Top Beachfront Stays in Athens

A five-star beachfront resort on the Athenian Riviera, set among pine trees with its own private beach. Several restaurants and bars, a full spa, a fitness centre and five tennis courts mean there is little reason to leave. Rooms and suites are elegant, and some come with private pools, which suits families who want their own water away from the crowd. It rates 9.4 from more than 820 reviews.

91 Athens Riviera gives families a rare thing near Athens: a five-star resort with direct access to the sea in Glyfada. Children can swim in the sea or in the pool with views, and family rooms keep everyone together. Parents get a real break with the spa, the fitness centre and the yoga studio. It is a strong option if you want to combine a few days in the city with beach time, without changing hotels between the Acropolis and the coast.

I would recommend One&Only Aesthesis to families who want a Glyfada beach resort rather than a city stay. It is a five-star beachfront property with a private beach area and sea views, plus an outdoor pool that stays open all year. Spa facilities, a fitness room and a yoga studio cover the adults, while the restaurant serves Japanese, Peruvian and European cuisines. A 9.1 rating from 218 reviews fits the resort positioning.

Coral Hotel Athens is a fully renovated four-star hotel on the Athenian Riviera with two private beaches, where loungers and umbrellas are complimentary. That alone makes beach days with children simple. Some air-conditioned rooms have balconies with sea views, worth requesting. A rooftop restaurant, a whirlpool and a mini spa round out the stay for parents. Rated 9.0 from about 2,200 reviews, I recommend it for families who want a real beach without leaving Athens.

Cama Luxury Suites Glyfada stands on the beachfront with direct access to the sea, which makes it simple for families to go for a swim between meals. Air-conditioned rooms have private bathrooms and balconies with sea views, and the garden and sun terrace give children room outside. Breakfast offers continental and American options, enough to suit most tastes. Glyfada keeps shops and cafés within reach, and an 8.8 score from 879 reviews is very good.

Palmyra Beach Hotel is a four-star hotel in Glyfada, 100 metres from the beach and the marina, close enough for children to walk to the sand in minutes. An outdoor swimming pool adds a second option on windy days, and many air-conditioned rooms have balconies facing the sea, the pool or the mountains. Belvoir Restaurant, a cocktail lounge and a poolside bar cover meals and drinks, and a spa is there for parents. Rated 8.8 from about 2,500 reviews, I recommend it.

Poseidon Athens Hotel is a recently renovated three-star hotel right on the seafront in Palaio Faliro, with direct beach access and sea-view rooms. That makes it a rare Athens option where children can go from the room to the sand in minutes. A rooftop pool and restaurant add a second way to cool off, and spa and wellness facilities are there for parents. The tram stops right outside, handy for trips into central Athens. Rated 8.6 from about 4,000 reviews, I would book a sea-view room.

Falireon Hotel is in Palaio Faliro on the Athens coast, with direct access to the beachfront and rooms with balconies and sea views. It is described as family-friendly, and the location lets families mix beach time with sightseeing: Flisvos Beach and the marina are within walking distance, and the Acropolis is a short drive away. Several breakfast options and an on-site bar complete the stay. I would choose it for families who prefer the sea to the city centre.

Mirada Hotel is adults-only, so it is not a choice for families with children. It sits in Glyfada, on the Athens Riviera, 400 metres from the central square, with modern pop-art rooms, air conditioning and free WiFi, and some rooms have balconies looking over the Saronic Gulf. A lounge and a 24-hour front desk cover the basics. I would suggest it to couples, or to parents travelling without children, who want Glyfada's shops and restaurants on foot.

Hotel London is a three-star hotel on the southern coast of Athens, 100 metres from Glyfada's sandy beach, so families can be on the sand within minutes. Air-conditioned rooms have private balconies, some with sea views, and free WiFi. A buffet breakfast starts the day, a lounge bar covers the evening, and plenty of restaurants and bars are nearby for dinner. Rated 8.0 from about 2,300 reviews, I would ask for a sea-view room for a simple beach stay near Athens.

Palace Hotel Athens Riviera sits right on the Glyfada seafront, so families have both the sea and a swimming pool at hand. Modern rooms, many with balconies, give some room to breathe, and the on-site restaurant saves planning every meal. Parents can enjoy the spa, then the rooftop bar with views of the Saronic Gulf. Tram and airport bus stops are a short walk away, handy with luggage, and a 7.9 score from 1,455 reviews is fair.

IKAROS Hotel Elliniko is a modest, family-friendly base in Elliniko, a suburb of Athens, 550 metres from Agios Alexandros Beach. Rooms are air-conditioned with satellite TV and free Wi-Fi, and some have a balcony and sea views, which is worth requesting when you book. It suits families who want sand and sea outside the centre of Athens and are happy with simple comfort. Rated 7.8 from 530 reviews as a two-star hotel, I would choose it for the beach access and price level, not for style.

Congo Palace is a hotel in Glyfada, on the Athens coast, about 100 metres from the beach. Rooms are air-conditioned with balconies, and many have wide views over the Saronic Gulf. A swimming pool gives children a second place to swim, and spa and wellness facilities give parents a break. The restaurant serves Greek and international dishes, and there is a bar. I would book it for families who want a pool and the sea close by on the southern Athens coast.

Four Seasons Hotel in Glyfada, a small hotel not linked to the luxury chain of the same name, sits about 100 metres from the beach and close to the centre of Glyfada. Rooms are air-conditioned, and many have sea views. The restaurant serves Greek and international dishes, which helps with fussy eaters. A main bar and a seasonal rooftop bar give parents a spot in the evening. I would book it for a simple family beach stay on the Athens coast.