If you live in Athens and your time for short getaways is limited, there are beaches in Attica that remind you of an island. Organized or unorganized, with clear waters and beautiful natural scenery that will make you forget you’re in Attica. Here are some good options for your first swim this season.

KAPE, Sounion

KAPE is an acronym for “Centre for Renewable Energy Sources”. You’ll find the beach after passing the settlement of Harakas. Turn right onto a – unpaved – dirt road and park. Before descending the almost 100 steps, it is advisable to get water and anything else you want from the canteen or to have it with you already. It is also advisable to bring an umbrella, as there are few shady places on the beach.

Limenakia, Vouliagmeni

Limenakia is not exactly a beach and perhaps this is its biggest advantage for the first swim. Here, the entrance to the sea is by diving into the deep and this helps to get the first “cold” more easily and “once and for all”. A series of successive bays between Vouliagmeni and Varkiza are known as Limanakia. The busiest one is the second one where there is a beach bar-canteen that is open during the night hours and also wooden docks that are ideal for sunbathing. The waters are crystal clear and one of the most beautiful in Attica, you will forget that you are 40 minutes from the centre of Athens and 2-3 minutes downhill walk from the bustling coastal avenue.

Proseli, Porto Germeno

Porto Germeno is actually 3 plus one beaches. You will get here by crossing the fir forests of Helicon, unfortunately hit by fires in recent years but still offering a first contact with nature. The road has several bends until you reach Porto Germeno but you will be compensated. Families with children usually choose one of the first 3 beaches, Messia, Agios Nikolaos or Central because there is more space there. But we say it’s worth continuing on to Proseli. The beach is not particularly big so you might have a hard time finding a good spot. But once you make it and dive in you will understand why it was worth making the whole trip.

Daskaleio, Keratea

At a distance of 50 km from the centre of Athens is Daskalio, one of the seaside settlements of Keratea. It consists of three small harbours, the first two of which have sunbeds and beach bars. Even so, however, there are still a lot of people who prefer to spread their towel on the sand. The waters are crystal clear and not particularly deep which makes Daskalio popular with families.

Vouliagmeni Beach

If for the first of the year you definitely want to have the extra comforts of an organized beach but also don’t want to be too far from Athens, the popular beach of the Athenian Riviera is probably the best choice for you. The Blue Flag awarded beach combines crystal clear waters with plenty of good infrastructure. Here you will come to spend a carefree family day. There is a nice long sandy beach, lawn area, playground, tennis and volleyball courts.