The 5 beaches at a glance
| # | Beach | Tram stop | Entry | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Voula A' Beach | Asklipio Voulas | ~€5–8 | Sandy · Organised · Blue Flag |
| 🥈 | Glyfada Beach | Glyfada Beach | Free | Sand+pebble · Blue Flag |
| 🥉 | Alimos / Kalamaki | Kalamaki | Free | Pebble · Sports · Lively |
| 4️⃣ | Agios Kosmas | 2nd Ag. Kosmas | Free | Sand+pebble · Blue Flag · Calm |
| 5️⃣ | Edem Beach | Edem | Free | Urban · Historic · Neighbourhood vibe |
How to get there from Ioulianou 50
The journey has three steps — each with its own map. Total time: ~50–65 minutes from home, depending on which beach you choose.
Metro: Victoria → Syntagma
Ioulianou 50 is a 5-minute walk from Victoria station (Line 1 — green). Board towards Kifissia/Piraeus, change at Omonia to Line 2 (red) towards Ag. Dimitrios, and get off at Syntagma. The whole journey takes about 12 minutes.
🚇 Step 1 — Metro: Ioulianou 50 → Syntagma
Walk to Victoria (5 min), Line 1 → Omonia, change to Line 2 → Syntagma.
Tram: Syntagma → T6 → T7
Exit the metro and turn left — the tram stop is a 1-minute walk. Board T6 towards Faliro. At the Pikrodafni junction, change (or continue) to T7 towards Asklipio Voulas. All 5 of our beaches are on the T7 line.
🚊 Step 2 — Tram: Syntagma → T6/T7
Board at "Syntagma" stop — take T6, change at Pikrodafni for T7 which runs south along the coast.
Choose your beach — get off at the right stop
Once you're on the T7, the tram runs along the coast road. Check the map below to see all the stops — and get off at whichever beach calls to you.
🏖️ Step 3 — The 5 beaches along the T7 line
The T7 tram route from Pikrodafni to Asklipio Voulas — with all 5 beaches marked.
#1 — Voula A' Beach
Athens' best organised beach by tram — Asklipio Voulas stop
If I had to pick one beach for guests who want the "perfect" Athenian summer, it would always be Voula. The fine sand stretches from the shoreline right into the water, and it gets deep so gradually that kids can play safely for hours. My favourite time is early morning: before 10am the beach is peaceful, the colours of the sea are indescribable, and there are still sunbeds in the shade.
The Blue Flag isn't just a logo — it means crystal-clear water, regular checks, lifeguards on duty, and clean facilities. Voula A' Beach has held it continuously since 2002. Over 20 years without losing the flag — that says it all.
From the "Asklipio Voulas" terminal, you can either take bus 122 (2 stops) or walk 15–20 minutes along Poseidonos Avenue. The walk has sea views — it's no hardship.
#2 — Glyfada Beach (Akti 1 & Akti 2)
A cosmopolitan beach — the tram stops literally right in front
Glyfada has two sections (Akti 1 and Akti 2) separated by a small rocky outcrop — and the lovely thing is the tram stops literally right in front. The atmosphere here is more vibrant than Voula: music from the beach bars, young Athenians, students, groups of friends. If you like soaking up the vibe while you swim, this is your beach.
After your swim, you're 2 minutes from Glyfada town centre — ice cream on Mitropoleos street, shopping, coffee along the waterfront. The sunsets here are among the most photogenic on the Riviera. Caroline, our French friend, gave us a gem of advice: "Before you sit on a sunbed, ask the stall next door too — the first vendor who approaches you isn't always the cheapest."
There are free sections (no sunbeds) and organised sections — you can choose depending on what you're after. Blue Flag, with a mix of sand and pebble.
#3 — Alimos & Kalamaki (Akti Iliou)
The beach for sports lovers and those who like a buzz — Kalamaki stop
Long, lively, and full of character — Alimos-Kalamaki beach stretches for nearly 3 kilometres alongside the tram line. The seabed is mostly pebble (not ideal for young children), but for young and sporty travellers it's unbeatable: windsurfing, SUP, beach volleyball, and impressive beach bars.
One advantage that rarely gets mentioned: it has multiple tram stops — Kalamaki, Zefyros, Loutra Alimou. You can literally get off wherever you like and head back from a different stop. Perfect for a stroll along the coast.
Alimos Marina is right next door — after your swim, a walk with views of the yachts is a must. Note: early in the morning there can be a little seaweed on the seabed — but the water clears up quickly by midday.
#4 — Agios Kosmas Beach
A peaceful Blue Flag beach with history — 1st & 2nd Ag. Kosmas stops
Ag. Kosmas is the "hidden gem" for those who want to avoid the August crowds at Glyfada. Fewer people, a calmer atmosphere, a mix of sand and pebble. And a historical detail worth knowing: this is Cape Kolias — the very place where the sea washed up the wreckage of the Persian fleet after the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC!
Right next door is the Olympic Sailing Centre — built for the 2004 Games — which explains why there's always a steady breeze here. Perfect for windsurfing and SUP. The view across to Salamis and Elliniko (watch the big redevelopment project taking shape) is stunning.
From the "2nd Ag. Kosmas" stop it's a 5–10 minute walk through the marina complex — a lovely little detour.
#5 — Edem Beach
The first coastal stop — urban, historic and free
"Edem" — Paradise. And in the 19th century, that's exactly what it was: the paradise of Athenians, the grand summer residence of the Athenian aristocracy. Today it's a charming urban neighbourhood beach in Palio Faliro — free, relaxed, and the quickest option off the tram.
Get off at the "Edem" stop — the first coastal stop on the T7 — and in 2 minutes you're in the water. Perfect if you want a quick dip without travelling all the way to Voula, or if you prefer a "neighbourhood" atmosphere over a tourist one. Here you swim with the locals, not with the crowds.
Small café-bars along the waterfront, a relaxed vibe, cheap food options nearby. It's not as pristine as Voula, but it has character — and it's ideal for a "quick swim" before a stroll along nearby Flisvos Marina.
Practical tips for a beach day by tram
Frequently asked questions
🚊 The return journey — step by step
The return is the reverse: T7 tram heading north → change at Pikrodafni for T6 (or T6 directly if it goes to Syntagma) → "Syntagma" stop. At Syntagma, exit and turn left to find the steps down to the metro. Line 2 (red) towards Anthoupoli → change at Omonia for Line 1 (green) → Victoria → 5 minutes' walk home.
Remember to buy a new ticket if more than 90 minutes have passed since you bought the previous one.
