Best Beaches Near Athens Airport

Most visitors flying into Athens spend their first day in the city — but if you are arriving in summer and your priority is sun, sea, and nature, there is a better option. Schinias Beach is around 40 to 45 minutes by car from Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos), and it is one of the finest stretches of coastline in Attica. You can be swimming in clear turquoise water before you would even have checked into a city hotel.

Athens Airport to Schinias: The Route

The airport sits in the north-eastern corner of Attica, which puts it much closer to Schinias than to central Athens. The drive is approximately 32 kilometres and takes around 40 minutes in normal traffic — straight up the coast road, no motorway tolls, simple navigation.

By comparison, getting from the airport to central Athens takes a similar amount of time but puts you in the heat and noise of the city rather than beside the sea.

By Car or Taxi

The easiest option. A taxi from the airport to Schinias costs approximately €35–50 depending on traffic and your exact destination. If you are hiring a car, the drive is straightforward: follow signs for Rafina, then continue north along the coast towards Marathon.

By Public Transport

Take the KTEL Attikis bus from Nomismatokopio Metro Station in Athens towards Marathon and Kato Souli. The bus stops at Nea Makri and the Schinias area. Journey time is around 1.5 hours. It is an inexpensive option if you are not in a hurry.

Why Schinias?

There are several beaches within reach of the airport, but Schinias stands out for a few reasons:

• Protected national park — Schinias sits within the Schinias-Marathon National Park, which means no hotel blocks, no overdevelopment, and a natural pine forest running to the waterline
• Calm, shallow water — the bay is sheltered, making it ideal for families and confident swimmers alike
• Long beach — approximately 4 kilometres of sand, so it never feels crowded even in summer
• Quiet atmosphere — unlike the beach clubs closer to Athens, Schinias retains a genuinely relaxed character

Other Beaches Near the Airport

For a balanced picture:

• Rafina — a working port town with a small beach; better for catching a ferry to the Cyclades than for a beach stay
• Mati / Nea Makri — small local beaches just south of Schinias, less distinctive but convenient
• Vouliagmeni — a popular upmarket beach south of Athens, about 50 minutes from the airport; excellent but busier and more expensive

For most visitors who want a natural, uncrowded beach within easy reach of the airport, Schinias is the clear choice.

Combining Airport Arrival with a Stay at Schinias

A popular option for visitors who want to avoid Athens entirely (or save it for later in their trip) is to base themselves at Schinias for a few days first. The area has everything you need: beach, nature, local restaurants, and history at the plain of Marathon — without the cost or complexity of a city stay.

Schinias Soul Habitats offers three apartments just 10 minutes' walk from the beach, around 40 minutes from the airport. Bookings are taken directly — contact us to check availability for your dates.