Once you find yourself in the southern quarters, ideally somewhere near the shore, you’ll bear witness to some of the most mesmerizing golden-hour vistas you’ve seen in your life. This group of breezy, tranquil suburbs is doused in light and history, with evidence of the first settlements dating back to the Neolithic period. The entire south is rife with archeological sites scattered mostly along the sunny Athenian Riviera, which served as the city’s main maritime outpost for over 3,000 years. These days, the coastline holds many meeting points such as the Flisvos Marina, where you’ll encounter couples with energetic tots in tow, pensioners taking a leisurely stroll on the boardwalk, a plethora of joggers, skaters and cyclists honing their skills and groups of chattering teenagers grabbing salted grilled corn off the street carts. There is also the promising prospect of the luxury waterside development at the old Ellinikon International Airport grounds, an innovative large-scale project for a smart, sustainable and self-sufficient city within the city, complete with hotels, shopping malls, offices, housing and wellness amenities which is already underway.

Right on the cusp of the eastern front, you have the laid-back glamour of Glyfada, a bustling beachfront shopping district and favorite weekend hangout for Athenians, thanks to its abundance of stylish cafés and large, stroller- and dog-friendly sidewalks. Moving slightly closer to the center, Nea Smyrni is the place where loyalty to the neighborhood is serious business: there’s the unspoken rule that locals happily congregate by default at the plateia, a sprawling, pine-clad piazza with its fountains and picturesque coffee shops, and after the completion of urban regeneration on its main commercial artery, Omirou Street, the area now boasts bicycle lanes, a rarity in most Athenian spaces. Hopping over to Kallithea, it’s easy to get caught up in blissful window shopping with a snack in hand, unencumbered by the hubbub of the busy streets and offices at full force, all under the stunning, futuristic lines and glass edges of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center that towers over Syngrou Avenue.

The luxurious, tree-lined suburbs of the North have always been sought-after thanks to their winning combination of providing well-connected, tight-knit communities with individually vibrant town centers. This feeling of urban convenience and privacy translates well in coveted neighborhoods such as Chalandri and Kifissia, both bustling, walkable districts with thriving markets and ample green spaces defining the landscape. There’s a sense of quiet sophistication and security here – maybe it’s the relaxed vibe of the pedestrian zones that allow for a leisurely stroll accompanied by the signature freddo coffee in hand, or events such as the annual Kifissia Flower Show, highlighting biodiversity and showcasing more than 2,000 species of Greek and foreign flora.

The northern suburbs have earned a reputation for their wide variety of private schooling options, as a number of renowned education institutions have found a home in quiet, leafy corners of Agia Paraskevi and Vrilissia. And then there’s the understated charm of Nea Ionia, a colorful neighborhood embracing and celebrating its Asia Minor background, with grassroots initiatives promoting sustainability by way of local people’s markets and folk song festivals that offer a compelling blend of authenticity and sense of belonging. Whether you prioritize a robust education to build solid foundations for your children’s future ventures or you see yourself as a slow living enthusiast seeking for a refuge from the frantic paces of large city centers without sacrificing the cultural richness and human connection, here, you can truly have it all.

Piraeus is endlessly fascinating: what originated as a barren limestone peninsula opposite mainland Attica in antiquity, grew to become the de facto heartland of Athens, uniquely positioned at the crossroads between Europe, Africa and Asia. The port itself deserves its own history, as it has always been there, in times of change and conflict, serving as the stronghold the Athenian fleet in the 5th century B.C., or ensconcing the hopes and dreams of the refugee population arriving from Asia Minor in 1922, but also becoming the cradle of rebetiko, a type of Greek folk blues music singing the woes of jail and hash dens, infused with the sorrow of the exiled communities of western Anatolia. At present, Piraeus is the fifth largest port in Europe, accommodating more than 18 million passengers annually, and ranks first in the Mediterranean in terms of TEU capacity. But the West isn’t just about crunching numbers. With extensive bioclimatic redevelopment work already underway, including the construction of a unified network of bike lanes and sidewalks, flood prevention interventions and the creation of communal green spaces, the seafront as well as the bordering neighborhoods of Keratsini, Drapetsona, Nikaia and Egaleo, are soon to become key areas.

If there is one thing the West has, it’s unpretentious flair. It’s that laid-back charm that makes Athenians and tourists alike flock here for sea-to-table delicacies at Mikrolimano or Dionysian bar crawls in the once infamous Trouba district. The West also honors its roots – you’ll be pressed to find tall buildings and multi-floor polykatoikias dominating the skyline, since the height of most houses subscribes to the modesty of the refugees who settled here one hundred years ago. Genuine and approachable, Piraeus and the West is where tradition and innovation collide.

Nestled along the sun-kissed shores of the Saronic Gulf and the Aegean, East Attica emerges as a playground for enthusiasts of refined Mediterranean living. There is so much to experience here; drive along the rugged coastline past the buzzing streets of Glyfada and soon you’ll find yourself in the cosmopolitan Voula suburb, with its panoramic vistas, opulent villas tucked away in lush, green corners, and gorgeous waterfront promenades. Moving on to Vari, where the heart of every meat connoisseur with a demanding palate beats, the concept of the Greek taverna reigns supreme; people from all over Athens descend here on weekends and national holidays for traditional delicacies alfresco, and then hop on over to one of the many surrounding beaches to cool off and bask in the mellow afternoon sun.

For those seeking a more cosmopolitan flair, Vouliagmeni is the place to be. Lake Vouliagmeni has always been a meeting point for wellness enthusiasts and tourists alike; regulars here swear by the healing waters of the thermal springs that never go below 21°C (70°F), even during wintertime. Along with its chic boutiques, upscale dining establishments, and a vibrant social scene that pulsates well into the night, Vouliagmeni embodies coastal living at its most indulgent. Approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the center of Athens lies the unassuming gem of Lavrion. Pulsating with historical significance, with its ancient silver mines on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage list and built anew from scratch in 1865, Lavrion boasts an open-city plan and offers plenty of visual stimuli to discerning visitors thanks to its unique Neoclassical architecture.