by Maria-Ioanna Sigalou
If there’s one little Athenian secret to surviving summer in the city, it’s the swimming pools. You don’t need to set sail for an island to feel as though you’ve escaped on a seaside getaway. Sometimes all it takes is a sun lounger, an ice-cold drink and a couple of refreshing dips in a rooftop pool in the city centre or at a hotel along the southern coast. From pools overlooking the Acropolis to Riviera-inspired hideaways and more affordable options for everyday swims, we’ve gathered the addresses that are set to rescue your summer in Athens.
St George Lycabettus
The rooftop pool at St George Lycabettus offers one of the most captivating views in Athens, with Lycabettus Hill, the city skyline and the sea unfolding before you. It is one of those places that become even more magical as the sun begins to set, transforming a simple afternoon swim into exactly the kind of escape you were craving. The setting fully lives up to the standards of a five-star experience.
Opening hours: 10:00-20:00
Rates: €70 per person on weekdays, €90 per person on weekends. The fee includes a towel, sun lounger and either a coffee or a soft drink. Children aged 3-10 receive a 50% discount.
Fresh Hotel Athens
In the heart of Athens, with the Acropolis rising in the distance, the rooftop pool at Fresh Hotel is one of those places that makes you forget the pace of the city, if only for a while. Its contemporary design, relaxed atmosphere and one of the capital’s most celebrated rooftop terraces create the perfect setting for long, leisurely summer swims. It’s even tempting enough for a refreshing escape during your lunch break -why not?
Opening hours: 10:00-19:00
Rates: €30 per person on weekdays and €40 on weekends; children €10. The fee includes a towel, sun lounger and either a coffee or a soft drink.
Mavili Beach
Mavili Beach feels less like a city pool and more like a stylish holiday retreat. Wooden cabanas, laid-back music and the atmosphere of an exclusive private club make it an appealing choice for anyone looking to spend an entire day by the water. Here, the overall experience is just as important as the swim itself.
Opening hours: Daily, 10:30-18:30
Rates: Sun lounger set: €90 on weekdays, €105 on weekends. Kiosk (for up to 3 guests): €120 on weekdays, €140 on weekends, Cabanas (for up to 4 guests): €130 plus a €30 minimum spend on weekdays; €135 plus a €50 minimum spend on weekends. All options include towels, water, a coffee or soft drink and a fruit salad. Cabanas also come with a mini-bar stocked with water and soft drinks.
Semiramis Hotel
The pool at Semiramis Hotel is one of the most recognisable in Athens’ northern suburbs. Bold colours, playful design details and the property's signature pop-art aesthetic create a setting that feels more like a stylish Beverly Hills villa than a conventional hotel pool. It is a vibrant, character-filled spot that stands apart from the city's more understated poolside escapes.
Opening hours: 11:00-19:00
Rates: €50 per person until Thursday; €60 per person on weekends. The fee includes towels, water and a set of sun loungers.
Radisson Blu Park Hotel Athens
Overlooking Pedion tou Areos, Athens’ largest central park, the pool at Radisson Blu Park Hotel Athens offers the feeling of a small urban retreat without ever leaving the city centre. Its rooftop setting, complete with panoramic 360-degree views across Athens, is particularly enchanting in the late afternoon, when the city begins to glow in the softer light of the day.
Opening hours: 11:00-19:00
Rates: €40 per person on weekdays and €55 on weekends. The fee includes a towel, a sun lounger or sofa and a choice of coffee, juice, or a soft drink.
Glyfada Riviera Hotel
At the Glyfada Riviera Hotel, the pool embodies everything that makes Athens’ southern suburbs so appealing in summer: leisurely swims, cocktails from the Atoll Pool Bar, music that sets just the right mood and the unmistakable feeling that you’ve escaped the city for a few hours. It is the kind of place that reminds you why the Athenian Riviera comes into its own during the warmer months.
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00
Rate: €40 per person every day. The fee includes a coffee, towel and sun lounger. Children under 12 receive a 50% discount.
Marina Zeas
No summer pool guide would be complete without a stop in Piraeus. For those looking to combine poolside relaxation with a touch of maritime charm, the pool at Marina Zeas is one of the most affordable options on this list. The view here offers a different perspective from Athens’ rooftop pools, opening onto the marina, where rows of yachts and sailing boats create an atmosphere that feels surprisingly close to an island escape.
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00
Rates: €17 per person on weekdays and €23 on weekends. The fee includes a sun lounger and either a coffee or a soft drink.
Please note: Entry is restricted to guests aged 16 and over.
The Most Affordable Swimming Pools in Athens
Because for some, a swim should remain an accessible pleasure, especially for larger families, we’ve also gathered options for every budget. Below are ten swimming pools across Attica where entry does not exceed €20.
Starting in the city centre, near the Filopappou Hill area, you’ll find the pool at Acropolis Hill Hotel. Opening hours: 10:00-19:00, rates: €15 per person on weekdays and €20 on weekends. Heading south to Alimos, Acqua e Sole offers the added bonus of evening swimming sessions. Opening hours: 09:00-21:00, rates: €11 on weekdays, €13 on Saturdays and €15 on Sundays per person.
In Glyfada, there is plenty of variety. At Palmyra Beach Hotel, the relaxed poolside setting comes at €20 per person. Meanwhile, Congo Palace Hotel is even more budget-friendly. Opening hours (Congo Palace): 10:30-19:30, rates: €13 on weekdays and €15 on weekends. For sweeping views of the Athenian Riviera, the pool at Emmantina Hotel is an ideal choice. Opening hours: 11:00-19:00, rates: €10 on weekdays (€8 for children) and €15 on weekends.
In the northern suburbs, you can visit Halandri Club, which offers long opening hours and family-friendly pricing. Opening hours: 08:00-20:00 (weekdays), 09:00-19:30 (weekends), rates: €15 on weekdays, €18 on weekends and €15 for children under 9 (all days). Another northern option is Club Polydroso in Marousi. Opening hours: 10:00-20:00, rates: €15 on weekdays and €20 on weekends. Finally, in Lykovrysi, the most budget-friendly suggestion on the list is Green Hill Pool Bar. Opening hours: 11:00-20:00, rates: €13 on weekdays and €15 on weekends (children under 3 enter free).
