Athenian Tours

Vouliagmeni – legends and history

The year, 1928. The location, a pine-covered stretch of land 24 km south of Athens and facing the Saronic gulf. Before the yachts and large hotels, Vouliagmeni was the mythical sanctuary to Leto, where she rested before continuing on to Delos to birth the divine twins, Artemis and Apollo. Echoing the myths of old, the area has been a trading hub with the Aegean islands for at least 4500 years, with housing of the time being made by stone imported from the volcanic isles of Milos and Kimolos.

This taste for the finer things has remained a central part of the character of the area since, with the focus eventually switching to the lake that gave the area its modern name (literally meaning the sunken one). Its creation happened 2000 years ago, when the roof of a massive cave system collapse, leading to flooding in the area. The waters even now are a steady 22-29 Celsius and held in high regard for their therapeutic properties. It is said that the lake is home to a fairy, who guards its waters and will drag young men down to her domain, if she take a liking to them.

Want to know more about Vouliagmeni and its surrounding coast? Join one of our catamaran cruises for a different view of Athens from the sea.

The original Riviera

Before Mykonos, before Matala and the legendary “Greek summer”, there was the original Athens Riviera in the seaside neighborhood of Faliro. Rising out of temporary huts for the fishermen of the area and the insistence of a local doctor that people should really know how to swim, the early 1900s saw young Athenians enthusiastically embrace the concept of a beach day.

The first “organised” beaches popped up in Pasalimani, Delta and Neo Faliro, complete with policemen ensuring that men and women did not mix their swimming hours and everyone’s swimwear was suitably modest (especially men seeking to scandalise the young ladies riding by). Of course this would not last long, and by the 1920s the fashionable (if scandalous) bains mixtes were established. Despite loud public outcry, and even the occasional arrest, the young men and women of Athens started mingling by the sea. Coffee shops, restaurants and even events spaces for live music followed shortly behind them.

These days many of those original landmarks of outrage are still there, albeit modernised and adapted for the times. Take a closer look at the coastline that started Greek summer as we know it. Join us for a catamaran cruise and see a whole new side of Athens!

Understanding the Athenian Summer Pace
July in Athens has its own rhythm. The city is lively, but locals often adjust their day around the heat: quieter afternoons, then active evenings. You may notice that some smaller businesses take short breaks or operate different hours, while main attractions stay open and busy. If you embrace the pace, the experience improves—do your outdoor plans early, take a midday pause, then enjoy dinner late when streets feel cooler and more social. A helpful mindset: don’t try to “win” Athens in one day. Give yourself time, drink water, and let evenings be long. Athens in July isn’t about rushing—it’s about flow. 🌙

Sounio sunsets

Just forty-five minutes to the south of Athens, lies Sounio. Famed for its dramatic views of the Aegean, and the temple of Poseidon still standing guard over Attica, it is an ideal escape from the busyness of Athens.

Sounio is especially known for its beautiful sunsets and moonrises, particularly during the summer season. Spend a quiet day away from the hubbub, swimming in one of the many beaches (or windsurfing for the more adventurous ones). Explore Sounio national park with its pine-shaded trails, visit the temple of Poseidon or even the nearby Mineralogical Museum of Lavrio. Fill up on seafood in one of the seaside tavernas and, time permitting, check out any musical events that might be taking place.

Want a chance to explore the temple of Poseidon for an unforgettable view of the Aegean? Check out one of our day trips to the Cape!