Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Skhiniás
he best
beach
in the region - some would say the best in the Athens area - lies north
of Marathon at
SKHINIÁS
, a long, pine-backed strand with shallow water, big enough
to allow some chance of escaping the crowds. Buses run along the road behind the
beach, where there are a number of stops. At the southern end there's a certain amount
of development and several cordoned-off pay-beach sections offering cafés, showers,
loungers and watersports; perhaps the best of these is
Karavi
(
W
karavi.gr), with free
entry, a decent bar and restaurant, volleyball courts, and windsurf hire and lessons. The
central section of Skhiniás beach, beyond the Olympic rowing and kayaking centre, is
the least developed, with numerous tracks leading through the pines from the road to
the sand. At the northern end there's more low-key development, mainly in the form of
cafés and scattered
tavernas
on the sand.
1
Ramnous
Daily 8am-3pm • €2
The little-visited ruins of
Ramnous
occupy an isolated, atmospheric site above the
sea, with magnificent views across the strait to Évvia. The site was an Athenian
lookout point from the earliest times, and remains can be clearly seen continuing
way below the fenced site, all the way down to the rocky shore. Within the site, the
principal ruin is a Doric
Temple of Nemesis
, goddess of divine retribution. Pausanias
records that the invading Persians incurred her wrath by their presumption in
bringing with them a giant marble block upon which they intended to commemorate
their victory. They met their nemesis, however, at the battle of Marathon, and the
Athenians used the marble to create a statue instead. There are also the remains of a
smaller temple dedicated to Themis, goddess of justice, and a section of ancient road.
GETTING AROUND
THE EAST COAST
By bus
KTEL buses to the east coast leave from the
Mavrommatéon terminal (p.95). Main services include
those to Rafína every half-hour from 6.45am to 5.15pm,
and almost as frequently outside those hours from 5.30am
to 10.30pm (1 hr; €4); to Pórto Ráfti and Avláki hourly from
5.45am to 7.45pm; to Marathon half-hourly from 5.30am
to 10.30pm - many via the local beaches; and to Ayía
Marína at least eight times a day, to connect with ferries to
Évvia (see p.697). Ramnous is not realistically accessible by
public transport, though you might get a lift for the final
few kilometres if you take a bus to Ayía Marína and hitch
from the junction, some 5km from the site.
By car
The main route for drivers is straight out on
Messoyíon (following airport signs) onto the eastbound
Leofóros Marathónos, which heads straight for Rafína and
Marathon.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
RAFÍNA
Hotel Akti
Arafinidhón Alón and Vithinías
T
22940
29370,
W
aktihotel-rafina.gr.
Recently refurbished, with
some sea views, new soundproofing and a/c, the Akti is
very pleasant, though some bathrooms
are
almost
comically cramped. Good deals often available.
€80
Hotel Avra
Arafinidhón Alón 3
T
22940 22780
,
W
hotelavra.gr.
Occupying a prime position high above
the harbour, across from the Akti, this business-style
design
er hot
el has luxury rooms and suites, many with sea
views.
€100
Ouzeri Limeni
Platía Plastíra 17
T
22940 24750.
The
best choice on the lively pedestrianized square above the
harbour, with excellent meze and Greek standards.
Ta Kavoúria tou Asimáki
Rafína harbour
T
22940
24551.
The pick of Rafína's seafood restaurants is the first
as you descend towards the harbour from the square;
though it looks fancier than its neighbours, with linen
tablecloths and proper wine glasses, it's no more expensive.
Head for the glassed-in roof terrace, with a great view of
the harbour activity.
ÁYIOS PANDELÍMONAS
Tria Adhelfia
Beach road 1km north of the centre
T
22940 56461.
Simple seafood taverna in a stunning
waterfront position, with white tables on a whitewashed
terrace; packed on a sunny weekend. Try the shrimp
saganaki (€10) or lobster spaghetti (€20).
SKHINIÁS
Glaros
Northern end of Skhiniás beach
T
22940 63384.
Busy beach bar/taverna at the heart of life at this end of
Skhiniás beach - good fried fish, and loungers on which to
sleep it off afterwards.
