The Location
Beaches
Astir Beach, Vouliagmeni
This is our favourite beach club, but be warned it’s a little pricey! It can also get very busy on weekends so you can book ahead on their website if you wish (for a premium price) or go early to be sure to get a nice spot. Luckily June is not high season so it shouldn’t be too crazy, and prices come down a little. There are two restaurants here, Nice n Easy and 40forty, a little overpriced but both decent. We usually prefer 40forty. The sundowners on Astir are sublime.
Krabo Beach, Vouliagmeni
This is a lovely little beach club in a small cove. The service is really nice and the restaurant is lovely. It’s quite cool and trendy with a Mykonos vibe in the decor. The beach is not as pristine as Astir but a lovely experience. You can book ahead if you wish using the Plazz beach club app, for a premium price.
Apollon Beach, Kavouri
This is our closest beach in Kavouri, in front of the Divani hotel. Prices are more reasonable and it’s still really nice and comfortable, and a little more relaxed. There is a beach bar / restaurant and beach service but it’s more basic. You can also walk from here to some nice restaurants and bars.
Balux Pool Seaside / Balux Cafe The House Project, Glyfada
Balux is a beachside club and venue with several parts. Balux pool seaside has a private pool you can pay to sit next to and use and is also on the beach if you want to swim in the sea, and there is a nice bar with good food and snacks. Balux Cafe next door has an indoor club-house and a larger beachfront bar and beach beds. The beach and facilities at Balux are not amazing, but it can be nice for drinks, chilling and sundowners, and it’s good enough to enjoy a nice beach day. You might want to pop your head into both sections to see what you like better, and where the action is that day. It can be nice and vibey and can also be good at night.
Varkiza Resort
This a large beach resort just beyond Vouliagmeni with several different beach clubs, bars and restaurants. It gets pretty busy and can be a bit chaotic, but it’s also lively if you’re looking for some action or want to try something different.
There are also plenty of spots to go for a dip all along the coast. In Kavouri you will see lots of locals going swimming all along the seafront, follow them to the good places. There is also a large public beach in Vouliagmeni with sunbeds for rent if you want to try it, however it’s usually very busy.
Restaurants
Generally the food is excellent almost everywhere you go, especially in the local tavernas, and very good value. The carafes of local wine are usually very good too. Here are some of our favourite spots, but there are a lot more to try too.
Kebabtzidikon to Gnision, Voula
Our favourite local taverna in Voula. Nothing fancy, but great local food. The best gyros in town. Just show up and grab a table.
O Proedros, Glyfada
Our (Tom’s) favourite grill taverna in Glyfada. Again nothing fancy, but great food and incredible value. Try the extra spicy sausage if you dare. Good idea to book this one.
Amarone, Voula
Really nice little Italian in Voula. When the town centre is crowded and noisy we slip away here for a quiet, relaxed dinner.
Bluefish, Vouliagmeni
Katie’s favourite restaurant for a really nice fish dinner, right on the water. Lovely menu, great food and perfect setting. Need to book.
Baron, Glyfada
Great casual bar and restaurant in the middle of Glyfada. Nice drinks, food and atmosphere.
Drakoulis, Dry & Raw, Voula
This is something of an experience. Owned by a DJ / butcher expect dark interiors and some almost banging tunes adjacent to a deli food store. Here you can pick your own cut of meat from the extensive fridges from Wagyu to Kobe (and some more regular stuff in between) and have it prepared however you like. There’s also some things on offer for the non-meat eaters. It’s a bit out there but quite cool. Recommend booking.
To Barbounaki, Glyfada
Nice, lively street side fish restaurant. Lots of traditional dishes and good value.
Strofi, Athens City Centre
Traditional greek food with white table cloths and a view of the Acropolis. Need to book for the terrace view.
The Old Tavern of Psarras, Athens City Centre
Traditional taverna with great atmosphere on the steps up towards the Acropolis, just above the Plaka.
Ark, Glyfada
Upmarket seafront bar, cafe and restaurant in Glyfada. Need to book.
Matsuhisa Athens, Vouliagmeni
Blowout sushi restaurant on the Four Seasons complex just above Astir Beach, from chef Nobu. Fabulous views and food but mega pricey. Need to book, or take a seat in the bar for drinks and light bites and enjoy the sea view.
