Paleo Faliro is one of the closest seaside neighborhoods to central Athens. Come here for Flisvos Marina, free beaches, the long waterfront promenade, restaurants, and an easy taste of the Athens Riviera.
I’m Greek and live in central Athens, and I often come to Paleo Faliro for a walk along the palm-lined seafront, a swim at Edem Beach, or an evening drink overlooking the yachts at Flisvos Marina.
Paleo Faliro is also a good place to stay if you want to be near the sea while keeping easy access to central Athens and the Acropolis.
Unlike some of the more resort-oriented areas farther down the Athens Riviera, Paleo Faliro is also a residential neighborhood where Athenians live, eat, shop, swim, and walk along the seafront.
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Things to Do in Paleo Faliro
These are the places I recommend seeing in Paleo Faliro, starting with the area I visit most often, Flisvos Marina and the seafront.
Walk Around Flisvos Marina
I usually start at Flisvos Marina when I come to Paleo Faliro. Even if you’re staying in central Athens, it’s worth coming down for a walk around the marina and along the seafront.
Flisvos Marina is the most organized one in Athens; it has 310 berths, with more than 50% able to accommodate yachts over 30m.
I often walk around the piers just to look at the huge yachts. There’s a dedicated promenade where you can enjoy a volta — a leisurely stroll, as we say in Greek.
Along the main strip, you’ll discover various dining options, from authentic Italian cuisine at Napolitivo to Greek seafood specialties at Nisos Restaurant.
There are also numerous cafés where you can grab a snack or an ice cream, and cocktail bars that are particularly popular during sunset hours.
Besides the lovely seafront, the large green complex of Flisvos Park and Marina is also very family-friendly, with facilities that include:
- Playgrounds for 2-5 years and one for children up to 12 years old.
- Sports areas with outdoor exercise equipment, mini soccer, and basketball courts.
- An 80-seat wooden amphitheater for cultural events and a canteen.
- Ciné Flisvos, a popular open-air summer cinema.
- And a designated dog park.
About a 10-minute walk north of Flisvos Marina is the historic battleship Georgios Averof, which played an important role in the Balkan Wars of 1912–1913.
Today, it operates as a floating naval museum.
If you want to continue exploring, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is also nearby, just north of Paleo Faliro.
Visit the Beaches of Paleo Faliro
One of the things I like about Paleo Faliro is how easy it is to combine a walk around Flisvos Marina with some time by the sea.
There are three beaches along this stretch of the coast: Faliro, Batis, and Edem. All three are free, and you can walk between them along the seafront promenade.
Faliro Beach
From Flisvos Marina, walk toward the open-air cinema and continue along the waterfront. You’ll soon reach Faliro Beach, the first of the three.
The beach has umbrellas, changing rooms, showers, restrooms, and wooden walkways. You’ll see people swimming here throughout the year, not just in summer.
The municipality regularly maintains this stretch of coastline, and the beach is easy to combine with a visit to Flisvos Marina.
Batis Beach
Continue south along the promenade and you’ll reach Batis Beach.
One particularly useful feature at Batis is SEATRAC, which helps people with mobility difficulties enter and leave the sea independently.
Along Paleo Faliro’s 1.5-kilometer coastline, the municipality has installed a range of facilities for beachgoers, including:
- 70 umbrellas
- 12 double changing cabins
- 7 double showers
- 3 lifeguard towers
- 2 kiosks
- 40 wooden bins
- 800 meters of wooden beach walkways
Edem Beach
Keep walking south and you’ll reach Edem Beach, about 1.4 km from Faliro Beach.
Edem is very popular, particularly in summer, but there is a good reason for that. You have organized sections, changing rooms, showers, umbrellas, a volleyball court, and outdoor exercise equipment.
It’s also easy to reach by public transportation, with the Edem tram stop right by the beach.
There is a café where you can stop for a coffee or drink, as well as Edem Restaurant right on the waterfront. If you want to eat there, I recommend booking a table when it’s busy.
Which Paleo Faliro Beach Should You Choose?
| Beach | Best for |
|---|---|
| Faliro | Combining the beach with Flisvos Marina |
| Batis | A smaller beach and accessible sea entry |
| Edem | Swimming with plenty of facilities nearby |
My Choice for Swimming
I would choose Edem Beach for swimming. It can get busy, especially in summer, but I still prefer it because everything I need is close by.
I can swim, change, grab a coffee, or stay for something to eat without going anywhere else.
