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Marmari in South Evia is an ideal destination for a short weekend getaway due to the options it offers and the short distance from Athens.
It is located opposite the the port of Rafina(Attica Law) and the ferry ride takes less than 1:15′
routes Rafina – Marmari
Book your ferry ticket while avoiding queues and waiting
Redevelopment projects at Marmari beach
In 2020, important redevelopment works of the coastal front in Marmari Evia took place. The differences as you will see in the video below, in which we compare photographic material from the view of Marmari above the boat in the village harbour, are significant while opinions are divided.
We heard many comments, for example that they did well to uproot the dozens of tamarisk trees (which give the green colour to the video showing the village up to 2019) that were described as “dirty trees” and two large eucalyptus trees (at least one of them because it was on the road of the “cycle path”), while some other visitors did not agree with this as replacing them with small mulberry trees does not fill the gap left by the uprooted trees that had been there for so many years.
Watch the video and leave your comments at the end of the article (in July 2022 wooden gazebos with sails for shade were added to part of the seafront, for each café and restaurant, while in 2024 the installation of these is almost complete).
The result is that all the shops look exactly the same, with the chairs and tables being the only distinguishing touch.
We should add that since the 2020 images were taken, dozens of lighting columns (white bright light), benches (without backs) and perhaps some other elements that are not visible in the photos of the ship in the harbour have been added.
However, Marmari stands out with so many lights: flying to Kos, we saw it from the plane and it “shone” compared to the other villages or Karystos where the lighting levels remain at normal levels.
Beaches in Marmari Evia
Photos of beaches in Marmari and the rest of South Evia can be seen in the detailed article Beaches in South Evia.
Marmari is famous for its clean sea and beautiful beaches , which is perhaps the most important reason why most visitors prefer it. So, starting from the port, the options for swimming are as follows:
- Kavos beach, on the left as you exit the port, at fifty meters.
- Kokkini Beach (Iatron settlement). To the left of the port, at two kilometers.
- Fygia beach, left of the port one kilometer after Kokkini.
Megali Ammos beach. To the right of the harbour, a famous beach for its strange shape, which changes every year, attracting not only bathers but also surfers from all over the world when conditions are favourable. It is a long strip of sand in the sea just opposite the islet of Mikro Petalios.
See the beautiful beach that starred in the commercial of the Greek National Tourism Organization in 2020.
Ideal solution when the wind is south. On the other hand, when it is north, especially when it is over 5 Beaufort, because the beach is exposed, it is not the best choice. That’s when you will see gathered mostly kite surfers enjoying the strong currents generated.
Zastani Beach. It is less than one kilometer from the beach of Megali Ammos, under steep cliffs with crystal clear waters.
It is somewhat but not completely protected from the northerly winds that usually blow in the area and that is why it is preferred by many visitors and holidaymakers.
Video from Kokkini beach in Marmari
Access to the beaches mentioned above is very easy as the road is asphalted up to Zastani beach.
Beaches outside Marmari
If you now have a vehicle and want to wander to more distant beaches, you can go to those of the Aegean, Giannitsi and Agios Dimitrios (Schinodavli) with wonderful waters, wild nature but also a more difficult route since you will do several kilometers with turns.
However, it is definitely worth it and it would be a good idea to check the weather forecast to visit on a day when there will be no strong north winds, unless you want to fight the very big waves (children beware).
See our detailed article“Beaches in South Evia” for more information about the beautiful beaches of the Aegean.
The beaches of the Aegean Sea in Evia are exposed to the north wind waves that sometimes make swimming on these beaches impossible.
Another option is the beaches after the coastal settlement of Fygia, namely Agia Irini, Triantafyllenia and other smaller beaches up to the small settlement of Portolafia (referred to as Elafolimano on the map that follows after the photos).
Accommodation in Marmari Evia
If you have a jeep or a car that can easily drive on a dirt road, then the 1-2 quieter beaches in Lykorema are a good choice. You will find them by going on the road to Karystos, on your right and just before a small church there is a small sign for Lykorema. There the dirt road starts and after about 10 minutes you will be at the beaches.
It’s a bit of a mess and combined with the dirt road make them a less than popular swimming destination.
Food in Marmari and surroundings
But apart from the beaches and the clean sea in Marmari you can enjoy other things such as good food and especially the ouzomezedes in the seaside ouzeri and taverns while some of the taverns have delicious meat for the gourmets.
At the seaside of Marmarion you will find the classic Pizza Litsa, famous for the pizza as it used to be and the oven pasta. The latter was of course delayed 45 minutes (August 2022) so although we liked it, we will prefer the pizza which is both tasty and on time.
In the village there are cafes, ouzeri and some fish taverns while towards the 5×5 stadium there are two more taverns on the sea for a nice view of the sunset. In addition you will find two souvlaki, the butcher’s tavern of Tsamis and a classic canteen for crepes and cheeseburgers on the coastal road to the settlement of Agia Marina.
If you have a car, you can visit the two taverns located in the dew under the plane trees in the village of Paradisi, while in the village of Pothi you will find “Xypolytos” for perfect homemade pies.
If you insist on the beach, however, there are three tavernas on Fygia beach, with the most economical solution being Psitotelio, for cheese pie, burgers, calamari, fried potatoes and village food.
Playground in Marmari Evia and the pedestrian walkway
In Marmari the promenade becomes a pedestrian street from sunset (I think from 8pm to 1am) so people can enjoy a quiet stroll until they choose where to sit for food, coffee or a drink. So kids are free to come and go on their skates and bikes up and down in a relatively safe environment.
