Athens, the Greek capital, is a large city, which has a great asset: it combines everything you can imagine. Nightlife, history, culture, food, sea and beaches. Among all these, Athens and the wider region of Attica have some places, where you feel like being on an island. With a unique character and beauty, there you will forget visiting a crowded city and enjoy a totally different experience.
Athens Riviera
Athens in summer is fascinating, and there are many places to spend amazing moments, dance by the sea, swim, sunbathe and eat seafood. The top place among them is Athens Riviera, the coastline that starts from Piraues, passes from the suburbs Faliro, Alimos, Elliniko, Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, Lagonissi, Saronida and Anavyssos and ends in Cape Sounio. Athens Riviera is characterised by an amazing coastline, wonderful beaches with pine trees and water sports amenities, as well as archaeological points of interests, such as the Temple of Apollon Zoster in Vouliagmeni.
Cape Sounio
The beaches in the district of Sounio, about 60 km from Athens are by far the best beaches you can find in the wider region of Athens, swimming in the Aegean Sea. What makes Sounio so unique is that there starts the Aegean Sea, and at the top of the cliff, is located the ancient temple of Poseidon. Swimming on the beach under the temple, visiting this significant monument and enjoying the view as well as eating mezedes and drinking ouzo in the traditional taverns nearby is a once in a lifetime experience you will always remember.
Anafiotika
Under the hill of Acropolis, is located the neighbourhood of Anafiotika, which took its name by the first residents, who built it and came from the Cycladic island of Anafi. Small colourful houses with Cycladic architecture, narrow paved streets, traditional shops, cafés and bars make this district a hidden gem of Athens under the magnificent shade of Acropolis.
Porto Rafti
On the eastern side, 35 km from Athens, Porto Rafti is a suburb with crystal sea and beach bars that get crowded at weekends. The beach of Avlaki Porto Rafti is a wonderful sandy shore with the clearest waters you can find after Sounio. Gorgeous beaches are also the bays of Agios Spyridon with the small white chapel and Erotospilia, which reminds of Cyclades. Full of young people, Porto Rafti is the ultimate place to swim, eat seafood in traditional taverns and have fun by the sea until the dawn.