Key Takeaways
- Entry costs €17 on weekdays and €19 at weekends and on national holidays. Children up to 5 go free (official price list, checked 27 October 2026).
- The lake is open all year. Hours run from 08:00 to 19:00 in summer and from 08:30 to 16:30 between 10 November and 1 March.
- The water stays between about 21°C in winter and 29°C in August, so you can swim in any month.
- The simplest public route is metro Line 2 to Elliniko, then OASA bus 122 to the Limni stop. The KTEL coastal bus has not run since 4 October 2026.
In this guide
Lake Vouliagmeni is a natural lake at the foot of a limestone cliff, across the coast road from the sea on the Athens Riviera. You pay to get in, you swim in spring water that stays warm all winter, and it is close enough to central Athens for a morning or an afternoon.
This guide covers what you need to plan a visit: ticket prices, opening hours, how to get there from Athens, what is on site and when to go. Prices, hours and rules come from the lake's own website, and bus details come from OASA and KTEL Attikis. We checked them all on 27 October 2026.
€17
Weekday ticket
21°C+
Water, even in winter
All year
Open for swimming
300
Visitors at one time
What Makes Lake Vouliagmeni Special
The lake sits in a hollow under a sheer rock face, with pine trees on one side and the coast road and the sea on the other. The operator describes its water as coming from healing thermal springs, and the lake is part of a Natura 2000 protected area.
The water temperature is what sets it apart from the beaches nearby. According to the lake's FAQ, it does not drop below 21°C in winter and reaches 29°C in August. That makes an outdoor swim realistic even in January.
You will also notice small fish nibbling at your feet. These are Doctor Fish, which the lake's spa page says live in the lake and give a natural skin exfoliation.
Lake Vouliagmeni Tickets and Prices
Yes, you have to pay. Swimming is only allowed with a ticket. These are the admission prices on the official price list as published on 27 October 2026. The file is labelled as the summer price list, so confirm the price at the ticket office or when you book.
| Ticket | Weekdays | Weekends and national holidays |
|---|---|---|
| General admission | €17 | €19 |
| University students | €14 | €17 |
| Children 6 to 12 | €14 | €17 |
| Children 0 to 5 | Free | Free |
The same list prices reservable upgrades separately. A cabana for two costs €80 on weekdays and €100 at weekends, a sunbed set for two €70 and €90, and an adult place in the Under the Pines Prive area €45 and €55. Check what each one includes when you book.
Ticket rules worth knowing
Valid for one day
A ticket is valid only on the day it is issued. It is personal, cannot be transferred and is not refundable.
Leaving and coming back
The ticket expires 60 minutes after you leave the swimming area. Stay out longer and you need a new one.
Booking ahead
You can buy tickets at the entrance or online. Upgraded areas can be reserved through the Beach Booking app or at the ticket office.
Main deck seating
Sunbeds, loungers and tables on the main deck cannot be reserved. They are first come, first served.
Opening Hours by Season
The lake is open all year, with hours that change through the seasons. This is the schedule in the lake's FAQ, last updated on 25 October 2026.
| Dates | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| 6 April to 15 September | 08:00 to 19:00 |
| 16 September to 5 October | 08:00 to 19:00 |
| 6 October to 25 October | 08:30 to 18:00 |
| 26 October to 9 November | 08:30 to 17:00 |
| 10 November to 1 March | 08:30 to 16:30 |
| 2 March to 5 April | 08:30 to 18:00 |
Last tickets
According to the lake's regulations, the last ticket is sold two hours before closing in summer and one and a half hours before closing in winter.
How to Get to Lake Vouliagmeni from Athens
The lake is on Poseidonos Avenue, the coast road south of Athens. Here is how the options compare.
| Option | How it works | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro and bus 122 | Metro Line 2 to Elliniko, then OASA bus 122 to the Limni stop | One €1.20 OASA ticket, valid 90 minutes on metro and bus | Budget travellers with time to spare |
| KTEL coastal bus | Athens to Sounion along the coast | Not running since 4 October 2026 | Check again before you rely on it |
| Taxi | Door to door from your hotel | Metered fare | A quick trip with one or two people |
| Rental car | Coast road through Glyfada | Car hire and fuel, free parking at the lake | Combining the lake with Sounion |
| Private tour or driver | Hotel pickup, stops on your terms | Sounion tour from €250 per vehicle, up to 14 people | Families and small groups |
By metro and bus
Take metro Line 2 to Elliniko and change to OASA bus 122, which runs from Argyroupoli metro station to Saronida, through Glyfada and along the coast. Get off at the stop called Limni, which means lake in Greek.
A standard 90 minute ticket costs €1.20 and covers the metro and the bus, according to the OASA fare list. When we checked on 27 October 2026, OASA listed line 122 on a temporary route because of roadworks, so check the live route in the OASA Telematics app before you set off.
