The dam was built between 1926 and 1929 to meet the increasing water
demands of the capital, following a significant influx of immigrants after the Asia
Minor War (1919-1922). It served as Athens’ primary water source until 1959,
when water began to be drawn from Iliki Lake near the town of Thebes.

At the time of its construction, the Marathon Dam was a major symbol of
modernization for Greece.
The lake seamlessly integrates with its natural environment, forming a
breathtaking landscape that motivates Athens residents to embark on weekend
excursions.
Above the dam, there is a coffee restaurant offering amazing views of the
scenery.

The lake is situated about a 10-minute drive from where the Marathon Battle took
place, signifying the connection of the future with the past and was built with
high-quality Pantelic marble, the same material that was used in the Parthenon.

The Athens Classic Marathon traces the route of the 1896 Olympic
course, starting in Marathon 

Sightseeing in Athens:

Acropolis

The Acropolis, or Sacred Rock, is a symbol of Athens. There lies the Parthenon and other ancient monuments built during the reign of Pericles in the fifth century BC, when Athens was the most important cultural and spiritual center in the world. The Acropolis is UNESCO World Heritage Site and should be visited when you are in Athens.

The Acropolis Museum

The new Museum hosts exhibits dating from the Copper Age, the Roman era and the Byzantine Empire. It is worth a tour to admire all of these unique findings and to travel back in time.

Syntagma Square

You may explore the city starting from Syntagma Square, the most central part of the city, within easy reach of many attractions and with easy access to public transport.
Syntagma means Constitution, which was conceded to the Greeks after a popular uprising in 1834.

Monastiraki

One of the most picturesque districts of Athens, Monastiraki, borders and connects directly with Plaka. Its flea market, a paradise to collectors, is well known.
However, the best about Monastiraki is its coffee shops. There you may enjoy a sunny day with meze, drinks, coffee or ouzo and a view to the Parthenon, the Acropolis, and the Ancient Agora.

Plaka

Take a stroll through the picturesque streets of Plaka and explore the local museums or discover the Sacred Rock of the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora.After exploring the rich history of the area, enjoy your coffee or delicious snacks at traditional taverns with a breathtaking view of the Acropolis and all the fascinating monuments. (photo credits George Girnas)

The Archeological Museum of Vravrona

In the Archaeological Museum of Vravrona, there are findings and sculptures from the Early Bronze Age to the Roman period and depict the sacred character of the area. In this specific museum, are exhibited numerous statues of children (bears) and toys as Artemis was goddess protector of childbirth and children too. Inside the sanctuary pottery, jewelry, bronze mirrors, stone, and wooden compasses were found dating from the ninth to the fourth century, complementing the numerous exhibits in the museum. You may visit the museum after visiting the Sanctuary of Artemis since they are both housed in the same space. It opens early in the morning from 08:00 and 15:00.

Beaches

The organized beaches of Vravrona compared to the beaches of Artemida are quieter in some places there are stones and their waters run deeper. Choose the beach that suits your needs and desires. Relax, enjoy the mesmerizing colors of the sunset and gaze at the horizon as the waves reach your feet lazily.

The Sanctuary of Artemis

The Sanctuary of Artemis is located in the ancient site of Vravrona. Artemis was the goddess of nature and hunting, women and childbearing. The temple is Doric in style, built in the 6th century BC and is considered one of the oldest and most revered sanctuaries in Attica. Today only its foundations are preserved where the worshiping statue of the goddess was. Visiting the Temple and the Museum is truly a unique experience. Moreover, nature there is magnificent and full of greenery.

The Vravrona wetland

The Vravrona wetland is situated on the coast of Eastern Attica, in the Municipality of Markopoulo, just 35 km away from Athens. The remarkable landscape has managed to remain almost intact. Erasinos River, the shallow bay on its estuary, the surrounding hills and the cultivated land, have created a rich wild life ecosystem, unique in Attica. The presence of Erasinos River, the shallow bay, the surrounding hills and the contiguous cultivated land have created a rich ecosystem, really unique in Attica. It combines a landscape of great beauty, rich in biodiversity especially for birds. If you visit the wetland, you will have the opportunity to see pelicans, seagulls, swans, cranes, nightingales, and other species. Among the plants you may see hedgehogs, green toads (frogs) and Mediterranean turtles!

Sightseeing in Artemida:

Sea Sports

Artemida is known for its beautiful beaches and water sports such as windsurfing or kitesurfing. The clear waters, the waves, and the light breeze make its climate ideal for enjoying your favorite sport. There are two spots to choose from: a) Nissakia Surf Club and b) Aeolos Club.