It would be good, however, to be clearer about the status and hours of the ban on cars as there have been many times when cars have entered the beach before 1am (time of lifting the ban on cars/motorbikes).
In addition to the rides, all children will also go through the playground/swings. There they will find a slide and two (2) single swings for children over 4 years old (and two more for younger children). Towards the end of July and especially in August, children are forced to wait several minutes or leave while parents are often forced to play referee or gatekeeper…
Until some time in the 2000s the old playground just before the port was in operation, you will see the area empty and unused, and we consider it unacceptable that nothing has been done to reopen it as the size of the existing playground is mildly inadequate and dangerous when so many children play and run in such a small space with swings!
Shall we go to the pool?
Not anymore, as from 2024 the use of the swimming pool of the Marmari Bay Hotel, which has been operating for over 50 years, was banned to those not staying at the hotel.
Night entertainment in Marmari
For your evening entertainment there are some options in Marmari if you have the strength after long dives in the clear waters of the South Evian Gulf. We the older ones remember the wild nights of Marmari with the two legendary discotheques(Chaf and Point, later Paradise and others) at their best, with people coming even from Karystos, Styra and the smaller villages of South Evia!
Year by year the options become less and less available and by 2024 the volume in the shops has been reduced to a minimum. However, some shops still play loud, which is surprising, since some bars can selectively turn up the decibels while other operators have had this option cut off with a knife.
In recent years the choices have been few, especially this year when the Kantina in Kokkini is closed in the evenings (except for a few exceptions) for the first time since it opened, maybe even 20 years ago!
On the other hand, the quantity may have dropped but the quality has gone up with the addition of a rock-reggae-soul bar, the now classic VINYLIO! Lots of rock sounds, up to classic metal, but also passages of new wave, punk, reggae, soul, funky and other cool stuff.
The people who gather are usually older people, although it is not rare that we have also had “kids”.
So if the young people want to go to a club, the choice is one, I think, the Summer Petalouda, on the provincial road that connects Marmari to Karystos.
Sports activities in Marmari
With so many beaches and clear waters the main one is swimming. To these are added wind surf, kite surf and football in the small 5×5 pitch on the road to Megali Ammos beach. Many people run, which I wouldn’t do as there are narrow spots on the coastal highway and poor lighting when the sun goes down.
Much earlier, the youth used to play a lot of basketball on the court next to the harbour. This court became a car parking lot without being moved elsewhere (not even the basketball court to another smaller place as far as we know). In addition, there is no small beach volleyball court on Kokkini beach either. So you’d better equip yourself with a mask-frog and get busy with the sea if you want to lose a couple of kilos like me :)
Visit to Karystos
The port of Marmari is a passage from Attica for those who want to go to the Karystos. Karystos is the largest urban center of South Evia with about 5,000 inhabitants and is located about 8 kilometers (ten minutes by car) from Marmari.
Therefore, the short distance helps you to visit it for one or more evenings since there you will find a promenade with several ouzerias, tavernas and cafes, a beach bar on a beautiful beach and a summer cinema with a pebble beach below!
Moreover, Karystos, if you don’t find a room in Marmari, can easily be your base for your excursions in South Evia.
Accommodation in Marmari and Karystos
Photos from Marmari in South Evia
Map of Marmari, South Evia
Evia island
Κάνετε κλικ στο Οδηγίες για πληροφορίες πρόσβασης / Click on Direction for access info
Στο Μαρμάρι μπορείτε να φτάσετε και απο τα Νέα Στύρα τα οποία συνδέονται με το μικρό λιμάνι της Αγίας Μαρίνας.
Access to Marmari and southern Evia
Στο Μαρμάρι και την Κάρυστο θα φτάσετε με πλοίο από το λιμάνι της Ραφήνας (διάρκεια ταξιδιού 1:10′). Η Κάρυστος απέχει 10 με 15 λεπτά από το Μαρμάρι.
Εναλλακτικά, μπορείτε να φτάσετε και μέσω Στύρων. Για τα Νέα Στύρα παίρνετε το πλοίο (παντόφλα) από το μικρό λιμάνι της Αγίας Μαρίνας στην Αττική. Κάποιοι προτιμούν το πλοίο από τα Νέα Στύρα γιατί έχει πιο συχνά δρομολόγια και μικρότερο κόστος αλλά σημαντικά περισσότερα χλμ οδήγησης (27 χλμ για Μαρμάρι) και αυξημένο χρόνο μετάβασης.
Το κόστος από Ραφήνα για το Μαρμάρι με ένα συμβατικό αυτοκίνητο και δύο επιβάτες είναι 51 ευρώ (καλοκαίρι 2025).
Δρομολόγια Ραφήνα Μαρμάρι
Αποφύγετε τις ουρές και την αναμονή κλείνοντας το ηλεκτρονικό σας εισιτήριο:
Τηλ. Κωδικός Μαρμάρι / Κάρυστος: +30 22240
Τηλέφωνα πρακτορείων
- Αγίας Μαρίνας Αττικής (με επιφύλαξη όσον αφορά στα νούμερα): +3022940 64400 , +302294063888
- Νέων Στύρων (με επιφύλαξη όσον αφορά στα νούμερα): +3022240 41166 , +3022240 41079
ΚΤΕΛ Καρύστου: +3022240 26303
Karystos Hospital: +30 22240 24001-2
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