Athens top 5 beaches
The city of Athens is worth visiting for its historical beauties, the monuments, the remains of a civilization that has marked the history of the ancient world. But what about taking a little relaxation?
The choices are two: the shopping or the beach. The shopping in Athens has nothing to envy to that of other European capitals, in the bargain boutique shops and department stores are scattered in all quarters, not just in the old town. Instead, what other European capitals have certainly to envy to Athens are its 20 km of white, beautiful, sunny and equipped beaches that even in the night, offer tourists and city dwellers moments of peace, tranquility, leisure and sport.
Here are Athens top 5 beaches, accessible by public transport from downtown.
1. Vouliagmeni
At about 17 km from the centre of Athens there is the district of Vouliagmeni. It is the greener waterfront of Athens, with two spectacular peninsulas, Kavouri and Lemos, covered with vegetation and white sandy beaches. Vouliagmeni is the seaside area with many hotels even of luxury-class and with first order sports facilities that were used during the Olympics in 2004. Besides the beaches, in Vouliagmeni, there are also a marina and yacht clubs. The area was spared from the building speculation that hit Athens and some of its beaches in recent decades: along the banks of Vouliagmeni it is easy to see dock yachts of Greek and international celebrities.
2. Paleo Falirou
District of the Municipality of Athens at about 5 km from the centre, divided into an old town and in a more modern one, called Nea Falirou. Paleo Falirou is the ancient port of Athens, however, characterized by shallow waters and therefore supported since ancient times by that of Piraeus. Instead of Vouliagmeni, Paleo Falirou has undergone a profound building change, with the construction of large residential areas. The beach still remains one of the most frequented by the inhabitants of Athens because very close to the centre. Here the nightlife is also guaranteed in the evening.
3. Alimos
8 km from the centre of Athens, this district gave birth to different characters of ancient Greece, including the historian Thucydides. In Alimos was built a large harbour capable of holding over a thousand private boats also of great dimensions. The Alimos district is one of the greatest of the Athenian Riviera, and it has over 70,000 inhabitants. The beach of Alimos is also very popular (especially by the Athenians) for the proximity to the centre, but also because it is one of the best equipped for sport, not only water sport, but also with fields for tennis and volleyball.
4. Helliniko and Glyfada
These are the closest beaches to downtown of Athens, the ideal place to take the first spring sunlights and to close the summer holidays. The beaches of Glyfada and Helliniko are always full of people: considered “popular” by the city bourgeoisie, these are places where fun is guaranteed from morning to evening. Helliniko and Glyfada are in fact known for the tourist facilities of various kinds, both sports and recreational. Along the beach there are restaurants, bars and discos.
5. Varkiza
The farthest from the centre of Athens (about 20 km), Varzika is still a place very populated by tourists and citizens of the Greek capital. The main feature of this site are the wide beach, both free and equipped, and all the seaside resorts. Here, we are in the Poseidon Coast, up to Cape Sounion, a very nice spit of land and sea, pretty green and bone-white beach. In this are there are many hotels, restaurants and locals where to spend a bit of time when you are tired of the sun and sea.
How to get and where to stay in Athens
By plane you will land at the international airport Eleftherios Venizelos well connected by flights to United Kingdom through low cost flights to Athens of the low-cost airline easyJet with departure from London and Manchester or with flights to Athens operated by Aegean Airlines, British Airways and Olympic Air. With about 100 euro you can fly to Athens and enjoy a wonderful holiday filled with culture and sea.
Athens boasts a wide range of hotels near Monastiraki, residence in the centre, hostels under the Acropolis and, in addition, close to Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos, there are hotels of the major hotel chains. Choose your hotel in Athens.
Photo of the Vouliagmeni beach by pete_the_painter
About the Author
Francy Hi! My name is Francesca I love travelling, getting in touch with new lifestyles, new ways of thinking and most of all always discovering news places around the world! I like reading travel books and magazines, art and food. These are my passions that I try to share with you.
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