Anavyssos Holidays, Greece This peaceful seaside resort lies 45 kilometres southeast of the city centre, on the coastal road to Sounio. The long sand beach offers beach volleyball and water sports including windsurfing, waterskiing and canoeing, and is overlooked by a row of seafood taverns and half a dozen hotels. Buses to Athens are infrequent, making it best for a lazy sea-and-sunshine holiday.
Glyfada Holidays, Greece Popular with ex-pats, this wealthy residential area lies on the coast, 18 kilometres southeast of Athens’ centre. Known for its smart designer stores and boutiques, expensive beach clubs and glitzy nightclubs, it’s also home to a yachting marina, scuba diving centre, and the Glyfada Golf Club, an 18-hole course set amid lush greens and dense pinewoods.
Palaio Faliro Holidays, Greece Six kilometres south of central Athens, this peaceful well-to-do residential area is made up of modern apartment blocks with balconies displaying lush Mediterranean planting. The busy coastal highway leads past a series of clean urban beaches. Two of Athens’ largest yachting marinas, Kalamaki and Flisvos, are found here. Flisvos is also home to the Averof battleship museum.
Rafina Holidays, Greece Athens’ second port after Piraeus, Rafina has boats for Evia and several of the Cycladic islands. Lying 30 kilometres east of the city, it offers a friendly, small-scale atmosphere; local fishermen sell their catch on the harbour front, and a row of seafood tavernas with roof-terrace dining overlook the port. The best beach is Kokkino Limanaki, a 25-minute walk away.
Sounio Holidays, Greece On the easternmost point of the Attica peninsular, the white marble Temple of Poseidon is Sounio’s landmark, standing proud above the Aegean Sea. Sounio is 67 kilometres south-east of Athens and offers an escape from urban bustle, with a handful of hotels and tavernas and a secluded beach. Best for lazy sea-and-sunshine holidays, it’s especially romantic at sunset.
Vouliagmeni Holidays, Greece Home to some of Athens’ most luxurious hotels, this upmarket residential area lies 25 kilometres southeast of the centre. The palm-lined seafront promenade gives onto several good sand beaches. There’s a yachting marina, glamorous waterside restaurants and clubs, and Lake Vouliagmeni, a blue-green lake of therapeutic waters at a constant 22-25C temperature.
