If you’ve been doing a little research on things to do around Athens, you may have come across mentions of Artemida, a small seaside town locals know and love, mostly because of one of the most popular beaches in the region.

Also known as Loutsa, Artemida is about 30 kilometers (around 18 miles) east of central Athens. It’s a favorite weekend escape for Athenians, just a 40-minute drive to get from the city buzz to a wide sandy beach with views of Euboea Island. Along the coast, you’ll find beach bars, cafés, and tavernas so close to the water you can feel the sea spray. In the summer, this place is alive, a magnet for both locals and tourists looking for some sun, sea, and Greek hospitality.

But here's something most people don’t know: Artemida isn’t just about beach towels and frappés.

A Hidden Wetland Just Steps from the Beach

A few hundred meters from the sunbeds and beach bars, there’s a surprising slice of wilderness, one of the last remaining natural wetlands in the Attica region. It might not look like much at first glance—a patch of reeds, some shallow water, low-lying greenery, but it’s alive with wildlife, quietly thriving in its own rhythm.

This wetland is a natural sanctuary. If you slow down and really look, you’ll find a whole ecosystem pulsing with life. It’s home to a variety of animals, some of which you’d never expect to find so close to the capital.

Home to Unexpected Wildlife

According to the information boards set up on-site, here are just a few of the creatures you might come across:

• Foxes - shy and mostly active at night, they roam the edges

• Hedgehogs - small and beloved by locals

• Green toads - great at blending in with their surroundings

• Balkan lizards - fast, sun-loving reptiles

• Marginated tortoises - calm, steady symbols of the wild

• Water snakes - quiet and sleek, gliding through the reeds

You’ll also find bats, insects, and all kinds of reptiles. This place never really sleeps, something’s always happening, even if you can’t always see it.

Birdwatcher’s Paradise

Love birds? (The feathered kind.) Artemida’s wetland is a dream spot. Local signs list 15 key bird species you’re likely to spot, but over 140 species have been recorded here!

Keep an eye out for:

• Grey herons

• Purple herons

• Little egrets

• Squacco herons

• Black-winged stilts

• Avocets

• Wood sandpipers

• Broad-billed sandpipers

• Ferruginous ducks

• Teals

• Little crakes

• Moorhens

• Coots

• Black-headed gulls

• Penduline tits

• And even kingfishers!

Birdwatching here is peaceful, easy to get into, and perfect for kids and adults alike. The signs are beginner-friendly, with photos and info to help you figure out who’s who.

Why This Place Matters

This isn’t just a nice natural spot, it’s part of a larger ecological network in Eastern Attica. The wetland offers:

• Shelter and food for wildlife

• A crucial stop for migratory birds

• Natural water filtration and drainage

• A space for learning, science, and low-key recreation

It’s officially protected under the Athens - Attica Spatial Plan (2021) and classified as a “Priority I Wetland,” meaning it’s considered ecologically important and legally safeguarded.

What’s Allowed (and What’s Not)

Not Allowed:

• Construction or any kind of building

• Dumping or landfilling

• Loud noise

• Anything that harms the environment

Allowed:

• Ecological restoration efforts

• Recreational visits, educational tours, scientific research

• Fencing off fragile areas

• Eco-friendly infrastructure like walking trails and viewing platforms

The laws aren’t just rules, they’re a statement that this place matters and needs to be preserved.

The Risks It Faces

Sadly, like many wetlands around the world, this one faces its share of threats:

• Illegal land use and dumping

• Trash and wastewater pollution

• Human interference during bird nesting seasons

• Declining bird populations

Want to Learn More?

Artemida Wetland Information Center
📞 +30 22940 49000

Hellenic Ornithological Society
📞 +30 210 8228704 / +30 210 8227937
🌐 www.ornithologiki.gr

Artemida may be famous for its beach, but it’s the wetland that makes this place truly special. So next time you're in Athens, maybe skip the crowded tourist trail for a few hours. Head to the coast, grab a coffee, and go meet a quieter side of Greece, wild, feathered, and unforgettable.

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