Athens — the bank

The coast — Vouliagmeni & Kavouri

Athens is a sea city; this is the proof.

Visitors keep forgetting Athens sits on the sea; Athenians never do. Half an hour south of the centre the city runs out into the Riviera — Vouliagmeni and Kavouri, where the pines meet swimming coves and the fish restaurants sit close enough to the water to hear it. This is where Athens goes on Sundays: swim first, long lunch after, a sunset drink if you've done it properly. Essential in summer; empty and arguably better in winter. Take a taxi and don't plan anything for the afternoon.