Beaches

The beaches of Artemida are clean and sandy, the sea has no rocks and is shallow. It is ideal for families with small children and older people who need shallow waters to swim and relax respectively without risks. Beach bars, umbrellas, lounge chairs, water sports, cocktails by the water are typical images of the area during the summer months.

Gastronomy

Greek cuisine is based on local and fresh foods, cooked in a simple way with extra virgin olive oil that makes the difference in taste.
In Artemida, but also in the wider area of ​​eastern Attica, you have the opportunity to enjoy and experience this difference in taste whether you are looking to have souvlaki or a traditional home-cooked meal.
The area, due to the soil, abounds in fresh fruits and aromatic herbs, which are the basis for salads or appetizers. The appetizers (“meze”), especially if you accompany them with ouzo, beer, or local wine will take you on a unique gastronomic journey to the senses.
Try the numerous taverns by the sea, souvlaki, moussaka, tzatziki, salads, feta, burgers, grilled steaks, grilled octopuses, mussels, squid, shrimp, and day fish that still smell the salt of the sea.

(photo myartemida.gr

Sightseeing in Spata:

Attica Zoological Park

The Attica Zoological Park is set amidst a beautiful green landscape and very close to “Comfort Stay”. For travelers with children or for those looking for a day full of adventure and a unique spectacle, the park is the ideal place. Admire rare species of the animal kingdom, colorful birds, feed dolphins, seals and sea lions. With its ally natural beauty, temperate climate and the Athenian sun in the blue sky, it is the place that will make your trip to the countryside even more enjoyable!

McArthur Glen Athens Shopping Center

The McArthur Glen Athens Shopping Centre is very close to the airport and next to the Attica Zoo in a great location. It is the ultimate shopping destination as it offers fantastic prices, discounts and a wide range of products. Restaurants, cafes, entertainment options and a playground for our little friends, offer a pleasant break for your shopping. The McArthur Glen Athens outlet is open Monday through Saturday, from 09:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Metropolitan Expo

The Metropolitan Expo is the largest and most modern exhibition center in Greece with facilities and services of international standards. Located at Athens International Airport El. Venizelos in Spata, Attica, only a few minutes from the METRO station and the Suburban Railway, while it is only: 5 minutes from the Airport, 15 minutes from the “Comfort Stay”, 35 minutes from the center of Athens.

Did you miss the Acropolis or the Acropolis Museum? No worries! You can always visit the Permanent Exhibition at the Airport

The permanent exhibition includes 172 ancient artifacts that date from the Neolithic and Early Helladic period to the Post-Byzantine period. It is located at the Central Station Building – Departures Level – Entrance 3, and housing the masterpieces of the Acropolis. The Museum includes copies of the marble reliefs of the west Parthenon frieze and a copy of ‘Peplophoros’, one of the finest tributes to the Archaic Acropolis. Museum Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 06:00 – 23:00.

Only around 50 minutes drive from Athens during a traffic-free hour, Sounio, at Attika’s southernmost tip, makes for a perfect day trip.

You can easily head there in the morning to enjoy a swim, lunch, a coffee, a sunset clamber up to the stunning Temple of Poseidon and then return to Athens.

Together with neighbouring Lavrio (just 8 klm distance from Sounio), there are plenty of things to see and do in this verdant area with crystal clear waters, a special energy, and excellent food.

Do not miss swimming in the nearby coves.
You can combine your long walk with dinning at nearby tavernas and restaurants.

Tip: Archaeological finds on the site date from as early as 700 BC. Herodotus (VI.87) mentions that in sixth century BC, the Athenians celebrated a quinquennial festival at Sounion, which involved Athens’ leaders sailing to the cape in a sacred boat.

The statue of an Archaic Sphinx was found there and is one of the most important of the findings of the ancient period dating from 570 – 550 BC. The sphinx is a mythical creature, with the body of a lion, the wings of a bird, and the head of a woman. The body of the sphinx is shown in profile, while the head turns to the front.

It wears a garland on its head and a necklace around its neck.
Sphinx is made of Pentelic marble. (On display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens).

The area became well known from 700 BC, when the Temple of Artemis was built.
The presence of Erasinos River, the shallow bay, the surrounding hills and the contiguous cultivated land have created a rich ecosystem, really unique in Attica.

It combines a landscape of great beauty, rich in biodiversity especially for birds.
If you visit the wetland, you will have the opportunity to see pelicans, seagulls, swans, cranes, nightingales, and other species. Among the plants you may see hedgehogs, green toads (frogs) and Mediterranean turtles!