An increasing number of American investors are looking to Europe for permanent residency. Economic and political uncertainty in the United States, rising costs, and high taxes are the main drivers behind this trend. Many Americans also seek better career prospects, educational opportunities, and retirement options abroad. Over the past five years, the number of U.S. citizens expressing interest in relocating to Greece has risen by 40%.
According to Kathimerini English Edition, the number of American investors granted Greek residency permits has surged by nearly 50% within a year—353 applications were approved in August 2024 compared to 240 in August 2023. Many investors also view Greek citizenship as a long-term goal.
Foreign demand for property in Attica and Athens has grown by 12% year-on-year. Currently, 75% of Greece’s Golden Visa program applications are tied to this region.
This trend is primarily driven by changes to Greece’s Golden Visa requirements. From 1 September 2024, residency permits in Attica require purchasing property of at least 120 m², valued at at least €800,000. However, properties converted from commercial to residential use maintain a lower investment threshold of €250,000 in Attica and across the country.
For many investors, Athens and its suburbs remain a top choice. Capital property prices are rising three to four times faster than the national average. For those seeking a quieter environment with easy access to the capital’s amenities, the suburbs of Athens offer the perfect balance.
This article highlights the best suburbs of Athens for living and business.
Alimos
Overview
Alimos is a charming coastal town in Attica, just 9 km from Athens. Popular with both locals and tourists, it blends urban vibrancy with natural beauty. The area boasts popular beaches with clubs and bars, as well as Alimos Marina, one of Greece’s largest marinas, where yacht rentals are readily available.
Transportation accessibility
Alimos is well-connected via Poseidonos Avenue, which links it to central Athens and Piraeus Port. Travel to Athens takes just 15 minutes by metro from Alimos station or 20 minutes by taxi. The Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is 30 km away.
Infrastructure and Lifestyle
Compared to Athens, Alimos offers a quieter and more refined atmosphere. Life here is slower-paced and relaxed, ideal for those who prefer tranquillity without sacrificing convenience.
Residents enjoy the best of both worlds—city comforts and the luxury of living on the Athenian Riviera. The area features promenades, parks, gardens, fitness clubs, spa centres, schools, pharmacies, shops, and banks. The cost of living is comparable to that of Athens, depending on individual lifestyle choices.
Property Market and Investment Potential
Property prices in Alimos are higher than in the capital, driven by its seaside location and abundance of luxury residential complexes, villas, and townhouses. Demand for both sales and rentals continues to rise, supported by ongoing infrastructure improvements.
Examples of Properties in Alimos:
Prestigious apartments with spacious balconies
Exclusive premium-class residential projects featuring gardens and swimming pools.
Stylish apartments with lounge areas, Jacuzzis, and private bars.
Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni
Overview
Located along the Saronic Gulf, the coastal towns of Voula, Vari, and Vouliagmeni are among the most prestigious and affluent areas in southern Athens. Known for their clean air, stunning natural surroundings, and luxurious lifestyle, these suburbs offer a perfect blend of comfort and elegance.
Transportation accessibility
The suburbs are well-connected, with central Athens just a 30-minute drive away and Eleftherios Venizelos Airport reachable in 20 minutes by taxi. The nearest Athens metro station is only a 10-minute drive.
Infrastructure and Lifestyle
These areas provide an exceptional living and leisure experience. Residents can access yacht clubs, golf courses, sports centres, and fitness facilities. The seaside promenades have restaurants, cafés, bars, and nightclubs.
Nature lovers will enjoy the Vouliagmeni Lake, the Temple of Poseidon, and the Apollo Coast, which features sandy beaches and diving centres. The towns are clean, peaceful, and fully equipped for comfortable living, and Athens is just a short drive away for business or entertainment needs.
Property Market and Investment Potential
The southern suburbs of Athens are among the most sought-after areas for real estate investment. Voula, Vari, and Vouliagmeni attract affluent businesspeople and investors. Property prices here are significantly higher than in central Athens, averaging €7,000 per m². Villas and townhouses by the sea are in great demand.
Examples of Properties:
Two-storey homes in Vouliagmeni
Spacious three-bedroom villas, ideal for families.
Glyfada
Overview
Glyfada is an exclusive seaside resort in Attica, just 12 km from Athens. It ranks among the most prestigious and expensive suburbs in southern Athens. The area offers everything for a luxurious lifestyle—breathtaking natural scenery, some of Greece’s finest beaches, golf courses, yacht clubs, vibrant nightlife, and excellent infrastructure.
Glyfada has become increasingly popular with international investors and affluent buyers. Real estate here promises stable returns and provides a private Mediterranean residence.
