The Athenian Riviera: Where the City Meets the Sea

Blue Flag Beaches
Athens beaches feature crystal clear waters and sand-fringed shorelines that are consistently awarded Blue Flag status for their high standards in water quality and cleanliness. Among them, Astir Beach in Vouliagmeni offers the ultimate seaside experience with its long and majestic coastline and fully serviced sunbeds. If you thought you’d seen all the ruins in Athens, the seaside Temple of Apollo Zoster will surprise you with its elegant marble alters and thrones that date back to the 6th century BC.

Lake Vouliagmeni offers an entirely different swimming experience with added therapeutic value. Located beneath the remains of a limestone cavern, the underground springs feed salt and mineral-rich freshwater into the lake to wash away those aches and pains. Water temperatures remains at a comfortable 25 degrees celsius for ideal swimming conditions all year round.

Glyfada
Food, art and wine lovers head to Glyfada to explore the wide boulevards of this upmarket district. Spend a relaxing day people watching, whilst sipping a Greek coffee or discover the many art galleries, hip boutiques and shoe emporiums. Glyfada has seen a new wave of designer shops; cafés and restaurants emerge in recent years that are upheld by its affluent residents. Popular streets to explore: Leoforos Dimarchou Aggelou Metaxa, Kyprou, Lazaraki.

Fine Dining
The Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens signature restaurant Pelagos, specializes in sophisticated Greek seafood that is inspired by the traditions of the Aegean and provides the perfect environment for an al fresco lunch or dinner. For lunch and dinner, light salads, homemade pastas and Neapolitan-style pizzas, head to our authentic Italian trattoria Mercato, where guests get to watch the cooking action and the Aegean Sea.

Nearby on the Astir peninsula, Matsuhisa Athens offers exemplary Japanese cuisine with Peruvian influences created by Nobu Matsuhisa and executed by executive chef, Nikos Skamnakis and head sushi chef, Toni Vratsanos.

Temple of Poseidon
At the southernmost point of Athens lies one of the city’s great monuments, perched above the Cape Sounion peninsula. Made entirely of white marble, the Temple of Poseidon was erected in the middle of the 5th century BC, built to honour Poseidon, god of the sea. Archaeological finds have been traced back to as early as 700 BC. At sunset, skies are transformed into blankets of oranges, blues and reds.

Day trips
Hop on a private boat to get the full experience of Athens’ beautiful coastline. A half-day or full-day luxurious rib cruise will get you to nearby islands and inlets that you may not have heard of. Hydra, Kea, Aegina, Fleves and more are comfortably reached within a day, with plenty of time for lunch and swimming along the way or witness the sun setting over the Aegean Sea on a sunset cruise, all of which can be arranged by the Concierge team of Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens.