Athens’ Riviera Steps into the Spotlight
Discover the Athens Riviera, where ancient history meets modern luxury. This stunning coastal escape offers world-class resorts, breathtaking views, and a vibrant culture that blends the best of Greece. Whether you’re looking for a serene retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, Go Tour Luxe ensures your experience is nothing short of extraordinary—complete with exclusive perks, upgrades, and VIP treatment.
Move over, France and Italy.
For decades, affluent Athenians safeguarded the pocket of mainland Greece that dips from the city’s southern suburbs to Cape Sounion. Encompassing nearly 40 miles of sandy coastline, lush rolling hills, and – because this is Greece – ancient monuments, the Athenian Riviera offered a tranquil getaway for locals and those in the know. These days, many of its hotels and private villas cater to foreign visitors, who have caught on to the region’s allure: how easy it is to partner an Athens city break with an Aegean seaside stay – no flights, no ferries, no fuss. The recent uptick in interest has started to transform the coastline, where a massive marina, resort, and residential complex, The Ellinikon, will soon be unveiled at the site of Athens’ former international airport.
From boutiques and beach clubs to archeological sites and hotels, here’s how to do the Athenian Riviera right now.
See
Astir Beach started seducing the glitterati in the 1960s when the likes of Christina Onassis and Brigitte Bardot – not to mention plenty of politicians and tycoons – lounged on the half-mile stretch of sand following rousing lessons at Greece’s first water-skiing school. Since then, developers have added more perks to the natural gifts of sand and sea. An exclusive marina (clock the megayachts!) opened in 2024, bringing with it a cadre of big-name tenants from Bagatelle to Gucci and Loro Piana. Shoppers find the latest Balmain and Cult Gaia collections at Salt Water and the splashiest swimwear at Vilebrequin before planting themselves on one of Astir’s striped loungers for a lazy afternoon of sunbathing.
Do
At the seaside suburb of Varkiza, a pebbly and family-friendly beach alternative to Astir, vacationers try out windsurfing, wing foils, and, in the winter, kitesurfing. A few miles west, in a hidden pocket of the town of Vouliagmeni, Lake Vouliagmeni draws nature lovers for sunbathing surrounded by limestone cliffs, swimming in mineral-rich waters, and the occasional jazz concert. Another 30 miles south, Cape Sounion and its Temple of Poseidon, built in the fifth century BC, mark the Attica peninsula’s southernmost tip. Around sunset, the sky casts an otherworldly glow over the temple’s remaining columns.
Eat
Vouliagmeni, in the heart of the riviera, also boasts the area’s best restaurants. Diners traveling by boat pull up to the dock at Akti for fresh lobster pasta and grilled catch of the day paired with bright produce from the restaurant’s nearby farm. Famous guests, from Leonardo DiCaprio to Bill Clinton, have tucked into Ithaki’s menu of delicate sashimi, grilled dry-aged scorpion fish, and pickled sardines drenched in jalapeño juice. And early adopters have already fallen for the glitzy yet low-key style of newcomer Krabo, which churns out craveable plates of fried calamari, shrimp tacos, and barbecued lamb chops – it doesn’t hurt that the restaurant faces a rocky beach on a secluded bay. Diners looking to linger before or after a meal can reserve lounge chairs under thatched umbrellas.
Fifteen minutes north of Vouliagmeni, in the nightlife-obsessed town of Glyfáda, book a see-and-be-seen brunch at Ark, which serves flaky sweet and savory pies and carob-roll breakfast sandwiches. In the port town of Piraeus, connecting the city to the riviera, splurge on a two-Michelin-starred dinner at Delta, crown of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. Nordic-trained chefs George Papazacharias and Thanos Feskos source locally – including from their own farm – for a 12-course tasting menu (think dehydration, fermentation, and lots of foam).
Stay
While the last few years have seen a number of buzzy hotel openings, the 303-room Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, which debuted in 2019, still sets the bar with 75 acres of prime seafront real estate and a similarly immense dining scene: sushi at Matsuhisa, steak at Beefbar, potent cocktails at Avra, and special–occasion feasts at one-Michelin-starred Pelagos.
The riviera’s glam quotient surged in June 2024 with the arrival of the 141-room One&Only Aesthesis, a 50-acre retreat in a protected Glyfáda nature reserve. Its modernized midcentury style suits the district’s throwback vibe, as do the 95 guest bungalows with their enormous bathrooms, walk-in closets, and breezy outdoor spaces. Ceviche at beach club Manko, a Greek feast at Ora by Ettore Botrini, and sumptuous Guerlain spa treatments top the amenities.
Ready to experience the Athens Riviera in unparalleled luxury? Book your getaway with Go Tour Luxe and enjoy premium upgrades, exclusive amenities, and personalized service that make every moment unforgettable. Visit GoTourLuxe.com today to start planning your dream trip! Check our Instagram at @gotourluxe.
