How crazy would it sound to make Athens, Greece out to be the country’s next hotspot for incredible beach getaways?
Saying aντίο to Santorini, Crete, and Mykonos might be a hard sell, but according to the experts of Chase, that’s exactly the case.
If you’ve been to Athens, you might have trouble remembering any worthwhile shores when really the highlights are world-class cuisine, captivating museums, and some of the most significant historical landmarks on Earth as the birthplace of Western civilization.
Beaches, though? Eh, not so much.
However, what you may have missed is the paradisal region just south of Athens proper known as the ‘Athens Riviera‘.
Here, you’ll Greece’s next big thing with stunning coastlines, new, trendy hotels, and even an ambitious ‘smart city’ project aiming to be the biggest of its kind anywhere in the world.
Mainland Over Islands?
Typically, travelers who visit Greece divvy up their trip in two ways:
Visit the mainland to explore all of Athens’ delights.
Vacation in one of Greece’s numerous islands.
The Acropolis, Pantheon, incredible restaurants, and nocturnal nightlife have distracted tourists from the Athens Riviera, but that’s set to change in 2025.
No longer will you have to jet-set or ferry to Greece’s islands. You can simply fly into Athens and take public transit or Uber the mainland’s 35ish miles of gorgeous coastlines.
Located just 30 minutes from Athens’ city center, your next Greek getaway just became an all-encompassing adventure from world-renowned attractions to up-and-coming beach havens.
Depending on the time of year you visit, the Acropolis and the likes of Greece’s ancient culture tend to draw hordes of visitors fighting for elbow room.
Last year, Greece had to lay down the law by setting some new ground rules.
The good news is the Athens Riviera beholds much lesser-known ancient Greek ruins with no leans under the blistering summer sun.
Between crowd-free beaches, more photogenic ruins like the Temple of Poseidon, and brand new stays and attractions, it’s easy to see why the Athens Riviera stood out the most among Chase’s ’25 Trips to Take in 2025′.
Chase Highlighted These Two Rising Beach Towns
While you may be in the throes of winter blues right about now, Chase recommends hitting up the Athens Riviera any time between May and September.
Glyfada and Vouliagmeni are the two names to scope out your next unforgettable beach escapes.
The latter is known for pure seaside opulence, a local’s favorite haven for secondary beach homes along vibrant blue waters and laid-back atmosphere.
Glyfada, however, offers more of a buzzing nightlife scene and plentiful shopping, along with stunning beaches.
The main highlight to look forward to in Glyfada is one of my personal favorites – a new Ace Hotel.
Ever since I first stayed at Ace in New York City, it’s become my go-to spot, albeit they’re few and far between, so take advantage!
However, it’s worth noting that Athens’ hotels are arguably cheaper. Since much of the ‘Riviera’ is just half an hour from Athens, you could easily make day trips rather than make your base here.
Just food for thought.
This region stretches from Piraeus to Sounion, so you’ll have ample choices to find your niche from beach to beach, town to town, and resort to resort,
What was once a celebrity hotspot has since been overshadowed by Greece’s popular islands, but the ‘Riviera’ is set to reach its former glory days thanks in part to two more revamped hotels highlighted by Chase:
Ellinikon: Greece’s New One-Of-A-kind Smart City’ In The Works
Unless you’re a staunch history buff, it’s unlikely you’ve heard of Ellinikon, but it’s a hugely important city in Greece’s fascinating timeline.
Believe it or not, this lesser-known destination used to serve as Greece’s main entry point until the international airport’s closure decades ago.
The small yet mighty town is being given new life as one of Greece’s most ambitious projects to date.
Set to alter Athen’s skyline, Ellinikon is aiming to become a record-breaking ‘smart city’ while also serving as a bridge from Athens to the coast.
Once complete, prepare to vacation like you never have before while still overlooking the vast Aegean Sea and discovering new delights, such as ‘Little Athens’.
Ellinikon will have a huge focus on sustainability, ultimately becoming a full-fledged city with:
- Residential areas
- Commercial centers
- Cultural hubs
- Green spaces
- Recreational facilities
For a progress report, you can follow along here.
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