Day trip from Athens to Porto Germeno?
I decided to go for a one-day ride — from Athens to the sea and back by evening.
I open the map, but the sea is on all sides of the land. One place catches my attention — maybe because of the name: “PORTO GERMENO.”
I set my alarm for 6:00 AM. Coffee. Then I pack the tank bag — my Canon camera, two zoom lenses, and the GoPro.
By 07:30, I’m riding through the streets of Athens. In no time, I’m on narrow roads outside the city, heading toward the mountains and Porto Germeno. The quiet of the road, no cars, just me and the curves — every kilometer feels like I took something to boost my mood. I ride slowly. The weather is perfect. The road passes through the main street of a small village built of stone houses — I don’t remember its name. I decide to stop for coffee — not because I need one, but because of the atmosphere.
I stop in front of a café with tables right on the edge of the road. An older man says “welcome.” I sit at the table next to him and order a strong, cold coffee. Like the Greeks, I drink it slowly and enjoy the peaceful village vibe.
I pay three euros and keep riding toward Porto Germeno. The road twists and turns, climbing and descending through dense pine forests. Then it climbs again, only to drop once more. From a distance, I can already see the village. From here, it looks like I’ve arrived in paradise — a small village sitting on the edge of a blue bay.
The closer I get, the more excited I feel. A small fish tavern is getting ready to open. A few older locals are swimming in the calm water. I stop the bike close to the beach, staring at the sea, at the beauty — but mostly, enjoying the silence.
A perfect day trip from Athens to Porto Germeno.
Alright, what now? I want to keep going. On the map, I spot a small road that winds through villages along the coast, climbs into the forested hills, and eventually leads to the town of Loutraki.
So that’s what I do. I keep following the road as it climbs higher and higher, twisting in a beautiful, dramatic way.
Like always in Greece, the road eventually drops down to the sea again. Riding along the coastline feels like I’m somewhere completely different. Since I left Athens, the roads have been mostly empty. Once in a while, a car passes by. Otherwise — it’s all mine.
Again, the road begins to climb into the pine-covered hills. A dirt path catches my attention. I turn right. The trail leads me to a hidden, quiet beach. A surprise.
Cave of the Seal.
Cave of the seal
View of the road along the coast
It’s already evening. I didn’t feel how the day passed.
Athens – Porto Germeno. From there, along an unnamed road through forests all the way to Cave of the Seal. Then on to the town of Loutraki.
A short and fascinating route.
