5 hidden beaches near Athens
Kladiou Bay, which is nestled between the beaches of Kavouri and Akti Vouliagmenis, holds many pleasant surprises in store. This quiet, natural anchorage has clear turquoise and blue waters, smaller coves that you can discover and explore while swimming, white sands, and little shady spots ideal for laying out your towel. To get there, turn right onto the little road just after Ai-Yiorgis. Directions from your GPS will lead you to the end of the road. Leave your car in the shade (trees are to be found on both sides) and follow the cobblestone path, which at some points has a number of steps. The vegetation at the start of the path is dense: prickly-pear trees, olive trees, oleanders, pine trees and kermes oaks cover the hillside that you’re descending. The beach has a number of lentisk shrubs, both in the sand and on the rocks.
Tip: be sure to bring along water and any other supplies you may need.
Ribas was a legendary nightspot in Varkiza. It also lent its name to the beach located just down below it. The northern section of the beach is where you should head if you’re seeking the nudist area. If not, simply take a comfortable seat on the big white rocks or dive straight into the clear blue waters, which attract swimmers who don’t mind giving up the comforts of a serviced beach. There are spots where your feet can touch the seabed and where you can safely enter or exit the sea; in other words, you don’t need to be Indiana Jones to enjoy the place!
Although we’d looked at the map and followed the directions given by the GPS, we still needed to ask someone, “Is this the right way to Tsiou Beach?” The first two people we stopped were unable to help, but the third provided us with the information we needed: “Follow the sign that says ‘Akrotiri’ until you reach a flat, open space. Park your car there and go down to the beach on foot. You’ll see a trail.” Indeed, we found the lay-by, where another three vehicles had already parked, with ease. We stood back from the edge of the rocks that encircle the beach, surveying the scene from up high: tranquility; clear, azure waters; and very few swimmers in the sea. The buzz surrounding this beach grows louder with each passing year; to date, however, the difficulty in reaching it has safeguarded it from the crowds. Tip: be sure to bring all the necessities (water, food and whatever else you’ll require) with you.
Thymari is located on the 55th kilometer of Sounio Avenue, the road that winds along the Attic coastline and links Athens and Sounion. Because of its many twists and turns, this route demands special attention. That may be why so many drivers overlook the charms of the area, preferring to keep their eyes fixed on the road. Two enticing beaches are to be found on the same bay – one is sandy, the other pebbly. They are named after a local settlement. For those interested in facilities, there’s a beach bar that’s not usually very crowded or noisy. Alternatively, you can put up your own beach umbrella and procure any essentials either from the bar or from a big kiosk located on the opposite side of Sounio Avenue.
Its name comes from the well-known Vamvakousi bakery (61st km on Sounio Avenue), a good place to make a stop to pick up some supplies (their tasty carob breadsticks are well worth sampling). Very few people, however, are aware that about 150m behind the bakery is a beautiful beach where locals hang out. Take the little road located to the right of the building and follow it to the end. When you see the small opening with the tamarisk trees and oleanders, continue along the trail on your right and, after about 20 meters on a sandy trail, you’ll come to the beach. The small bay in front of the beach is narrow and flanked by high sides, so from early on in the evening one part of the beach is in shade. On one end, an old landslide has created a natural pool, which you can reach either by walking over the fallen rocks (these extend out into the sea) or by swimming there. The beach is not sandy, but it does have very small pebbles and clear, azure waters.
As the final grains of sand slip through your fingers and the gentle lull of the waves fades into the distance, the allure of Athens’ hidden beaches lingers in your heart. These secluded shores, tucked away from the city’s vibrant pulse, have gifted you more than just a day of sun and sea—they’ve offered a retreat into nature’s quiet splendor and a glimpse of Greece’s untouched beauty. Each cove and inlet, with its unique charm and serene ambiance, has whispered secrets of the Aegean, inviting you to return.