Walk the Paleo Faliro Promenade
Even if you’re not planning to swim, don’t miss the walk along the seafront. The paved promenade connects the beaches and is lined with tall palm trees, with the tram running alongside it. Pasted text
I often walk here myself, and it’s one of my favorite parts of Paleo Faliro.
Eat at the Restaurants in Paleo Faliro
Paleo Faliro is one of those Athens neighborhoods where I often come for food as well as the seafront. You’ll find everything from Greek and Cretan food to Middle Eastern and Italian restaurants.
Paleo Faliro also has an interesting connection with the Greeks of Constantinople, many of whom settled in the area during the 20th century. Their food traditions helped shape some of the flavors you’ll still find around the neighborhood today.
This cuisine is known in Greece as Politiki kouzina.
Here are some of the places I know and recommend.
Aladdin
Aladdin is a popular Middle Eastern restaurant in Paleo Faliro that I’ve visited many times.
I usually order the tabbouleh, made with bulgur, parsley, tomato, and lettuce. I also like the mixed-meat giaourtlou, served with pita, yogurt, tomato sauce, Urfa kebab, şiş kebab, and beef gyros.
Address: 104 Amfitheas Avenue & 88 Areos Street
Mikio – Cretan Food
If you’re in the mood for Cretan food, try Mikio, a small and friendly restaurant run by Petros and Eliza.
There are plenty of Cretan dishes to choose from. I particularly recommend trying some of the cheeses, such as graviera, mizithra, or aged anthotyro, followed by a Sfakian pie or marathopita.
For meat, you’ll find traditional choices such as Rethymno sausage and sygklino. Pair your meal with a glass of raki or ouzo.
Address: Agiou Alexandrou 58.
Da Bruno – Italian Food
For Italian food, Da Bruno is another restaurant I’ve enjoyed in Paleo Faliro.
My favorite dish here is simple: spaghetti frutti di mare.
Address: Agiou Alexandrou 46.
Benaki Toy Museum
The Benaki Toy Museum is one of Paleo Faliro’s most unusual museums and a good stop if you’re visiting with children.
It’s housed in the historic Kouloura residence, an impressive early-20th-century building with two octagonal towers.
The collection includes toys, books, clothing, and other childhood objects from Greece and around the world.
Where to Stay in Paleo Faliro
If you want to stay near the sea while still having access to central Athens, these are three options in different parts of Paleo Faliro.
Coral Hotel Athens is a good choice if you want to stay on the seafront and close to Flisvos Marina. The marina is about 500 meters away, and there are tram and bus connections nearby. T
Poseidon Athens Hotel is the one I’d choose if being close to Edem Beach is your priority. It’s on the Athens Riviera in Paleo Faliro, with the Edem public transport stop right outside.
If you’re still deciding where to base yourself, see my guide to the best areas to stay in Athens.
Athens Riviera Sunset Cruise
If you’d like to see more of the Athens Riviera from the water, another option is a sunset cruise.
The cruise departs from Marina Zea in Piraeus and follows the Athens coastline, passing Paleo Faliro and Voula, with swimming stops around Glyfada and Vouliagmeni.
Snacks and drinks are included, and there is an option for pick-up from your Athens hotel.
Check availability for the Athens Riviera Sunset Cruise here.
FAQs
How to Get to Paleo Faliro from Athens
Paleo Faliro is located in the south of Athens along the Athens Riviera. There are quite a few options that you can choose to get there:
By Car: Drive with your rental car along Syngrou Avenue, heading south from the city center. It’s about a 20-minute drive, depending on traffic.
By Taxi: Taxis are readily available throughout Athens and can take you directly to Paleo Faliro. The journey usually takes around 15-20 minutes and should cost around €15 – €20.
By Bus: The A2 and B2 buses are good options, departing from central Athens (Syntagma) and stopping at various points in Paleo Faliro. Cost €1.20
By Tram: Tram Line 6 connects Syntagma with Pikrodafni and stops in Paleo Faliro. The standard 90-minute public transport ticket currently costs €1.20.
Is Paleo Faliro Worth Visiting?
Yes, especially if you want to see a more local side of the Athens Riviera without going far from central Athens. I come here mainly for the seafront walk, Flisvos Marina, Edem Beach, and food. You can easily combine all four in half a day.
Planning more of your trip? My Athens Travel Guide covers the city, the coast, transportation, where to stay, and how to plan your time.
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Happy and safe travels,
Evgenia
