Top Suburbs in Athens for Living and Property Investment

The Greek real estate market is growing steadily – according to the Bank of Greece estimates, as purchase prices in 2023 increased by an average of 10.9%, and in 2024 by 6.6% across the country. Over the past 10 years, real estate value in Greece has surged by more than 60%, with the highest growth recorded in Athens (14.1%) and Thessaloniki (16.4%).

The same trend continues in the rental market, where demand exceeds supply by more than double. The growth of rental rates is particularly noticeable in Attica, as according to statistics, in Q1 2025, the average property rental cost increased by 48% compared to 2019.

Foreign investors are showing significant interest in real estate in Attica and Athens, and as a result, demand in these areas increased by 12% compared to last year, and 75% of applications for the Golden Visa come from this region. This is largely due to the increase in the entry threshold for the residence permit programme for investors. From September 2024, to obtain residency status in Attica, it is necessary for investors to buy real estate with an area of ​​​​120 m² and at a cost of at least € 800,000. However, for projects related to the conversion of commercial real estate into residential, the threshold remains at € 250,000 – both in Attica and throughout the country.

Most often, investors choose Attica, as real estate prices in Athens and its suburbs are growing faster than the national average. For those who prefer a more dynamic life and environment, the capital is an excellent choice. If a quieter, more subdued area is more of a priority, but access to all the amenities of the capital is needed, then the suburbs of Athens will be an ideal option.

Let’s explore the best suburbs of Athens for both living and doing business.

Alimos 

 Alimos is located just 9 km from Athens. This picturesque suburb is loved by both tourists and locals for its excellent infrastructure, close proximity to the capital, and beautiful nature. Gorgeous sandy beaches, lots of little restaurants, bars and clubs stretch along the coast, bringing with them a lively yet chic atmosphere that everyone can enjoy. Here is also where you can find the Alimos Marina, which is one of the largest yacht harbours in Greece, where you can rent a yacht and go out to sea to explore the beautiful coast.

Transport accessibility

From Alimos you can reach the capital by car in 20-25 minutes, or you can use public transport, where the metro ride to the centre of Athens will take about 15 minutes. Vouliagmenis Avenue connects Alimos with other southern suburbs, and Poseidonos Avenue – with Piraeus. Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is only 30 km away.

Infrastructure and life

Despite its popularity, life in Alimos is calmer and more relaxed than in the capital. In addition to beautiful embankments, parks, gardens and beaches, you can find everything you need for comfort here, including schools, shops, pharmacies, banks, sports centres and fitness studios. The cost of living depends on your preferences, but prices are comparable to Athens.

Real Estate

Real estate in Alimos is, on average, more expensive than in Athens, as there are more villas, townhouses, and luxury residential complexes. One of the main reasons for this is because you can get to the sea much faster from any point in the suburbs than from the capital. This is an excellent choice for investors, as the suburbs are very close to Athens, and there are well-developed road connections with other areas of Attica, so the demand for rental properties remains high, and real estate prices are steadily growing too.

Vari, Voula and Vouliagmeni

Vari, Voula and Vouliagmeni are all located south of Athens, and as of today, these are some of the most prestigious and expensive suburbs of the Athenian Riviera along the coast of the Saronic Gulf. Here is where you can experience magnificent nature and excellent ecology, combined with a leisurely, luxurious and comfortable life.

Transport accessibility

 The suburbs are just 25 km from Athens, which means you can get to the capital in about 30 minutes by car, or use the Athens metro, and it takes just 20 minutes by taxi along Koropiou-Varis Avenue to reach Eleftherios Venizelos Airport.

Infrastructure and life

Vari, Voula and Vouliagmeni are similar to each other as they all share a combination of picturesque natural environments and excellent conditions for comfortable living. Beautiful embankments scattered with restaurants and clubs, yacht clubs and golf courses, cosy streets with independent boutiques and shops, modern residential complexes and luxurious villas all blend together perfectly so everyone can enjoy a relaxed holiday atmosphere right on the Mediterranean. Nearby is the famous thermal lake Vouliagmeni, connected to the sea by an underground cave. The Apollo Coast has the cleanest sandy beaches where you can spend some of the best beach days soaking up the sun, and the sights – both local and in the capital – can be reached by car or taxi in a matter of minutes.

Real Estate 

Today, the southern suburbs of Athens are a favourite for wealthy foreigners to buy real estate. Voula, Vari and Vouliagmeni attract those seeking a high quality of life and steadily growing real estate prices, which are usually significantly higher than in the capital itself. The average cost of 1 m² here is about €7,000. Luxurious villas and townhouses located along the coast are especially in demand, for obvious reasons.

