Athens' southern suburbs extend from the end of Syngrou Avenue, at Paleo Faliro, all the way to Vouliagmeni. The two main thoroughfares that link the city with its southern suburbs are Vouliagmenis Avenue and Poseidonos Avenue. Vouliagmenis starts behind the temple of Olympian Zeus, in downtown Athens, and follows an inland route to Vouliagmeni. Poseidonos is the coastal road that begins at the end of Syngrou Avenue, runs through the suburbs of Paleo Faliro, Alimos, Elliniko, Glyfada, and Voula before merging with Vouliagmenis just before the Vouliagmeni suburb. The area is mostly residential and it varies from the densely built suburb of Paleo Faliro to the luxury apartment blocks and single family homes of Voula and Vouliagmeni. These two are some of the most expensive real estate markets in the capital, due to their proximity with the sea and their great sunset views. The main attractions of this area of Athens are the shopping and entertainment scene of Glyfada, and the beaches. Glyfada's Metaxa Street, that runs parallel to Poseidonos Avenue, is one of the most commercial streets of Athens, and it leaves the dedicated shopper with nothing to be desired in terms of variety and choice. The area also features some of the best dining options in Athens, including the restaurants of Vouliagmeni and a few establishments in Paleo Faliro and Glyfada (see below the Restaurants section). The beaches of the southern suburbs extend from Alimos to Vouliagmeni, with a number of fee-paying, organized areas, offering a full menu of amenities and services, and a lot of coves where many area people choose to spend hot summer afternoons. The southern suburbs host the entire city's nighlife in the summer months. Dozens of restaurants, bars, and clubs are built by the coast, with great sea views and whiffs of merciful breeze after another one of Athens' stifling hot summer days. The new streetcar (tram) line that runs from the temple of Olympian Zeus to Glyfada meets Poseidonos Avenue in Paleo Faliro, runs along the coast with frequent stops, makes a left turn at Glyfada Square, and then runs along the Metaxa Street shopping area. The Olympics have brought major changes to the look and feel of the whole area, the streetcar line being just one of them. The entire coast, from Neo Faliro to Glyfada, was redesigned and miles of new public space, including parks, beaches, sports facilities, and leisure facilities were laid out in view of the Olympics. The old Athens International Airport at Ellinikon is in the process of being turned into a metropolitan park that will include a major Exhibition and Convention Center, and Olympic facilities. Many of the night clubs that lined the coastal area, from Paleo Faliro to Glyfada, have been removed, the land has been converted to parks and will constitute a new seafront after the Olympics. Traffic to the southern suburbs can be horrendous, especially in the summer. Rule 1: avoid trying to find parking in Glyfada during shopping hours. Rule 2: be prepared for incredible traffic jams in the summer, after 11 pm, when the whole city seems to descend upon the coastal bars and clubs. Rule 3: traffic can be terrible during summer Sunday afternoons and early evenings, when beachgoers come back to the city from the resort areas of southern Attica. |
