Dorian Riviera, beaches – excursion to the islet of Trizonia

The Doric Riviera or Coastal Strip, of the Prefecture of Fokida, is located in Gulf of Corinth, A. from the Nafpaktos and D. from the Galaxidi.

The area has picturesque settlements, beaches with crystal clear waters, beach bars, harbors with fish taverns, hotels, etc. Opposite the coast of Fokida is the Trizonia islet.

MONASTERY OF EUPALI

Seaside settlement, in Gulf of Corinth which belongs to P.E. Efpaliou, D. Doridos, at the Prefecture of Fokida. It is located 3 km S. of Efpaliou, 12 km E. of Nafpaktos and 55 km W. of Galaxidi. It strongly resembles an island as the village develops amphitheatrically above the small harbor, at the foot of the mountain. Koumaros. It has been characterized as Locus Of exceptional natural beauty. It has 2 beaches of "«Iliopoulos»" and "«Seaside » with a small lake right next to it. The beaches are pebbled and have cold waters, a characteristic feature of the entire area. You will find taverns, beach bars, hotels and shops. Its name comes, according to tradition, from a monastery that existed in the center of the village, where today the Sacred Church of the Evangelist Mark. Access to Monastiraki, Dorida is made by National Road Antirrio-Itea or from the seaside Monastiraki District Road–Malamatas.

SEASIDE

The beach and the small lake are located next to the Monastiraki, to the W. It is separated from the Beach Chiliadou from a narrow strip of land, the cape "«Red» or «Kokkinovrachos»", which is the continuation of the hill Gherkin. The cape is lush green, with pine trees, holly trees, cypress trees, etc. The lake communicates with the sea through a narrow channel.

For food and entertainment at Monastiraki and in Seaside you will find the following:

• «BLUE LAKE», beach bar, Parathalasso-Monastiraki, Dorida, tel.: 2634 051900, www.bluelake.gr. Open daily, from morning to evening, for breakfast, coffee, drinks, food etc. It is famous for its Sunday beach party, with famous DJ's. The beach in front of the beach bar has pebbles, crystal clear waters, relatively deep, and every year it is awarded with Blue Flag.

The beach bar has umbrellas, sun loungers (the wooden ones are charged and there is a reserve policy, even for the entire season, while the plastic ones are free and without reservation), toilets, showers, changing rooms, a jewelry store, beach clothes, etc. There is a parking lot just before the beach.

• «Thethey are talking», beach bar, Parathalasso-Monastiraki, Doridas, parties with live music, tel.: 697 299 9540

• «The Meltemi», restaurant, Monastiraki, Dorida
• «Iliopoulos», fish tavern, Monastiraki, Dorida
• «Pansel-wine», fish tavern, Monastiraki, Dorida, on the harbor

THOUSAND DORIDAS

It is located next to Seaside, at a distance of 2.5 km W. from the Monastiraki and 10 Km from the Nafpaktos. The beach is quite long (about 2.5 km), sandy, partially organized, with taverns, beach bars, accommodations, shops and a small harbor. It is awarded every year with Blue Flag. It stands out White Sand Beach Bar Hotel, hotel, beach bar, restaurant, swimming pools, umbrellas, sun loungers, tel. : 699 772 0670, www.whitesand.gr

SCALLOPING

It is located E. from Monastiraki, before the Marathia and the Beach Sergoulas. The beach is pebbled and considered one of the most beautiful in the area. It is partially organized and you will find umbrellas, sunbeds and a beach bar. The settlement has several rental accommodations.

MARATHIAS

It is approximately 6 km from Monastiraki and 20 km from the Nafpaktos. Large beach, extending from the Seal hole until Scaffolding. It is sandy, ideal for families, partially organized, with umbrellas, sunbeds, beach bar. The church located next to the sea is dedicated to Assumption (August 15). The settlement is large and has several rental accommodations. In April, "«Octopus Festival», in July it becomes «Representation of a Firework», with lanterns in the sea and in August a party in the square (information: Marathia Cultural and Educational Association). Access: from Monastiraki and the Marathias Beach District Road.

SERGOULA BEACH

The coastal settlement "«Sergoula Beach» is located after the Marathia. The characteristic of the wider area is the plane trees and the many waters. The area was formerly called "«Mills», because there were several watermills such as "«Papapolitis Mill»", with the "channel", which has been classified as a preserved monument. You will find the beaches "«Ambelaki»" and then the "«Plane trees»", with pebbles, cold waters, umbrellas, sunbeds, beach bars, taverns, hotels. It is awarded every year with Blue Flag. Apart from the beautiful beach, the Canyon and the Waterfalls, with the lakes formed by the her river Sergoulas.

GLYFADA, FOKIDA

It is located after the Sergoula, at a distance of 24 km from Nafpaktos and 45 km from Galaxidi.

CAVE

The Glyfada, the Cave and the Hanias of Trizonia are continuous coastal settlements that tend to be consolidated. The Glyfada, took its name from a spring of fresh water that flows into the sea. It has a small harbor, primary school, pharmacy, doctor's office, super market, etc. The settlements have nice beaches, taverns for food and caves to explore, if you have your own boat. On August 15, at the church Assumption (1960) and in Glyfada Square Phocis, a big festival is held. In August in Cave of Chania becomes the "«Octopus Festival»". In Glyfada, on the hill Paleokastro, there are ruins of an ancient fortification (4^th BC- early 3^th BC). Directly opposite the Hanias of Trizonia lies the islet Trizonia. At this point you will leave your car or motorbike (at the port, free of charge) and take the boat to the Trizonia (approximately 10 minutes, cost 1 €).

