And how it felt to be there
I felt drained enough from work to crave beauty and relaxation – the kind of thirst only a vacationless summer causes. I never went to Sithonia before going for a total of 12 days this summer, all being workation, so my perspective here is very practical – the closest, most convenient beaches, that could still satisfy that thirst. Here’s my list of must-feel beaches that a remote worker would appreciate. The order is not particular – every one of them solves a separate problem.
1. Spathies beach
I look for beaches on the map. So what played a big role here was proximity – I was based in Nikiti and was looking for a beach that’s not an urban one, or preoccupied with amenities, but still close enough to go there for a swim before work. Spathies surprised me in the best way possible – it’s situated in a small cove, almost empty at 8:30, with water so still that staring at it could make you easily go asleep again, particularly if you skipped the cup of coffee so you can spend more time here. The cove is closed by steep cliffs on both sides, with a small house on top of the right one, almost hidden by lush greenery, serviced by narrow concrete stairs conveniently leading straight to the sea if fishing is something you like to do – I can totally imagine living there once I retire.
2. Lagomandra
A whole day at the beach can benefit from some amenities and here’s where Lagomandra shines – it has man-built ones, like a tavern perfect for an early afternoon draught beer, or a small grocery store for an ice-cream. And natural ones, like the pine forest right behind the beach, where no day could ever feel scorching hot. A nice bonus is the snorkeling spot at its southern tip, where small colorful fish just mind their own business – the closest thing to a day off I had all summer.
3. Trani Ammouda
If you are visiting Sithonia in peak summer season at some point you will just seek a big, spacious beach, which might not be exactly cute or picturesque, but where beauty is very much present through vastness and crystal clear waters. A mountainous backdrop adds some drama, if you are after that. Trani Ammouda turned out to be far from your average boring big sandy beach – it definitely has character to it. It resembles Greek towns quite nicely – even if very busy, it still feels slow and carefree, like everyone there had quietly agreed to stop rushing.
Bonus: Lagonisi
I only write it as a bonus one, because I am still far away from looking for those “family friendly” and overly convenient places, that from my experience seem to be the most naturally beautiful ones, but a bit ruined by noise and commercialization. However, even if a bit too packed and loud, Lagonisi is a beautiful, picture-perfect beach, that deserves an honorary mention. And when I went there in May, it was perfectly calm, so at moments it still could feel like being discovered.
Sithonia turned out to be proof that convenience and beauty can share the same twelve days. And if this is what a workation feels like, I’m not sure I missed a vacation at all.
