The Greek capital is known to every person who at least once in his life has opened a textbook on the history of the Ancient World. Athens is called the birthplace of Western civilization, and the architectural monuments of the Greek capital still occupy the highest lines in the ratings of the most famous world attractions. Athens is located in the historical region of Attica in the southeastern part of central Greece. The Athenian Plain from the southwest is washed by the waters of the Saronic Gulf, which belongs to the Aegean Sea. In Athens, whose population has exceeded 3 million, sunbathing and swimming is not worth it, and there is nowhere. For a comfortable stay, it is best to go to the beaches that are at least a few kilometers from the center of the capital.
Choosing a beach
The most famous beach resort in the Greater Athens metropolitan area is called Glyfada. It is famous for its luxury hotels, marinas for luxury yachts and restaurants with the most exquisite menu in Attica.
The beaches of Glyfada are covered with sand, and most of them receive Blue Flag certificates every year as an award for their cleanliness and particular attention to the environment.
Together with the resorts of Voula and Vouliagmeni, Glyfada forms the Apollo Coast, on which the most popular recreation areas are called:
- Asteria Seaside, with a paid entrance, whose territory is fenced from outsiders. The beach is equipped according to the latest resort fashion. You will find on it not only sun loungers with umbrellas, but also playgrounds, a water park, restaurants, a climbing wall, diving boards and rental points for various sports equipment. Filters clean the water in the sea, and the shade is created by the beautiful gardens, set up by the best landscape designers.
- Bellax Beach is still more expensive and more sophisticated. On this beach you can rent a villa with its own staff and a private pool. The nightclub on Bellax Beach is a hangout for the famous and stylish "golden youth", and in the business centers located right on the beachfront, you can successfully combine work with a vacation at sea.
In the Athens suburb of Vouliagmeni, the beaches are sandy, equipped with umbrellas and sun loungers and are mostly owned by local hotels. Entrance to such recreation areas is paid, and the cost of a ticket, together with the rental of a sunbed, can reach 5-8 euros. There are also more expensive beaches in the resort, on which spas, cafes, restaurants and swimming pools are built.
Almost every beach belonging to the hotel is equipped with playgrounds, and professional animators are responsible for the kids' leisure time.
There are several wild beaches near Athens, where you can relax for free if comfort and high-level service are not a priority for you:
- Altea Beach is 40 km away. from the center of the capital. The bay on the sandy shore looks very secluded. There is no infrastructure.
- 60 km. Cape Sounion is located from the city center in the direction of Cape Sounion. In addition to the perfectly clear water, it attracts vacationers by the fact that the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon have been preserved nearby.
- The beach in the village of Harakas is suitable for families. Its surface is perfect fine sand, and the gentle entrance into the water is ideal for bathing children.
- Nudists prefer Dikastika beach on the Marathon coast. The bay where it is located is rocky and you will have to sunbathe on the rocks.
In order to get to the sea in the suburbs of Athens, it is most convenient to use the car rental service. Public transport does not run everywhere or its schedule is not very convenient for tourists.
Sea cruises from Athens
Having studied in detail the capital's sights, tourists most often go on sea cruises.
From Athens, you can get by sea to Delphi, where the Pythian Games were held in ancient times, and now there are archaeological sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Glyfada - Meteora route will introduce travelers to unique monasteries built on the tops of inaccessible rocks.
A cruise from the capital to Argolis will give opera fans a unique opportunity to listen to their favorite works performed on the stage of the ancient Greek theater Epidaurus.
By sea from Athens, you can go to Mycenae. This city is called the cradle of the Mycenaean culture, which became the progenitor of the entire Greek civilization.
