Practical Athens
The sea is forty minutes away.
The Athenian Riviera begins where the tram line ends. Two ways to do it: the free stretches where you bring a towel and pick your spot, and the organised beaches with sunbeds, bars and an entrance fee. Both are a single tram ride from the centre.
Free beaches
From Syntagma, take tram T6 to Pikrodafni and switch to the T7 coast line — a single €1.20 ticket covers the transfer and lands you at the Athenian Riviera's free stretches. No gate, no sunbed booking, just a towel and the sea.
- Flisvos · Palaio Faliro · FreeA marina promenade and a long, open stretch that locals use for an after-work swim. If you're staying in the port or the south suburbs, that would be the closest one to you.Free
- Batis · Palaio Faliro · FreeJust past Flisvos, sharing the same stop area. Quieter on weekday mornings and a good pick if you're travelling with kids.Free
- Edem · Palaio Faliro · FreeThe first easy beach stop from the center on the T6 line. Plenty of seaside tavernas right behind it — swim, then eat at one of them. Tram stop Edem.Free
- Kavouri · Vouliagmeni · FreeA favourite local escape, just beyond the tram terminus. Take T7 to Voula, then a short bus or taxi ride — or hop on one of the hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses that run along the Riviera and stop nearby. Small coves all the way along the coast road — pick one, lay your towel, stay until the sun drops.Free
- Between Astir & Akti Vouliagmenis · Vouliagmeni · FreeThe stretch running between the two organised beaches is open and free — the path the locals take to skip the entrance fees.Free
Akti Iliou — pay for the sunbed, or just the coffee
A short tram ride further. Entrance runs €10 midweek or €12 at weekends; once inside, settle onto the couches and wooden seats and pay only for what you eat and drink, or add €10 for a dedicated sunbed.
- Akti Iliou · Alimos · OrganisedLoungers and couches by the sea — pay only for consumption, or add €10 for a sunbed.€10–12 + €10 sunbed
Akti Vouliagmenis
At the far end of the Riviera — a full-service beach where the draw is less the sand and more the sheer choice of bars and seafront restaurants, each with a sweeping view over the water.
- Akti Vouliagmenis · Vouliagmeni · OrganisedFull-service organised beach with sunbeds, bars and a proper setup. Around €15 entrance.~€15
Take tram T6 from Syntagma to Pikrodafni and switch to the T7 coast line — one €1.20 ticket covers the whole chain, transfer included. Free stretches for a spontaneous swim, organised beaches for a full day with sunbeds and a bar. Either way, you're back in the city by eight.
Heading further south? From Argyroupoli or Elliniko stations on the red metro line 2, catch bus 122 — it runs all the way down to Saronida, the last spot reachable by a city bus along the coast. It leaves roughly every 15–20 minutes and runs until around 22:30 during summer.