people offers a long concrete promenade along the coast, ideal for leisurely walks, bike rides, or even rollerblading while enjoying the sea breeze. Along this promenade, you’ll find Flisvos Marina, a scenic marina featuring luxury yachts, shopping, and plenty of cafes and restaurants. During the pandemic, walks from my home in central Athens to Flisvos became one of the favorite parts of my week.

The beaches in Palaio Faliro are mainly public beaches, meaning you can enter for free, but because of their proximity to Athens and the port of Piraeus, the water quality isn’t as high as in areas with less population density. Popular Palaio Faliro beach options are Edem Beach and Flisvos Beach.

Palaio Faliro can be more affordable than its neighbors to the south, like Glyfada and Vouliagmeni. It attracts working professionals and expats who want a seaside lifestyle with easy access to Athens. You can expect to pay an average of 18 euros per meter for rental housing, and you’ll find lots of housing options, ranging from luxury to modest.

Alimos: A Boater’s Haven with a Lively Nightlife

Bustling marina life and lively nightlife define Alimos’ coastal energy.
Bustling marina life and lively nightlife define Alimos’ coastal energy.|©iStock/SHansche

Continuing south, you’ll find Alimos, a seaside town with a bustling marina located 5 miles (8 km) from central Athens. Whether you are a boat enthusiast or someone who enjoys a lively nightlife, Alimos has a lot to offer.

The Alimos Marina, one of the largest marinas in Greece, is a classic working harbor featuring long rows of ships and boats of all types. The city is known for its beach entertainment, including the iconic Bolivar Beach Bar, a seaside club established in 2004 featuring bamboo huts and tiki-style lounges. Bolivar has a relaxed beach club feel during the day, and as the sun sets, it transforms into a lively hotspot, hosting superstar DJs and themed parties that attract both locals and expats.

The city of Alimos, with its population of approximately 48,000 residents, offers a mix of housing options from modern sea-view apartments to traditional family homes. You’ll find international diplomats, Greek professionals, and families with long local histories living in this town. The cost of living in Alimos ranges from budget to high-end depending on the housing. While the average rental rate is about 14 euros per meter, apartments in Alimos tend to be larger, so it may be hard to find units under 1,000 euros. Alimos is a good central choice for those who want to try seaside living without feeling isolated.

Glyfada: A Chic Cosmopolitan Hub

Upscale shops, chic cafes, and vibrant beach life in cosmopolitan Glyfada.
Upscale shops, chic cafes, and vibrant beach life in cosmopolitan Glyfada.|©iStock/SHansche

If a trendy cosmopolitan suburb is what you seek, head to Glyfada, a town known for its upscale shopping, vibrant nightlife, and beautiful beaches. Glyfada is lively both at night and during the day, and its shopping, dining, and beachside options attract both locals and an international community.

Located about 7 miles (11 km) from Athens’ center and with a population of just under 100,000 residents, the town is divided into two distinct regions: Neo Glyfada (New Glyfada) and Ano Glyfada (Upper Glyfada).

Neo Glyfada is located along the coast and is the vibrant heart of the city. Here you’ll find stylish clothing stores, international cuisine, and an always-on bar and cafe scene. This area is well-suited for anyone who wants easy access to the sea along with a lively city feel. Tucked in between stores selling luxury fashion, home décor, jewelry, and local artisanal products, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes to keep you entertained. This part of town also features Platia Glyfada, the main square in Glyfada, which hosts events and activities throughout the year.

Ano Glyfada is located inland and slightly in the hills, making it more elevated than the coastal part of the town. Here you’ll find a quiet, residential feel. This area is more family-oriented and attractive to people seeking a peaceful environment with quality schools, wide, leafy streets, and green parks.

The cost of living in Glyfada is typically higher than in other parts of the Athens Riviera because of its desirable location and limited inventory, particularly housing near the shopping district or the seafront. The average cost of rental properties is about 20 euros per meter. The cost of living in Ano Glyfada is typically less than in the trendier Neo Glyfada area. Glyfada is a great choice for people who want a cosmopolitan lifestyle near the sea.

