Most visitors come to Athens for the ruins and leave without discovering its other identity: 60 kilometres of Mediterranean coastline that Athenians themselves call the Riviera. Beach clubs and marinas, a volcanic lake spa, seafront tavernas — and at the very end of the road, one of the most theatrical sunsets in Greece, framed by the marble columns of the Temple of Poseidon. Here's how to spend a perfect day (or evening) on the Apollo Coast.
Glyfada: The Riviera's Beating Heart Twenty minutes from downtown, Glyfada is where Athens goes to shop, dine, and be seen. Designer boutiques, palm-lined boulevards, and a café culture that runs from morning espresso freddo to late-night cocktails. It's the natural first stop on any coastal drive — and in summer, its beach clubs set the tone for the whole coast.
Vouliagmeni: Understated Luxury Further south, the peninsula of Vouliagmeni is the Riviera at its most refined — quiet coves, five-star resorts, and the area's singular attraction: Lake Vouliagmeni, a natural thermal lake fed by underwater springs that hold a steady 22-29°C all year. Framed by a limestone cliff, it's equal parts spa and geological wonder. Swim in November if you like; the lake doesn't care what season it is.
The Coastal Road South Past Vouliagmeni, the road hugs the sea through Varkiza, Lagonissi, and Anavyssos — a stretch of coastline that begs for an open schedule. This is where a private car earns its keep: pull over at a hidden cove, stop for grilled octopus at a waterfront taverna in Anavyssos, or detour to a beach the coaches can't reach. No timetable, no compromise.
Cape Sounion: The Grand Finale At the southern tip of Attica, 70 km from Athens, the Temple of Poseidon has stood watch over the Aegean since 444 BC — the same decade as the Parthenon. Sailors for millennia knew they were nearly home when its columns appeared on the horizon. Come for the golden hour. As the sun drops into the Aegean, the columns turn from white to gold to rose, and you'll understand why the ancients gave this headland to a god. Sunset timing shifts through the year, which is another argument for a private itinerary — your departure adjusts to the sun, not a bus schedule.
How to Do It Right You can visit the Riviera as a flexible half-day drive, or build the day around the sunset: a late-afternoon departure from Athens, a swim or spa stop at Lake Vouliagmeni, the coastal road south with photo stops, and the Temple of Poseidon at golden hour before a comfortable night drive home. Four to five hours, door to door, in a Mercedes with a chauffeur who knows exactly when to leave to catch the light. DG PREMIUM runs private Riviera experiences daily — sunset tours to Cape Sounion, flexible coastal drives, and point-to-point transfers to Vouliagmeni, Glyfada and Lagonissi. Fixed transparent pricing, Mercedes fleet, up to seven passengers. Just tap "Book" on dgpremium.com to see live availability and prices, or contact us to build your own coastal itinerary.