The situation is similar in the rental market, with Vouliagmeni being incredibly popular amongst those who want to rent property in the Athenian suburbs, as prices are around €20/m². Followed by Voula, where prices are slightly lower at about €17.2/m². For comparison, in the centre of Athens, the average rental rate is €13–14/m².

Glyfada

Situated just 12 km from Athens on the stunning Attica coast, Glyfada is an elite resort recognised as one of the most fashionable places on the Athenian Riviera. It has everything you need to live a luxurious life and spend your summer holidays in pure opulence, with its picturesque landscapes, the best beaches, superb golf courses, many yacht clubs, a vibrant nightlife, and excellent infrastructure.

Real estate in Glyfada is becoming increasingly popular among foreign investors and wealthy individuals, because it is not only a reliable source of income, but also an opportunity to acquire your own home on the Mediterranean coast.

Transport accessibility

Glyfada is bisected by Vouliagmenis Avenue, which leads to Voula in the south and Athens to the north. The capital is easily reachable by car in 25 minutes, or by public transport using the T3 and T5 trams, which take 40 minutes, and the metro, which takes half an hour. The nearest metro station in Athens is Elliniko, and is only 2 km away. Eleftherios Venizelos Airport is 17 km away and 20 minutes by taxi.

Infrastructure and life

Glyfada is a true pearl of Attica; famous for its clean beaches marked with Blue Flags, exquisite restaurants and luxury hotels that sit on the picturesque waterfront. The Faliron Marina is located here, and is one of the most prestigious in Greece, as well as the oldest golf club in the country with the same name.

Glyfada is great not only for vacation, but also as a perfect environment to live in, thanks to its well-developed infrastructure. There are schools, kindergartens, pharmacies and clinics, as well as fitness clubs and sports centres, shops, and much more.

Wealthy individuals from all over the world choose Glyfada, as they’re attracted by its luxury and comfort. The city often becomes a place of residence and rest for both local and foreign celebrities.

Real Estate

Property prices in Glyfada are significantly higher than in Athens. In the heart of the city, each square metre will cost around €6,000, and on the outskirts – about €4,100. There are many more spacious apartments, luxury villas and stylish townhouses located here, which makes it a great place for investment, as over the past year, real estate in the city has increased in price by 16%, and rental prices by as much as 32%.

Kallithea and Paleo Faliro

South of Athens, situated on the coast, are two small but lively suburbs called Kallithea and Paleo Faliro, which are both located less than 10km away from the capital. Here you can enjoy the tranquility of nature and the cool sea breeze, while remaining within walking distance of the energy and vibrancy of Athens and the business activity of Piraeus. Both suburbs offer a full and rich lifestyle for its residents, but without the bustle of the capital.

Transport accessibility

Athens and Piraeus are easily accessible from the suburbs in just 10 minutes by metro from the Kalithea and Faliro stations, or in 15-20 minutes by car. Athens International Airport is a 45-minute taxi ride away.

Infrastructure and life

Kalithea and Paleo Faliro are picturesque suburbs that combine the tranquility of open green spaces with the bustling central streets, and also offer a developed infrastructure for residents to live a comfortable life.

It is home to important cultural sites like the Hellenic Cosmos; a centre with a museum and theatre, and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Park, which includes an opera house, the National Library, beautiful gardens and canals.

On weekends, you can visit Marina Flisvos, which is a yacht harbour with a picturesque embankment, or Flisvos Park with lots of rides and playgrounds for the whole family to enjoy. The cost of living in these suburbs is comparable to Athens, but there is a better environment and less city noise.

Real Estate

The convenient location and developed infrastructure in Paleo Faliro and Kalithea attract investors, as you get the best of both worlds when living here. As a result, this contributes to the growth of real estate prices, as over the past year they have risen by 17%. At the same time, the cost per square metre here is still lower than in Athens.

Kifisia

Located 14 km northeast of Athens, next to the Tatoi Forest and Mount Pentelikon, Kifisia is a small town surrounded by luscious green parks and gardens, elegant neoclassical mansions and cosy historic squares where you’ll love winding away your weekends.

Kifissia is a more respectable and quiet alternative to the bustling capital, where time passes more slowly and there is a sense of peace in the air. The city is home to many art galleries and theatres, and the central park becomes a venue for exhibitions and showcasing artists, writers, actors and musicians.

Transport Accessibility

Kifissia is a starting point for travel around Greece and neighbouring countries, as Highway 1 passes through the city, joining the European route E75. In just half an hour from the Kifissia or KAT metro stations, you can comfortably reach the centre of Athens. Athens Airport is only 25 km away, and can be reached by taxi or train.

