Some of the best beaches in the world are to be found on the Greek islands, but if you happen to be in Athens instead, you won’t be short of choice for places to spend a day by the sea. Athens is surrounded by water and most of the beaches around the city are easily accessible by public transport.

The Athenian beaches fall into two broad categories, basically those that are public and free and the privately operated ones where an admission fee is charged for the services.As a general rule, free public beaches do not offer any amenities (except a beach bar and umbrellas in some cases). In the privately operated beaches the entrance fee sometimes includes sun-beds, umbrellas and showers and there are of course beach bars, restaurants and even shops to keep you occupied for the whole day. 

Finally, if you are really lazy, cannot be bothered to drag yourself down the coast and all you want is to enjoy the hot Athenian sun, many hotels have swimming pools that are open to the public, for a fee of course. As a rule, the price includes the use of the swimming pool,  sun-beds and towels (and often lockers and changing rooms) and you can buy drinks and light snacks from the pool bar.  

Privately operated beaches:

Akti Iliou 12 km Tel. 210 9855169 Tram:bstop Zephyros/Kalamaki / Bus 141 from Agios Dimitrios metro station / Bus 103 from Akadimias st Daily: 08:00-20:00,Admission: Weekdays€6 (free sunbeds) Weekends €8 (sunbeds €3) Chidren under 12: half price.

Thalassea, Voula 20 km Tel. 210 8959632 Bus A1 from Faliro metro station Daily: 08:00-20:00 Admission: Weekdays €5.5,Weekends €6.5 (sunbeds incl

Astir Beach, Vouliagmeni  26 km Tel. 210 8902000Tram, stop Glyfada and then bus 114, Daily: 08:00 -21:00 Admission: Weekdays €15, children €8 Weekends € 25, children €13

Yabanaki, Varkiza 27km Tel. 210 8972414 Bus 171 from Dafni metro stationDaily: 08:00-20:00, Admission: Weekdays €7 (sunbeds incl.) Weekends €8 (sunbeds: €5). Children under 6yrs free, children under 12 yrs, students €4, Free Parking

Grand Beach, Lagonissi 40km Tel. 22910 76000 KTEL (intercity) bus from Pedion to Areos to Sounio, bus stop Lagonissi €3.30, Weekdays 10:00-sunset, Weekends 09:00-sunset,Admission: Weekdays: €8, children under 12 free, Weekends: €17, children 6-12 yrs: €8.5 Parking weekdays: €6, weekends €11, Sunbeds incl. all days. 

Public beaches

There are hundreds of beaches down the Attica coast and if you don’t feel like planning ahead, you can just board the bus and find the appropriate bus stops by just following the crowd. Or, if you drive, a good way to find a good beach is to watch for  the number of cars parked at the side of the road.The following are some of the most popular free beaches.  Although there is some kind of shop near almost every one of them, remember to bring a bottle of water, towels, hats and everything else you may need.

Alimos,  11 km, Tram, stop Zephyros/ Kalamaki / Bus 141 from Agios Dimitrios metro station / Bus 103 from Akadimias st €0.80

Agios Kosmas 15 km, Tram, stop 1st Agios Kosmas / Bus 141 from Agios Dimitrios metro station / Bus 103 from Akadimias st €0.80Vouliagmeni -Limanakia  28 km, Bus E22 

Agia Marina 34 km, Bus E22 , KTEL (intercity) bus to Sounio, €2.90

Anavyssos 44 km, Bus E22 , KTEL (intercity) bus to Sounio, €4.20

Legraina 64 km, KTEL (intercity) bus to Sounio, €5.20

Sounio 69 km, KTEL (intercity) bus to Sounio, €5.20 / €5.70 depending on the route.  

OASA coast Express bus E22 departs Akadimias st (& Ippokratous MPanepistimio) every 20 minutes, Tickets cost €1.20

KTEL buses servicing the southern coast depart Pedion  Areos (Alexandras & Mavromateon st, MVictoria) starting at 06:30 and every half hour - last bus 21:30