Where to Stay on the Athens Riviera

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By Santorini Dave

My Favorite Hotels on the Athens Riviera

• Luxury Hotel: Four Seasons
• For Families: Grand Lagonissi
• For Couples: The Margi

Best Places to Stay on the Athens Riviera

• The Athens Riviera is the name given to the seaside towns south of Athens. This 48 km stretch brims with sandy beaches, pretty marinas, and tranquil sea in every shade of blue.
• Both organized and natural beaches stud the coastline. Currently, there are 13 Blue Flag-awarded beaches and marinas here. Natural beaches with no amenities are always free to enter. Most organized beaches are gated and charge an admission fee that does not include the use of sunbed and umbrella sets. Rates vary by beach and whether visiting on a weekday or weekend but generally range from €6 to €15 per adult. Some beaches offer special rates for families. Children under five-years-old and persons with disabilities often qualify for free admission. Consider the admission price per person per day for local beach access if staying at a hotel that does not have its own private beach.
• The main towns on the Riviera include (from north to south) Palaio Faliro, Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni, Lagonisi, Varkiza, Anavyssos, and Sounio. The busy port town Piraeus is sometimes included as part of the Riviera (its Bay of Zea, in particular), but it does not have the idyllic beaches or relaxed vibe of its neighbors to the south – yet. Piraeus is currently undergoing an urban Renaissance, though it is not quite fully realized.
• Vouliagmeni is the best place to stay in the Athens Riviera, especially for first-timers. This laid-back town is home to the area’s best beach, Astir Beach (where you’ll find the Four Seasons), as well as Lake Vouliagmeni, a natural thermal spa. Vouliagmeni enjoys a central seaboard location, about equidistant to central Athens, the ferry port, and the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio. Accommodations are primarily luxury and mid-range.
• In brief: Palaio Faliro (or just Faliro) is the gateway to the Riviera, home to Flisvos Marina (luxury yacht mooring). Fashion-forward Glyfada is known for its luxury boutiques and shopping malls, along with glamorous private beach clubs. Set between Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, residential Voula is rapidly converting from sleepy to chic but with many humble, family-run businesses still intact. Moving farther south, the towns get quieter and less touristy, though there is still plenty for travelers to do. Lagonisi is another small, quiet, residential town with a string of sandy beaches. Varkiza is a village of contrasts with traditional fishermen on their little wooden boats, along with the Island Club, one of the glitziest beach clubs on the Riviera. In easygoing Anavyssos you’ll find sandy beaches, water sports centers, and a lovely winery. Upscale Sounio (or Sounion) is the most historically significant settlement here, notable for its ancient Temple of Poseidon (mentioned in The Odyssey and the poetry of Lord Byron) and now boasting summer villas and high-end resorts.
• If relying on public transportation, stay in the northern half of the Riviera. Glyfada, Voula, and Faliro are the best-connected towns here. Stasy operates trams that connect central Athens (Syntagma station) to the coastal towns Palaio Faliro (line 6) and connect Piraeus to Glyfada and Voula (line 7). To get to Glyfada and Voula from central Athens, ride line 6 to its final stop at Pikrodafni, then transfer to line 7. OASA runs the express bus lines between the airport and the Athens Riviera: the X96 connects the airport to Piraeus ferry port via Voula, Glyfada, and Faliro, and the X97 connects the airport to Elliniko via Voula and Glyfada. It’s best to rent a car if staying south of Voula. OASA’s 122 bus connects Glyfada to Voula, Vouliagmeni, and Lagonisi; transfer to the 124 just south in Saronida to reach Anavyssos. There are no bus routes connecting any coastal towns to Sounio. KTEL offers buses three times a day from central Athens to Sounio.

The Best Hotels on the Athens Riviera

1. Four Seasons Astir Palace – Vouliagmeni

Hotel Phone: +30 21089 01000
Hands down the most luxurious resort on the Athens Riviera. The Four Seasons sits on a private peninsula at Astir Beach, the most glamorous beach in the area, with three of its own private, sandy beaches, along with three swimming pools, a holistic wellness center, a kids’ club, and ten restaurants and bars. Spacious rooms, suites, and bungalows all include furnished private balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, and king-sized beds. Top tier suites and bungalows add private pools. Activities on offer include cooking classes, water sports, wine tastings, and private cruises. The thermal springs of Lake Vouliagmeni and the shopping and nightlife of Glyfada are easily accessible via the resorts free shuttle service.

