Where the city melts into sea-blue coves, the Athens Riviera strings together pocket beaches, yacht marinas, and pine-fringed headlands. Lagonisi sits at its quiet heart—close enough to Athens for world-class museums, far enough for starlit dinners with only cicadas and surf for company.

Ancient history still casts long shadows here. The Temple of Poseidon at Sounion has kept watch over mariners since the Classical era, and Lake Vouliagmeni has soothed bathers since antiquity with mineral-rich waters. Ferries knit the Saronic Gulf, making island day trips easy and rewarding.

Expect breezy coastal drives, a light, produce-forward cuisine, and calm mornings on golden sand. Taxis and coastal buses make getting around simple, though a rental car gives you freedom to roam. Summer is beach-perfect; spring and fall offer warm days, fewer crowds, and amber sunsets at Sounion.

Lagonisi

Lagonisi (Λαγονήσι) is a low-key seaside community with a string of small beaches and coves facing the Saronic Gulf. It’s ideal as a restful base, with Vouliagmeni, Glyfada, and Cape Sounion all an easy coastal drive away.

Top nearby sights include the Temple of Poseidon, Lake Vouliagmeni, Astir Beach, and day trips to Hydra or Aegina. Evenings are for beachfront tavernas, grilled fish, and chilled Assyrtiko as the horizon blushes pink.

• Stay: Browse villas and apartments on VRBO Lagonisi or hotels on Hotels.com Lagonisi. Look for sea-view terraces and parking.
• Getting in: Fly into Athens (ATH). For flights within or to/from Europe, search Omio Flights. For long-haul routes beyond Europe, check Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. Taxi from ATH to Lagonisi takes ~35–45 minutes and typically costs €35–€50 (day), €50–€65 (night). A rental car is very handy along this coast.
• Getting around: Lagonisi ↔ Athens center by car is ~45–70 minutes depending on traffic; a taxi is ~€45–€70 one-way. The KTEL Sounion coastal bus also serves the Riviera; expect ~€5–€8 per segment and slower but scenic rides.

Athens

Athens pairs myth and modernity: the Acropolis crowns the city; beneath it, café culture, galleries, and meze bars hum late into the night. It’s an easy day trip from Lagonisi or a great spot for one overnight.

Don’t miss the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, a stroll through Plaka and Anafiotika’s whitewashed lanes, and sunset from Areopagus Hill. Come hungry—Athens is a capital of casual excellence in food and coffee.

• Stay (if you overnight): See VRBO Athens or Hotels.com Athens.
• Transport Lagonisi ↔ Athens: Taxi ~€45–€70; driving ~45–70 minutes. The coastal KTEL bus connects Riviera towns to central Athens; allow 70–100 minutes each way.

Day 1: Arrival on the Athens Riviera

Afternoon: Land at Athens (ATH) and transfer to Lagonisi. Check in and take a gentle swim at Lagonissi Beach or a nearby cove; the water is typically calm and clear.

Evening: Ease into Greek cuisine with seaside seafood. For a scenic first dinner, try Moorings at Vouliagmeni Marina (Mediterranean plates and sunset views over bobbing yachts) or the casual, value-loved Sardelaki me Thea (grilled sardines, shrimp saganaki, fried anchovies, and marinated octopus served sharing-style). Cap the night with a coastal stroll and pistachio gelato from a local gelateria.

Day 2: Beaches and Cape Sounion Sunset

Morning: Coffee and bougatsa at a local bakery (chains like Veneti and Gregory’s are reliable), then beach-hop. Try Mavro Lithari near Anavyssos for emerald water and dramatic rock, or stay at family-friendly Lagonissi Beach with easy parking.

Afternoon: Lunch by the sea at Krabo Beach (sleek beach restaurant in a sheltered cove; reserve in high season) or head to Garbi in Glyfada, a venerable seafood house since 1924 known for taramosalata, grilled calamari, and whole fish baked in salt.

Evening: Drive ~35–45 minutes to the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion for a golden-hour visit (entry ~€10–€15, seasonal; last entry varies). The Doric columns glow at sunset—a classic Greece moment. Dine afterward at the Aegeon Beach Hotel Restaurant below the temple for fish of the day and views of the lit-up cape.

Day 3: Athens Day Trip—From Acropolis to Cocktails

Morning: Depart early (45–70 minutes by car/taxi). Espresso lovers should start at Taf Coffee near Syntagma (award-winning roasters). Grab pastries at Ariston, a century-old bakery famed for cheese pies, then ascend the Acropolis (go early to beat crowds; wear grippy shoes) and continue to the Acropolis Museum for a curated look at the marbles.

Afternoon: Wander Plaka and photogenic Anafiotika lanes. Lunch at Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani (cured meats, pastirma, cheeses, small plates) or grab a legendary pork souvlaki at Kostas near Syntagma (standing-room classic since the 1950s). Visit the Ancient Agora and stoas, then browse indie shops in Psyrri.

