Central Athens (Plaka, Koukaki and Monastiraki)
Most of our homes in this region are in Athens itself. Plaka and Monastiraki sit under the Acropolis, with the Ancient Agora, the flea market and rooftop bars facing the Parthenon. Koukaki, south of the Acropolis Museum, is quieter and more residential. Line 3 of the metro runs from Syntagma to the airport in around 40 minutes. Summer heat bounces off the marble, so plan sightseeing for early morning.
Best for: First visits, with the Acropolis and the old town on foot
Not for you if: You want a pool or a garden: this is apartment living in a dense, noisy city.
Alimos and Glyfada (the southern suburbs)
Alimos and Glyfada are seaside suburbs of Athens along the coast road to Sounion. Alimos has one of the largest marinas in Greece, with day boats and yacht charters, and Glyfada is the area's main shopping and restaurant centre. The coastal tram links both to Syntagma, though it is slow. The airport is around 30 to 40 minutes by car.
Best for: Combining city days with the beach and seafront restaurants
Not for you if: You want empty sand: these are city beaches, busy with Athenians at weekends.
Varkiza and Thimari (the Saronic coast)
Varkiza has a long, organised sandy beach, and Lake Vouliagmeni, a brackish swimming lake under a cliff, is a few minutes north. Thimari, part of Palaia Fokaia, is further down the coast towards Sounion, with smaller beaches, fish tavernas and a slower pace. A car is needed beyond Varkiza. The airport is around 30 to 45 minutes away.
Best for: Sandy beaches and sunsets over the Saronic Gulf
Not for you if: You want to commute into Athens daily: traffic on the coast road is heavy in summer.
Lavrion and Sounion (the southern tip)
Lavrion was a silver-mining centre in ancient times, and the mineralogical museum and old mine works tell the story. Its port has ferries to Kea and Kythnos, both an easy island day or overnight trip. The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, around 10 km south, is busiest at sunset. The airport is around 40 minutes by car.
Best for: Sunset at the Temple of Poseidon and ferries to Kea
Not for you if: You want a resort: Lavrion is a working port town with a mining past.
Porto Rafti and Artemida (the east coast)
Porto Rafti is a sheltered bay with several small beaches and an islet with a Roman statue at its mouth, which gave the town its name, 'the tailor'. Artemida, also known as Loutsa, has a long sandy beach and plenty of fish tavernas. Both are 15 to 25 minutes from the airport. The ferry port at Rafina, for Andros, Tinos and Mykonos, is close by.
Best for: A quick airport transfer and calm, shallow bays
Not for you if: You want ancient sights nearby: central Athens is an hour's drive in traffic.
Marathon (north-east)
Marathon is where the Athenians beat the Persians in 490 BC, and the burial mound of the Athenian dead still stands on the plain. Schinias, nearby, is a long sandy beach backed by pine forest, part of a national park, with an Olympic rowing centre behind it. The Marathon dam and reservoir are inland. The airport is around 35 to 45 minutes away.
Best for: Long beaches, pine woods and the battlefield site
Not for you if: You want nightlife or a town centre: it is spread out and quiet.