Transportation accessibility
Glyfada is divided by Vouliagmenis Avenue, which connects the suburb to Voula in the south and central Athens in the north. The nearest metro station, Elliniko, is just 2 km away, offering quick access to the city. Glyfada is also served by tram lines T3 and T5, as well as a 25–30-minute drive to Athens. The Eleftherios Venizelos Airport is only 17 km away.
Infrastructure and Lifestyle
Often called the “jewel of Attica,” Glyfada features Blue Flag beaches, fine-dining restaurants, and luxury hotels along its glamorous waterfront. It is also home to Greece’s oldest golf course and one of the most exclusive marinas: Flisvos Marina.
The suburb attracts high-profile residents, including celebrities and international elites, who choose Glyfada for living and leisure.
Its infrastructure caters to every need, with schools, nurseries, gyms, fitness centres, shops, pharmacies, and private medical facilities.
Property Market and Investment Potential
Property prices in Glyfada exceed those in Athens. In the city centre, prices average €6,000 per m², while on the outskirts, rates start at €4,100 per m². Renting a one-bedroom apartment costs at least €700 per month, compared to €500 in Athens. Glyfada offers a greater selection of spacious apartments, villas, and townhouses.
Over the past year, property prices have risen by 16%, while rental rates have increased by 32%.
Examples of Properties in Glyfada:
Luxury apartments with panoramic views
Stylish residential complexes featuring pools, terraces, and rooftop gardens.
Exclusive villas with private pools and outdoor spaces
Boutique villa developments with private plots in Lagonisi
Kallithea and Paleo Faliro
Overview
Located south of Athens, Kallithea (5 km) and Paleo Faliro (8.5 km) are lively coastal suburbs that combine natural beauty with urban convenience. These areas are popular with tourists and business professionals and offer a balanced lifestyle close to Athens and Piraeus, the country’s commercial hub.
Transportation accessibility
Both Kallithea and Paleo Faliro offer excellent connectivity. Athens and Piraeus are just 10 minutes away by metro from Kallithea and Faliro stations or a 15–20-minute drive by car. The Eleftherios Venizelos Airport is approximately 45 minutes away by taxi.
Infrastructure and Lifestyle
These picturesque suburbs provide vibrant lifestyles and outstanding infrastructure. Bustling central streets complement quiet green neighbourhoods.
Highlights include the Hellenic Cosmos Cultural Centre, featuring a museum and theatre, and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, a hub for arts and entertainment with an opera house, a national library, gardens, and canals.
Weekends can be spent at Flisvos Marina, a scenic yacht harbour, or Flisvos Park, offering playgrounds, attractions, and recreational areas. While living costs are comparable to Athens, these areas benefit from cleaner air and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Property Market and Investment Potential
Property prices in Paleo Faliro have shown stable growth of 17% over the past year, driven by its prime location and well-developed infrastructure. Prices per square metre remain slightly lower than in central Athens, attracting steady investor interest.
Examples of Properties:
Modern apartments designed for contemporary living in Kallithea
Residential complexes with pools and gardens just 5 km from Athens.
Apartments and duplexes on the Athens Riviera
Energy-efficient apartments in A+ rated developments in the heart of Kallithea.
Designer apartments in Paleo Faliro
Exclusive residential complexes with striking architecture and rooftop terraces just minutes from the sea
Stylish apartments with high-end finishes in Paleo Faliro
Premium complexes featuring pools, rooftop terraces, and Jacuzzis
Kifisia
Overview
Kifisia is an elegant town located 14 km northeast of Athens, near the Tatoi Forest Nature Reserve and Mount Penteli. It is known for its lush parks, landscaped gardens, charming squares, and neoclassical mansions.
Kifisia embodies sophistication and serenity by offering a more refined and tranquil alternative to the capital. The town is home to art galleries, theatres, and open-air exhibitions, attracting artists, writers, actors, and musicians.
Transportation accessibility
Kifisia is conveniently located along Highway 1, part of the E75 European route, providing easy access to domestic and international travel routes. The Kifisia and KAT metro stations connect the suburb to Athens’ historic centre in 30–35 minutes. The Eleftherios Venizelos Airport is 25 km away and accessible by taxi or suburban railway.
Infrastructure and Lifestyle
Kifisia is one of Athens’ wealthiest and most prestigious suburbs. It has historically been favoured by politicians, business leaders, and affluent families. Its cooler climate and calm atmosphere make it an attractive alternative to the bustling capital.
Key shopping streets, such as Kifisias Avenue, Kasaveti, and Kolokotroni, are hubs for premium shopping. They feature luxury boutiques, antique stores, jewellery shops, and fine-dining restaurants.
