Rafina Beaches, Greece: The Beaches In and Around the Port of Rafina
Rafina has several beaches in and around the town, a port in East Attica near Athens. The central Rafina beach lies next to the harbour, Marikes and Filippa lie to the south, and Prasino, Kokkino Limanaki and Ble Limanaki lie to the north. Rafina is a quiet ferry port with fish tavernas by the sea, so a beach day fits easily around a boat to the islands. For the town, the ferries and where to stay see the Rafina guide and the Rafina hotels page.
- Region
- East Attica
- Nearest city
- Athens
- Town beach
- Rafina (blue flag)
- Quiet beach
- Marikes
| Beach | Distance / direction from Rafina | Sand or pebble | Organised? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rafina beach | By the harbour, central | Coarse sand | Yes — tavernas, blue flag |
| Marikes beach | South, 20–30 min walk | Thin sand | Yes — taverna, sunbeds |
| Filippa beach | South, below Marikes | Sand | No |
| Prasino beach | North | — | — |
| Kokkino Limanaki beach | North | Sand and fine pebble | No — no sunbeds |
| Ble Limanaki beach | North, close to town | — | — |
| Agios Andreas beach | Short drive from Rafina | Sand | — |
Rafina beach
Rafina beach is the central town beach, next to the harbour. It consists mainly of coarse sand. A river splits the beach in two where it reaches the sea. The beach holds blue-flag status and sits about 200 metres from the Avra Airport Hotel, so you can walk to it from the ferry port and the town square. Fish tavernas, bars and restaurants line the seafront nearby. For rooms next to the beach and the ferries see the Rafina hotels guide.
Marikes and Filippa beaches
Marikes beach lies south of Rafina, a 20-to-30-minute walk from the port. It is a sandy beach of thin sand, surrounded by sand dunes and forest, and it stays quiet. A taverna at the far end rents out sunbeds and beach chairs. A flat rock in the middle makes it harder to enter the sea there, but at both ends of the beach the bottom is sand.
Filippa beach continues the coastline just south of Marikes. Filippa is a smaller, quieter stretch of sand reached by the same coastal path, and it has none of Marikes' taverna or sunbed rental.
Prasino beach
Prasino beach lies north of Rafina beach, on the stretch of coast that runs from the port toward the resort towns of Nea Makri and Mati. Prasino sits closer to Rafina town than Kokkino Limanaki, the red-rock cove further along the same northern shore.
Kokkino Limanaki beach
Kokkino Limanaki beach is a small cove on the coast north of Rafina, on the way toward Nea Makri and Mati. Kokkino Limanaki takes its name — "little red harbour" — from the red-orange rock around the bay, and its shore is a mix of sand and fine pebble. The cove is unorganised, with no sunbeds or umbrellas, so bring your own shade.
More beaches near Rafina
Two more coves sit within easy reach of the port beyond the four beaches closest to Rafina: Ble Limanaki and Agios Andreas.
Ble Limanaki beach
Ble Limanaki is a small cove close to Rafina town, one of the little harbours ("limanakia") on the shore north of the port. Ble Limanaki — "little blue harbour" — sits near Kokkino Limanaki on the same northern stretch of coast.
Agios Andreas beach
Agios Andreas, also written Sant'Andrea, is a sandy beach a short drive from Rafina. Agios Andreas lies along the East Attica coast near the town.
Getting to Rafina
Rafina is a port town in East Attica, a quieter alternative to the much larger port of Piraeus near Athens. A bus or taxi from Athens airport to the port takes about 30 to 45 minutes; the bus ticket costs 3 euro and you buy it on the bus. Ferries and high-speed boats sail from Rafina to Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Santorini and Evia. For ferry times, the town and its tavernas see the Rafina guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kokkino Limanaki beach?
Kokkino Limanaki is a small red-rock cove on the coast north of Rafina, on the way toward Nea Makri and Mati. The cove is unorganised, with no sunbeds or umbrellas.
Can you swim next to Rafina port?
Yes. Rafina beach, the central town beach, sits next to the harbour, about 200 metres from the Avra Airport Hotel, within walking distance of the ferry port and the town square.
Which is the best beach near Rafina?
For a swim beside the port, the central Rafina beach — the town's blue-flag beach — is the easiest to reach on foot. For a quieter, dune-backed stretch, Marikes beach lies south of the port, a 20-to-30-minute walk away.
What islands can you reach by ferry from Rafina?
Ferries and high-speed boats sail from Rafina to Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Santorini and Evia.
Is Rafina beach a blue-flag beach?
Yes. The central Rafina beach next to the harbour holds blue-flag status.
