A cypress-and-pine peninsula south of Vouliagmeni — Astir Beach with its 1960s glamour, then a string of small fish tavernas on the rocks.
Kavouri is the small wooded peninsula immediately south of Vouliagmeni — pine and cypress on a limestone tongue stretching into the Saronic, the most-photographed coast on the Athens Riviera.
The peninsula has two distinct halves. The eastern (Astir) side is glamorous and paid: the Astir Beach Club (€30–€80 day-pass depending on the season), the Four Seasons Astir Palace (a 303-room rebuild of the original Astir Palace, opened 2019), the small island of Asteras just offshore. The western (Kavouri) side is local and quieter: a long curving public beach, three of Athens’ most-loved fish tavernas on the rocks (Lambros since 1889, Ithaki, Garbi), and a residential neighbourhood of 1960s villas. The road between them — Apollonos and Iliou — is the road on which Athenians of a certain age learned to drive their parents’ cars in summer.
A perfect Kavouri day.
Thirty minutes via the coastal road; park at Astir or the Kavouri public beach.
Day-pass at Astir, or free at the Kavouri public; the morning swim, a sun lounger, a book.
Pre-booked terrace; the third-generation menu — octopus, fresh fish, salad — three hours.
Walk over the small bridge to the offshore island; a coffee at the island café; an afternoon swim on the calm rocky side.
Sundown cocktails on the deck; the Saronic Gulf turning pink; the Riviera at its most cinematic.
Either Garbi for a second small fish meal, or drive back to Athens for a late dinner in Pangrati or Plaka.
Within fifteen minutes by car.
Five minutes' drive south — the geothermal saltwater lake. Detail on the Vouliagmeni page.
Ten minutes' drive south — the small limestone coves. Detail on the Limanakia page.
Fifteen minutes' drive south — the long sandy beach with the marina. Detail on the Varkiza page.
Ten minutes' drive north — the Riviera's main town. Detail on the Glyfada page.
Three minutes' drive south — the protected bay; the Margi hotel; small beaches.
Tell us a little about the trip you want — pace, who's coming, how you'd like to spend your mornings. We'll build the days.
