No Ferry Needed: Explore Athens and Its Riviera
It’s no secret that Athens is in the midst of a significant post-recession transformation, with new hotels, restaurants and even train routes popping up every year. So instead of treating it as a quick stop for ancient ruins and gyros before you head off to the islands, let the capital city and its burgeoning culinary and art scenes convince you to stay a while.
Then, when you’re ready for a beach vacation vibe, skip the Cyclades and head to the Athens Riviera instead. The suburban coastal area, which was a hot spot for celebrities in the 1960s, is also remaking itself, with several hotel openings and a multibillion-dollar development that will include a sustainable park, a luxury mall, residences and more. It doesn’t hurt that the area already has pristine Blue Flag beaches and a nightlife scene that rivals the islands.
Between Athens and its Riviera, you can truly have it all—history, culture and beaches—without traveling far from the city. If you need more convincing, you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit below. From hotels within eyeshot of the Acropolis to luxurious beach clubs that wouldn’t be out of place in Mykonos, there’s plenty to keep you on the mainland.
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Athens
The Acropolis
When viewed from high above on the Acropolis, the sun-bleached concrete labyrinth of Athens stretches from bald mountain slopes to the glittering Saronic Gulf. First-timers might feel a prickle of stress at approaching the vast city, where B.C. monuments and open-pit excavations are as common as mailboxes and potholes. But take a breath. Know you can’t tackle it all and, instead, follow our picks, which include a manageable mix of ancient history and modern Athenian culture.
Start with a guided tour of the Acropolis and its famous Parthenon. Wearing a lanyard and earpiece might trigger a cringe reflex, but you’ll be able to skip the line and learn more than you would solo—like how the korai (female statues) at the Temple of Athena Polias are weatherproof decoys. Five of the originals stand in the stunning Acropolis Museum, where you can admire how the vertical lines in the fabric of their robes mimic those in a Corinthian column.
At the intersection of the Exarchia and Omonia neighborhoods, Greek-American designer Andria Mitsakos’ light-washed showroom, Anthologist, hides behind an unmarked, peacock-blue door. Call in advance for an appointment, and Mitsakos and her right-hand woman, Pavlina Andrinopoulou, will reveal the backstory of their collection (summery speckled ceramics, jewel-toned vintage throws, Uzbek velvet cloaks) over dried figs and walnuts.
Athenians might wonder what you’re doing as you wander through the bergamot trees and blue jacarandas of Pedion tou Areos (Field of Mars) park into the emerging neighborhood of Kypseli. But you’ll know you’re headed for the savory French toast with feta cream and kale at Flake and sweet cappuccinos at its sibling café, Kick (where you can also check out capsule boutique Indiego, which stocks travel zines, T-shirts and geometric vases from Hōkō). While in the neighborhood, swing by Kypseli Municipal Market, established in 1935 and reborn in 2023 as a makers’ hive, as well as Amigurumi, a children’s store selling Japanese-style knit lions, pandas and dinosaurs.
Flanking popular Monastiraki to the northwest, Kerameikos is another evolving district, with cool shops (The Red Book bookstore, Akron Aoton pottery) on the ground floors of the apartment buildings on Megalou Alexandrou street. Order the tangy marinated artichokes, vinegary stuffed peppers and honey-drizzled cheese pie at the tiny Cretan taverna To Laini, where staff will be impressed that a tourist found their way there.
Where to Stay in Athens
King George, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Athens
Founded in 1874, the dignified Hotel Grande Bretagne cuts an iconic silhouette on Syntagma Square. Guests and well-heeled locals flock to the rooftop restaurant, but don’t sleep on the Winter Garden lounge, where you can sip tea surrounded by Byzantine tiles, gold chairs and potted palms. For something more youthful, try NEW Hotel, Athens, a Design Hotels member with wacky armchairs, collages of turquoise evil-eye amulets and a lobby wall covered in scrap from the circa-1958 Olympic Palace that used to stand there. The poshest address in Plaka is easily the King George, where you can enjoy magical views of the Acropolis from the Tudor Hall Restaurant terrace.
Athens Riviera
Astir Beach
Spanning 37 miles of sparkling coastline, the Athens Riviera offers a classic Greek beach vacation less than 30 minutes from the city center—no long, rocky ferry rides required. Once a favorite of celebrities like Jackie O., Frank Sinatra and The Beatles, the area is making a comeback, with major hotel brands like Four Seasons, One&Only and Ace Hotel choosing the Riviera as the location for their first Greek properties.
Beyond top-tier hotels, The Ellinikon, an $8.2 billion development near the town of Glyfada, is set to transform the Riviera. Upon completion in 2037, the project will host Europe’s largest coastal park and Greece’s tallest building, plus a string of hotels, shops and a marina.
Driving from the start of the Riviera in Piraeus to the end in Sounion takes only about 90 minutes, so you can easily travel the coast in a single day. But if you have more time, consider spending the second half of your Athenian getaway there.
Your first stop should be Glyfada, a town best known for its stores, restaurants and nightlife. For shopping, head to Metaxa Street for fashion chains and shoe shops in an open-air setting, or the streets around Esperidon Square for designer stores (Zerteo Jewelry for gem-encrusted evil eye necklaces, New Cult for international streetwear) and high-end cafés like Pere Ubu (get the pizza stracciatella with smoked pancetta and mushrooms). Afterward, check out The Ellinikon in neighboring Elliniko. While the development is still underway, there is an outdoor playground and visitors center (complete with an interactive preview of the project) currently open to the public.
When hunger strikes, enjoy classic Greek food at Barbounaki Glyfada, inventive Japanese-Peruvian fusion at Huracán and specialty sushi at Bungalow 7. And if “clubstaurants” are more your thing, many Glyfada eateries transform into full-on parties in the evenings, like Opus Inner Pleasure, which goes from café to celebrity-packed club after the sun sets.
Lake Vouliagmeni
Next, check out Vouliagmeni, a tree-lined suburb that’s home to lavish beach clubs and the summer homes of wealthy Athenians. You could spend an entire afternoon swimming at Lake Vouliagmeni, a cavernous rock formation turned spa retreat, or lounging in a cabana at Astir Beach. But save time for Riviera institution Moorings, which serves Mediterranean-style seafood all day long. Nearby, you’ll find the historic outdoor movie theater Akti Summer Cinema, which plays recent Hollywood releases and cult classics from May until late September.
Moorings
Also worth exploring are popular Riviera towns like Voula and Varkiza, where you can enjoy pristine beaches, seaside restaurants and clifftop views. And be sure to end your visit to the Riviera with some time at the ancient Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion.
Where to Stay in Athens Riviera
Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens
One&Only Aesthesis sits right on the Riviera strip, but its bungalows—with private plunge pools, terraces and 24/7 butler service—still manage to feel private. Plus, it’s home to the only Guerlain Spa in Greece. Or try the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, where you can expect Aegean views from nearly every corner, as well as 10 restaurants and bars serving everything from Greek to Latin American fare. You can also check out the newest spot in the area, the Ace Hotel & Swim Club Athens, which debuted in October 2024 with modern rooms and a lively pool scene.
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