Athens Riviera Hotels & Where to Stay

Updated: September 2, 2026
Greece › Athens › Athens Riviera Hotels
By Santorini Dave • dave@santorinidave.com

My Favorite Hotels on the Athens Riviera

• Luxury Hotel: Four Seasons
• For Families: Grand Resort Lagonissi
• For Couples: The Margi
• Best Value: Vincci EverEden
• Near Ferry Port: Port Square

Athens Riviera Hotels – My Tips

• The Athens Riviera is the coastal side of Athens. It runs south from Piraeus and Faliro through Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, and toward Cape Sounio. Come here for beaches, swimming, restaurants by the water, and resort hotels, not for the easiest access to the Acropolis.
• Do not stay here for a first-time Athens sightseeing trip. If your priority is the Acropolis, Plaka, museums, ancient sites, and central Athens restaurants, 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. It also makes sense for travelers who have already seen central Athens and want a few days by the sea.
• 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 cafes, boutiques, bars, lots of restaurants, and more going on at night than Vouliagmeni. It is also better connected by tram and bus.
• Alimos, Palaio Faliro, and Elliniko are more about convenience. They are closer to central Athens and have good marina and coastal access. The huge Ellinikon redevelopment is changing this part of the coast, but construction is ongoing and travelers should not expect the finished waterfront district yet.
• Varkiza and Vari are quieter and good for families. There are good beaches and casual tavernas, without Vouliagmeni prices. Varkiza’s Yabanaki Beach is one of the better organized sandy beaches for families.
• 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. There are also free and cheaper public beaches, but with fewer facilities and less shade.
• Reserve the popular beach clubs in July and August. Do not assume you can arrive at Astir Beach on a summer weekend and get the sunbed you want. Check current prices and cancellation rules before booking. A Riviera beach day can cost more than a very good dinner.
• Do not expect one long seaside promenade. The planned Athenian Riviera Urban Walk will eventually connect much more of the coast for pedestrians and cyclists, but it is not complete. Distances are long, and taxis are still the easiest way to move between Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, and points farther south.
• The tram is useful but slow. It is good for Faliro, Alimos, and Glyfada. From Vouliagmeni, taxis or buses are more useful. For central Athens by public transport, getting to Elliniko Metro and taking the Red Line is usually faster than staying on the tram.
• The Riviera can work very well before a flight. Glyfada and Vouliagmeni are much nicer places to spend a final night than the airport area. For a very early flight, stay near the airport. For a very early ferry, stay in Piraeus.

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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 is my favorite smaller hotel for couples.

The downside is cost and distance from central Athens. Stay here for the beach and restaurants, 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 and much better if you want to walk to different restaurants every night.

Voula

Voula sits between Glyfada and Vouliagmeni. It is quieter and more residential, with good restaurants and beaches and easy access in either direction.

It would not be my first choice for a short luxury stay, but it can work well for a longer visit if you want somewhere calmer than Glyfada without paying Vouliagmeni prices.

Alimos, Palaio Faliro, and Elliniko

These northern Riviera areas make sense if you want to stay by the coast but still expect to spend significant time in central Athens. They have better transport links, marinas, and useful stretches of waterfront.

Elliniko will become much more interesting as the enormous redevelopment is completed. For now, major parts are still under construction, so I would stay here for a particular hotel or location rather than for the Riviera’s best beach experience.

Varkiza and Vari

Varkiza and Vari are quieter than Glyfada and cheaper than Vouliagmeni. Varkiza has a good sandy beach setup, while both areas have plenty of casual places to eat.

They work well for families and longer stays. I would not choose either if I expected to go sightseeing in central Athens every day.

Lagonissi and Sounio

Lagonissi and Sounio are too far south for regular Athens sightseeing. Grand Resort Lagonissi is a good family resort if you want beaches, space, and plenty to do without leaving the property.

Sounio is even farther out but has one big advantage: the Temple of Poseidon and its sunset setting. I would stay this far south only if I had already seen Athens or wanted a quiet resort stay.

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Athens Riviera Alternatives

• Central Athens: Stay here on a first visit if the Acropolis, Plaka, museums, ancient sites, and central restaurants are your priorities.
• Piraeus: Best for one night before an early ferry. It is a working port city rather than a beach resort, but being close to your ferry gate is worth it for an early departure.
• Athens Airport area: Best for a very late arrival or painfully early departure. With a reasonably timed flight, I would much rather spend the final night in Vouliagmeni or Glyfada.

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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. This is a destination resort rather than simply a hotel near Athens, and the one I would choose for a special-occasion Riviera stay.

2. 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.

3. Grand Resort Lagonissi – Lagonisi

Huge luxury resort spread across a 72-acre peninsula, with private beaches, pools, spa, restaurants, and a seasonal kids’ club. It is particularly good for families who want 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.

4. Vincci EverEden – Anavyssos

Good four-star resort and one of the better-value choices this far south. It has outdoor pools, beach access, spa facilities, modern rooms, and half-board options. Good for families, but the location is isolated enough that I would want a car.

5. Athenian Riviera Hotel – Vouliagmeni

Small, comfortable hotel on a quiet street in Vouliagmeni, about a five-minute walk from the beach. There is a pool and restaurant, and the rooms are modern. A good-value choice in an expensive neighborhood if staying at the Four Seasons or Margi is outside your budget.

