Best Hotels on the Athens Riviera

Updated: September 30, 2026
Greece › Athens › Athens Riviera Hotels
By Santorini Dave • dave@santorinidave.com

My Favorite Hotels on the Athens Riviera

• Best Overall: Four Seasons
• Glyfada: One&Only Aesthesis
• For Couples: The Margi
• Smaller Luxury Hotel: The Roc Club
• For Families: Grand Resort Lagonissi
• Best Value: Vincci EverEden

Athens Riviera Hotels – My Tips

• The Athens Riviera runs south from Piraeus and Faliro through Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, and toward Cape Sounio. Come here for beaches, swimming, waterfront restaurants, and resort hotels, not for the easiest access to the Acropolis.
• Do not stay here for a first-time Athens sightseeing trip. If the Acropolis, Plaka, museums, ancient sites, and central Athens restaurants are your priorities, stay downtown. From Glyfada or Vouliagmeni, getting into the historic center can take 35 to 70 minutes depending on traffic and transport.
• I like the Riviera best at the end of a Greece trip. Two nights after island hopping gives you time for the beach, a good dinner, and a much more pleasant final night than staying beside the airport.
• Vouliagmeni is my favorite area. It has the Riviera’s best swimming, Lake Vouliagmeni, Astir Beach, Kavouri, excellent restaurants, and the top luxury hotels. It is expensive, but for a short beach or couples stay, this is where I would stay.
• Glyfada is better for restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. It has more going on at night than Vouliagmeni and is better connected by tram and bus.
• Varkiza and Vari are quieter and generally cheaper than Vouliagmeni. Varkiza has a long sandy beach and plenty of casual places to eat.
• Sounio is beautiful but isolated. Stay near Cape Sounio for quiet, sunsets, the Temple of Poseidon, and resort time. Do not stay there if you plan to make regular trips into Athens.
• Many of the best beaches are organized and expensive. Astir Beach is the premium option, with paid entry and reserved sunbeds. Reserve ahead in July and August, especially on weekends.
• Do not expect one long seaside promenade. The planned Athenian Riviera Urban Walk is not complete, and distances along the coast are long. Taxis are still the easiest way to move between Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, and points farther south.
• The tram is useful but slow. It works best for Faliro, Alimos, and Glyfada. From Vouliagmeni, taxis or buses are more useful. For central Athens, getting to Elliniko Metro and taking the Red Line is usually faster than staying on the tram.

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Best Areas to Stay on the Athens Riviera

Vouliagmeni

Vouliagmeni is my favorite area on the Athens Riviera. It has excellent beaches and swimming, Lake Vouliagmeni, good restaurants, and the coast’s best luxury hotels. The Four Seasons is the top resort, while The Margi and The Roc Club are smaller alternatives.

The downside is cost and distance from central Athens. Stay here for the coast, not because you are trying to “do Athens” efficiently.

Glyfada

Glyfada has the Riviera’s best selection of restaurants, cafes, shops, and bars, plus tram service toward central Athens. It feels more like a real town than a beach resort and has plenty going on year-round.

I prefer Vouliagmeni for a short romantic stay, but Glyfada is more practical for a longer visit or if you want to walk to different restaurants every night. One&Only Aesthesis is the standout luxury resort.

Alimos, Palaio Faliro, and Elliniko

These areas are closer to central Athens but would not be my first choices for a Riviera beach stay. They make more sense if you want to split your time between the coast and central Athens.

Varkiza and Vari

Varkiza and Vari are quieter and generally cheaper than Vouliagmeni, with beaches and plenty of casual restaurants. They are good for families and longer stays, but too far out for daily sightseeing in central Athens.

Lagonissi and Sounio

Lagonissi and Sounio are too far south for regular Athens sightseeing. Grand Resort Lagonissi is good for families who want beaches, space, and resort facilities. Stay in Sounio for quiet, a resort, and easy access to the Temple of Poseidon.

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The Best Hotels on the Athens Riviera

1. Four Seasons Astir Palace – Vouliagmeni

The best luxury resort on the Athens coast, occupying most of the Astir peninsula in Vouliagmeni. There are three private sandy beaches, two outdoor pools, a kids’ club, water sports, and excellent restaurants, including Michelin-starred Pelagos. Expensive, but the one I would choose for a special-occasion Riviera stay.

2. One&Only Aesthesis – Glyfada

Ultra-luxury beachfront resort on a large seafront property in Glyfada, with private-pool bungalows and villas, pools, a Guerlain spa, and several restaurants and bars. Easier than the Vouliagmeni resorts for reaching Glyfada’s restaurants and shops, and my top choice in Glyfada.

3. The Margi – Vouliagmeni

My favorite smaller luxury hotel in Vouliagmeni. The Margi has an attractive pool, spa, very good food, and a quiet residential location within walking distance of restaurants and the beach. I prefer it to the much larger Four Seasons for couples who want something more intimate.

