Lake Marathon
Lake Reservoir near Marathon, supplying Athens with water
The reservoir at Marathon, near the historic Marathon plain, offers pine-bordered walks and water views; people combine visits with the Marathon archaeological sites and coastal coastline a short drive away.
Lake Marathon, often referred to as the Marathon Reservoir, is an artificial reservoir in the Attica region of Greece created to supply water to Athens and nearby communities. The reservoir and its dam date from the early 20th century.
The reservoir is visited mainly for its water-supply function and limited recreational access rather than as a major tourist destination. Roads and viewpoints around the reservoir provide short outlooks over the water and surrounding low hills.
The lake was formed when a dam was constructed across local streams to create a reservoir for Athens’ municipal water supply during the early 20th century. Since then it has functioned primarily as infrastructure for potable water rather than as a large recreational or commercial resource.
Lake Marathon sits northeast of Athens in the Attica region, set amid low hills and agricultural land that feed the drainage basin to the reservoir.
- Marathon Reservoir origin: The reservoir was created by damming to supply water to Athens and surrounding areas, and the dam and reservoir date to the early 20th century.
How to Get to Lake Marathon #
Lake Marathon is about 40-50 km northeast of central Athens. Drive via the Attiki Odos/A6 and then follow signs toward Marathon and Schinias; the dam is accessed by local roads from the Marathon town center. There is limited public transport - regional intercity buses (KTEL) run from Athens to Marathon, with short taxi or local-bus connections to the reservoir area.
Tips for Visiting Lake Marathon #
- Walk the dam wall early for softer light and fewer visitors.
- Combine a visit with the nearby Marathon Archaeological Museum to see artifacts from the 490 BCE battle.
- Avoid peak summer weekends when local day-trippers flood the picnic areas.
Best Time to Visit Lake Marathon #
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant for visiting the reservoir and its surrounding historical sites.
Weather & Climate near Lake Marathon #
Lake Marathon's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 31°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 11°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).
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March
March is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm).
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May
May is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. Light rainfall.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 6 mm.
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August
August is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. Almost no rain.
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 17°C. Light rainfall.
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October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C. The wettest month with 89 mm of rain.
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