Schinias Marathon National Park National Park

Address: Schinias-Marathon National Park, Attica, Greece

Website: http://www.cma.gr/

Admission: Free to enter national park areas; parking and facility fees may apply

Schinias Marathon National Park is a coastal protected area on the northeastern shore of the Attica region near the town of Marathon, Greece. It conserves a strip of coastal pine forest, wetlands and beach that lie between the sea and the inland plain.

The park contains a sandy beach backed by pine woodland and reed beds, together forming a several-kilometre long coastal reserve that supports migrating and resident birds. Recreational uses include swimming, walking and birdwatching, while the inland wetland areas are important for biodiversity.

In the early 2000s a purpose-built rowing and canoeing centre was constructed at Schinias for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, and that facility is sited within the park. The area has since been managed to balance recreation with protection of its coastal habitats.

The park lies north-east of the town of Marathon on the eastern side of the Attica peninsula, bordering the Aegean Sea. It is one of the nearest stretches of natural coastline to the Athens metropolitan area.

• Coastal ecosystem: Contains a coastal pine forest and reed-bed wetland directly adjacent to the sea, making it one of the few remaining such ecosystems on the Attica coast.
• Olympic venue: Hosted the rowing and canoeing venues for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games; the installed facility remains a notable feature in the park.

What to See#

• Schinias beach: A long sandy coastal strand backed by a belt of Aleppo pine and dune vegetation; the beach is the most accessible recreational area in the park and attracts swimmers and sunbathers in summer.
• Pine forest and wetland: A coastal pine forest and reed-bed wetland that provide habitat for birds, amphibians and coastal plants; these wooded and marshy areas are the park’s principal conservation features.
• Olympic rowing and canoeing centre: A purpose-built rowing and canoeing facility constructed for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, located adjacent to the beach and used for water-sport training and events.

From central Athens, take the Attiki Odos (A6) toward the Marathon/Schinias exit; drive time is approximately 40-60 minutes depending on traffic. There are also regional buses from Athens to Marathon; from Marathon town a short taxi or local bus will reach the park’s access points and beach parking areas.

• Arrive at dawn to catch migratory bird activity and calmer sea conditions for kayaking along the coast.
• Use the northern parking area near the Schinias beach access to avoid the main crowds and have easier access to the pine forest trails.
• Bring binoculars for birdwatching - herons, marsh birds, and raptors are frequent sightings in the protected marshes.