4. The Roc Club – Vouliagmeni

Small luxury hotel with just 34 rooms and suites, a pool, sea views, and a great location near Lake Vouliagmeni, beaches, and restaurants. A good alternative to The Margi if you want a small hotel and an easy-to-walk-around part of Vouliagmeni.

5. Grand Resort Lagonissi – Lagonisi

Huge luxury resort spread across a 72-acre peninsula, with private beaches, a pool, spa, restaurants, and a kids’ club operating from mid-May through September. Particularly good for families who plan to spend most of their time at the resort. Some parts of the property feel dated compared with the Four Seasons. I would rent a car if staying here and planning to explore.

6. Vincci EverEden – Anavyssos

Good four-star resort and one of the better-value choices this far south, with outdoor pools, beach access, spa facilities, and half-board options. Good for families, but I would want a car here.

7. Athenian Riviera Hotel & Suites – Vouliagmeni

Small hotel on a quiet street in Vouliagmeni, with a pool and restaurant and an easy walk to the beach. Much cheaper than the top Vouliagmeni luxury hotels.

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Athens Riviera FAQ

How easy is it to visit the Acropolis from the Athens Riviera?

From Glyfada or Vouliagmeni, treat the Acropolis as a planned half-day outing, not something you casually squeeze in between breakfast and the beach. A taxi can take 30 to 70 minutes depending on traffic and where you are staying. From Vouliagmeni by public transport, take a taxi or bus to Elliniko Metro, then the Red Line into central Athens.

Which is better: Glyfada or Vouliagmeni?

Choose Vouliagmeni for beaches, swimming, luxury hotels, and couples. Choose Glyfada for dining, shopping, nightlife, and walkability.

What are the best hotels in Glyfada?

• One&Only Aesthesis: The top luxury resort in Glyfada, directly on the coast with private-pool bungalows and villas.
• Dusit Suites Athens: Upscale suites close to Glyfada’s restaurants and shops. Good for longer stays or anyone wanting more space.
• Brasil Suites Boutique Hotel: Small suite hotel in central Glyfada and one of my favorites for families.
• Ace Hotel & Swim Club Athens: Stylish hotel with a large pool and a younger, livelier atmosphere than the traditional Riviera resorts.
• Palmyra Beach Hotel: Mid-range hotel near the coast and tram. Not luxurious, but good value for Glyfada.
• Glyfada Riviera Hotel: Pool, spa, and a location near the coast at much lower rates than the big resorts.

Do I need a rental car to stay on the Athens Riviera?

No. For Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, I would use taxis, Uber Taxi, buses, and the tram. A car is useful for exploring beaches farther south, visiting Sounio independently, or staying around Lagonissi or Anavyssos.

Is the Athens Riviera convenient for the airport and Piraeus ferry port?

Glyfada and Vouliagmeni have relatively easy road access to Athens International Airport. Piraeus is less convenient, especially in traffic. If you have an early ferry, stay in Piraeus.

What are the best hotels in Piraeus before an early ferry?

For the easiest morning departure, I prefer the Port Square Hotel, right beside Piraeus port and the metro station. If you have more time and would rather stay in a pleasant neighborhood with restaurants and sea views, The Alex Monte Kastella is my choice. Mikrolimano is a short walk away, but you will need a taxi to the ferry gates.

Is the water on the Athens Riviera clean and good for swimming?

Yes. I prefer swimming around Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, and farther south rather than near the marinas and denser northern part of the coast. Avoid swimming immediately beside harbors, marinas, and heavy boat traffic.

Are the beaches free or do they all require a paid entrance fee?

There are both free and paid beaches. Organized beaches may charge admission, sunbed fees, or both. Astir Beach is one of the most expensive, but there are plenty of cheaper options if you do not need a beach club.

Which beaches on the Athens Riviera are sandy?

Not every Riviera beach is sandy. Some are pebbly or a mix of sand and small stones. These are among the better sandy choices:

• Astir Beach: Beautiful sandy beach and the Riviera’s most expensive beach club.
• Vouliagmeni Beach: Organized sandy beach with calm water and good facilities.
• Kavouri Beach: Sandy stretches and shallow water. A good choice for families.
• Varkiza: Long sandy beach with organized and less-developed sections.

Is it worth staying in Sounio if I only have one or two nights?

Only if you specifically want quiet, a resort, and easy access to the Temple of Poseidon. For most travelers, I prefer visiting the temple in the late afternoon and staying in Vouliagmeni or Glyfada. Stay overnight in Sounio when the hotel and seclusion are the reason for going.

How many nights should I stay on the Athens Riviera?

Two nights is enough for most trips. Stay three nights if you want a full beach day plus time for Lake Vouliagmeni, restaurants, or a Sounio excursion. On a first trip to Athens, spend your sightseeing nights in central Athens first.