SurfinGR, Attica, Filippas

Activities: Windsurf, Kitesurf, SUP
Popularity: Moderate
Style: Freeride, Freestyle
Level: Specialist

Filippas Beach is located between Rafina and Loutsa and can be a good alternative wind/kitesurfing spot, especially when Nissakia is too crowded.

Although this spot is considered mostly a kitesurf spot, the conditions are ideal for wave windsurfing as well. Also, while this spot is mostly for experts, very often kitesurf lessons take place there as there are not many spot-options in Attica.

Best Months: January, February, March, April, October, November, December
Medium Months: May, September
Wind Type: Frontal Winds
Best Direction: N, NNE, NE
Main Direction:
Worst Direction:
Wind Factor: 11-16 knots (4 bft), 17-21 knots (5 bft), 22-27 knots (6 bft), 28-33 knots (7 bft)
Main Wind Direction: Side Onshore, Onshore
Blowing at: Morning, Midday, Afternoon
Wave Tack: Port (from the left)

“Works” only when N/NE blow. The hills on either side of the beach have a negative influence on the wind and many times kitesurf accidents have happened. Better don’t visit this spot with strong winds.

The spot is protected from southern winds.

Type: Flat, Chop, Small Wave (< 1m)
Quality:
Depth: Shallow (walking several steps not to step on)
Seabed: Sand, Stones
Attention: Swimmers, Reef, Stones, Boats

Close to the beach is the kitesurf area. Flat to chop conditions into the bay. Deeper it’s wavy, ideal for wave windsurfing.

Pay attention, do not get close to the reef at the south side of the beach; it’s huge and it’s not easy visible.

See the spot from above here

Type: Sand, Rocks
Size: Small
Bathers Period: May, June, July, August, September
Bathers: Much
Shade: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Attention: Power Lines, Fence

Don’t even think about going in this spot in summer time; it’s full of bathers.

Be aware of there is a fence at the north side of the beach, 5 m from the shore. Also, be careful of the Power Lines!

GPS Google Maps: 37.999813, 24.024288

Filippas is situated at a distance of some 3 kilometers southern to the port of Rafina and 34 kilometers eastern to the center of Athens.

Arrival by Airplane: The new airport of Athens “Eleftherios Venizelos”, one of the best airports in Europe, (IATA: ATH, ICAO: LGAV) is located in Spata Town and serves flights to Greece daily from several international airlines from all over the world. You can take a charter flight, so you can carry your windsurf equipment with you as well.

The metro and the Proastiakos-Suburban railway, as well as taxis and buses to and from Athens are to be found opposite the main exit of the airport. The distance is 44 km. The bus journey takes between 35 and 45 minutes to the city centre at Syntagma (Parliament) Square (of course depending on the time and traffic), therefore the best way is to take the “Athens metro” that connects the airport with Athens and Piraeus. There are car hire agencies at the airport, in case you want to rent a vehicle.

If you want to go directly to Marikes by car or taxi, the airport is 15 km away, with quick and easy access. The metro and the Proastiakos-Suburban railway do not serve this area!

Arrival by Ferry/Boat: If you are coming from the European continent and you prefer to take the ferry from an Italian Port, you need to head towards Italy and the Italian ports of Ancona, Venice Bari or Brindisi. Those ports have daily connections to Corfu, Igoumenitsa and Patras. If you are coming from Aegean Sea (from a Greek Island, Turkey or Cyprus) you will reach one of the Attica’s Ports in Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio Town.

Arrival by Car, Moto, Camper Van: If you’re coming by Ferry from an Italian port, Patra is about 211 km away from the center of Athens and Igoumenitsa is about 445 km. There are some good highways a like the Corinth-Athens and the Athens-Larissa, Corinth-Tripoli and the Egnatia highway.

Marikes is about 34 km away from Athens and 46 km away from Piraeus, 3 km from Rafina and 50 km from Lavrio. If you come from Thessaloniki -Greece's second largest city- the distance is about 519 km.

At the end of “Attiki Odos” Tollway turn left and get to Marathonos Avenue. 2 km before Rafina Town turn right to ”Agia Kyriaki”. All straight, the beach is at the end of this road (Arionos street).

Arrival by Bus: Access is easy by intercity buses (KTEL) from Pedion tou Areos (near Victoria Station), connects Athens with Rafina as well as the areas in the wider region (Nea Makri, Marathonas). During the summer months the services are more frequent for the better service of the passengers.

Arrival by Train: Train travel is not so much in fashion anymore due to the complexity of the journey through the Balkans. Rail services link Thessaloniki with, Athens, Thrace and Patra. The line through what was once Yugoslavia provides connections with Central and Western Europe. The line through Bulgaria connects to Eastern Europe and the line through Istanbul, Turkey with the countries of the Near East.

If you choose to come to Attica by train, when you’ll arrive to “Stathmos Larissis” station, you’ll get the metro Line 2 with direction to “Agios Dimitrios” and after two stops you’ll arrive to Omonia. Then you’ll get on the "Electric" Line 1st having direction towards "Kifissia" and you get off at "Viktoria". Coming out of the station you go to Pedion tou Areos from where you can take the intercity bus (KTEL) that goes to Rafina. Then a taxi will take you to the spot.