A beach more than two kilometres long, the history of a community with roots on Afisia, and hiking opportunities on Dragoudeli reveal different sides of Sarti. Mini-cruises around Mount Athos are another possible activity. This gives you a practical question to consider when planning your trip: should your stay focus mainly on the water, take in the landscape on foot, or centre on the origins of the place?

Beach, water and hiking

Sarti’s beach stretches for more than two kilometres and is suitable for swimming and water sports. Its length makes it a central part of planning a stay by the water. Operators and availability for individual water sports may vary.

Mini-cruises that circle Mount Athos depart from Sarti’s small harbour. Unlike swimming and water sports at the beach, these trips focus on travelling around the mountain. As availability and operations may vary by season, check in advance whether a trip is offered on your planned date.

Dragoudeli rises behind Sarti. The mountain offers hiking opportunities with views of Mount Athos opposite and the Aegean horizon. This provides a contrast to activities by the sea: here, the mountain trail and views of Athos and the Aegean go hand in hand.

History and cultural memory

After the Asia Minor Catastrophe, Sarti was founded by refugees who had lived on the island of Ofiousa (Afisia) in the Sea of Marmara. They first stayed in Lavrio; between 1923 and 1925, they settled in the Sarti area. This sequence distinguishes their first place of stay in Lavrio from their later settlement in the Sarti area.

The Sarti Historical & Folklore Museum is divided into two exhibition rooms: the Afisia Room is dedicated to the old homeland, and the Sarti – New Afisia Room to the new homeland. The collection includes artefacts, documents, photographs, oral testimonies and genealogical records relating to the community’s history. The museum has no fixed opening hours; contact it before your visit.

Historic sites in the surrounding area

West of Sarti lies the Agiopavlitiko Metochi of the Xiropotamou Monastery, also known as “Kryfo Scholeio.” The Church of Zoodochos Pigi stands beside the metochi. The first families lived there after arriving from Lavrio.

Above Platanitsi, the ruins of watermills that belonged to the monastery’s metochi there are preserved. Plane trees and pines grow around the ruins. The church and the mills are thus connected with different historical contexts: the church is associated with the first families’ place of residence, while the ruins are associated with the metochi near Platanitsi.

Hotels in Sarti to suit your travel plans

When looking for hotels in Sarti, you can first decide what you want your trip to focus on: the beach for swimming and water sports, a seasonal trip around Mount Athos, hikes on Dragoudeli, or the community’s history.

Discover more destinations: Sykia, Ayios Nikolaos, Toroni, Metagkitsi, Akti Salonikiou, Kalamitsi, Nikiti, Neos Marmaras

For the main travel overview: Sithonia.