Are you looking for family beaches in Athens? We’ve got you covered. In this post, we are listing our tried and tested kid-friendly places on the Athenian Riviera and the wider Attica Peninsula. So whether you are living in Athens or on vacation here, these are our best family beaches on the Athens Coast.
Family beaches in Athens
Greece is famous for its amazing beaches. In fact, Greece has remained among the top three countries in Europe for the excellent quality of its bathing waters, according to the European Bathing Water Quality Report.
Blue Flag Beaches Greece
Another indicator of the quality of the Greek beaches is the Blue Flag accreditation. In the ranking of this worldwide organization, Greece scores second in the world in terms of beaches and marinas! The Blue Flag organization is also a good reference for cleanliness and water quality. Several family beaches in Athens carry a Blue Flag and are very suitable for families.
For a beach to earn Blue Flag recognition, it must meet 32 criteria that encompass environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, safety, and services.
Attica’s 18 Blue Flag Beaches for 2023 are as follows:
- Marathonas Municipality (2)
- Brexiza
- Schinias/Karavi
- Spata-Artemis Municipality (2)
- Diastavrosi
- Limni
- Markopoulo Mesogeas Municipality (1)
- Avlaki
- Lavreotiki Municipality (1)
- 1o Limanaki Daskalio Kerateas/Solo Pino
- Saronikos Municipality (4)
- Lagonissi 1-Grand Beach/Grand Resort Lagonissi
- Lagonissi 2-Mediterraneo/Grand Resort Lagonissi
- Lagonissi 3-Kochylia/Grand Resort Lagonissi
- Mavro Lithari/EverEden Beach
- Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni Municipality (4)
- Asteras Vouliagmenis/Astir Beach Vouliagmenis
- Varkiza
- Voula A
- Vouliagmeni
- Glyfada Municipality (3)
- Glyfada
- Glyfada A
- Glyfada B
- Aegina Municipality (1)
- Agia Marina
Are there any beaches for kids in Athens?
Yes, there are many! Generally speaking, most beaches in (wider) Athens are suitable for children. Because they are sandy, and the sea is shallow. The waters around Attica are relatively calm in the summer.
Related: Tips for the best beach holiday with kids in Greece
Where are family beaches in Athens?
The best family beaches in Athens are spread along the Athenian Riviera and the southern and the northeastern side of the Attica peninsula. The cleanest family beaches start at Glyfada and end at Cape Sounion. For the North, they start in Marathon towards the North or from Porto Rafti towards the South.
In these areas, you will find family-friendly private beach clubs as well as kid-suitable public beaches. Most of them are organized with chairs and umbrellas and often a beach bar or tavern.
At some of these beaches, you will pay for using the chairs and/or umbrella. In others, it is expected that you buy a refreshment or snack from the bar in exchange for the free use of the facilities.
Top beaches for families in Athens
Athens has a wide choice of beaches on both sides of the Attica peninsula. If your hotel is in the center of Athens, the nearest beaches are on the Athens Riviera. But if you want to explore a bit further, it is worth a trip to the East Coast, maybe combine with a visit to Marathon or the Aquapolis water park.
L’Amico Beach Club and Restaurant – Anavyssos, Athenian Riviera
L’Amico Beach Club and Restaurant is a private beach club with a lounge bar and restaurant in the quaint town of Anavyssos. You can reach Anavyssos following the coastal road towards the south. The beach is clean, the sea is calm, and kids are welcome. There is a large parking area near the beach. For more information read: Review of our stay at L’Amico Beach Club and Restaurant
Balux Café – The House project club – Glyfada, Athenian Riviera
Update June 2023: Balux Beach is currently closed but the House café and restaurant including the playground are open
The sea is not very clear at Balux House, but it is an ideal spot for young children to play in the water and the sand. You can have breakfast, coffee, or a nice meal while your children are playing right next to your table in the sand. There is a kids’ menu and a garden called Baluxaki, with many options for play.
Kids can play at the swings and seesaws, and you can watch them while drinking your coffee in a separate area with picnic-style tables. There’s also a small fun park with a bouncy castle, a lake with miniature boats, a carousel, a fun park, and a children’s train for an extra charge. For babies is a soft play area.
Golden Coast Beach – Marathon, East Attica
Golden Coast Beach is located between Nea Makri and Schinias Beach in the Marathon area at the Golden Coast Hotel. It is a sandy, organized beach with a canteen (Kalokairaki) and a tavern. At Kalokairaki are good facilities (kiddie toilet and outdoor showers) as well as free toys to play with and a large parking area. Costs are 5 Euro for a set of umbrella and chairs during weekdays and 10 Euro per set in the weekend plus one consumption.
