Popularity: Moderate
Style: Freeride, Wave, Slalom, Race/Formula, Speed
Level: Intermediate, Good, Specialist
Varkiza is a popular long sandy beach near Athens with very good facilities at the spot and close nearby. It is extended at the eastern part of the bay of Varkiza, along the coastal road, is pretty far from the city centre.
It is ideal for windsurfing, all year round. Kitesurf only in winter time, as it is less crowded.
In winter-time it is also suitable for surfing, if it’s howling south-easterly. Big, powerful waves roll into Varkiza, as well as Vouliagmeni bay. Vouliagmeni's a bit bigger than Varkiza, with better conditions, although there's more space at the latter. Neither bay is forgiving of mistakes, and such demanding conditions ensure they don't get busy. In summer both beaches fill with swimmers and sunbathers, as the towns are of the most popular areas in the southern suburbs, quite lively during the summer season.
Medium Months: April, May, September
Wind Type: Thermal Winds, Frontal Winds
Best Direction: N, NE
Main Direction: N, NE, S
Worst Direction: W
Wind Factor: 11-16 knots (4 bft), 17-21 knots (5 bft), 22-27 knots (6 bft)
Main Wind Direction: Offshore, Onshore
Blowing at: Midday, Afternoon
Wave Tack: Starboard (from the right), Port (from the left)
N/NE winds (from the left) blow all year round, so there will always be some windsurfers on this spot. Gusty conditions.
Southern winds (from the right) only in winter season.
Quality: Crystal Clear, Unsuitable
Depth: Shallow (walking several steps not to step on)
Seabed: Sand, Stones
Attention: Ships/Boats, Rocks, Urchins
The bottom is sandy with a lot of stones with urchins in front of the Nautica Club area and also some stones between the private and the public beach. With southern winds maybe it's good to use neoprene shoes.
With northern winds:
Flat offshore conditions from the left. Choppy water close to Pontikos Island.
Wavy conditions with souther wind (usually in winter-time):
Kitesurfing are mostly at the eastern part of the beach, having fun doing wave riding. Moderate conditions for wave windsurfing, much better conditions in Anavissos (Palea Fokea) spot.
Surfing: Varkiza, contrary to Vouliagmeni, is wider and that’s why gathers fewer surfers. When Vouliagmeni is crowded, maybe Varkiza is better choice.
Varkiza has stronger and faster wave than Vouliagmeni, with more foam (onshore conditions). It has N/NW orientation. When strong winds blow, the ride on the messy waves is not that big (max 50m length).
With NW winds Varkiza is wavy sooner then Vouliagmeni and when the wind blows stronger, Vouliagmeni usually starts to work well. However, when is blowing from southern directions and the wind is over or changes direction to W or NW, Varkiza keeps a well-formed wave but with a small-medium size (0,5-1,0 m) for 1-2 days. This provides perfect conditions for a beginner who wants to be tested in the wave.
Size: Big
Bathers Period: May, June, July, August, September, October
Bathers: Much
Shade: Sparse
Kid Friendly: Yes
Attention:
Nice, huge and long sandy beach. During summertime expect huge crowds of swimmers and sunbathers. Kitesurf is forbidden in this season, and windsurfers should not get close to the shore.
The beach of Varkiza is located far from the south part of city centre, on the Saronic coast.
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 Varkiza by car or taxi, the airport is 22 km away, with quick and easy access.
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.
Varkiza is about 22 km away from Athens and 25 km from Piraeus (Greek National Road 91: Athens – Sounio) passes through the town), 35 km from Rafina and 42 km from Lavrio. If you come from Thessaloniki -Greece's second largest city- the distance is about 542 km till Athens center.
Arrival by Bus/Tram: To go to the beach, you have to take the bus or tram from Syntagma to Glyfada square and then another bus (Bus 149 and 170) from Glyfada square to Varkiza.
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 four stops you’ll arrive to Syntagma. Coming out of the station you go to take the bus or the tram.
Windsurf Lessons
School into the Resort beach and at the Nautica ClubWindsurf Rental
Into the Resort beachKitesurf Lessons
Kitesurf Rental
Surf Lessons
School into the Resort beachSurf Rental
SUP Rental
Storage
Repair
Washing
Rescue
Equipment Store
Events
Freeride, Long Distance, Bic Techno & RSX events
Parking
May park on the beach, lots of parking stations for your vehicleToilet
Shower
Only into the Resort beachBeach facilities
Umbrellas & Sunbeds only into the Resort beachFood
Plenty of cafes and nice restaurants lying around the coast of the townMarket
Supermarkets, Bakeries, Butcher shops & Grocery stores in the areaAcommodations
Many hotels in the areaCamping
Room for Camper Vans
A lot of spaceNightlife
Plenty of choicesInternet Access
Medical Center
In case of emergence the pharmacies and doctors, as well as the rest of the services of Varkiza and the nearby towns (Asklipiio Hospital in Voula Town & Medical Center of Vari Town) are available for youMore Activities
Beach Tennis, Beach Volley & Water Ski into the Resort beachOther Facilities
Aqua Aerobic, Fitness Events & Play area for the children, into the Resort beach