The suburb is also ideal for families, offering private schools, universities, playgrounds, parks, and top medical facilities. With salaries higher than the city average and living costs 10–15% lower than in Athens, Kifisia combines comfort and exclusivity.
Property Market and Investment Potential
Property prices in Kifisia are 20–30% higher than in Athens. The average cost per square metre is approximately €4,000–4,500, while premium areas can reach €10,000 per m². Renting a three-bedroom apartment costs around €1,700 per month.
Kifisia continues to grow and develop, rivalling the Athenian Riviera in property price increases. It remains one of the most attractive investment options in the Athens metropolitan area.
Examples of Properties in Kifisia:
Spacious designer apartments with elegant finishes
Luxury residential complexes near Mount Poikilo
Piraeus
Overview
Piraeus, Greece’s fourth-largest city, is located 10 km southwest of Athens. It has developed into a thriving part of Greater Athens, benefiting from modern infrastructure and rapid urban expansion.
Transportation accessibility
Piraeus is one of the most important transport hubs in the Mediterranean, connecting Greece with the Aegean Islands and Eastern Mediterranean countries. Its port is the country’s primary gateway for international trade and one of the region’s largest passenger and cargo ports.
The Akti Miaouli waterfront in Piraeus is as vital to shipping as London’s financial district is to banking. The Central Port welcomes the world’s largest cruise liners, while Zea Marina serves superyachts and private vessels.
The area offers excellent connectivity, with buses, tram routes T3 and T4, and suburban trains linking it to Athens and beyond. The metro connects Piraeus to central Athens in 20 minutes, and the airport is about an hour’s drive.
Infrastructure and Lifestyle
Piraeus combines a dynamic urban lifestyle with excellent amenities. Its waterfront features parks, historical sites, museums, theatres, golf courses, and beaches. The city also offers restaurants, shopping centres, banks, offices, and healthcare facilities.
It is home to two major universities—the Hellenic Naval Academy and the University of Piraeus—and boasts two of Greece’s most luxurious marinas, Zea Marina and Mikrolimano, attracting visitors and yacht owners worldwide.
Living in Piraeus is more affordable than in Athens, with prices 8–12% lower, while salaries remain comparable to those in the capital.
Property Market and Investment Potential
Piraeus is one of Athens’ top suburbs for business, startups, and real estate investment. In 2023, it recorded the highest property price growth in Attica—23%.
Prices vary significantly depending on the district. Industrial areas average €2,000 per m², while prime waterfront locations can reach €5,000–6,000 per m², still lower than Athens. Rentals are also cheaper, with apartments 65 m² available for €400–550 per month, compared to €700–1,000 in the capital.
Examples of Properties in Piraeus:
Modern villas with private pools in Piraeus
Exclusive residences are just 3 km from the sea
Boutique apartment hotels in central Piraeus
Fully equipped rooms with stylish design and convenient location
Chalandri
Overview
Chalandri, located 9 km northwest of Athens, is one of the city’s most charming and vibrant suburbs. It’s highly regarded for its green spaces, rich history, and cultural scene, attracting locals and expatriates.
Transportation accessibility
Chalandri offers excellent connections to the rest of Athens. The international airport is 25 minutes away by taxi, and the city centre is reachable within 25 minutes by metro or car.
Infrastructure and Lifestyle
Chalandri features leafy parks, elegant squares, and picturesque streets. It’s a cultural hub popular with artists and musicians and well-loved by food enthusiasts for its gourmet restaurants and wine bars.
The area also has bustling markets where visitors can enjoy an authentic Greek shopping experience and purchase fresh produce from local farmers. Additionally, Chalandri serves as a business centre housing offices for major companies.
Property Market and Investment Potential
Chalandri offers affordable real estate with stable pricing, particularly in the northern areas. Demand for housing is consistently high, and the range of options includes studios, small apartments, and spacious family homes. Prices are lower than those in coastal suburbs but comparable to those in central Athens.
Examples of Properties in Chalandri:
Luxury apartments with premium finishes in Chalandri
Luxury residential complex north of Athens
Apartments with prime location in Chalandri
High-end residential complexes with pools and green spaces
Property prices in Greece continue to rise steadily. In 2022, purchase prices increased by 10.9% and rental rates by 7.1%. Growth remained strong in 2023, with increases of 8.1% and 7.7%, respectively.
Astons, recognised as the Best Real Estate Agency in Greece by the European Property Awards 2024–2025, offers end-to-end services for selecting, purchasing, and managing properties.
We collaborate only with certified developers and provide legal guarantees for all transactions. Whether you’re looking for a luxury villa, a modern apartment, or an investment property, our experts will help you find exclusive options that are not available on the open market.
