The beaches of Athens

Precisely yesterday I decided to take another walk through the beaches of the city, and it reminded me of how far I was from home.

Athens has a whole boardwalk on the coast, starting from the Peiraias harbour to the beginning of Glyfada, a very nice neighbourhood sat in the slopes of the mountain, and only 20 minutes from the sea. Along the coasts there are different sandy areas, usually dominated by some café with a terrace, little or big. You'll also find some harbours with yachts and private boats. The tram runs along the whole thing, from the S. E. F. station (corresponding with the green metro line Neo Faliro) to Voulas. I recommend taking this journey some day, it's beautiful, without doubt.

What are the beaches like?

The sandy beaches are the most abundant, however, there are some pebble beaches too.

Sandy: I won't lie to you, they're a bit messy and dirty (compared to those of the resorts for the summertime tourists), but it's not too difficult to get used to it. If you want, you can even sit on the terrace of an establishment on the coast, as the beaches aren't generally very wide, and you'll be closer to the water and your things if you leave them there. They are usually close to rocky areas to separate one from the other, so if you're going to take a dip, be careful of the close-by pebbly areas.

Pebbles: they aren't as common, and they're mostly in the Glyfada area. I remember there was one completely covered with pebbles and it was very long. It's not the most ideal place to sit and spend the day, but if you go down the mountain and sit for a while on the bigger rocks, it's because you're a fan of this type of landscape. There are surrounded by trees and paths, and tend to be emptier than the sandy beaches, so there's not as much rubbish nor people. You should go to one of these beaches to see the sunset one time.

It has to be said that you'll find dogs with their owners in quite a few of the beaches, especially in those that are less busy and the pebble beaches. There's always cats around playing with the flies, amongst other things. I haven't seen many crabs.

Where to get off? The tram line Σ. Ε. Φ. - ΑΣ. ΒΟΥΛΑΣ

If you're only going to take a stroll, you can get off at any stop once the sea becomes visible, and venture to find a spot in the sand, an establishment that you like, or carry on walking.

Παρκο Φλοισβου station (Flisvu park): from here there's no direct view of the sea as there's a small walking park opposite. The interesting and pretty thing about this park is that there's a luxury yacht harbour with an abundance of bars and restaurants inside. There's not a beach as such, so the best plan here is to come for a stroll and to see the sunset from the edge of the sea, given that there are some points higher up that provide better views of the landscape. Then I suggest seeing the harbour which is lit up at night, and then having something to drink (warning: the bars are quite expensive).

Μπατες station (Bates): this beach, located in front of the fork in the tram lines towards Syntagma, is one of the most visited, both for it being easily accessible, and also because it's sandy and has various entertainment zones. Particularly, it has a gym park for adults, and a square with a stage where in summer they organize dances and races along the coast. Furthermore, it has its own "chiringuito" and shade tents for sunbathers, so you'll be able to crouch under the shade of palm trees to escape from the sun.

Ελλινικό Station (Elinikó): this station is, in part, one for the sports fans, as it's one of the largest outdoor sports complexes. Many groups and teams stay here to train in sports such as football, handball, frisbee... And going in further you'll reach the coast. It is not easy for swimming, but as you move along a bit, you always have the sea in front. On the other hand, it's the station where the old Athens airport is located, which is now used as a large warehouse for donations made to help the thousands of refugees who arrive in the city.

Station Παλαιο Δημαρχείο (Paleo Dimarjío): here there's another small yacht harbour, less elegant than the one I previously described, but it's one of the quieter coves. Maybe because of it's further away, or perhaps because of its condition, as it's not the most beautiful, but it's fantastic for a temporary retreat on a solitary and quiet day.

ΑΣ. Βουλας Station (As. Vulas): it's the last station on the line. Here is the last beach that can be reached by tram, and to get further you'll have to take a bus. You will find a green area where you can take a stroll and again it is one of the less-frequented coves in general, but with some establishments where you can sit.

Bus line 122: it has a route along the rest of the coast, and you can catch it near Voulas, the last tram station. It gives you access to the better maintained sandy coves, and areas belonging to certain private resorts. It is easier to access by car, and you'll often find there families and couples, or runners who live in the area of ​​Glyfada and the surrounding neighbourhoods. Perfect for a typical beach day with real distance from the city!

Curiosities in winter

You can go down to the sea at any time of the year, just always bear in mind that in winter it's cooler and in summer the sun gets a bit overwhelming. But if you like nice views or walks, take advantage of this without hesitation.

Something that you will appreciate in the cold season is that, in the mornings, the beaches are filled with adults, mostly older adults, that like taking cold baths. If you come from a city or town with sea I'm sure you'll be aware of this custom, but I was quite impressed. These baths are used with the aim of improving blood circulation in the body by subjecting it to cold water for a long time, practically without swimming and without moving. In Athens it's very common and even relatively young adults like do it every now and then, and then relax on the sand under the sun.

So you know, as an alternative plan, until the weather gets hotter there's always the option of a cold bath.

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