Information about the boats and itineraries for Trizonia:

boat «Thunderbolt», Mr. Alexandros, tel.: 6942 694331,

boat «St. Nicholas», tel.: 6973 041581,

boat «Joanna», tel.: 6932 209439.

The boats come and go all year round. Before you set off, you should check the schedules, as they change during the summer months (e.g. there are late-night schedules).

EXCURSION TO THE ISLAND OF TRIZONIA

It is a cluster of 4 islets consisting of: Trizonia, Prasoudi, Ai-Yiannis and Planemi. The Trizonia is the largest and most habitable, and is approximately 500 m. from the coasts of Phocis and the villages Hania, Cave and Glyfada. The island is lush green, full of olive, almond, fig, holly trees, etc., which is why it has been described as Landscape of Special Natural Beauty. You will find 3 beaches, which you can reach on foot. The Pounta, about 2 km SE. from the port, with sand and pebbles, the "«White Pebbles»", on the S. side and the "«Kapsales»", on the W. side. To the W. of the harbor, among the pine trees, there is the church of of Saint Georgiou (1955), where you can rest from walking.

• For food and coffee there are the following taverns :

Ostria, tel.: 22660 71228

Poseidon, tel.: 694 153 2103

Calypso, tel.: 2266 071447

Porto Trizonia, restaurant, tel.: 2266 071229

Island Bar Restaurant Trizonia, tel.: 693 750 9131

Ancora Trizonia, food, coffee, dessert, tel. : 697 366 8989

Almyra, cafeteria, tel. : 697 722 8640

• For overnight stays on the island you will find 3 hotels :

«"Hotel Drymna", tel.: 22660 71204, www.drymna.gr

«Trizonia Beach Hotel », 3*, tel.: 22660 71563, with sun loungers and umbrellas in front of the sea for customers, trizoniabeachhotel.gr and

«Iasmos Boutique Hotel», tel.: 22660 71301, www.tri-zoniaiasmos.gr.

• In Trizonia there is a marina for sailing boats etc. (tel. 694 153 2103).

Access in Trizonia :

• From the Nafpaktos (about 25 km) and the Coastal Strip, until Hania or alternatively from Delphi, Galaxidi and the coastal villages Phocis.
• It is 276 km from Athens and the path is: Athens– Thebes – Aliartos – Livadia – Delphi – Itea -Galaxidi – Eratini – Hania.

ACCOMMODATION IN DORIDA BEACH

• «SEASIDE», villas for rent with swimming pool, Monastiraki – Malamaton District Road, next to the lake, tel.: 694 650 2949, parathalasso.gr
• Kristallia Rooms, Monastiraki, Doridas, tel.: 2634 053283, www.kristalliarooms.gr
• Avra Studios, Monastiraki, tel. : 26340 52920,www.avrastudios.gr
• Polyxeni Apartments, Monastiraki, tel. : 697 769 2841
• Hotel Cavos Phocis, Chiliadou Beach, tel. : 2634038319, 2634774825, 693 672 0815, www.cavosfokidos.gr
• White Sand Beach Bar Hotel, Chiliadou Beach, hotel, beach bar, restaurant, 2 swimming pools, umbrellas, sunbeds etc., tel.: 2634071222, www.whitesand.gr
• Ammos Boutique Hotel, Chiliadou Beach, tel. : 2634 071435, www.ammosboutiquehotel.gr
• Apartments Chiliadou, Chiliadou Beach, tel. : 697 765 5142
• Chiliadou Estate Events & Studios, Chiliadou Beach – Monastiraki, tel.: 694 752 8029, www.ktimaxiliadou.com
• Skaloma 5 STAR VILLA, Skaloma, tel. : 694 241 4171, skaloma.com
• Melitina's Cottage Villa – Skaloma, Skaloma, tel. : 693 614 9009, novasol.com
• Skaloma Villas Thalassa, Skaloma, tel. : 694 414 4838, skalomavillas.gr
• Marathias Family Apartment, Marathias, tel. : 694 473 3074
• Melimar, 2*, Marathias, tel.: 697 721 8213, www.melinar.gr
• Apollo Beach Hotel, 3*, Marathias, tel.: 26340 91321,  apollo.com.gr
• Pansion ARISTI, Marathias, tel. : 697 478 0867
• Green & Blue, Marathias, National Road Antirrio – Itea, tel.: 694 556 2522
• Villa Thalassa, Sergoula Beach, tel.: 694 628 2202, www.villa-thalasa.gr
• Hotel Theasis, Sergoula Beach, tel.: 693 248 1172, www.hoteltheasis.gr
• Alati Guesthouses, Sergoula Beach, tel.: 6933 302 289
• Ianos Maisonette, Sergoula Beach, tel.: 697 244 9752
• Nikolitsa Apartments, Glyfada, Fokida, tel. : 2266 071206
• Evita beach, Cave, tel.: 2266 071071, evita-beach.gr
• The Two Sisters, 3*, Cave, tel.: 22660 71070, leduesorelle.gr
• Rentals «Firbas», Cave, tel. :2266 071374