Artemida: Lagoon, Coast and Ancient Traces

Artemida brings together a sandy coast with natural and historical attractions. Behind Agios Nikolaos Beach, in the Municipality of Artemida, lies the Artemida Wetland Complex, while the Sanctuary of Artemis Tauropolos stands directly by the sea at Loutsa Beach. The area also has steady coastal winds that are strong when the wind is from the north, as well as sailing courses at the Port of Artemida. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider whether you want your stay to focus on the beach, water sports, birdlife or archaeological history.

Lagoon and Birdlife

The Artemida Wetland Complex, also known as Alyki Loutsas, lies behind Agios Nikolaos Beach in the Municipality of Artemida. The small lagoon is surrounded by reeds, dense stands of tamarisk and salt meadows. The complex is part of an important wetland network for birdlife in eastern Attica, stretching from Schinias National Park to Vravrona. Several bird species breed in these wetlands; even larger numbers of birds are observed in winter and, especially, during the spring-to-autumn migration. Birdlife is therefore a feature here in more than one season.

Beach and Coastal Winds

Artemida Beach, also known as Loutsa Beach, is sandy and open to the public. As access arrangements can change, please check them before your visit. The winds along the coast of Artemida are particularly steady and strong when the wind is from the north, making them suitable for kitesurfing and windsurfing. The beach is therefore a good fit if you are looking for a sandy coastal stay, while the wind conditions also offer a sporting focus.

Sailing at the Port and Beach

At the Port of Artemida, the NOAS Sailing Club offers sailing courses for children and adults. Course and registration details may change; if you are planning to sail, check them directly with the club in advance. The Athens Nautical Club is located at Agios Nikolaos Beach. This distinguishes two nautical locations: the sailing courses at the port and a club based at the beach.

Ancient Traces by the Sea

The Sanctuary of Artemis Tauropolos stands directly by the sea at Loutsa Beach (Artemida). Only the foundations remain of the limestone Doric peripteral temple, which dates to the late 5th century BC. A peripteral temple is a type of temple surrounded by columns. About 200 metres south of the sanctuary, another small temple was discovered in 1975. A deposit at the site contained numerous votive offerings dating from the Geometric to the Classical period. Together, the two finds show different aspects of Artemida’s ancient history: temple architecture and a context of finds containing votive offerings.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Holiday Apartment

When searching for a holiday apartment, it helps to have a clear focus for your trip: do you mainly want to plan for the beach and wind-dependent activities, or give greater priority to nature and ancient history? When considering a specific listing, check its stated location against what you are looking for. Whether the beach, port or archaeological sites matter to you depends on what you want your stay to focus on.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Kouvaras, Paiania, Spata, Thimari, Grammatiko, Agios Konstantinos, Keratea, Porto Rafti

See the main travel overview: East Attica.