In 1954, Kathimerini newspaper published an article arguing that Glyfada and Voula could become more popular than the French Riviera in the coming years.

In 493 BC, Themistocles initiated the fortification works in Piraeus and later advised the Athenians to take advantage of its natural harbours' strategic potential instead of using the sandy bay of Phaleron.

After the reinstatement of democracy, Conon rebuilt the walls in 393 BC, founded the temple of Aphrodite Euploia and the sanctuary of Zeus Sotiros and Athena, and built the famous Skeuotheke (arsenal) of Philon, the ruins of which have been discovered at Zea harbour.

The destruction was completed in 395 AD by the Goths under Alaric I. Piraeus was led to a long period of decline which lasted for fifteen centuries.

Other remnants of early human habitation found in the Riviera include Neolithic and Bronze Age building foundations, and a 5th-century BC outpost.

[16] After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy trireme (warship with three banks of oars) at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.

[18] According to the Greek National Tourism Organisation the main areas of the Athens Riviera are: the Bay of Zea, Flisvos Marina, Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni, Lagonisi, Varkiza, Anavyssos and Sounio.

It aims to build and operate a casino along with luxury hotels and conference and recreation facilities on the disused airport, as a way to further boost investments in Greece and attract more visitors in the Athens Riviera.

[27][28] Anavyssos is the driest area in mainland Greece, the Attica peninsula and the Athens Riviera with around 295 mm of annual precipitation.