Oven, Voula
Tiny bakery and breakfast / brunch spot in Voula with really good food and coffee.
La Fontanina, Voula
Patsy’s favourite spot for a morning coffee and John loves the brekky. *Older* clientele.
Labros, Vouliagmeni
Old school, upmarket fish restaurant with a lovely sea view.
Louizidis, Vouliagmeni
Local taverna with traditional dishes like pastitsio and moussaka.
Ergon, Athens City Centre
Lovely modern brunch / lunch cafe and restaurant with deli.
Bars / Nightlife
Lasithi Cafe, Kavouri
Our favourite place for sundowners with an incredible sunset. Not particularly trendy or lively but a really lovely spot to roll into off the beach to catch the sunset, or stop for a coffee on a morning walk. They also do a great cheese board.
Avra at the Four Seasons, Vouliagmeni
Really nice fancy bar for drinks and cocktails and an amazing sunset view. Relaxing atmosphere, great service and nice snacks too.
Faidon, Voula
Great wine bar and deli serving snacks and platters.
Soleto, Glyfada
Really nice bar and restaurant with half Italian, half sushi menu. Stays open late and can be quite lively. Also great just for drinks.
En Plo, Vouliagmeni
Just above Bluefish restaurant this is a nice bar for seaside sundowners (though you don’t get the whole sunset!).
Dentro Bar, Voula
Nice, lively bar in Voula. Where Matthew Durdin Robertson once famously played air flute.
Island Athens Riviera, Vari
Trendy bar / club / restaurant right on the coast with fabulous views. You need to be in an energetic mood!
Cava Vegera, Voula
Wine bar and small plates.
Fifty Seven, Holy Spirit Cocktail Bar and Blends – all in Glyfada
We are yet to try these spots but they are on our list for the lively late night part of Glyfada. Fifty Seven and Blends also serve food and snacks.
A for Athens, Athens City Centre
Lovely rooftop bar with amazing views of the Acropolis. Be sure to book ahead.
Six Dogs, Athens City Centre
Cool, hip bar in an outdoor garden / courtyard that is a part of a theatre and cultural centre.
Brettos, Athens City Centre
A dedicated ouzo bar in the plaka.
Hereclito, Athens City Centre
Small wine bar with lots of natural local wines from all over Greece.
There are also plenty of well known clubs and venues all along the coast road from Glyfada to Alimos if you are in the mood for dancing, you just need to do your research.
Things To Do and See
Sounion
If you would like to explore some more of the Athens Riviera a trip down the coast to Sounion to see the Temple of Poseidon is really worth it. We like to go in the afternoon and spend some time at the small beach below the temple in front of the Aegeon Beach Hotel, and have a late lunch / early dinner at one of the tavernas on the seafront, before heading up to the temple for sunset. It’s really spectacular, and a lovely coastal drive.
Vouliagmeni Lake
Vouliagmeni lake is beautiful, and somewhere different than the beach for a refreshing swim, which also offers a thermal spa experience. There is also a cafe, restaurant and sunbeds.
Athens City Centre
If you have time we would really recommend a day in Athens to see the city. Must dos are: visiting the Acropolis (in the morning or evening to avoid the heat and crowds), seeing the changing of the guard at Syntagma Square, a browse around the Plaka, a walk through the National Garden and a trip up Lycabettus Hill. I have also added some recommendations for drinks and dinner.
Piraeus
Piraeus is the main port of Athens and it has a lively restaurant scene – do some research to find the hot spots. You can take boats from here to nearby islands like Spetses, Hydra and Aegena for day trips or overnight breaks if you like.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation
If you want some culture the Stavros Niarchos Foundation is a contemporary cultural centre housing the Greek National Opera and the National Library. It’s cool to see for the building and setting on the water.
Delphi
For a longer excursion Delphi is a 2.5hr drive away and is really incredible. The drive will also take you through the quaint ski town of Arachova.
Glyfada Market
There is a fun local market selling fruit and vegetables, clothes and household items behind the big church in Glyfada every Thursday morning.
