Photo: Manos Chatzikonstantis

Does your perfect beach come with waiter service and luxe loungers—or is it an unspoiled patch of sand, far from the crowds? Whatever your best beach game, Athens has you covered.

By Amanda Dardanis

Young Guns

Your Beach Style:

You have at least one tattoo and the latest smartphone. You play paddle tennis to perfect your all-over tan. Your perfect beach comes with music and cocktails (and no pesky kids).

Best Beach Match

Erotospilia

Photo: Manos Chatzikonstantis

Photo: Manos Chatzikonstantis

Limanakia Vouliagmenis

You don't have to be young to fall in love with Erotospilia.

Photo: Manos Chatzikonstantis

High Rollers

Your Beach Style:

You’re a beach snob and you know it. Your sand needs to be clean, your water pristine and your neighbour’s sunlounger at least one metre away… at all times.

Best Beach Match

Astir Beach

Photo: Manos Chatzikonstantis

Pretend you're on a Greek island at Legrena Beach.

Photo: Manos Chatzikonstantis

Castaways and Chill Seekers

Your Beach Style:

You’re a Greek islomaniac, forever yearning for your next island escape. The more remote the better.

Photo: Manos Chatzikonstantis

Best Beach Match

Panorama

Mavro Lithari Hotel

Photo: Manos Chatzikonstantis

Head to Kaki Thalassa for a winning mix of mountains and sea.

Photo: Manos Chatzikonstantis

The Family Guy

Your Beach Style:

Happy children equal happy parents!

Photo: Manos Chatzikonstantis

Best Beach Match

Akti Vouliagmeni

Kaki Thalassa

Where: Keratea (in northeastern Attica).
Why: A clean and postcard-pretty organised beach, bracketed by green mountains, that’s well-equipped with family-friendly amenities.
Highlights: Lovely views of Agios Panteleimonas church, rock climbing and playground for kids, beach bar for toasties and ice-creams.
You’ll Pay: Nothing for the beach. Just pay for sun loungers and umbrellas if you want them.
Also Try: Varkiza Resort at Yabanaki Beach, a sprawling beach park with shallow waters, restaurants, cafes, water sports, play areas and bars.

Sandy shores and shallow waters equals family fun at Schinias.

Photo: Manos Chatzikonstantis

The Sporty Set

Your Beach Style:

You can’t remember the last time you read a book at the beach. You need active diversions to keep boredom at bay.

Best Beach Match

Moraitis Beach

Courtesy: Moraitis

Beat beach boredom (and perfect your all-over tan) on a stand up paddle board.

Photo: Manos Chatzikonstantis

Nature Lovers

Your Beach Style:

You loathe crowded beaches with loud music and plastic loungers. Green is your scene.

Photo: Manos Chatzikonstantis

Best Beach Match

Schinias Pine Forest

The Bare Essentialists

Your Beach Style:

What style? Everyone knows less is more when it comes to beach attire.

Best Beach Match

Let it all hang out at Boukourima.

Photo: Manos Chatzikonstantis