Porto Rafti: True Greek Soul and High Living in Athens’ Most Charming Uncharted Suburb
The golden Greek sunlight, idyllic blue waters of the Aegean Sea, and green wild nature matched with historic landmarks all a stone’s throw away from a bustling European metropolis are some of the privileges of living in the coastal suburb of Porto Rafti in the municipality of Markopoulo just a half hour’s drive from the Greek capital of Athens.
Located just over nine miles (15km) southeast of Athens International Airport, the charming town of ten thousand permanent residents, according to the latest census, attracts tens of thousands of beach goers during the summer months. However, despite its high living standards as a year-round residential area, it has largely remained a well-kept secret—just as any priceless haven should be.
Porto Rafti, an up-and-coming exclusive Athens suburb
With a population of only seven thousand in 2001, Porto Rafti rapidly began growing after the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, when new, state-of-the-art infrastructure built in the area attracted additional investors, developers, and full-time residents. Businesses began flourishing around the picturesque port, sandy beaches, and historical attractions as soon as the Olympic equestrian and shooting venues opened their doors, contributing to imminent development in infrastructure.
Today, Porto Rafti remains a popular summer resort for local Athenians. It is a place that combines the traditional Greek atmosphere of sea, sun, and genuine hospitality with the best of modern amenities, but it is also evolving as a superior up-and-coming suburb of Athens. Its close proximity to the neighboring industrial towns of Lavrion and Spata, both of which are known for their long tradition in trade and maritime activities and are undergoing major updates, is forecast to turn Porto Rafti into an even more popular residential choice in the scheme of Eastern Attica suburbs in the coming years.
The Microsoft Data Center currently under construction in Spata will be key to transforming the region into a digital hub, providing endless opportunities for high-tech talent, promoting sustainable growth in retail and services, and driving up demand in the local real estate market.
The old mining town of Lavrion, on the other hand, with its historic shipyards, is subject to a massive renewal of its old city center and other developments. This includes a monumental tech park, financed by the state and European funds. At the same time, multi-million euro private investment plans for shopping malls, conference centers, luxury residences, and other five-star projects have been announced to the local press.
Eight thousand years of history, sacred spots, and unspoiled nature
Aside from the modern hype blooming in the eastern suburbs of the Athens metropolitan area, officially known as Attica, the vibrant resort town of Porto Rafti boasts a rich network of cultural tourist attractions, its roots stretching back to thousands of years ago.
The area has been inhabited since the Neolithic era, around 6000 BC, and later became the location of two of the oldest demoi of Attica, a structural element of the first democracies in the history of humanity. The oldest known ancient theater can be found here, at Thorikos, while a Mycenaean necropolis with vaulted tombs bears witness to the continuity of the area’s Greek past.
Beginning in the 8th century BC, the area between Lavrion and Porto Rafti became famous to the entire ancient world for the sanctuary of Artemis, the goddess of hunting and the protector of children, and this is also where the tragic heroine Iphigenia sought refuge, according to myth. The ruins of the Artemis temple still stand tall in Vravron, one of the twelve cities of ancient Attica, adjacent to a protected wetland of unspoiled natural beauty.
Several Byzantine monuments as well as newer ones, including towers and churches, likewise offer compelling walks and tours.
Apart from the sightseeing opportunities, locals and tourists have the option of enjoying a diversity of culinary experiences, ranging from traditional fish tavernas to upscale restaurants, and bathing at Porto Rafti’s many beaches, including the vibrant Avlaki, which has received the Blue Flag eco-label award year after year for over two decades.
Porto Rafti, an innovative property market in Athens
Given the rapid growth of East Attica’s emerging hubs, Porto Rafti is set to become the new hot spot of Athens’ property market.
Migration Expert and CEO of Dubai-based real estate firm Velment, Yiannos Trisokkas, believes that Porto Rafti would be the embodiment of the “Greek dream” for expats and diaspora Greeks.
Compared to Athens’ most popular southern suburbs, which have posed as the obvious choice for those buyer demographics for decades, Porto Rafti is also appealing as a prime location for residential investment due to its comparable affordability.
“As part of the Greek spirit, owning property by the stunning waters of the Aegean and Ionian seas has always been the cherished dream of every Greek expat and anyone who admires the country’s beauty, history and lifestyle offerings. However, with the rapid rise in land and construction prices, this dream often seems incredibly out of reach,” Trisokkas comments.
With that in mind, Velment designed The Marina View Beachfront Residences, a sustainable 15-unit off-plan residential development with unobstructed sea views to the cove of Porto Rafti, providing modern luxury and an element of exclusivity.
Its sophisticated architectural design emphasizes natural light, clean lines, and functional layouts, all alongside the highest standards of eco-friendly living and energy savings. One of the units boasts a private swimming pool, while the rest have access to a beautifully designed communal pool for relaxation and social gatherings.
“What sets this development apart is its ability to offer more than just a seasonal escape— it’s a home to be enjoyed throughout the entire year,” Trisokkas adds. “By offering a unique balance of prime location and affordability, we enable buyers to enjoy the best of both worlds.”
The Marina View Beachfront Residences is an optimal example of how one “can own a slice of home and claim their own piece of paradise” in Porto Rafti, thus unlocking the opportunity to acquire an ideal property with significant cost savings compared to the premium prices typically found in Athens’ southern suburbs.
Business Wire
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