Markopoulo
Markopoulo Mesogaias is a municipality in East Attica, in the heart of the Mesogeia plain, a short distance from Athens "Eleftheri...
Updated 17 July 2026
The story
The story of Markopoulo
Mesogeia and the eastern position of Markopoulo
Markopoulo Mesogaias rises in the eastern part of Attica, within the plain of Mesogeia, the vast agricultural area that extends between the Hymettus massif and the coast of the Aegean Sea. The name of the region itself, Mesogeia, literally means "middle land," indicating its inland position relative to the Attic coasts, historically less frequented by mass tourism compared to Athens or the southern coast, but always the productive heart of the region. The proximity to the "Eleftherios Venizelos" international airport, built right in Mesogeia, has made Markopoulo a logistical landmark for those arriving in or departing from Athens, without however affecting its rural character. Walking through its streets, one can still breathe the atmosphere of a Greek agricultural center, with squares, churches, and markets coexisting with a growing hospitality offering linked to food and wine tourism and sports.
The wine and agriculture of Mesogeia
Mesogeia is considered one of the most important wine regions in Greece, and Markopoulo represents one of its historical centers. The vineyards surrounding the town have for centuries produced indigenous grapes, particularly Savatiano, which forms the base of the famous retsina, the resinous wine that represents one of the country's most recognizable enological traditions. Alongside wine, local agriculture has developed around olive groves, vegetable gardens, and small family farms, in a gently undulating landscape that still characterizes the municipal territory today. Numerous wineries in the area, some family-run for generations, offer tastings and guided tours, contributing to a growing wine tourism that complements the historical and sporting attractions of the area. This productive vocation is not only economic but also identity-based: Mesogeia, and Markopoulo in particular, remain linked to an image of rural and authentic Greece, far from the stereotypes of the islands.
The Athens Hippodrome and the Olympic Equestrian Center
One of the most recognizable symbols of Markopoulo is the Athens Hippodrome, moved here from the city center in view of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, along with the nearby Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Center. The latter was built specifically to host the 2004 Olympic and Paralympic equestrian competitions, including dressage, show jumping, and eventing, and still represents one of the most visible infrastructural legacies of that event in the Mesogeia region. In addition to horse racing and betting, the hippodrome hosts events, fairs, and exhibitions that animate the territory throughout the year, while the equestrian center continues to be used for sporting activities, riding lessons, and national-level competitions. For Markopoulo, this sporting vocation complements its agricultural one, making the municipality a point of reference both for wine lovers and for those interested in equestrian sports.
The sanctuary of Brauron and the cult of Artemis
A few kilometers from Markopoulo, along the eastern coast of Attica, lies the ancient sanctuary of Brauron, known in Greek as Vravrona, one of the most important places of worship dedicated to the goddess Artemis in antiquity. The sanctuary, in use since the Archaic and Classical periods, was linked to female initiation rites and ceremonies in honor of the goddess hunter and protector of wild nature, and is today an archaeological site that preserves remains of temples, porticos, and ceremonial structures in a highly evocative natural setting, among wetlands and hills. The proximity of Brauron to Markopoulo allows for combining a visit to an internationally significant archaeological site with the exploration of the municipality's vineyards and equestrian activities in a single day, thus offering an itinerary that intertwines ancient history, religious mythology, and contemporary traditions of Mesogeia.
The coast and Porto Rafti
Beyond its agricultural and sporting hinterland, the territory of Markopoulo opens towards the eastern coast of Attica, where the bay of Porto Rafti is located, one of the most popular seaside destinations in the area. The bay takes its name from an ancient statue, no longer visible in its original location on a small islet, which according to popular tradition depicted a tailor ("rafti" in Greek), hence the place name. The area's beaches, sandy and well-sheltered, are frequented especially by those seeking a quieter alternative to the more famous seaside resorts of Attica, while remaining easily accessible from Athens and the airport. Porto Rafti and its coastline complete Markopoulo's tourist offering, allowing for alternating visits to the vineyards, the hippodrome, and the sanctuary of Brauron with moments of relaxation by the sea, in an area that unites the hinterland and the coast within a few kilometers.
How to experience Markopoulo: connections and airport
Markopoulo is well-suited to be experienced as a stop on a broader itinerary in Mesogeia, thanks to its strategic location a short distance from Athens International Airport and the main road axes connecting the capital to the eastern coast of Attica. Those landing at "Eleftherios Venizelos" can reach Markopoulo in just a few minutes by car, making the municipality a convenient starting point for a stay dedicated to wine, equestrian sports, and archaeology, without necessarily needing to rely on central Athens. The presence of the hippodrome, wineries, and the nearby sanctuary of Brauron allows for the creation of one or more day trips that alternate cultural visits, tastings, and moments of relaxation on the coast at Porto Rafti. For those wishing to discover a side of Attica less connected to mass tourism, Markopoulo therefore represents an authentic base from which to explore Mesogeia in its entirety.
Experiences not to be missed
- Wine and retsina tasting at a Mesogeia winery
- Wine and retsina tasting at a Mesogeia winery
- Wine and retsina tasting at a Mesogeia winery
- Wine and retsina tasting at a Mesogeia winery
- Wine and retsina tasting at a Mesogeia winery
- Wine and retsina tasting at a Mesogeia winery
- Wine and retsina tasting at a Mesogeia winery
- Wine and retsina tasting at a Mesogeia winery
- Wine and retsina tasting at a Mesogeia winery
- Wine and retsina tasting at a Mesogeia winery
- Wine and retsina tasting at a Mesogeia winery
- Wine and retsina tasting at a Mesogeia winery
- Wine and retsina tasting at a Mesogeia winery
To see
