A long curve of organised sand south of Vouliagmeni — sun loungers, beach bars, and a covered pier of fish restaurants by the small marina.
Varkiza is the next bay south of Limanakia and Vouliagmeni — a wide curve of fine sand, three organised beach clubs, two free public stretches, a small marina at the southern end with seven fish tavernas under a covered pier.
It is the second-most-popular Athenian beach after Astir; on a Saturday in July there are five thousand people on the sand. Off-season the same beach is a long quiet walk in pine-scented air. The character is family-and-everyday rather than glamorous: the Yabanaki beach club at the western end has a water park, six restaurants, a campsite and a wedding-banquet hall behind it; the Atlantis club in the centre is sun-loungers-only; the eastern public stretch is free and gets the locals. The Varkiza marina at the south is small but functional — seven fish tavernas (Akti Varkiza, To Limanaki, Trata) under a covered pier where the boats dock every morning. The Friday-night dinner here is the local Athens version of going out — an hour’s drive from the centre, and only Athenians.
A Varkiza beach-and-pier day.
Forty minutes via the coast; park at Yabanaki or the public eastern beach.
Sun lounger, towel, a long morning swim; the sandy bottom, the shallow shelf, very kid-friendly.
Walk south fifteen minutes along the beach to the marina; pre-booked table; ninety-minute lunch under the covered pier.
Back to the sand; another two hours; the locals start arriving from 16:30 after work.
Walk back to the marina; a cold beer at To Limanaki; the working-fishing atmosphere; the pink Saronic light.
Forty-five minutes north along the coast.
Within ten minutes by car.
Five minutes' drive north — the rock coves. Detail on the Limanakia page.
Ten minutes' drive north — the warm float. Detail on the Vouliagmeni page.
Ten minutes' drive south — the fishing villages. Detail on the Lagonisi page.
Fifteen minutes' drive north — the pine peninsula. Detail on the Kavouri page.
Fifteen minutes' drive south — the next fishing town, with Akrogiali. Detail on the Lagonisi page.
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.
