14 Best Sights in Attica and Delphi, Greece

The best beach in the north of Attica, just beyond Marathon, is this long, sandy, pine-backed stretch called Schinias. It's crowded with Athenians on the weekend, has a few simple tavernas along the sand and quite a lot of beach bars, and is frequently struck by strong winds that windsurfers love in summer. A dirt-and-sand track skirts the pine groves behind the beach, providing access to some relatively remote stretches. Campers like to settle in the Schinias forest during the summer, taking care not to disturb its precious natural habitat, which is enviromentally protected. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (free); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

A fee gives you access to elegant wooden lounge chairs, white umbrellas, and shiny beach bars. Also on-site at this public beach are basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts as well as a playground for pre- or post-swimming fun. There's also Wi-Fi and a first-aid station during the summer. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (free); toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

The town of Alimos has the nearest developed—and clean—beach to Athens. The so-called Beach of the Sun extends over 60,000 square meters and has umbrellas and lounge chairs for rent, three beach bars, a couple of tavernas, and one minimarket. Expect it to be packed over the hot summer months. There is an entry fee (slightly higher on weekends); sun beds cost €1/€2 depending on whether it's a weekday or weekend. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

The broad, sandy beach at Anavyssos is very popular with windsurfers (especially the stretch called Alykes). There's a children's playground and beach volleyball courts, as well as sun beds and umbrellas for hire. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: solitude; swimming; windsurfing.

This sprawling, upmarket complex draws a hip young crowd as well as families with children, who enjoy different sides of the beach. It is built around a fine sand shore and landscaped grounds shaded by elegant pergolas, but the high-concept branding and glitz is just another attempt to glamorize (and monetize) the Riviera sands. On balance it offers a fair amount of facilities, including lounge chairs, umbrellas, pools, lockers, changing rooms, showers, trampolines, a playground, restaurants, bars, and water sports. Yet for the cost of €8 and the privilege of spending even more on high-priced drinks and food, it makes you yearn for simpler pleasures. The youthful Balux poolside café-club offers a spot to cool off on abundant pillows with a chilled coffee in hand or sip a cocktail long after sundown. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

This beach club on the Laimos promontory is not just a place to get a tan; it's where you go to be seen. Yes, it is open to the public daily from 8 am to 9 pm, but its exclusive location has always commanded a hefty entrance fee (to the indignation of locals), which means the green lawns and sandy stretch are usually not so crowded. It is also home to a slice of ancient history. The 6th-century Temple of Apollo Zoster was discovered here when a couple of young boys from a nearby orphanage—which still exists—dug it up while playing in the sand in the early part of the 20th century. If that doesn't do it for you, a range of services (including shopping, dining, water sports, and yoga on the beach) are offered at an extra cost. Amenities: food and drink; volleyball courts; water sports. Best for: swimming; relaxing in style.

If you don't fancy paying €30 to rent an umbrella, across the road is a small public beach where locals paddle in the water for free.

This public beach extends north from Vouliagmeni to Voula and is one of the most easily accessible free, public beaches near the city. It has fine golden sand and is a good choice for families. There are a few modest cafés along the beach as well as some shops, while umbrellas and sun beds are available for rent. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

On your approach to the Temple of Poseidon, there is a decent sandy beach at Legrena. The fine golden sand is reminiscent of the Cycladic islands, while an added bonus is the usual lack of crowds. A few miles before you arrive (from the west coast), look for the sight of the small island of Patroklos. It is uninhabited today, has ancient fortress ruins, and is said to belong to a wealthy Greek family. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

The coves at Rhamnous, approached via a rough road about 2,000 feet before the entrance to the archaelogical site, are cozy and remote. These are favorite swimming spots of nudists and free campers, although the latter is technically forbidden. Beware of spiny sea urchins when swimming off the rocks from this pebbly beach. Amenities: parking (free). Best for: nudists; solitude; walking.

The tiny Sesi Beach is about 400 meters long and has a small canteen, while the main pebble beach has crystal clear waters, a couple of tavernas, and a beach bar. There are also a few smaller stretches of sand accessible on foot that are fairly private. Bring your own sun beds and umbrellas because there's nothing for rent here. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude; swimming.

If you are spending the morning visiting the Temple of Poseidon, you might also want to take a swim on the free public beach just below it. Of course, this sandy strip—known locally as Kavokolones—becomes uncomfortably crowded in summer. Amenities: none. Best for: sunset; swimming.

This fine-pebbled beach is reached from Varnavas village, north of Marathon. There is a lifeguard here during the summer months and a few tavernas nearby where you can enjoy a post-swim snack. It's a popular spearfishing spot. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (free). Best for: swimming; snorkeling.

Beach-club amenities—umbrellas and sun beds for rent, water sports, bars, restaurants (including a popular souvlaki eatery), a children's water park, and cabins where you can change—spread across 25 acres behind a long stretch of sand. Varkiza is popular with windsurfers and waterskiers. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); water sports. Best for: walking; windsurfing.