By Maria-Ioanna Sigalou
When visiting Athens, most travelers stick to the historic center –the Acropolis, Plaka, Monastiraki– and rightly so. But to experience the city the way locals do, venture a little farther south. Along the Athenian Riviera, just a short ride from downtown, you'll find vibrant seaside suburbs like Glyfada and Voula – places where summer never seems to end. These are the neighborhoods where Athenians go for a swim, shop under the sun and enjoy lazy afternoons by the sea. Stylish, laid-back and full of character, they offer a refreshing taste of the good life, Athenian-style.
For travelers looking to explore, Athens beyond the city center, Glyfada and Voula are ideal seaside escapes – not only beautiful, but also easily accessible by tram. The coastal tram line connects downtown Athens (Syntagma Square) directly to these southern suburbs, offering a scenic and affordable ride all the way to the beach. It’s one of the easiest ways to experience the Athenian Riviera like a local.
Welcome to the planet where it’s always summer
Here, you’ll see people heading to the supermarket in their swimsuits –not just to show off their designer trunks with the famous little turtles (though that happens too)–, but because they're en route to the sea for surfing, skiing or whatever else the waves call for. Yes, the sea is in the DNA of the southern suburbs. Glyfada is like a city within the city – one that carries the glamour of a bygone elite. Think stories from old suburban Athens, legendary residents, iconic houses from another era and shops that are landmarks of pop culture. Its quieter sibling, Voula, has grown just as cosmopolitan and chic in recent years.
Locals in Glyfada take their stroll along Metaxa Avenue, coffee in hand from the popular spot on Esperidon Square, always wearing sunglasses – whether it’s sunny or not. It’s the quintessential Glyfada vibe: the suburb where it’s always summer. Another classic image? The all-day-all-night coffee sessions at Cyprus and Laodikis Streets, where a quick coffee often turns into a long afternoon and eventually a glass of wine in hand.
In Glyfada, trying to get a Saturday hair salon appointment? You’ll need a miracle – especially in the days when paparazzi are lurking for celebrities (or, let’s be honest, staged celebrity sightings). No way you’d be caught with bad hair in a tabloid shot – even if your face ended up pixelated. Yes, it’s a material world – but it’s real. Glyfada and Voula have rightfully earned the nickname “Miami of Athens.”
40 Fun Facts about Glyfada and Voula
Glyfada
Located about 15 km from the center of Athens, covers an area of 25.37 km². It’s split into two main areas: Ano Glyfada (above Vouliagmeni Avenue) includes Terpsithea, Ano Glyfada, Pyrnari, Evryali, Aigli, Aixoni, and Kato Glyfada (below Vouliagmeni Avenue) includes the city center and Agios Nikolaos. In ancient times, Glyfada was known as Aixone, the spa town of ancient Athens. Healing springs once existed in what is now Ano Glyfada. Its main commercial street is Dimarchou Angelou Metaxa – set your budget beforehand, because the shopping options are endless and tempting. Top food and drink spots are found along Kyprou, Giannitsopoulou and Laodikis Streets. Known for its bitter orange trees–their white blossoms scent the streets with neroli every spring. Best jogging routes: Diadochou Pavlou (along the coast) and Vassili Tsitsani (near the Golf Club). Around 1900, the coastal area was a pine forest and completely uninhabited, with just a small chapel to Saint Constantine and a hunters' inn in the woods.
The old Town Hall, once called "Trouville", was built in the 1920s as a seaside hunting lodge surrounded by pines. It was the first Greek property purchased by Aristotle Onassis, using money from his ventures in Argentina. The site hosted major figures – including his famous partners Tina Livanos, Maria Callas and Jackie Kennedy. Callas requested the house be painted white in 1960. It was his last residence before he died in Paris. His granddaughter, Athina, later sold the land and the house was demolished. In 1927, "Astir Glyfadas" (Asteria Beach) led the charge –alongside Voula and Vouliagmeni– in establishing Athens’ first official mixed-gender bathing beaches (bains mixtes). The ultra-luxurious One & Only resort just opened a new location at Asteria Glyfadas. The road that separates Glyfada from Voula is Prigkipos Petrou (Prince Peter Street).
Voula
Located about 16.4 km from central Athens, it’s the final stop on the Athens Tram line –Asklipeiio Voulas Station– offering routes to Syntagma Square and SEF. The modern settlement began in the 1920s. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the area functioned as a feudal estate and charged tolls to pass along the old coastal road (now Poseidonos Ave.). Anyone passing had to be marked with a stamp ("voula"), giving rise to the name.
Voula is divided into six neighborhoods: Politeia, Evryali, Dikigorika, Panorama, Exochi and Pigadakia. Top jogging streets: Vassileos Pavlou and Konstantinou Karamanli (Poseidonos extension). But you can also run through the leafy residential streets – Voula is greener and quieter than Glyfada, with less traffic.
