Buying a Holiday Home 1–2 Hours from Athens: Locations That Actually Make Sense

A short-distance holiday home is no longer a “summer luxury.” For many Athenians — and increasingly for international buyers — it has become a tool for quality of life, frequent escapes, and, when chosen correctly, long-term value. The 1–2 hour radius from Athens is the true sweet spot. Not because it is fashionable, but because it is used.

NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDES

Christos Boubalos - poli.gr

1/25/2026

Why the 1–2 Hour Radius Matters

Real, year-round usability
Weekend escapes without travel fatigue
Stronger long-term resale demand

As we explained in “The Holiday Home You Use Every Weekend — Not Just in August”, value is created by frequency of use, not by how impressive a destination looks on paper.

Nearby Coastal Areas Without a Ferry

Artemida

Very fast access from Athens
Everyday infrastructure and services
Ideal for frequent weekend use
Micro-location matters (roads, noise, density)

Cape Sounion

Strong landscape and character
Limited supply → long-term resilience
Suitable for buyers prioritizing calm and privacy

Marathonas

Sea and nature combined
Broad range of options
Works well for families and long stays

Nea Makri

Balanced access and pricing
Stable demand
Functional year-round, not a “summer-only” location

Zoumperi

Clearly holiday-oriented character
Ideal for short, frequent escapes
Attention required to building quality and age

As highlighted in “The Risks No Listing Ever Shows”, in all these areas micro-location matters more than the area name itself.

Evia: The Most Balanced Close-to-Athens Choice

Evia

Evia stands apart because it:

offers road access
does not depend on ferry schedules
provides wide pricing and landscape diversity
works 12 months a year

As analyzed in “Why Evia Is Greece’s Most Underrated Holiday Home Market Near Athens”, it remains one of the few regions where a holiday home does not become a logistical burden.

Ideal for:

frequent weekend use
families
buyers seeking space, nature, and flexibility

Islands Within ~2 Hours from Lavrio, Rafina, or Piraeus

Aegina

Very frequent ferry connections
Year-round livability
Large market → proper filtering is essential

Agistri

Small, green, and quiet
Limited supply
Ideal for simplicity and low complexity

Kea (Tzia)

Cycladic landscape with short travel time
Higher-quality buyer profile
Higher entry cost, stronger long-term stability

As discussed in “Why Simple Properties Are Often the Most Profitable”, nearby islands only make sense when they do not require vacation-level organization to be enjoyed.

When a Close Holiday Home Does Not Make Sense

When it is visited only a few times per year
When maintenance becomes a constant concern
When the decision relies solely on future appreciation

A holiday home should reduce friction, not create it.

The Right Question Before Buying

Not:
“Do I like it?”

But:
“Will I realistically use it 20–30 times per year?”

If the answer is yes,
the capital allocation is justified.

The Role of Poli Real Estate

At Poli Real Estate, holiday homes within 1–2 hours of Athens are evaluated using practical filters:

real door-to-door access time
micro-location, not general maps
true year-round usability
avoidance of “beautiful but tiring” choices

Because the right holiday home should give energy back — not consume it.

Conclusion

Buying a holiday home 1–2 hours from Athens — whether in nearby coastal areas, Evia, or a close island — is one of the most rational lifestyle decisions today when done with discipline.

You are not just buying property.
You are buying time, space, and repeatable escape.