If you find yourself in Athens with a day to spare, grab some friends, rent a car, and just do it. This is a chronicle of the journey of our creative team along the Athens Riviera all the way to Lavrio and Cape Sounio – a whirlwind adventure.

21

The Athens Riviera is the coastal area south of Athens, the capital of Greece, stretching along the Sounio Archaeological Site. It all started with a spontaneous decision and a quick car rental from Avis. We used their convenient Quick Pass service to book online, and chose a premium SUV with a sporty character. Before we knew it, we were cruising down Vouliagmeni Avenue in our comfortable ride, the sea breeze in our hair and the panoramic sunroof letting in the warm Greek sunshine.

×
play button
PLAY FULL VIDEO

Stop 1: Kavouri

Our first stop was the beautiful Megalo Kavouri beach in Vouliagmeni, a very upscale coastal suburb of the city. Picture this: sipping coffee with sand between your toes, gazing out at Kavouronisi island, a small islet just off the coast, then take a leisurely walk along the shoreline, a favorite route for many Athenians. It was the perfect start to our day, setting the tone for the relaxed exploration ahead.

Stop 2: Limanakia Vouliagmenis

As the sun climbed higher, we felt the call of the sea. We headed to A’ Limanaki, one of those hidden rocky gems just after Vouliagmeni, which locals love, but need a map to find. That first dip was so invigorating! The water was cooler than we expected – a refreshing surprise in the Greek heat. At this point, we were thankful for the SUV’s spacious trunk, which easily fit our beach gear and photography equipment.

Stop 3: Sounio

With salt on our skin, we continued our journey south to Sounio, the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula (the region surrounding Athens). The drive itself was nothing but breathtaking, with the Aegean Sea stretching out beside us. Our Audi Quattro’s all-wheel drive system made the journey smooth and confident. And then, there it was – the Temple of Poseidon, an ancient Greek temple dedicated to the god of the sea, standing proud against the sky since the 5th century BCE. Can you imagine the stories those ancient stones could tell?

We spent some time exploring the local Archaeological Site, letting our imaginations run wild. And made sure to stick around for the sunset – it’s a view you don’t want to miss.

Stop 4: Engoilo Chaos

Οur adventure didn’t stop there. We ventured into Sounio National Park, Greece’s …smallest national park, where we discovered Engoilo Chaos – a heart-shaped crater about 55 meters deep that looks like something out of a fantasy novel. The car’s sporty dynamics really shone on these winding roads.

Stop 5: Lavrio

And the Lavrio Technological and Cultural Park after that? It’s like stepping back in time to Greece’s (short) industrial past. It also showcases the area’s rich mining history dating back to 3000 BCE, with its beautifully restored historical buildings which are now housing cutting-edge research and startup facilities.

Stop 6: Legrena

As the night fell, we found ourselves in the quaint village of Legrena, swapping stories over delicious Greek food.

Stop 7: KAPE

The next morning, the brave souls among us took one last dip at KAPE beach before heading back to Athens. This hidden beach, with its Cycladic-like character of white pebbles and azure waters, was a perfect final note to our coastal symphony.

In just 24 hours, we experienced so much – from ancient wonders to hidden beaches, from geological marvels to charming tavernas. It was a whirlwind tour of everything that makes this stretch of coastline so special. Our Avis rental was the unsung hero of the trip, providing comfort, space, and reliability throughout our journey.

Tips

		array(1) {
  [0]=>
  array(5) {
    ["file"]=>
    array(24) {
      ["ID"]=>
      int(378110)
      ["id"]=>
      int(378110)
      ["title"]=>
      string(8) "ARM02529"
      ["filename"]=>
      string(19) "ARM02529-scaled.jpg"
      ["filesize"]=>
      int(727729)
      ["url"]=>
      string(68) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ARM02529-scaled.jpg"
      ["link"]=>
      string(34) "https://www.travel.gr/en/arm02529/"
      ["alt"]=>
      string(0) ""
      ["author"]=>
      string(2) "17"
      ["description"]=>
      string(17) "Armandos Kyriakis"
      ["caption"]=>
      string(0) ""
      ["name"]=>
      string(8) "arm02529"
      ["status"]=>
      string(7) "inherit"
      ["uploaded_to"]=>
      int(0)
      ["date"]=>
      string(19) "2024-06-26 09:27:26"
      ["modified"]=>
      string(19) "2024-07-24 07:55:19"
      ["menu_order"]=>
      int(0)
      ["mime_type"]=>
      string(10) "image/jpeg"
      ["type"]=>
      string(5) "image"
      ["subtype"]=>
      string(4) "jpeg"
      ["icon"]=>
      string(58) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-includes/images/media/default.png"
      ["width"]=>
      int(1829)
      ["height"]=>
      int(2560)
      ["sizes"]=>
      array(18) {
        ["thumbnail"]=>
        string(69) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ARM02529-150x150.jpg"
        ["thumbnail-width"]=>
        int(150)
        ["thumbnail-height"]=>
        int(150)
        ["medium"]=>
        string(69) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ARM02529-214x300.jpg"
        ["medium-width"]=>
        int(214)
        ["medium-height"]=>
        int(300)
        ["medium_large"]=>
        string(70) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ARM02529-768x1075.jpg"
        ["medium_large-width"]=>
        int(768)
        ["medium_large-height"]=>
        int(1075)
        ["large"]=>
        string(70) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ARM02529-731x1024.jpg"
        ["large-width"]=>
        int(731)
        ["large-height"]=>
        int(1024)
        ["1536x1536"]=>
        string(68) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ARM02529-scaled.jpg"
        ["1536x1536-width"]=>
        int(1097)
        ["1536x1536-height"]=>
        int(1536)
        ["2048x2048"]=>
        string(68) "https://www.travel.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ARM02529-scaled.jpg"
        ["2048x2048-width"]=>
        int(1463)
        ["2048x2048-height"]=>
        int(2048)
      }
    }
    ["desc"]=>
    bool(false)
    ["image_position"]=>
    string(6) "center"
    ["image_link_to"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["open_link_in_new_tab"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
}

If you are to venture to the same adventure here are three practical tips: The Sounio Archaeological Site is open from 9:30 AM until sunset, and if you want to visit the Lavrio Park on a weekend, make sure to book in advance. Finally, for a truly memorable experience, time your visit to the Temple of Poseidon with the sunset – the golden hour here is simply magical.

The End

From the comfort of our Avis SUV to the azure waters of the Aegean, from ancient ruins to modern parks, our journey along the Athens Riviera was a perfect blend of relaxation, exploration, and discovery. It’s amazing how much of Greece’s beauty and history you can experience in just one day when you have the right vehicle and the spirit of adventure.

Photography/Video

Armandos Kyriakis
Christos Tzoutis

Production

Lamda3 Creative Studio

Read also:

Road trip to Parga, Epirus’ Coastal Treasure

Samos: A Year-Round Island Ideal for Exploring by Car

The Thrill of Exploring Messenian Mani by Car