6. The Alex Monte Kastella – Piraeus

Hotel Phone: +30 21119 83763
Excellent hotel in the hilly Kastella neighborhood of Piraeus, with modern rooms and a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Saronic Gulf. Mikrolimano’s restaurants are a short walk away, and the ferry port is about 10 minutes by taxi. Stay here if you want a pleasant Piraeus neighborhood rather than a hotel right beside the ferry gates.

7. The Port Square Hotel – Piraeus

Hotel Phone: +30 21041 03000
The best choice for a good hotel right beside Piraeus port. It is next to the metro station and convenient for morning ferries, with an early breakfast starting at 6:30 AM. I would stay here rather than on the Riviera if catching a very early ferry.

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Athens Riviera FAQ

Should I stay on the Athens Riviera or in Central Athens?

Stay in Central Athens on a first visit if sightseeing is your priority. Plaka, Koukaki, Syntagma, and Monastiraki are much better for the Acropolis, museums, restaurants, and walking around the historic center.

Stay on the Riviera for beaches, swimming, and resort hotels. I especially like it for two or three nights at the end of a Greece trip.

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?

Vouliagmeni is prettier and better for beaches, swimming, luxury hotels, and couples. Glyfada has far more restaurants, shops, cafes, and nightlife and is easier without a car.

Choose Vouliagmeni for beaches and romance. Choose Glyfada for dining, shopping, and walkability.

What are the best hotels in Glyfada?

Glyfada has the Riviera’s best town center, with lots of restaurants, cafes, shops, bakeries, and bars within walking distance.

• One&Only Aesthesis: The top luxury resort in Glyfada, set directly on the coast with beaches, pools, and extensive resort facilities. Expensive, but excellent.
• Dusit Suites Athens: Upscale suites close to Glyfada’s restaurants and shops. Good for longer stays or anyone wanting more space than a standard hotel room.
• Brasil Suites Boutique Hotel: Small boutique hotel with suite-style rooms and a convenient central location. One of my favorites for families in Glyfada.
• Ace Hotel & Swim Club Athens: Stylish hotel with a large pool and a younger, livelier atmosphere than the traditional Riviera resorts.
• Palmyra Beach Hotel: Reliable mid-range hotel near the coast and tram. Not luxurious, but good value for Glyfada.
• Glyfada Riviera Hotel: Comfortable hotel near the coast with a pool and spa. A good alternative to the much more expensive beach resorts.

Is the Athens Riviera a good alternative to visiting the Greek Islands?

Not really. The Riviera has good beaches and excellent hotels, but it does not replace Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Milos, or the experience of staying on a Greek island.

What it does very well is give you a couple of days by the sea without adding another ferry or flight. If your itinerary is already full, two Riviera nights can be a much easier finale than squeezing in one more island.

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

No. For Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, I would normally use taxis, Uber Taxi, buses, and the tram rather than rent a car. A car is useful if you want to explore beaches farther south, visit Sounio independently, or stay around Lagonissi or Anavyssos.

What is the best area to stay in without a car?

Glyfada. You can walk to restaurants, cafes, shops, bars, and tram stops. Palaio Faliro and Alimos also work well without a car if you want easier access to central Athens. Vouliagmeni is easy enough without a car, but you will use taxis more often.

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

Glyfada and Vouliagmeni are convenient for Athens International Airport, particularly by taxi. Depending on traffic, the drive is roughly 25 to 40 minutes.

The Riviera is less convenient for Piraeus. Allow at least 45 to 60 minutes from Glyfada or Vouliagmeni, and longer in heavy traffic. If you have an early ferry, stay in Piraeus.

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, and prices vary by beach, season, day of the week, and sunbed location. Astir Beach is one of the most expensive. There are plenty of cheaper alternatives 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.
• Yabanaki Beach in Varkiza: Large organized sandy beach with lots of facilities.

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. Sounio is beautiful but isolated. 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 and works especially well at the end of an island itinerary. Stay three nights if you want a full beach day plus time for Lake Vouliagmeni, restaurants, or a Sounio excursion.

If this is your first trip to Athens, do not spend all your Athens nights on the Riviera. Stay in central Athens first and move to the coast afterward.

Is the Athens Riviera a good base for families?

Yes. Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, Glyfada, and the larger resorts farther south all work well with children. Look for a hotel with a pool and easy beach access. Kavouri, Vouliagmeni Beach, and Yabanaki are good family beaches. Organized beach clubs can be expensive in July and August, especially for a family needing several sunbeds.

What is the best luxury hotel on the Athens Riviera?

The Four Seasons Astir Palace is the best luxury hotel on the Athens Riviera. It has a superb Vouliagmeni location, three private beaches, excellent restaurants, and outstanding resort facilities.

For a smaller hotel, I prefer The Margi. In Glyfada, One&Only Aesthesis is the standout.

How late do taxis and Uber operate between the city center and the coast?

Taxis and Uber Taxi operate late, so getting back to the Riviera after dinner in Athens is not difficult. The issue is time, traffic, and cost. If you plan to spend every night in Plaka, Psiri, Koukaki, or Syntagma, stay in central Athens. The Riviera commute gets old quickly.

Is public transport good along the Athens Riviera?

Public transport is useful but slow. The tram is best for Faliro, Alimos, and Glyfada. Vouliagmeni and Varkiza rely more on buses and taxis.

The X96 airport bus runs 24 hours between Piraeus and Athens Airport along the coastal route and can be useful for airport or port transfers, though a taxi is much easier with luggage.