Raches is a village in Central Greece, on the northern shore of the Maliakos Gulf, about 32 kilometres from the city of Lamia. It has two parts. Visitors come to the part by the sea, named Paralia Rachon, which means the beach of Raches. The old village stands a short distance inland. A long sandy beach runs on both sides of a small harbour, with tavernas and cafés close to the water. Near the settlement is Faros, a sand spit where a steady wind blows on summer afternoons. That wind has made Raches a well-known place for kitesurfing, and kite schools work on the spit. In July and August the settlement fills with visitors, and the bars and the beach stay lively into the evening.
What travellers posted
Been here? A photo and two lines are enough.
Beaches
The main beach of Raches is a long strip of sand on the northern shore of the Maliakos Gulf. It runs on both sides of the small harbour. Small pebbles are mixed with the sand in places, and the water becomes deep slowly. Some parts of the beach have umbrellas, sunbeds, showers and changing rooms, and other parts are free of them. One organised part is beside the nautical club, on the eastern side of the harbour.
A second beach is at Faros, a sand spit near the village. It is almost two kilometres long, with brown sand and pebbles, and it also has an organised part. The sea is flat on the sheltered side of the spit and rougher on the open side. In places there are flat rocks and sea urchins close to the shore, so water shoes are useful. Visitors drive onto the spit and park on the sand. Both beaches are busy in the middle of summer.
Activities
Raches is known for kitesurfing. The place for it is Faros, a sand spit near the village. In summer a thermal wind blows there from the north-east or the east. It usually starts early in the afternoon and lasts until about seven in the evening, at 15 to 25 knots. The season runs from June to September. The water is flat on the sheltered side of the spit and choppy on the open side, so riders of different levels find a place. Kite schools work on the spit, and they rent equipment too. Windsurfing is done from the same spot.
Sailing has its base at the harbour of the village. The Nautical Club of Raches, on the eastern side of the harbour, gives sailing lessons and organises races for offshore boats.
The Village
Raches has two parts. The part that visitors know is the seaside settlement, named Paralia Rachon, which means the beach of Raches. Its centre is the small harbour, where a breakwater protects fishing boats, sailing boats and small tourist boats. Tavernas, fish tavernas and cafés stand near the water, and the fish comes from the local boats. Hotels, rooms to rent and a campsite are close to the beach, and several bars open in the evening.
The old village of Raches is a short distance inland, about 60 metres above the sea. A few hundred people live in the community. The name means ridges in Greek, and it comes from the small hills around the village.
Where to Stay
Prices shown per night for a sample 3-night stay. Rates and availability vary by season — select your dates for live pricing.
Practical information
Getting there
Raches is about 32 kilometres from the city of Lamia and 16 kilometres east of Stylida, the nearest town. From Athens the distance is about 240 kilometres, and the drive takes between two and three hours. The motorway from Athens to Thessaloniki passes next to the village. A regional bus links Raches with Lamia, so check the timetable before you travel. The sand spit of Faros is reached by road.
When to go
June to September is the season for both swimming and kitesurfing, and July and August are the best months for wind. The wind usually starts early in the afternoon, so mornings are the quieter time on the water for swimmers. In late July and early August the summer north wind can bring more than 20 knots. The village and the beaches are busy in the middle of summer.
Good to know
At Faros, the sand spit used for kitesurfing, cars park on the sand, so look around you before you launch or land a kite. Kitesurfers are asked to wear a helmet and a vest there. Bring water shoes for the rocky places, where there are sea urchins. The organised parts of the beaches have showers and changing rooms.
Raches (Phthiotis)— been there?Tell others what you saw.
A photo and two lines are enough.