Infrastructure and Life

Kifissia is rightfully considered one of the richest and most prestigious suburbs of Athens, but unlike the noisy capital, it is much more comfortable here due to the cooler climate and quiet atmosphere. The city has been attracting the local elite and wealthy foreigners from far and wide for many years.

Avenue Kifissia, Kassaveti and Kolokotroni are the main streets of the city, which have become the destination for premium shopping, where boutiques of famous luxury brands, antique and jewellery stores, as well as exquisite restaurants are all concentrated.

Kifissia is an ideal place for families with children as there are numerous playgrounds and parks to enjoy, many private schools and colleges, and lots of prestigious universities to attend. At the same time, the cost of living in Kifissia is 10-15% lower than in Athens.

Real Estate  

Kifisia is actively developing, competing with the Athenian Riviera in terms of growth in real estate prices, so from an investment point of view this suburb is considered one of the most promising in the capital region.

Real estate in Kifissia is categorised as a premium segment. Prices here are 20-30% higher than in Athens, as every sq. m in the city centre costs from €4,000 to €4,500, and in the most prestigious areas this can reach €10,000.

Piraeus

Piraeus is the fourth largest city in Greece and is located just 10 kilometres southwest of Athens and, thanks to the development of infrastructure and its ongoing construction, forms the Greater Athens agglomeration with the capital.

Transport Accessibility

Piraeus is connected to Athens and other cities by a well-developed bus network, tram routes T3 and T4, a railway, and suburban trains. The metro takes 20 minutes to reach the centre of Athens and just over an hour to reach Eleftherios Venizelos Airport.

The city is a key transportation hub connecting the Aegean Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean. The port of Piraeus is the main port of Greece’s foreign trade and one of the largest passenger and cargo ports in the Mediterranean, making Piraeus an attractive place for business and for living within close proximity to the country’s business centre.

Infrastructure and Living 

Today Piraeus is not just a city, but one of the key centres of Greece. There is everything needed for a comfortable life here, including embankments and parks for long leisurely walks, lots of attractions, theaters and museums for those who love to learn more about culture, spectacular golf courses and beaches for relaxation, as well as excellent shopping centres, the best restaurants, banks, offices, medical clinics and schools.

The cost of living in the city is 10-12% lower than in the capital, and the level of salaries is practically no different from those in Athens.

Piraeus is home to two of the country’s major universities: the Hellenic Naval Academy and the University of Piraeus. And the city’s pearls, the Zea and Mikrolimano marinas, attract yachtsmen and tourists from all over the world.

Real Estate

The range of property prices in Piraeus is large and depends on the area. In industrial areas, a sq. m costs about €2,000, and in prestigious tourist areas this can range anywhere between €5,000 – €6,000, which is still somewhat lower than in Athens.

In terms of investment, Piraeus is a promising choice. The city is the leader among the suburbs of Athens as a point of attraction for business, startups and real estate investments, as it is preferred by business professionals, foreign specialists, students, and families with children. In 2024, real estate prices in Piraeus increased by 24%, and rental prices by 11%.

Chalandri

Situated 9 km northwest of Athens, Chalandri is a suburb that deserves special attention. Locals and expats alike value it for its favourable ecology, rich history and vibrant cultural life, making Chalandri one of the most beautiful and cosy places in the vicinity of the capital to live in.

Transport accessibility

Chalandri has good transport accessibility, as Athens airport is 25 minutes away by car, and the capital’s centre can be reached by metro, car or taxi in just half an hour.

Infrastructure and Living

Chalandri is an important business centre of Athens, where large companies have their offices. At the same time, there is everything needed for a comfortable life here, including numerous parks and green areas, picturesque streets and cosy squares. Chalandri attracts artists and musicians looking for inspiration and offers a slightly cooler climate away from the coastal heat, as well as fine diners who appreciate exquisite dishes and rare wines. At the local markets, you can immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of Greece and buy fresh farm products, so you can conjure up something delicious in your very own home.

Real Estate

The real estate market in Chalandri is characterised by stable prices and relatively low housing costs, especially in the northern part of the city. Small studios and apartments, as well as spacious apartments aimed at families with children, are always in demand here. Real estate prices in Chalandri are comparable to those in Athens, but lower than in coastal areas.

As a winner of the prestigious European Property Awards 2024-2025 in the category “Real Estate Agency in Greece”, Astons offers comprehensive solutions for those interested in investing in Greek real estate.

Our specialists will guide you through all stages of the process: from selecting real estate to preparing and submitting documents, guaranteeing the legal purity and safety of your investments. We work only with reliable developers who have all the necessary permits and documentation to make your application a success.

All the details and particulars of the programme can be found and explained in detail during a free consultation with our specialists.