Athens Riviera

PORSCHE GTS ROUTES Routes in the land of Attica A Porsche GTS is a demanding car. Even though it is a car that perfectly combines its sports character with every day practicality just like any Porsche car, it definitely demonstrates its full sports capabilities in a track or in a route along the outskirts of a city, a route that resembles an open challenging track. The land of Attica stretches in the outskirts of Athens and forms an ancient peninsula “linking” the country’s capital with the islands of the Aegean Sea. A famous ancient land which is characterized by its Mediterranean features and morphology, and is ready to reveal its secrets to anyone willing to look for them through its multitude of routes. The “Greek Riviera", as Europeans like to call it, is one of the best-known routes there. This is a coastline of approx. 65 km, while half of it is integrated in Athens, the country’s capital, since it forms the city’s southern coastal front, the open part of the Attica basin. On the north, the Attica basin is surrounded by three mountains: Parnitha, Penteli and Imitos. Our proposed route covers the second part, starting at the city boundaries, the southern suburbs. Just 25 km from the centre of Athens and the Acropolis, it stretches along the southern coastline of the area and links the Saronic Gulf with the Aegean Sea. It is approx. 30 km from the El. Venizelos International Airport and approx. 25 km from the country’s biggest passenger port, Piraeus, which is approached by large cruise ships carrying thousands of tourists every day. The ancient city of Piraeus is also the hub of coastal navigation, since it links the mainland with the 6.000 Greek islands. In terms of driving skills, it is a demanding route (no wonder it used to be part of the Acropolis Rally); it starts at the small Vouliagmeni peninsula, extends along the coast along a distance of 45 delightful kilometers and ends at the very edge of the Attica peninsula, the last rock towards the south-east which is dominated by the Poseidon temple, built in 444 BC. The setting comprises a constantly alternating sequence of small hidden beaches with crystal clear waters, piny slopes, suburbs of the city with lively restaurants and night clubs, ancient mines, small chapels, restaurants offering Mediterranean cuisine and luxury resorts. And all this can be found on both sides of the same road which, at the same time, has particular driving characteristics that highlight the virtues of a pure sports car. The DNA of a Porsche GTS blends with the DNA of an ancient world. Small and longer straights, open curves, hairpin bends, combined with uphill and downhill grades with low forward visibility, make up an exciting driving experience. Info Starting point: Vouliagmeni Finish point and turn over: Poseidon Temple, Sounio Distance: approximately 92 km both ways Fuel stations: quite a lot Tolls: no All beaches along the route have been awarded the EU blue flag. Points of Interest: Ancient Vouliagmeni Lake with subsaline water and one of the biggest undersea caves. Only 3,123 meters in the cave have been explored so far and nobody knows its actual length. One of its 14 tunnels is the longest in the world (800 m). Vouliagmeni “Limanakia”, with diving centres and deep hanging waters, ideal for diving fans. Varkiza: a stop for an ice-cream or frozen yogurt - 2 km long beach with thin sand and shallow waters Lagonissi: a short stop for sea-food St. Nickolas, Anavyssos: a small island complex with a sandy beach and a small Byzantine church Anavyssos Beach: A large, sandy beach with water sports Sounion National Park: The Park extends from Legrena area and covers an area of approx. 9,000 acres with pine forests and also includes an archaeological and mineralogy park. Anyone interested can either drive to the park, or hike through signposted paths. Poseidon Temple: Built in 444 BC, on the edge of Cape Sounion, where the Attica Land and the Saronic Gulf meet the Aegean Sea. The Cape has been a sacred place for the Greeks since Homer’s years. In addition to its archaeological interest, it is nowadays famous for its impressive sunset.