Looking to spend ten days in Athens and the Athens Rivera.

Are you sure the “Athens Riviera” is what you are looking for?

It's a coastal area located roughly between Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, full of resorts, often high-end, located along the coast, along a large avenue (almost a highway) with 4 or 6 lanes. A large area near Athens, around the former Athens Airport, is currently the biggest construction project underway in Europe, the "Ellinikon."

This video will give you an overview of this coastal area:

https://youtu.be/1-UQcuiTkZY

We went there two months ago to go further east in the region by car, it's still like in the video.

In my opinion, if you're using Athens as a base, you'd be better off staying away from this area. Rent a car and, for example, go to Cape Sounion (or even further to Lavrio).

If you like peaceful places, there's also the Kaisariani Monastery on Mount Imittos, which can be a great day trip.
It's a 30-minute drive from the center of Athens. .

https://takemetogreece.com/kaisariani-monastery-athens/

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qeaQ5t68FzTdTfvFA

And of course Athens is not just the Acropolis and Plaka, there are plenty of other places to see. Enough to keep you busy for a whole week.

Thank you so much for confirming this is not what I really want. After reading about the area after I posted I began to rethink taking a ferry to another island. More old and traditional. My husband feared too much running as we are traveling six weeks but the more I think about this I think we will leave luggage at a hotel in Athens and ferry off.

Thank you. You validated what my last thoughts were last night. I love these threads. I always great great advise.
Karen

Day trip options to an island are rather limited. The nearest island is Aegina, accessible from the port of Piraeus in approximately 1 hour depending on the ferry type.

https://www.aegina.com.gr/?lang=en

There are a few Guided Day Trips from Piraeus, such as this one: (Note: you must purchase ferry tickets separately)

https://www.ammonexpress.gr/tours/athens/aegina-agkistri/

There aren't many other interesting options if you're not staying a night or more on the island, as the ferry journey takes up a large part of a day trip.

You can also keep your hotel room in Athens while spending two or three nights on an island, taking minimal luggage. It's not very profitable to pay for a room and not occupy it, but I've seen people do that.

Will look into this. Most hotels we stay around the world will hold the luggage for a week or so. I am thinking of staying on an island for five nights or so.
Reading a lot.
Tku

Yes, leaving some of your luggage at the hotel is a good option if you really have too much luggage.

All you have to do is find a hotel in Athens that allows this. Also note that there are luggage storage facilities in Athens.

However, the luggage limit on ferries is 50 kg per passenger, so from that perspective, I don't think it would be a problem for you if you're taking all your luggage to an island.
Provided you take a taxi to the port, there are relatively few times when you'll have to drag your luggage (a few dozen meters along the docks at most).

On ferries it's not like on cruises ships, you can't take your luggage with you onto the passenger decks; you leave it on the car deck as soon as you board the ferry.

Athens hotels are accustomed to guests leaving for 1-2 nights for a short bus tour. In the past, if you are agreeable to having a different room on your return, you can actually check out, leave a bag in their locked storage, and not be charged for your days away. I have done that several tmes, in small hotels. Of course, the room on your return may not have the view or balcony of the original, but -- one saves the charges for the time away. Will your hotel do that? Ask and find out! That's what I' ve done.

We just usually leave the luggage with the bellman and check out. Sometimes we just pick the luggage up and sometimes we check back in. Deciding where to go is another thing. Still reading.

I think we have decided to do the Island route this trip. Thank you for your input. Switching gears now..
Karen