SurfinGR, Fthiotida, Raches

Activities: Windsurf, Kitesurf, SUP
Popularity: Much
Style: Freeride, Freestyle, Slalom
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Good, Specialist

In Raches windsurf & kitesurf spot the wind is virtually a given! Also, a strip of the shoreline extends into the water and creates two spots: one ideal for flat style kite -mostly- surfing, and a second one for kite/windsurfers preferring waves.

In Raches village you can find everything you like. It is nice and quiet summer destination in the mainland of Greece.

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

Raches is as one of the most suitable places to windsurf in Greece. Because of location ofers stability of the winds and very good percentage of days with wind. The air in Raches spot is a local phenomenon and it’s not provided by the forecasts. Usually blows 10-15 knots.

The spot also works with thermal wind, with NE/E direction and the average is 15-25 knots, especially the first 2 days of the thermal winds. The farther you go the stronger wind you found.

If it is cloudy, raining or with temperature up to 35 °C, there is no wind.

Type: Flat, Chop
Quality: Crystal Clear
Depth: Average (deepens gently and incrementally)
Seabed: Sand
Attention: Kite Surfers, Urchins, Stones, Plates, Swimmers

A strip of the shoreline extends into the water to create two spots and separates the spot in flat and wave area. The flat area is at the west side, the wave at the east side. The flat area is offshore and full of kites. At the wave area is side onshore and usually has thick chop, with 20-30 cm height. It is a popular spot for both beginners and advanced kite surfers.

Be careful as you go in and out of the water. At the left side of the beach there are urchins and sharp stones. At the right side there is a point with slippery plates and urchins. Also a lot of swimmers in flat area, in the summer.

Type: Sand
Size: Big
Bathers Period: June, July, August
Bathers: Much
Shade: No
Kid Friendly: Yes
Attention: Cars

Large sandy beach with small pebbles. During sumertime expect swimmers and sunbathers.

GPS Google Maps: 38.86900, 22.75833

Access to Raches: First you have to reach Lamia: Driving from Athens: Take the National Road (Ε75) North in the direction to Lamia. Driving from Thessaloniki & Larissa: Take the National Road (Ε75) South in the direction to Lamia. Further on, drive eastern following the road to Stylia and Raches. The distance is approximately 243 Km from Athens and 265 km from Thessaloniki.

Access to Greece:

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.

Thessaloniki is the second main aerial entrance to Greece. The International Airport “Macedonia” of Thessaloniki (IATA code: SKG) connects the region with approximately 31 countries and 81 destinations with direct flights, as well as 35 cities and islands in Greece (direct flights and transit). There you can take a coach or a taxi to reach the destination of your choice.

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.

Arrival by Car, Moto, Camper Van, Bus: From Italy: Igoumenitsa --> Egnatia Odos Motorway towards Thessaloniki, From Turkey: Kipi --> Egnatia Odos Motorway towards Thessaloniki, From Albania: Kakavia --> Greek National Road towards Ioannina & Egnatia Odos towards Thessaloniki, From F.Y.R.O.M.: Evzoni --> Greek National Road towards Thessaloniki until reaching the Egnatia Odos Motorway, From Bulgaria: Promachonas --> Greek National Road towards Thessaloniki until reaching the Egnatia Odos Motorway. Connection from Egnatia Odos Motorway to the Chalkidiki Road Network: Exit K1 Thessaloniki, Exit K4 Thessaloniki, Exit Redina & Exit Vrasna-Asprovalta

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.