Athens’ new charming Waterfront
When thinking of Greece as a destination where to spend summer holidays at the sea, certainly the first places that come to mind are the archipelagos and islands such as the Cyclades, Crete or Corfù, rather than other beautiful towns on the coast of the Peloponnese as the Bay of Navarino or Patras.
Well, good to know that even the seaside of Athens offers dramatic emotions to all its visitors. The city’s waterfront extends more than 20km over the Saronic Gulf, from Piraeus to Glyfada, offering breathtaking views at all hours of the day! During the day, the intense blue of the sea contrasts with the bright white of the characteristic Greek houses that have literally covered the Piraeus Peninsula, while at night, the lights embrace this beautiful bay, offering amazing views from any point.
You will be driving on the (very) long, beautiful Leoforos Poseidonos, a must-see scenic boulevard. It starts from Piraeus and runs along the entire waterfront of Athens, offering incredible views over the Aegean Sea and some of the surrounding islands. Here you can enjoy many cafes, pubs and discos. Anywhere along the waterfront of Athens you will find plenty of bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, and endless possibilities for shopping, especially around Glyfada and the nearby district of Elliniko.
In recent years, the waterfront has completely changed its appearance: in fact, there where up to five years ago was only sea, today there are ecological parks and marinas; unauthorized night clubs have been replaced with green areas, sports centers and other facilities; anywhere possible, new beaches have been coming out. Little by little, Athens is recovering its coast, which has been abused for years by illegal construction and improper use.
To facilitate and encourage the use of the new coastal areas, a new avant-garde tram network has been created, in addition to an original, not-to-be-missed walk called Esplanada, which is a large pedestrian overpass area stretching 50 meters, starting from the Singrù avenue, and flying for about half a mile over the road junctions and major roads of the city, allowing visitors to easily reach the seaside, in a short time and enjoying also an unparalleled view. The Esplanada ends right in proximity to the new marina and the historic Greek armored cruiser Georgios Averof, flagship of the Royal Hellenic Navy.
For your holiday of sun and sea, Athens Riviera will fulfill all of your expectations, with treasures ranging from Paleon Faliron to Kalamaki, Alimos, Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza. There are several beaches in Athens Riviera, the most popular are in Glyfada, Varkiza, Nea Makri, Crysi Akti (Golden Coast) and Alimos. Most of the beaches in Athens are private, but on the other hand, they are very clean and well maintained, so it’s really worth paying a little extra to enjoy a great time.
Photo by dorena-wm
About the Author
Andrea Guerriero Hi, I'm Andrea, a travel blogger, web programmer, seo apprentice and amateur photographer based in Milan. I love reading, I love music. I love to travel but only if I leave on a mission! I've been traveling through most of Europe and I love writing about it. I love photography, especially as a way to document experiences, places, events. My Nikon D300 camera is always with me, and it helps me in sharing my life with the rest of the world. Getting in touch with new people, different life styles and foreign traditions, and write about it, is all I can ask for.
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