By KTEL bus
The lake's website also lists the KTEL Athens to Sounion coastal bus. The KTEL Attikis Sounion page says there are no coastal services to or from Sounion from 4 October 2026 until further notice, so for now use bus 122.
By taxi
Taxis can take you straight to the entrance. The fare runs on the meter. Our guide to taxis, Uber, the metro and private transfers in Athens explains how fares work and which apps book licensed taxis.
By car
Follow the coast road south through Glyfada and Voula. The lake has free parking, but the operator warns that spaces depend on the time and the season, so arrive early on summer weekends.
By private tour or transfer
If you want the lake as part of a longer day, our Sounio Half Day Tour stops at Lake Vouliagmeni for photos on the way to the Temple of Poseidon, and the Athens and Cape Sounion Full Day Tour adds the Acropolis in the morning. Both are private, with hotel pickup. If you are staying on the coast, see our guide to transfers to Glyfada and the Riviera.
Facilities at the Lake
The lake is run like a lido, with full facilities. The regulations list these:
Swimming and safety
Lifeguards on duty, first aid, and a marked swimming area inside floating buoys.
Changing and showers
Changing rooms, lockers for valuables, toilets and hot and cold showers. Shampoo and soap are not allowed in the showers.
Food and drink
The abraOvata restaurant by chef John Skotidas, open day and night, plus a snack bar. Outside food and drink are not allowed.
Accessibility
The main deck is accessible, and there is a lift and facilities for disabled visitors.
Spa
An open air spa under the pines with massages and treatments. It closes for the winter and reopens in April.
Shop and Wi-Fi
A small shop sells swimsuits, towels and goggles if you forget yours. Wi-Fi is free.
When to Go
Weekdays are cheaper, at €17 instead of €19, and the lake holds 300 people at a time. When it is full, staff stop letting people in. On a hot summer weekend, arriving at opening time is the safest plan.
Winter is quieter and the water is still warm, but only the main deck is open. The spa, cabanas, sunbed sets and the Prive area close for the season, and the hours are shorter.
There is no natural shade on the deck, and the umbrellas stay closed in strong wind. On a windy summer day, bring a hat and plan a shorter stay.
Tips Before You Go
Rinse off sunscreen
The rules ask you to rinse off sunscreen before you get in the water, to protect the lake.
Bring flip flops
Walking barefoot is on the list of prohibited activities, so pack something for your feet.
Leave pets at home
Pets are not allowed, except certified service animals. The restaurant is pet friendly.
Keep your ticket
Staff can ask to see it at any time, so keep it with you until you leave.
No drones or ball games
Both are banned, along with private umbrellas, sunbeds and speakers.
What to Combine with the Lake
Glyfada and the Athens Riviera
Bus 122 passes through Glyfada and the beaches of Voula on the way to the lake, and continues to Varkiza after it. A morning at the lake and a late lunch on the Riviera is an easy half day without a car.
Cape Sounion at sunset
The lake is on the coast road to Cape Sounion, so a swim in the afternoon and the Temple of Poseidon at sunset fit together well. The site closes at sunset and the last entry is 20 minutes before, so leave the lake in good time. Our Cape Sounion sunset guide has the month by month timings.
Other day trips
If you are choosing between the lake and something further away, our guide to the best day trips from Athens compares the Riviera with Delphi, Hydra, the Argolis and Meteora.
Photo: Lake Vouliagmeni in summer, by Mmss60, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you want a warm swim in a striking setting close to Athens. The water stays between about 21°C in winter and 29°C in August, so it works in any month. If you only want a sea swim, the Riviera beaches nearby are the alternative.
It is a natural lake under a limestone cliff, across the coast road from the sea, fed by thermal springs according to its operator. It is part of a Natura 2000 protected area, it is open for swimming all year, and small Doctor Fish live in the water.
Yes. Swimming is only allowed with a ticket. The official price list shows €17 on weekdays and €19 at weekends and national holidays for general admission, and children up to 5 go free (checked 27 October 2026).
By public transport, take metro Line 2 to Elliniko, then OASA bus 122 to the Limni stop. A €1.20 ticket covers both for 90 minutes. You can also take a taxi, drive and use the free parking, or visit as part of a private tour to Cape Sounion.
The lake is open all year. From 6 April to 5 October it opens 08:00 to 19:00. From 26 October to 9 November it opens 08:30 to 17:00, and from 10 November to 1 March 08:30 to 16:30. The last ticket is sold two hours before closing in summer and one and a half hours before in winter.
Yes. Tickets are sold at the entrance and online. Upgraded areas such as cabanas and the Prive area can be reserved through the Beach Booking app or at the ticket office. Main deck seats cannot be reserved.
They are Doctor Fish. The lake's spa page says they live in the lake and give a natural skin exfoliation, which is why you feel them nibbling at your feet.
Yes. The abraOvata restaurant by chef John Skotidas serves food by day and night, and there is also a snack bar. You cannot bring your own food or drink into the lake.
