'Παραλία Καλαμακίου' or 'Kalamaki Beach' is a small cosy pebbled beach in the village of Alimos (Άλιμος) about 10 km. away from the city center of Athens (Syntagma square).
The easiest way to get here, by car, is over Paleo Faliro (Παλαιό Φάληρο). Follow Siggrou Avenue (from the center of Athens) and keep driving on the right lane. The interchange to Poseidonos Avenue (the road where this beach is located) happens automatically.
Above the beach there is a 1 km. side road, parallel with the main road, where you can park your car in a safe way. PLEASE park ONLY on the RIGHT side of this road if you want to avoid a penalty. I noticed that all the cars on the left side, without excuse, got fined! These fines are not expensive (and you will pay half price if you pay within 10 days) but still...
You can also come here by taking the tram line from the Syntagma square (the main square of Athens) towards 'Voula' (Βούλα). The station is called Kalamaki (Καλαμακί). Taking this line will lead you here in about 40 minutes.
As mentioned above, the beach is covered with small pebbles. As the sea is very shallow, this beach is very suitable for families with smaller children.
Regarding accommodation, this beach scores quite well. It has no umbrellas or beds but it is equipped with dressing cabins and showers (not looking very well but hey they work). The main reason why there are no umbrellas or beds is because some part of this beach is exploited by a beach bar (Stolidi) that offers all that.
Kalamaki Beach serves also people with special needs. The municipality invested in a wide dressing cabin and the installation of a 'Seatrac'. This device allows people with a disability (or elderly people) to enter the sea in an easy way. It looks like a small roller coaster that transports the guests into the water.
This beach houses also a 'winter swimmers' club. The members of this club swim in this bay throughout the entire year.
Directly next to beach, on the right side (facing towards the sea) there is a nice restaurant-lounge bar 'Peñarrubia Lounge' where you can have a drink or a small meal. (the prices are reasonable).
(Tip: try to read also the Greek reviews on sites like TripAdvisor, even with translation software. Many times, the opinions are very different from the English ones).
About 200 m. on the right side of this beach (facing towards the sea), there is also the breathtaking, open air, summer cinema 'Cine Alimos' which screens, every night, at 21:15 (throughout the entire summer) some very interesting movies. The location is really amazing and is for sure a recommendation!
QUICK DETAILS:
LOCATION : 37°54'32.8"N+23°42'47.0"E (37.9091153 23.7108616).
TYPE : PEBBLES.
FACILITIES :
PARTLY ORGANIZED (showers & dressing cabins).
CHILD FRIENDLY (shallow waters).
SEATRAC.
NO SHADE. (an umbrella is recommended).
ACCESSIBLE BY CAR, TRAM & BICYCLE.
BIG PARKING STRIP (about 30 m. above the beach).
TAVERNS ON AND NEXT TO THE BEACH.