Marinas across Greece are being expanded and improved, boosting the country’s transport links but also making the harbours more environmentally friendly in good news for nearby homeowners.
On islands such as Corfu and Rhodes, Greece is privatising marinas by handing over management to private investors in a global trend seen across different western economies. The action plan in Greece has brought some quick results, boosting the quality of services on offer at several marinas that have already received global recognition.
Greece’s privatisations office HRADF is in charge of the deals that are attracting interest from investors eager to take advantage of the country’s strong tourism prospects and low asset prices.
It is important to highlight here the difference between a marina and a port: marinas provide docking, storage, and related services to recreational boat owners and do not accommodate large passenger or cargo ships. These are vessels that dock at ports.
Over the summer period, investor bids are expected for the construction of a new impressive marina at Corfu that will accommodate 98 megayachts plus a luxury hotel, restaurant and tennis courts. Later in the year, the tender for the upgrading of existing facilities at Lefkimi, southern Corfu, is also on the cards.
The development of the marina in Kefalonia is also inching ahead, as are plans for new harbours in Zakynthos. Itea (central Greece), Mykonos and Mandraki (Rhodes).
The new projects are being welcomed by those sailing into the country on their own private boat in a highly competitive global travel industry worth more than 40 billion euros per year.
The quality of services offered at marinas is crucial in attracting tourists, along with the surrounding environment on offer.
In a bid to further improve the experience, marinas in Greece are also providing a mix of additional services, such as hospitality and cultural events, that are available to visitors and local residents alike.
Those with a house on a nearby beach can enjoy the increased entertainment options but there are also wider long-term benefits.
Better management of marinas often result in the adoption of greener power, higher recycling rates and improved safety rules. This all helps keep air and sea conditions clean, translating into sustainably high living standards and property values.
Having a spot near your home to moor a boat can also add up to 100 percent to the value of the property, according to real estate experts.
First awards
Greece’s decision to upgrade its marinas has started to pay off.
Earlier this year, the Flisvos Marina in southern Athens was recognised by the European Foundation for Quality Management as a “5 -star organisation using the EFQM Model” in the Business Excellence Certification Schemes of the Institute for Sustainability & Growth (INBIAN).
This follows on the ‘Recognised for Excellence 4-star’ certification Flisvos Marina has maintained since 2018.
The Athens marina is a good example of a successful privatisation. Since being handed over to Lamda Flisvos Marina SA in 2002, it has become one of the capital’s most popular spots.
It provides an array of restaurants, bars and recreational services, helping transform the southern Athens coast, also known as the Athens Riviera, into a hot spot for homeowners. Those looking for a house by the coast with sea views have been snapping up homes and apartments along the beach stretch, running from Piraeus through to Sounio.
The marina in Lefkas (Lefkada) has also been recognised for its high-end services. The harbour was ranked among Europe’s top ten on a list prepared by Danish international shipping and logistics company DFDS. The marina is seen as being one of the most modern in the Mediterranean and as acting as a great base to travel around Western Greece, DFDS notes.
Top 10
According to a list put together by MarinaReservation.com, we have outlined below the top 10 marinas in Greece.
- Athens (Flisvos) Marina – Athens
Athens Marina is one of the best marinas in Athens. Located only 9 km away from the centre of the capital, this port offers top quality services to worldwide guests and can accommodate up to 130 yachts. - Rhodes Marina– Rhodes Island
Rhodes Marina is located in Rhodes, the biggest of the Dodecanese islands and is able to accommodate vessels of all sizes including yachts of 120 m. Some of the amenities this marina provides include elegant restaurants, VIP services, boutiques, maintenance and assistance, 250-400 ton travelift, 24h surveillance, parking. - Gouvia Marina – Corfu Island
Gouvia Marina is located approximately 6 km away from Corfu town, in a picturesque natural area. The port offers 2 entrances and it is open all year round. Some of the services include a boatyard with a 75t travel hoist, reception office, repair & painting service and fuel station. - Kos marina– Kos Island
Kos Marina is a modern port renowned for its landscape and sailing facilities. The port provides water, electricity, mooring lines, satellite, TV, telephone weather forecast, postal service, along with modern meeting rooms and guests’ suites equipped with the latest technologies. - Lefkas Marina– Lefkada Island
Lefkas Marina is one of the best marinas in Greece in terms of modern facilities. It is open 365 days per year and offers very good shelter being located on the canal that divides the Lefkas Islands. Lefkas Marina provides all the basic marina services and extras such as laundry service, on-site shops. - Port Zakynthos– Zakynthos Island
Marina Zakynthos is on the island’s eastern side and is surrounded by shopping facilities, so it is a good opportunity to refill your vessel with various supplies. Zakynthos harbour provides basic amenities such as water, electricity, nearby fuel station. - Sani Marina – Halkidiki
Sani Marina is an elegant port located in the Kassandra Peninsula in Halkidiki. It is found in a perfectly sheltered area and the entrance channel is dredged up to a depth of 3 meters. The biggest advantage of this marina is that you can arrange an all-inclusive holiday here. The marina is part of the larger Sani Resort which comprises of 5-star accommodation. - Olympic Marina – Lavrion, Attica
Olympic Marina is a modern mooring option located in Lavrion, in the southeastern part of Attica. This area is famous for its splendid beaches and the Sounion National Park, a vast area covered by pine trees. Olympic Marina is open all year round and provides excellent facilities such as ATM, free WiFi, laundry and dryers, 24h surveillance, repair services, waste collection, etc. - Mykonos New Port – Mykonos Island
Mykonos Marina, known as Mykonos New Port is situated north of the town of Mykonos. This marina provides a complete set of basic marina amenities such as water and electricity, as well as different nautical services such as master harbor, service station, crane, seamanship, ramp. The new port of Mykonos will enable you to visit the myriad attractions of Mykonos. - Agios Nikolaos – Crete Island
Agios Nikolaos Marina is located in the town of Agios Nikolaos, on the northern coast of the island. Mooring here will enable you to access a generous set of services including ramp & travelift, fuel station, toilets & showers, laundry service, waste collection, fire safety service, boat maintenance & repairs, parking area, internet. Events such as exhibitions take place at this port regularly.
