Summary
A prestigious resort on the Athens Riviera, Glyfada attracts affluent Greeks, politicians, and international investors in search of sun, sea, and sand, located just a short drive from the capital city.
For those unfamiliar, Glyfada resembles a luxurious Greek Marbella, featuring high-end boutiques, upscale cocktail bars, a golf course, and numerous private beaches.
With a wealth of nightlife, dining, and shopping options available in Glyfada, visitors often find little reason to venture into Athens, except for sightseeing activities.
However, exploring the surrounding towns can reveal additional experiences worth considering.
Nearby Vari is renowned for its expansive grilled meat establishments, while Vouliagmeni boasts a stunning natural lake that serves as a spa destination.
Let us delve into the top activities to enjoy in Glyfada:
1. Sea Turtle Rescue Centre
Annually, around 300 sea turtles wash up on Greece’s shores, and many wounded turtles are brought to this volunteer-operated rescue center located on Glyfada Beach.
Their injuries typically stem from collisions with vessels, entanglement in fishing gear, or ingestion of plastic and other debris.
The center offers complimentary tours on weekends, allowing visitors to meet the turtles recuperating in tanks and learn about the charity’s operations in renovated railway carriages.
With over 50 turtles residing at the facility, guests may have the opportunity to assist in handling, weighing, and feeding the turtles.
Visitors often feel compelled to contribute financially or purchase items from the gift shop following their experience.
2. Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral
This quaint church in Glyfada is a delight both inside and out.
Finished in 1934, it features a Byzantine tetraconch design (with four apses). In the past decade, the interior has undergone a comprehensive renovation, with old frescoes replaced by vivid mosaics.
The mosaics were created by the artist Vlasios Tsotsonis, known for his Byzantine-style art across numerous churches in Greece and North America.
A significant occasion occurs on May 21, when visitors gather to pay homage to the relics of St. Helena, a 4th-century Roman Empress and the mother of Constantine.
3. Athens
The birthplace of civilization and democracy is conveniently located for a half-day visit, allowing you to return to Glyfada for relaxation on the beach in the afternoon.
There is little that can be said about Athens’ ancient wonders that has not already been noted over the past 2,400 years.
While many attractions merit attention, the Acropolis, adorned with temples and dominated by the Parthenon, stands as a priority.
Since 2009, most of the friezes and sculptures from the Acropolis have been showcased at the remarkable Acropolis Museum.
Visitors should also plan to see the National Archaeological Museum, Ancient Agora, Theatre of Dionysus, Panathenaic Stadium, Benaki Museum, and the Byzantine and Christian Museum.
For a taste of contemporary Athens, explore the Plaka, Gazi, and Psyri neighborhoods, each offering a unique ambiance.
4. Shopping
Glyfada’s streets have been designed similarly to a pedestrian mall, curving around the bay in semi-circular patterns, with buildings offering multiple accessible levels interspersed with walkways leading to shops.
If you’re in search of something specific or simply want to browse, Glyfada presents an impressive selection of stores for a relatively small resort.
International brands such as Gap, H&M, Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Zara, Mango, Sephora, Marks & Spencer, Claire’s, and Pull and Bear coexist with local boutiques and design shops.
5. Astir Beach
If you are willing to pay for the experience, Astir Beach in Vouliagmeni is considered one of the finest locations to relax by the sea near Glyfada.
Associated with the Astir Palace resort, where President Obama was hosted in 2016, this is one of the few sandy beaches in the Athens region.
The beach is located on the western side of a narrow isthmus, sheltered by rugged, pine-clad headlands.
The water is shallow, calm, and suitable for children, with a wooden walkway providing access between a grid of sun loungers.
Access to Astir Beach is limited to 1,000 guests daily, and there are full-service restaurants at each end, including a TGI Fridays.
6. Asteras Beach
Also managed by a resort, Asteras Beach is located a short distance from central Glyfada, with entrance fees varying throughout the season.
During transitional periods in May and September, fees can be as low as €5, increasing to €25 during peak months of July and August.
This price includes access to luxurious amenities, featuring full service from an air-conditioned bar and restaurant, along with comfortable sun loungers.
It’s easy to be tempted to spend the entire day indulging in cocktails without moving a muscle.
Nonetheless, the welcoming sea also beckons, with designated spaces available for beach volleyball and racket sports.
7. Glyfada Beach
The public beach in Glyfada is situated to the north of the resort and consists of two beaches separated by a headland which hosts a nightclub and restaurant.
Both beaches feature long, pebbly stretches without the amenities found at private beaches, yet they remain conveniently close to Glyfada’s shops, cafés, and restaurants.
The waters at Glyfada Beach are crystal clear, and although the surfaces may be somewhat rocky, the foreshore is kept clean.
Further from the water’s edge, you will find softer patches of coarse sand on both beaches where towels and umbrellas can be placed.
