One place in Greece that you may never have heard of is the Athenian Riviera. Cynics may call it nothing more than a fancy marketing device, but the Athens Riviera refers to a hotel-laden area on the Saronic Gulf coast just outside of Athens, heading south along the coast of Attica.
Why should I go?
The Athens Riviera is a dramatic stretch of the Greek coast that is generally considered to be in the Vouliagmeni suburb area, but most of Greece has a large coastline. It is a good way to get closer to the water and stay away from the bustling city of Athens. Glyfada and Faliro are generally regarded as the northern terminus of the ‘Riviera’, with Cape Sounion marking its southernmost point. In between, there are many beaches and places to stay, including Voula and Vouliagmeni beaches, known for their spring waters and offering several hotels.
The area below Cape Sounion, also called Cape Sounio, is a popular marina, but it also has several luxury hotels on the coast.
Where can I stay?
The Westin Hotel chain is one of the main promoters of the Athens Riviera, and it’s not hard to understand why. They have a handful of hotels there, including the Astir Palace group and a new W Hotel that opened in 2008. The local Greek hotel chain Grecotel offers Cape Sounio on the cliffs. The Grand Resort Lagonissi claims to be the only “luxury beachfront resort” on the Athenian Riviera, but some of the hotels mentioned above would question it.
While hotels offer the best option for most travelers who want to enjoy this beautiful area of the Saronic Gulf coast, there are also some alternative accommodations such as local places offered on Airbnb, small guesthouses, and room rentals.
How do I get there?
Driving yourself in Greece? If you are tired of the congestion in Athens itself, the Coastal Route is a beautiful journey and offers maximum flexibility for visiting beaches and seeing sights along the way. Head towards Glyfada on the E75 out of Athens, then follow the coast to Cape Sounion. This route will take you through Voula and Vouliagmeni, Lagonissa and Saronidi. With careful timing, you can see the famous sunset from Cape Sounion. For the return route, there is the option to go through Athens International Airport and then return to Athens itself.
Plan your own trip
With a little research, you can book your own Athens day trips and short trips around Greece and the Greek islands. You can also book your own Santorini trips and Santorini day trips. One thing to note: the Greek airport code for Athens International Airport is ATH.