Evening: Drinks at The Clumsies (World’s 50 Best Bars; playful Greek-inspired cocktails) or rum-forward Baba au Rum. For dinner, book Nolan (Greek-Japanese plates like cod with miso and lemony greens) or neighborhood favorite Mavro Provato in Pangrati for modern meze; both are beloved by locals—reserve ahead.

Day 4: Lake Vouliagmeni and Astir Beach

Morning: Drive ~20–25 minutes to Lake Vouliagmeni, a brackish thermal lake framed by cliffs (daybed tickets typically €16–€25; early arrival helps). Soak, then float; tiny Garra rufa fish gently nibble your feet—an oddly delightful spa effect.

Afternoon: Lunch at the lake’s café (grilled sea bream, salads, and fresh juices), then choose between exclusive Astir Beach (premium loungers; reserve in advance) or the lively, family-friendly Yabanaki Beach in Varkiza (water sports, multiple food kiosks).

Evening: Dress up for dinner on the water. Ithaki Restaurant in Vouliagmeni pairs seafood risotto and lobster pasta with Aegean views. For a splurge, book Matsuhisa Athens at Astir for Nobu signatures under the stars, or Pelagos at Four Seasons (Michelin-starred; contemporary Greek seafood tasting menus).

Day 5: Saronic Gulf Sailing

Morning: Join a shared catamaran or sailing yacht from Glyfada or Vouliagmeni marina (typically 6–8 hours; shared cruises ~€110–€150 per person with lunch; private charters from ~€650+ for a small group). Expect swims at Fleves Island or quiet coves only reachable by boat.

Afternoon: Onboard BBQ or Greek mezze is common—grilled chicken, Greek salad, tzatziki, and island fruit. Snorkel over seagrass meadows and watch for darting chromis and curious wrasse.

Evening: After docking, sunset drinks at Moorings or back on the sand in Lagonisi. For dinner, head to seaside Varoulko Seaside in Piraeus’ Mikrolimano (Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou; famed for cuttlefish with ink risotto and masterful fish cookery). Reserve ahead.

Day 6: Hydra Island Day Trip

Morning: Drive or taxi to Piraeus (~60–80 minutes from Lagonisi) and catch a high-speed ferry to Hydra (1h30–2h; typically €35–€45 one-way). Hydra is car-free—mules, water taxis, and your feet do the work. Start with coffee at harbor-side Isalos, then walk the coastal path toward Kaminia and Vlychos for photo-perfect bays.

Afternoon: Lunch at TECHNE Restaurant & Social (modern Greek plates in an old cannery, sea views) or classic Ostria on the port (grilled octopus, fava, and tomato-zucchini fritters). Swim off the rocks at Spilia or Avlaki; water taxis can zip you to quiet pebbly beaches.

Evening: Ferry back to Piraeus and return to Lagonisi. If you prefer a shorter island hop, consider Aegina instead (40–70 minutes; ~€10–€20 one-way; famed for pistachios and a breezy promenade). For ferry schedules and tickets, use Omio Ferries.

Day 7: Slow Riviera Morning and Departure

Morning: Lazy breakfast at your terrace or a local Gregory’s for koulouri and freddo espresso. Swim one last time at a favorite cove or book a massage at your hotel.

Afternoon: Drive to ATH for your flight. If time allows, detour via Glyfada for lunch at Balux Café – The House Project (beach-house vibe, salads, pasta, and a sandy yard) and a final stroll along the promenade.

Evening: Departure day—pick up edible souvenirs (olive oil, thyme honey, pistachios) at the airport and start plotting your return.

Where to Book and How to Move Around

• Flights: Europe-based travelers can compare fares on Omio Flights. Long-haul routes beyond Europe: Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com Flights.
• Ferries: For Hydra or Aegina schedules and tickets, use Omio Ferries (Piraeus → Hydra ~1h30–2h; Piraeus → Aegina ~40–70 min).
• Local transit: Taxis are plentiful; ask for the meter or book through reputable apps. KTEL coastal buses are budget-friendly (~€5–€8 per leg) and scenic but slower. Parking is generally straightforward along the Riviera outside peak weekend hours.

Food and Drink Shortlist (for bookmarking): Sardelaki me Thea (casual fish), Moorings (marina views), Garbi (classic seafood), Ithaki Restaurant (elegant seaside), Matsuhisa Athens (Nobu), Pelagos (Michelin-starred), Varoulko Seaside (Michelin-starred, Piraeus), Taf Coffee (specialty coffee), Ariston (old-school bakery), The Clumsies and Baba au Rum (cocktails), Balux Café – The House Project (beachy brunch), TECHNE and Isalos on Hydra.

For stays, search availability and compare deals here: VRBO Lagonisi and Hotels.com Lagonisi. If you add an Athens night: VRBO Athens and Hotels.com Athens.

In seven easygoing days, you’ll collect the best of the Athens Riviera: tranquil Lagonisi mornings, mythic sunsets at Sounion, spa-like swims at Lake Vouliagmeni, a soulful day in Athens, and island sparkle on Hydra. The coast invites unhurried pleasure—good food, warm water, and time to watch the light change.

Leave room in your suitcase for olive oil and pistachios—and in your calendar for a return. Greece is generous; the Riviera will happily welcome you back.