Athens plus a beach

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Dp and I are gearing up for a big history trip to Athens, maybe in October, maybe 5 days or so. I'd also like to have a pure beach/taverna bit as well. Just the two of us.

Not sure whether just to move out of the city to one of the local beaches (Voula?) or whether to go further afield to an island. Any thoughts?

I have no suggestions but I am shamelessly place marking as that sounds my asbsolute dream of a holiday. Never been to Athens. Really want to!

Depending when in October and where you go, it might not be beach weather.

Athens is a hot and dusty hole so I'd plan to stay there as short a time as possible

There are good transport connections to the coast, if you just want one beach day. I think it takes less than an hour.

Take a boat to Aegina, it's v close to Athens and many Athenians have holiday houses there.

The road between Athens and Kalamata is very good now if you want to drive. Lots of wonderful beaches towards Stoupa and beyond.

Details here on Aegina, ferry takes 30 min from Pireaus and there's a boat every hour.

είναι τέλεια (it's perfect!)

www.greeka.com/saronic/aegina/

I always wanted to go to Athens so am lurking with interest as well. I've never heard it described as a hole!!

I'd suggest a tour of the Peloponnese as well as Athens, followed by a trip to Aegina, as suggested by PP. From there, you can easily do a boat trip to Poros and Hydra, time permitting. Did this many moons ago and had a great time, as well as seeing many historical sites.

The Roman ruin sights are great but it's not a place to stay. I guess I was there for work mainly so it was a bit meh

I mean sight not 'Roman ruins' lol

You know what I mean

Ahh also place marking, sounds like a lovely holiday!

For a 'Greek island' vibe for new visitors, I wouldn't use my extra days on Voula.
If you don't want to spend minimize traveling time, Hydra is lovely/famous, or you could do Poros.

Wow that made no sense: if you WANT TO minimize traveling...

Totally disagree. October should be pleasant. I love Athens it's amazing. The Acropolis Museum and National Archeological museums are excellent. I've visited four times and never get bored.

I agree with @TreesAtSea . Athens has so much to see. The Peloponnese and Mycenae are worth the effort. There are beach areas in the Peleponnese region, so definitely worth checking out. Do
not miss the Theatre of Epidaurus either. Aegina is certainly easy to get to. I’m not sure Hydra has a lot of beaches. Spetses, Poros and Kea are worth exploring and have beaches.

Thank you! V excited at the idea of encountering the classical sites. Aegina sounds great as a balance too.

I've heard quite a lot of negatives about Athens but also positives. I just want to see the Parthenon.

We did exactly the same as you’re planning last year. There was a nice beach at the end of the HOHO route - you pay a few euros to go in but it’s spotless and the sea was clean as it faces away from the city. We stayed in central Athens and absolutely loved it, walked everywhere!

I had one of the best holidays I've ever had in Athens. We didn't go in summer though and it wasn't a 'hot and dusty hole'!

The food was incredible, the museums and ruins everywhere were brilliant. I would go back for sure.

I hope you get some good suggestions for beaches.

two days should be enough to see the main sights in Athens,

Also place marking - planning on ending up at Athens on a train trip through Europe thsi autumn, and wondering if there's anywhere else we ought to tag onto the trip..

I'm taking DD to Athens next month - just a shortish trip to see some of the sites and museums. We'll also head out to Dephi (can do it on the public bus or book a 1 day tour) and Mycenae/Epidaurus - lots of 1 day tours for that too. For those that like Roman sites as well as Greek ones you can also go to Corinth by bus or train.

Interesting thread - also hoping to do this sometime

Totally this. That's what I've done many times.

I like Athens,last time I went I stayed in Vravrona at this hotel ,Dolce by Wyndham Athens Attica Riviera,small resort bus ride into Athens and close to the Airport.The nearest small town had hardly any tourists,ordered tea and got a tiny cup of chamomile tea! Loved it there,from memory there was only one taverna with fabulous food.