Insider's Guide To Athens and the Athenian Riviera
One minute you’re tracing marble steps worn smooth by philosophers, the next you’re floating in sapphire waters so clear they feel fictional. If you think Athens is just a quick stop on the way to the islands, congratulations on missing the plot.
Photo: Jennifer De Witt, 2023
Your guide to where time pauses: Athens and The Athenian Riviera
Follow the coastline south and everything slows down. The Athenian Riviera unfurls like a secret, its rhythm dictated by cicadas and sea breezes. At its heart lies Lake Vouliagmeni, a mineral-rich, hidden gem nestled beneath limestone cliffs. Step into its warm, brackish waters—part sea, part underground spring—and your body instantly knows what your inbox doesn't: you’ve escaped. Locals treat it like a baptism. Travelers treat it like a secret they’re not sure they should share. (I almost didn't tell you about it, it's that good.)
Mornings start with coffee under bougainvillea in Plaka, afternoons melt into swims in Vouliagmeni’s tranquil bays, and evenings stretch on forever with grilled octopus, crisp white wine, and sunsets so pink they seem Photoshopped. This is a place where you can wander ancient ruins and still make your dinner reservation barefoot, with sand between your toes.
The Athenian Riviera is for romantics who hate clichés, families who want less itinerary and more magic, and anyone who’s ever thought, What if I just stayed here forever?
The Dolli in Athens, Greece
Just steps from the Acropolis—and we mean steps, as in, you might spill your freddo espresso on a ruin—The Dolli is both a show-off and a sanctuary. Marble floors, curated art, impossibly high ceilings, and a rooftop that serves views so surreal, they could charge admission. But you? You’ll be sipping cocktails up there, pretending not to notice the Parthenon glowing like it’s in soft focus, while you consider whether to take a dip in the rooftop infinity pool or just keep lounging like an Athenian deity.
Rooms are sunlit and sculptural, dressed in muted tones and crisp linens, with just enough Greek drama to feel local—but never kitsch. It’s thoughtful luxury with zero try-hard energy.
Book with us and get Fora Perks: A welcome treat (yes, edible), room upgrades when available, and extended check-in/out so you can delay returning to your real life just a little longer.