Athens in the summer can only be described in 3 words: hot, hot, hot. Okay, seriously it could also be described as beautiful, historic, fascinating, full of wonder and hidden secrets. But my goodness, is it HOT! The first time we went to Athens, we were still younger and a little less traveled and we spent the day traipsing all around the city, seeing every sight, and taking in as much as we could. While that was incredible and enlightening, it was also hot and exhausting. Returning to Athens years later, we decided to come in with a different game plan… find WATER! Enter… Lake Vouliagmeni and the nearby beaches.
How to get there
I started googling places we could cool down in and around Athens, and Lake Vouliagmeni popped up. We stayed in Alimos on this trip, which is a beachside town outside of Athens, and we were able to take a quick Uber ride to the lake. There are also buses and metro-lines that run from the center of Athens to the lake, and you can also always take a taxi. You can make it worth your while by spending a full day enjoying the amenities of the lake, or you could spend a few hours at the lake (like we did) and then enjoy a nearby beach (within walking distance).
Practical Information
It is important to note that you must pay to enter the lake and also that advanced reservations can be made. Due to this fact, if you arrive spontaneously there is a chance you will have to wait to be let in. As with most things, the earlier you are there, or if you book in advance, you are less likely to have issues getting in. The lake opens at 8AM and stays open until 18:00. There is different pricing depending on what you want to do and have access to while inside. We paid 15 euro each for the general admission, which meant that we could only sit in a certain area and were able to use specific sun chairs, or lay out our own towels. But, there were some spaces that were restricted to those who had paid for other types of tickets. For what we wanted out of our day, this was just fine. We posted up on some sun chairs, read a bit, and enjoyed a few dips in the lake. You can also book more exclusive spaces like sun beds, day beds, umbrellas, lounges, and private areas for a higher cost. You can find all of this information on the lake’s website in advance if you need further specifics. There are restrooms and showers available for all guests. There is also a restaurant/cafe on the site for guests to eat or grab a snack or drink. There are lifeguards on duty at the lake for safety.
What is the lake like?
The lake is created from the water of the ocean, as well as from a natural spring. The combined waters are warm, clear, and beautiful. The surrounding rock cliffs are a gorgeous backdrop to the lake and they contain underwater caves as well. We saw quite a few divers in full gear here on our day at the lake.
The big surprise is that the lake is full of spa fish! These fish are called Gara Rufa fish, and as soon as you get into the lake and stand very still, they come right over to nibble on your feet and legs. At first, it is a really weird sensation and kind of freaks you out, but then it becomes quite neat and actually feels good. People pay for this treatment in other places, and you get it naturally in this lake!
Why Visit?
Lake Vouliagmeni is a great get away from the hustle and heat of Athens and is definitely worth a stop if you have the time. If you’ve seen Athens before and want something new, or if you just need a few hours to escape the heat, I highly recommend this relaxing atmosphere. However, use your time wisely because you certainly shouldn’t miss all of the amazing things that Athens itself has to offer!
Other ways to visit
You could also visit the lake as part of a tour and make a few other stops at neat Athens sites as well. You can explore options by clicking here —-> Athens Tours
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