Marathi in Greece

Marathi lies between Lipsi and Arki in the northern Dodecanese islands. If you are looking for a Greek island where you can play Robinson Crusoe, you do not need to look any longer, Marathi is exactly what you have been looking for. Certainly the island is inhabited, but here lives so few people so the island is perceived as uninhabited. Marathi is so small by area that it is hardly possible to measure and it is also Greece's least inhabited island, here lives a dozen people during the summer months, during the winter months the population is reduced to three people. Wonder what they do all day?

Almost whole Marathi on the same picture.

There is not much to do, not even during high season. In other words, Marathi is an ideal island for those who want to do nothing and for those who wish to escape today's busy consumer society. Marathi is a paradise for people suffering from burnout and should be prescribed on prescription by the doctor.

Here are three tavernas, three pensions, two jetties, one cemetery, one tiny church, a few goats and a pretty nice sandy beach. There are no shops, no cars, no scooters, no villages and no roads. Although the island is so small, it is still some tourists who travels here, but most of them only stay a few hours to eat lunch and to take a swim at the small beach. Tourists who stay overnight are easily counted.

I hardly need to mention that you should pack a big pile of books in your backpack if you are going to stay overnight on Marathi. A more perfect "sit-and-read-books-in-the-shadow-island" is hard to find. Here are five suggestions for books to read on Marathi:
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel.
- Expedition L by Erlend Loe.
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding.
- Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe.
- And then there where none by Agatha Christie.

Little Marathi is a paradise for you who seek peace and quiet.

TRAVEL TO MARATHI

Package holidays are arranged by all major package holiday operators. No, I'm just kidding. To Marathi it is obviously not possible to go on a package holiday. How would it look like. :-)

There are no regular boat services to Marathi, instead you have to rely on the excursion boats from Leros, Lipsi or Patmos. I prefer to go from Lipsi, mostly because I like Lipsi so much.

If you want to stay overnight on Marathi, just tell the boat owner for how long you want to stay and then take the same excursion boat back again. Keep in mind that the boat will cancel the trip if the wind blows too much, there is a risk that you will remain on Marathi longer than you expected.

Read more about the excursion boats to Marathi here »

Marathi beach and excursion boats from Lipsi.

GETTING AROUND IN MARATHI

There can hardly be no talk of travelling around, possibly walk or swim around. Everything that exists on Marathi is within sight and therefore it only takes a couple of feet to get around.

VILLAGES IN MARATHI

Naturally, there are no villages in plural or in singular. The beach itself is the village, so to speak. There is one taverna at either end of the beach, and one taverna at the middle of the beach. There are no shops, all meals are eaten at one of the tavernas. Water and other drinks are available for purchase in the tavernas.

It do not exist any nightlife, of course not, the amusement is what you yourself make of it. The few who stay overnight usually spend the evenings at one of the tavernas, and maybe they revel in some local wine and nibble on some homemade goat cheese. Maybe they read a book, or philosophize about who they are, what they have done, and what to do in the future.

Taverna Marathi.

In my opinion, the best taverna is Taverna Marathi at the far left on the beach, seen from the sea. Michalis - who owns the taverna - is one of the three all-year-round residents. He is commonly known as the pirate, you'll understand why when you see him. Try to eat goat, it's fantastic! Next to the taverna is a souvenir shop that sells postcards and pictures from Marathi. You will have to wait until you get to civilization again to post your postcards.

BEACHES IN MARATHI

There is only one beach, if it had not existed, no one would go to Marathi. The beach is actually really good, the water alternates between green and blue and is usually completely calm thanks to the protective bay. The bay is perfect for sailors who are looking for a night harbour, there are often sailboats swing on anchor off the beach.

The beach on Marathi is quite good.

SIGHTS IN MARATHI

Is there a need for sights on such a small island? Is not the island itself a tourist attraction? Sure it is. If you should happen to miss interesting curiosities, you can always bring a book about ancient Greece and look at pictures of historic sites. If it do not help, walk a little bit above the beach and look at the minimal settlement that once stood there. The settlement (there are only a few houses) was abandoned after World War II and is in ruins. Next to the "village" is the island's only church - Agios Nikolaos.

The church of Agios Nikolaos is Marathi's only sight.

ACCOMODATION IN MARATHI

If you want to stay overnight, you should call ahead to make a reservation. Not that I think that there are no rooms available, but to be on the safe side. It would be sad to have to go back the same day you arrive. If you are travelling during high season you must pre-book. There are three places to choose from:

Michalis is to the left on the beach. Phone: +30 22470-31580.
Stavrakos is at the middle of the beach. Telephone: + 30 22470-32900.
Pantelis is to the right on the beach. Telephone: + 30 22470-32609.

If you like calm islands like Marathi you will love Agathonissi and Telendos as well.