Elliniko-Argyroupoli
Elliniko-Argyroupoli is a municipality on the southern coast of Athens, facing the Saronic Gulf along the so-called Athens Riviera...
Updated 17 July 2026
The story
The story of Elliniko-Argyroupoli
Athens' southern coast: the Athens Riviera
Elliniko-Argyroupoli is part of the coastal strip known as the Athens Riviera, which runs from the Piraeus area southward to Vouliagmeni, following the shoreline of the Saronic Gulf. It is one of the most dynamic areas of Attica, having seen concentrated real estate investment, new public spaces and redevelopment projects in recent decades. The municipality's coastline alternates equipped beaches, kiosks, seafront venues and stretches of pedestrian promenade, with views of the gulf's islands on clear days. Proximity to Athens, reachable within minutes by tram or car, makes this area appealing both to residents seeking a more relaxed life near the sea and to visitors who want to combine urban culture with beach days.
Elliniko and the old international airport
Elliniko owes its notoriety to the former Athens International Airport, operational until 2001, when flights were transferred to the new airport at Spata. For decades the runways and terminals shaped the area's urban landscape, and after closure they left a vast coastal expanse largely unused. That space, among the largest available in any European capital, remained for years at the centre of public debate over how to transform it. Some historic buildings linked to aviation and structures from that era are still recognisable within the urban fabric, a reminder of a past that made Elliniko a landmark for Athens well before its current transformation.
The Ellinikon project: coastal park and marina
On the site of the former airport, the Ellinikon project is underway, one of the most ambitious urban regeneration schemes in Europe. The plan includes a large metropolitan coastal park, one of the continent's most extensive green areas, alongside a new waterfront with a marina, redeveloped beaches, and commercial, residential and cultural spaces. The stated aim is to give the city back a quality public seafront, integrating cycling paths, sports areas and services, while a new skyline takes shape along the coast. Even though the works proceed in successive phases and some parts of the complex are still under construction, the Ellinikon is already visibly changing the face of Elliniko, drawing attention from anyone following the Greek capital's urban development.
Urban beaches and seaside life
Elliniko's coastline offers easily accessible urban beaches, some free and others organised with beach clubs, sunbeds and facilities. These are places frequented mainly by residents of the greater Athens area, who in the warm months choose these shores for a swim after work or a relaxing day without straying too far from the city. Along the coast there are also cafés and restaurants with gulf views, ideal for a sunset or a summer dinner. Compared with the more famous beaches of Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, those in Elliniko retain a simpler, more local atmosphere, while still benefiting from the same clear waters of the Saronic Gulf and the ongoing redevelopment brought by the Ellinikon project.
Argyroupoli: the residential district toward Mount Hymettus
Argyroupoli occupies the inland part of the municipality, set back from the coast and resting on the lower slopes of Mount Hymettus. It is a predominantly residential district, with low-rise apartment blocks, neighbourhood squares, schools and local markets that mark daily life away from the touristic rhythm of the coastal strip. Tree-lined streets and small local parks offer a quiet setting, appreciated by families and by those who work in Athens but prefer to live in a more intimate context. From the higher parts of Argyroupoli, views open toward the Saronic Gulf on one side and the Hymettus hills on the other, a dual outlook that makes the district a balanced compromise between city life and closeness to nature.
Connections and how to experience the area
Elliniko-Argyroupoli is well connected thanks to the tram line that runs along the south coast, linking central Athens to Glyfada and continuing toward Voula and Vouliagmeni: a convenient way to move around without a car between the beach, residential districts and city life. Local buses also serve both the coastal area and Argyroupoli extensively, while proximity to the ring road makes it easy to reach Spata airport or other parts of Attica. Living or staying here means being able to switch, within a short time, between a walk along the seafront, a visit to the construction sites and already open spaces of the Ellinikon, and a quiet evening in the residential streets of Argyroupoli, a balance few other municipalities on the Athens Riviera offer as naturally.
Experiences not to miss
- A walk along Elliniko's seafront with views over the Saronic Gulf
- A visit to the coastal park and already open areas of the Ellinikon project
- A swim or a drink at one of the equipped urban beaches
- A stroll through Argyroupoli's residential streets and neighbourhood markets
- A tram ride along the coast toward Glyfada and Voula
To see
