| Olympic Diary |
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| The beaches of Athens |
| Cool fun for the whole family |
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| Skiing at Vouliagmeni beach, just south of downtown Athens. |
The summer is here and the beaches around Athens are open for fun and games. From the seaside towns of Attica's east coast to the posh Athens southern suburbs on the Saronic bay, Athenians gather every weekend to escape the sweltering heat of the city.
There is something for every taste and budget. The organized beaches around Vouliagmeni charge an entrance fee, that can be quite steep, but offer umbrellas, sunbeds, changing rooms, showers and sports facilities. The east coast beaches are all free but with fewer amenities and not quite the sandy coast that you can find on the Saronic side of Attica.
In the last few years most beaches have been outfitted with beach bars, umbrellas, and other amenities, as more and more Athenians take fewer vacation days and spend more time in the capital. As a result, the beaches are tidier, the waters are cleaner and services have improved.
What follows is a sample of popular beaches in the Attica area:
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Zoumperi |
| Between Nea Makri and Marathon, on the Athens-Marathon road, about 37 km northeast of Athens. |
A popular sandy beach between the Nea Makri resort town and Marathon, on Attica's east coast.
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Erotospilia |
| At the beach town of Porto Rafti, about 30 km east of Athens. |
A small sandy beach, in a cove with rocks and small caves, favored by locals as well as weekend beach goers from Athens.
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Legrena |
| By Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon, about 60 km south of Athens. |
A sandy beach near Sounio, on the Saronic bay, favored by Athenians and locals.
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Limni Vouliagmenis ("Vouliagmeni Lake") |
| At the southern suburb of Vouliagmeni, about 25 km from downtown Athens. |
| The Lake at Vouliagmeni is one of the most impressive natural sights of the Athens area.
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Asteria Glyfadas ("Stars of Glyfada") |
| At the southern suburb of Glyfada, about 20 km southwest of Athens. |
| A sandy beach with all-day beach bars and a self service restaurant, very near downtown Glyfada.
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Agios Nikolaos Artemidos |
| At the Artemis, or Loutsa, beach town, on Attica's eastern shore, about 32 km east of Athens. |
| A popular beach at the Agios Nikolaos area of Loutsa.
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Karavi ("Ship") |
| At the Schinias area of Marathon, about 43 km northeast of Athens. |
| A sandy and crowded beach near the Marathon historical site and the Olympic rowing center.
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Marikes |
| At the Rafina beach town, about 32 km northeast of Athens. |
| A large sandy beach with trees and few amenities.
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Porto Rafti |
| In the Avlaki area of Porto Rafti, about 30 km east of Athens. |
| A sandy beach with some trees.
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Vouliagmeni Beach |
| At the Vouliagmeni suburb of Athens, about 15 km south of downtown. |
| A newly rebuilt sandy beach at the Lemos exclusive area of Vouliagmeni, featuring a restaurant, a fast food outlet, disabled access, a bar, a cafe, and waterslides.
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Voula Beach II |
| At the suburb of Voula, about 17 km south of downtown Athens. |
| One of the two organized beqches at the Voula suburb of Athens, this sandy beach features all kinds of facilities and amenities, including a restaurant, a bar, changing rooms, and water sports.
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Voula Beach I |
| At the Voula suburb, about 17 km from downtown Athens. |
| A sandy, organized beach, featuring a beach bar, a restaurant, changing rooms, etc.
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Varkiza |
| At the southern suburb of Varkiza, about 25 km south of downtown Athens. |
| A fine sandy beach, featuring mini-football pitches, a playground, food stalls, beach bar and shops.
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Grand Beach Lagonissi |
| At the Lagonissi beach town, about 30 km south of downtown Athens. |
| The public access beach at the Grand Resort Lagonissi Hotel.
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