SurfinGR, Attica, Artemida Heliotrope

Activities: Windsurf, SUP
Popularity: Moderate
Style: Freeride, Slalom, Race/Formula
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Good, Specialist

Also known as Loutsa, the bustling town of Artemida is home to one of the most popular family beaches in the area. A wide range of services and accommodation options are also offered.

It is not as "glamourous" as other seaside cities near Athens, but it does not cease to be a beautiful beach with fine sand, safe shallow water and well-organized; perfect for kids.

Best Months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Medium Months:
Wind Type: Thermal Winds, Frontal Winds
Best Direction: N, NNE, NE, SE
Main Direction:
Worst Direction: W
Wind Factor: 11-16 knots (4 bft), 17-21 knots (5 bft), 22-27 knots (6 bft)
Main Wind Direction: Side Shore, Side Onshore, Onshore
Blowing at:
Wave Tack: Starboard (from the right), Port (from the left)

The location is exposed to the famous "Meltemi" NE winds of the Aegean Sea with side shore / side onshore winds from the left, blowing force 3 to force 5 and sometimes to force 6 bft. Close to the shore it is gusty.

The rest of the time also ideal conditions because of the area’s frontal winds, usually with N or S direction. With SE onshore conditions from the right (rare days).

With W winds better conditions in Vravrona Spot or in southern/western Attica.

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

Shallow water with sandy bottom. The weather conditions allow surfers of any level (from beginner to expert) to enjoy their favorite sport.

With northern winds flat water close to the shore, choppy deeper. If strong southern winds blow, nice small waves.

Type: Sand
Size: Medium
Bathers Period: May, June, July, August, September
Bathers: Much
Shade: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Attention:

Wide sandy beach, fully organized. In summer months the place is full of swimmers!

GPS Google Maps: 37.983681, 24.011724

Artemida (or Loutsa) is situated in east Attica and is a suburban town about 35 km east of Athens center, 11 km northeast of the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport and south of Rafina Port.

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 Artemida by car or taxi, the airport is 11 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.

Loutsa beach is about 35 km away from Athens and 49 km away from Piraeus, 7 km from Rafina and 46 km from Lavrio. If you come from Thessaloniki -Greece's second largest city- the distance is about 521 km till Athens center. To reach the spot drive Leoforos Artemidos street (the main street of Artemida City) with direction to Rafina. After the centre of Artemida there is a big parking area just after the children’s playground.

Arrival by Bus: There is bus route available to Artemida from Athens centre and from the airport, all year long. The bus stop “Dimotika Iatria” is right on the spot.

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 to come to Attica by train, you can get the metro Line 2 from “Stathmos Larissis” station.