8. Voula Beach
Located around Aliki Point from Glyfada, Voula Beach is an affordable private beach where sun loungers and umbrellas are included with the entry fee.
Voula Beach is situated adjacent to the final stop of Athens’ tram system and features a broad expanse of golden sand and pebbles.
Winter may lead to some accumulation of seaweed, but maintenance ensures cleanliness before the summer season.
For swimmers, the waters are typically calm and shallow, with currents effectively blocked by the long headland to the north.
A beach volleyball and tennis court is available at the rear, along with a bar, “Oxyzen,” providing drinks and snacks.
9. Faliron
Approximately halfway between Glyfada and the heart of Athens lies Faliron, renowned for having Greece’s most luxurious marina.
A visit to Flisvos Marina offers an impressive view of many superyachts owned by affluent individuals and visiting dignitaries.
The marina also features a grassy park and several bars and restaurants.
Close at hand is one of the sites for the Benaki Museum, which opened in Kouloura Mansion in 2017, often mistaken for a castle.
In the water adjacent to the marina, a floating museum is located on the cruiser Georgios Averof, which served in four different wars.
To the north, you will find the city’s waterfront area revitalized for the 2004 Olympics, which includes the expansive Water Plaza and the Sports Pavilion, created for handball and taekwondo events.
10. Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre
For a culturally enriching outing without venturing too far into Athens, consider visiting this newly established cultural center located near Faliro Bay in Kallithea.
Financed by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and donated to the Hellenic State in 2016, this center represents a remarkable addition to Athens’ cultural landscape.
Designed by Renzo Piano, the complex is enveloped by a park that integrates the new venues for the Greek National Opera and the Greek National Library.
The opera house is situated beneath a green hill, which visitors can climb for panoramic views of the Acropolis from a terrace covered by a photovoltaic canopy that powers the entire facility.
During June, the Summer Nostos Festival features a diverse array of lectures from distinguished speakers, live music, DJ performances, and dance showcases by both Greek and International artists.
11. Vari
Similar to Mikrolimeno in Piraeus, which is famous for its seafood, Vari, located five kilometers southeast of Glyfada, is celebrated for its exceptional grilled meat offerings.
The aroma of charcoal fills the air in Vari, originating from the numerous psistarias, or grill houses.
At these establishments, kid goat, beef steaks, chicken, lamb, and suckling pig are expertly roasted over charcoal, served with tantalizing scorch marks alongside French fries.
Psistarias can be large, hall-like facilities specializing in a particular meat cut, often staffed by touts dressed as klephts (Greek independence fighters from the 19th century).
12. Panagia Faneromeni, Vouliagmeni
Located nearby in Vouliagmeni, this church, established in 2005, was commissioned by a shipping magnate in memory of his daughter and designed by architect Voula Didoni.
The exterior of Panagia Faneromeni features smooth, sweeping lines inspired by Cycladic artistic elements.
Upon entering, visitors are greeted by Byzantine-style frescoes by painter George Kordis.
These frescoes depict biblical narratives, apostles, and the iconic Christ Pantocrator featured prominently at the dome’s apex, as well as the Madonna and Child in the apse.
In front of this last image stands the iconostasis, crafted by artists who traveled all the way from St. Petersburg to Vouliagmeni.
13. Vouliagmeni Lake
Situated on the peninsula south of Vouliagmeni, visitors may be surprised to discover a freshwater lake in this typically arid landscape.
This lake is replenished by subterranean springs filtered through Mount Hymettus, a prominent feature to the east.
The water, slightly brackish, reaches the surface at a temperature of 24°C. Vouliagmeni Lake serves as a spa and a paid attraction, offering good value for entrance fees, alongside shimmering shallow waters, grassy areas for sunbathing, and scenic cliffs surrounding the lake.
14. Nightlife
With a youthful, affluent, and cosmopolitan crowd, Glyfada’s vibrant nightlife scene is no surprise.
During summer evenings, many individuals travel from neighboring Athens locales.
Trendy cocktail venues, such as Holy Spirit and MoMix, coexist with elegant wine bars like Vein and Vinarte, which frequently host tasting events and live music.
For a more casual atmosphere, BeeRock offers an enjoyable mix of beer and rock music.
For those who wish to extend their evening, nightclubs such as Vinilio Club and Esco.Bar provide opportunities to dance until dawn.
15. Glyfada Golf Club
No luxury resort is complete without a golf club, and Glyfada Golf Club holds the distinction of being the oldest in Greece, established in 1962 amidst a coastal landscape of dunes, pines, and a natural creek. This 18-hole course was designed by the acclaimed architect David Harradine, later updated by the renowned Robert Trent Jones in 1978. The green fees are reasonable given its history, with 18 holes costing €50.00 and nine holes at half that rate.
Fringed by fig, olive, cypress, and pine trees, your golfing experience is accompanied by breathtaking views of the sea, Mount Hymettus, and the charming St. Dimitrios church located along the 10th hole.