The seabed here is sandy but, be careful, because the sea has some large rocks. If you buy a drink or a meal in the tavern or canteen, you can use umbrellas and beach chairs (weekdays). Check the weather forecast before you visit this part of Attica. There can be strong winds on this side of Attica, causing waves.
Schinias Beach – Schinias, East Attica
This beach is located at a distance of 45 km from Athens on the North East side of the Attica peninsula in Marathon Bay. There is a shallow seabed, with clear water and several organized beach clubs and water sports for kids and teens. The sand here is excellent for sandcastles.
Avlaki Beach – Markopoulo area
The family beaches in Athens get very crowded in summer. This is certainly the case in Avlaki Beach. But if you visit in the spring or early autumn, this is a perfect Beach. Avlaki Beach is organized with umbrellas, chairs, showers, and snacks. At a 100-meter distance from Avlaki is Panorama Beach. The beach is not organized but good for families and budget-friendly.
Mavro Lithari Eden Beach, Athenian Riviera
Located on the coastal road to Cape Sounio, the Mavro Lithari Eden Beach is great for young kids. The beach combines pebbles, rocks, and sand, the sea bed is very shallow, and the water is clear. The beach has been awarded a Blue Flag. You can opt for the Vincci EverEden Hotel beach or go to one of the free beaches in the area of the hotel.
Varkiza Beach, Athenian Riviera
Varkiza is a nice town for a family excursion all year round but especially in the summer. There are many taverns and playgrounds and the large beach is sandy with volley courts, water games, and open play areas. The best beach for families in Varkiza is Yabanaki beach at Varkiza Resort.
Athenian Riviera
Some of the biggest public beaches in Athens can be found along the Athenian Riviera from Palio Faliro to Voula (at a distance of max 18 km south of Athens). They are the most popular in the capital although some may disagree on the cleanliness of the water. These beaches are very suitable for families because of it’s golden sandy beaches with cafeterias, taverns, umbrellas, and chairs. In Alimos there is a floating waterpark in the sea this year.
Besides the floating waterpark, you can also opt for the Akti Tou Iliou or Bolivar Beach Club. There are all located next to one another. These beaches are very busy in the summer, and you need to come early to find a place. Parking is challenging, mostly on the road and side road.
Legrena Beach, Athenian Riviera
Legrena Beach is for families who are looking for a more unspoiled option. This beach is also on the coastal road that leads to Cape Sounio. Here are sand and rocks surrounded by some grass and cliffs. The water is very clean and clear and the seabed is shallow. The beach is not organized, thus you will have to bring your own chairs, umbrella, and water. There are several restaurants nearby.
Related: The Top Things to do on the Athens Coast with Kids
Hotels with family-friendly beaches in Athens
Some of the best beach hotels in Athens are located on the beaches of the Athenian Riviera. We have listed our favorites here below.
Read also: The Best Family Hotels in Athens
Plaza Resort Anavyssos, Athenian Riviera
Plaza Resort is located on the beautiful sandy beach of Anavyssos. This 5-star hotel beach is organized with lifeguards and a pool. Beautiful views and excellent lunch or snack options. The beach is part of the luxury resort. If you want to spend time in Athens admiring the ancient monuments and have a summer holiday on the beach as well, a stay in Anavyssos is a great solution.
Click here for more information about Plaza Resort and to book your stay.
Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens, Athenian Riviera
The premier beach in Athens with all the facilities that you need for a comfortable vacation at the beach with kids. The sea is calm and shallow here. Beautiful crowd, comfortable wooden lounge chairs, a play area for the children, a large grass playfield, clean facilities, water sports, and more. Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens is one of the best hotels in the city.
Click here for more information about Four Seasons Astir Hotel Athens and to book your stay.
Grand Resort Lagonissi, Athenian Riviera
Grand Beach Lagonisi is part of the Grand Resort Lagonissi and is located 40 km distance Southeast of Athens. The resort is very family-orientated and great for young kids because the seabed is very shallow. There is also a pool at the beach. There is a service button at each beach chair, a baby room, a soft indoor playground, and a place to rest and feed your child.
Click here for more information about Grand Resort Lagonissi and to book your stay.
Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso, Athenian Riviera
The Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso combines beaches, pools, and more. When my kids were young, I loved to visit the hotel because of the grass area at the beach. It is large enough for young kids to wander around in the shade or play in the very shallow water. The hotel beach is not very big, that is why I would only recommend it for younger children.
Click here for more information about Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso and to book your stay.
Read also: Grecotel Cape Sounio, Athens Riviera
What are your favorite family beaches in Athens? Let me know in the comments!
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