Nea Makri

The pretty resort of Nea Makri clusters around an enclosed harbour lined with palms trees and places to eat and enjoy the scenery. Near to the port of Rafina on the Athens peninsula, it enjoys a mild climate and is an idyllic choice for a holiday, with many bars and restaurants in and around town. Along the coast are some great fish restaurants and in town, more traditional tavernas, some providing music. 

Nea Makri is a long way away from any of the industrial activity of Athens outskirts, and so the sea is extremely clean here. And with the main road set back about a quarter of a mile from the coast, the harbour and beach area have an island feel. Further along the coast is the pine-backed beach at Schinias where the seas are nearly always calm. In winter it is home to a wide range of wild birds. A few hundred metres north of the town is the Blue-Flag beach of Brexiza which has a lifeguard and other facilities. With excellent conditions for watersports, too, Nea Makri was the venue for some of the rowing events at the 2004 Olympic Games, including canoeing and kayaking.

A little way north is the Sanctuary of the Egyptian Gods archaeological site, and nearby are other historical monuments to explore, in particular the nearby Temple of Isis and the plain where the Battle of Marathon took place. Within a half-hour drive you will also find the Marathon Museum and Marathon Lake with its marble dam, the Monastery (convent) of St Ephraim, and Attica Zoo, as well as the ancient site of Ramnous.

Across the bay from Nea Makri is the large island of Evia which connects to the mainland via a bridge. A local ferry crosses to Evia from the village of Agia Marina, a few kilometres behind Schinias. Ferries also can take you to other nearby islands including Andros, Tinos and the popular island of Mykonos.

Nea Makri is, in any case, only an hour’s ride on one of the frequent buses into Athens itself where no-end of historical attractions await, not to mention the lively nightlife and excellent shopping the capital can offer. 

A busy, attractive resort with a well-organised, sandy beach and warm seas offering good swimming and water sports, it has a pretty enclosed harbour full of colourful yachts. There is an abundance of places to relax while eating, drinking and enjoying the view. Just an hour away from the centre of Athens, Nea Makri can offer you an easy mix of lively and laid back, with the wonders of ancient Greece on hand to explore too. 

Nea Makri is a resort which will suit almost anyone. There’s enough life and entertainment to keep young people happy, a relaxing atmosphere around the neat little harbour for romantic evenings, and a pretty sandy beach with gently shelving sea where families can laze away the sunny days.