Athens summers run hot, and the coast is where families go to cool off. We looked for beaches where small kids can wade without a sudden drop, with sand underfoot and toilets, showers or a snack bar close by. Here's what we checked, from the warm, cave-fed lake at Vouliagmeni to the pine-backed sand at Schinias.
This organized beach has fine sand, no rocks and clear, shallow water, with a Blue Flag every year since 2002. Lifeguards are on duty daily through the summer season, and there is a doctor, toilets, changing rooms and showers.
Sunbeds and umbrellas line the shore, and the grounds behind hold football fields, beach volleyball and tennis courts, plus beach bars, ice cream, grill and meze spots.
Kavouri is two sandy beaches back to back, about 900 meters in all, with sand on the shore and the seabed and clear, shallow water. A small islet sits close enough to reach on foot.
A green strip with a wide paved path runs along the sand, and the fully renovated Kavouri Playground is right at the beach. At Megalo Kavouri, a stretch of an ancient road is on view.
Akti Vouliagmenis is the organized sandy beach of Vouliagmeni on the Athens Riviera, opened in 1959 and holding a Blue Flag. Behind the sand there is a fully equipped playground, three canteens, changing rooms, showers and toilets.
The water is clear, and free Wi-Fi covers the beach. It suits families who want a full day by the sea with food and facilities on hand.
Lake Vouliagmeni is a small brackish lake under a sheer rock cliff, formed when a cave roof collapsed about 2,000 years ago. Warm seawater seeps in through flooded caves and mixes with a spring, so the water stays between 21°C and 29°C.
Kids swim straight off the main deck, where sunbeds and tables go first come, first served. Lifeguards are on duty, and there is no natural shade.
Varkiza Resort runs the organized half of Varkiza Beach, a 1 km stretch of thick sand where the sea stays shallow a long way out, so younger kids can wade and splash near the shore.
The club has sunbeds, dining areas, restrooms, sports facilities and parking. The rest of the beach is free to use, with no sunbeds, and the bay draws windsurfers and water skiers.
Schinias Beach is a long stretch of sand on Marathon Bay, inside the Schinias-Marathon National Park. Part of it runs along a protected forest of umbrella and Aleppo pines, which cars can no longer enter.
The Karavi section has a beach bar, a restaurant, sunbeds, beach volleyball courts and a windsurfing school. The 2004 Olympic rowing center is close by.
Athens summers run hot, and the coast is where families go to cool off. We looked for beaches where small kids can wade without a sudden drop, with sand underfoot and toilets, showers or a snack bar close by. Here's what we checked, from the warm, cave-fed lake at Vouliagmeni to the pine-backed sand at Schinias.
This organized beach has fine sand, no rocks and clear, shallow water, with a Blue Flag every year since 2002. Lifeguards are on duty daily through the summer season, and there is a doctor, toilets, changing rooms and showers.
Sunbeds and umbrellas line the shore, and the grounds behind hold football fields, beach volleyball and tennis courts, plus beach bars, ice cream, grill and meze spots.
Kavouri is two sandy beaches back to back, about 900 meters in all, with sand on the shore and the seabed and clear, shallow water. A small islet sits close enough to reach on foot.
A green strip with a wide paved path runs along the sand, and the fully renovated Kavouri Playground is right at the beach. At Megalo Kavouri, a stretch of an ancient road is on view.
Akti Vouliagmenis is the organized sandy beach of Vouliagmeni on the Athens Riviera, opened in 1959 and holding a Blue Flag. Behind the sand there is a fully equipped playground, three canteens, changing rooms, showers and toilets.
The water is clear, and free Wi-Fi covers the beach. It suits families who want a full day by the sea with food and facilities on hand.
Lake Vouliagmeni is a small brackish lake under a sheer rock cliff, formed when a cave roof collapsed about 2,000 years ago. Warm seawater seeps in through flooded caves and mixes with a spring, so the water stays between 21°C and 29°C.
Kids swim straight off the main deck, where sunbeds and tables go first come, first served. Lifeguards are on duty, and there is no natural shade.
Varkiza Resort runs the organized half of Varkiza Beach, a 1 km stretch of thick sand where the sea stays shallow a long way out, so younger kids can wade and splash near the shore.
The club has sunbeds, dining areas, restrooms, sports facilities and parking. The rest of the beach is free to use, with no sunbeds, and the bay draws windsurfers and water skiers.
Schinias Beach is a long stretch of sand on Marathon Bay, inside the Schinias-Marathon National Park. Part of it runs along a protected forest of umbrella and Aleppo pines, which cars can no longer enter.
The Karavi section has a beach bar, a restaurant, sunbeds, beach volleyball courts and a windsurfing school. The 2004 Olympic rowing center is close by.