2. The Margi – Vouliagmeni

Hotel Phone: +30 21089 29000
Gorgeous boutique luxury hotel nestled in a quiet neighborhood just a few meters from both Astir and Vouliagmeni Beaches. Grounds feature a stylish pool deck with plush sunbeds and a wellness center with a heated pool and therapies that fuse the healing traditions of Ancient Greece and India. Farm-to-fork dishes are on offer at their seasonal restaurants, poolside bar, and in-room dining, highlighting local produce grown at their nearby organic farm (ask the concierge for tours and cooking classes at the Margi Farm). Rooms and suites feature crisp white linens, warm woods, and natural fiber decor, along with private balconies and king-sized beds. The VIP Suite adds a jacuzzi bath. Excellent walkable area within five minutes of restaurants and about twenty minutes from Lake Vouliagmeni.

3. Grand Resort Lagonissi – Lagonisi

Hotel Phone: +30 22910 76000
Sprawling, luxury resort on a private peninsula with sixteen sandy beaches. Guests will find one garden pool at the heart of the hotel and a second seafront pool at the on-site beach club. Leisure facilities include an outdoor cinema, full-service spa and gym, a water sports center, and a helipad. Its several restaurants and lounges offer a wide variety of cuisines and atmospheres with fine and casual Greek, Italian, and Japanese-Peruvian fusion, among others. Breakfast is always included. Most rooms have a furnished outdoor space with a garden, jacuzzi, or heated private pool. Families can take advantage of their kids’ club (ages 4 to 12) and babysitting service. A car is recommended for stays in this part of the Riviera.

4. Vincci EverEden – Anavyssos

Hotel Phone: +30 22910 60031
Family-friendly, four-star resort with two outdoor pools and a private beach. Children have access to a playground, a kids’ pool, and a floating water park at the beach club. Lifeguards are stationed at both pools and the beach. Guests have complimentary access to the hammam, sauna, and indoor heated pool in the spa, as well as free daily fitness classes in the adjacent 24-hour gym. Rooms and suites include private balconies or terraces; higher categories add private pools or jacuzzis. Breakfast is always included, while a half-board option adds daily lunch or dinner. It’s a good idea to rent a car when staying this far south on the Riviera.

5. Vouliagmeni Suites – Vouliagmeni

Hotel Phone: +30 21089 64901
Strategically-located luxury boutique hotel, just a five-minute walk north to Vouliagmeni Beach and a five-minute walk south to Lake Vouliagmeni. Even closer, you’ll find a small, free beach at the south end of Vouliagmeni Park (about a three-minute walk) and numerous restaurants. The art-filled hotel features a seasonal pool and creative Greek restaurant; in-suite massage is available on request. Suites all include a private balcony and a free stocked minibar (refills for an additional price); most feature marble bathrooms with separate walk-in showers and bathtubs. Family Suites have a second sleeping area; Family Apartments add a kitchenette.

6. Athenian Riviera Hotel – Vouliagmeni

Hotel Phone: +30 21089 00000
Relaxed boutique hotel with a pool set on a tree-lined street a five-minute walk to Vouliagmeni Beach and a ten-minute walk to Astir Beach. The all-day AR Restaurant serves Mediterranean dishes indoors or poolside, while room service is available until 11:00 pm. Wellness facilities include a massage room, sauna, and salon. Rooms and suites include private balconies, walk-in showers, pillow menus, and nightly turndown service. Executive Suites have indoor jacuzzi baths, and some Deluxe Family Rooms have outdoor jacuzzis.

7. The Alex Monte Kastella – Piraeus

Hotel Phone: +30 21119 83763
Tucked in the affluent, hilltop neighborhood Kastella among seaside villas and neoclassical mansions, this luxe boutique hotel is the best in Piraeus. All rooms and suites feature modern design and bespoke art, rainfall showers, and pillow menus. Most units have sea views, some add sofa beds, and Superior Rooms add balconies. Breakfast is always complimentary, as is the coffee and juice in the Lobby Bar. The crown jewel of the property is Nest, the rooftop restaurant, offering gourmet Greek comfort foods, wine of their own production, and sweeping views over the marina and sea. Scenic Mikrolimano port is a short walk away, brimming with restaurants and cafes. The ferry port is less than a 10-minute drive away.

8. The Port Square Hotel – Piraeus

Hotel Phone: +30 21119 83763
A smartly decorated city hotel mere steps from the ferry port, The Port Square offers a fantastic mix of comfort and convenience. Rooms and suites feature modern furnishings, Egyptian linens, and walk-in showers. The Suite and some Double Rooms have balconies. Trendy, all-day Bacaro Restaurant provides crowd-pleasing Mediterranean fare with room service available until 11:00 pm and a full breakfast buffet beginning at 6:30 am (a lighter breakfast is on offer as early as 6:00 am)

Read More

• Where to Stay in Athens
• Best Hotels in Athens
• Best Hotels for Families in Athens