Vouliagmeni: The Iconic Beachside Town with a Natural Spa

Natural hot springs and world-class beaches create Vouliagmeni’s refined escape.
Natural hot springs and world-class beaches create Vouliagmeni’s refined escape.|©iStock/tashka2000

For those seeking world-class beaches, an understated, refined environment, and a relaxed seaside community, Vouliagmeni is a wonderful choice. Home to the iconic Astir Beach Club and the natural wonder of Lake Vouliagmeni, this city of under 5,000 residents gives you access to the amenities of Athens while letting you feel like you live in a different world.

Located approximately 11 miles (18 km) from central Athens, Vouliagmeni is most famous for Lake Vouliagmeni, a thermal lake with mineral-rich waters believed to have healing properties. People come here to soak in the natural hot spring as well as to take in the quiet calm and natural beauty of the lake surrounded by dramatic cliffs. Just a few minutes away, you’ll find Astir Beach and the adjacent Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel. Established in 1959, Astir has hosted luminaries and celebrities for decades, including Joan Collins, Brigitte Bardot, Jackie Onassis, and more. Just across the street, you’ll find the Nautical Club of Vouliagmeni (NOV). This organization, founded in 1937, offers facilities for sailing, water polo, and other aquatic sports.

While housing here is more exclusive and expensive than in many other Athens Riviera towns, the authentic Greek charm and sophisticated coastal lifestyle make Vouliagmeni a highly desirable destination. You can expect to pay an average of 25 euros per meter to rent a Vouliagmeni apartment. Vouliagmeni is a great choice for those who like understated sophistication and old-world charm.

Varkiza: The Laid-Back Escape

Relaxed beaches, pine trails, and a strong local community in laid-back Varkiza.
Relaxed beaches, pine trails, and a strong local community in laid-back Varkiza.|©iStock/Konstantinos Livadas

For those seeking an easygoing, relaxed community, head to Varkiza, an area popular among locals for its family-friendly beaches and outdoor activities. Varkiza is not technically its own town, but the area just south of Vouliagmeni is home to about 10,000 residents and offers a wonderful blend of local character and a high quality of life.

Located 14 miles (22 km) from central Athens, Varkiza gives you access not just to the sea but also to the hills. To the east, you’ll find the southern slopes of Mount Ymittos offering hiking trails through pine forests, perfect for morning treks or sunset views of the Saronic Gulf. For sea lovers, head to the Varkiza Resort (also known as Yabanaki), a large beach complex with something for everyone. For watersport enthusiasts, you’ll find Yasurfaki, a watersports club offering windsurfing, wind foils, standup paddleboarding, and more.

Varkiza has a strong sense of local community with regular events and gatherings, including the Children’s Festival and the Mediterranean Festival in Varkiza Square, as well as beach parties at the elegant Island Club and Restaurant.

The cost of living in Varkiza is similar to Vouliagmeni, and you can expect to pay an average of 26 euros per meter for your rented apartment. For those seeking a strong beachside community with access to both mountains and sea, Varkiza is a great option.

The Ellinikon Project: A Vision for the Future

The areas above are already part of the Athens Riviera, but the Ellinikon Project is a work in progress.

The Ellinikon Project is slated to be one of Europe’s largest urban regeneration initiatives. The project plans to transform the old Ellinikon International Airport site (located between Glyfada and Vouliagmeni) into a modern, sustainable “smart city” featuring luxury apartments, commercial storefronts, a coastal park, a casino, and Greece’s tallest residential skyscraper, the 200-meter-tall Riviera Tower. The project is controversial, with some people enthusiastically supporting it while others feel it runs the risk of compromising the authentic Greek vibe of the Athens Riviera. But whether you support or oppose the initiative, it is sure to change the face of the Athens Riviera. Construction commenced in July 2020, and the first phase is expected to be completed by 2026.

In Summary

As the Athens Riviera continues to grow in popularity, you’ll find a rare combination of natural beauty, cosmopolitan living, and cultural vibrancy within easy reach of Greece’s capital. From the historic charm and urban convenience of Palaio Faliro, to the bustling marinas and nightlife of Alimos, the chic sophistication of Glyfada, the serene luxury of Vouliagmeni, and the laid-back appeal of Varkiza, there is a beachside community to suit every lifestyle. Whether you seek relaxation by the sea, watersports and outdoor adventure, or a vibrant social scene, the Athens Riviera offers a dynamic and evolving coastal lifestyle, blending the best of Greek tradition with contemporary urban sophistication.

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