Pefki

_{The verdant Pefki}

Pefki itself is a modern seaside settlement, growing primarily in the 20th century as the small fishing community of the northernmost part of Evvoia began expanding with tourism. Older locals recall that until the 1960s–1970s it was mostly seasonal huts, fishermen’s homes, and pine-covered coastline.

Pefki became important after the 1920s population exchanges, when many refugee families settled in northern Evvoia and developed agriculture and fishing. In the 1980s–2000s, it turned into a key summer destination due to its long sandy beach and ferry link to Glyfa (Fthiotida).

However, the wider area around Pefki has more historical depth:

The Naval Battles of Artemisium (480 BC)

The naval battles at Artemisium form the maritime counterpart of the Persian invasion of Greece during the summer of 480 BC. At the same time as the famous Battle of Thermopylae, the Greek fleet held the narrow northern strait of Evvoia, preventing the Persians from bypassing the Spartans by sea.

The Greek fleet, under Themistocles, anchored at Artemisium with around 271 triremes (mainly Athenian, Corinthian, Aeginetan, and Evvoian), while the Persian fleet initially reached 1200 ships.

The Persian fleet abandoned the Thermaïkós gulf and sailed towards the Pagasitikós gulf, but did not enter it, as their rowers were exhausted. So they anchored in 8 parallel columns, with the prevailing calm weather, in the area between Kasthanaías up and A. Sipiás (outer coasts of Magnisia). It was now the beginning of August. A light breeze that had began to blow from the N in the afternoon became stronger as time passed, and by nightfall had reached storm strength, resulting in the sinking of 400 triremes. The whole of the coast was filled with wreckage and debris from the ships.

This immediately gave the Greeks a significant morale advantage. The remaining 800 ships found shelter in the bay of Afétai (Chondrí Ámmos, Andriámi). When the Greeks were informed of what had happened, they sailed back to the area of Artemísio. Strangely, the Persians did not seem willing to attack. The Greeks learned the secret reason from Skylías, who the Persians had recruited by force in Chalkidikí and had since defected by swimming back to the Greek fleet (distance of around 7 n.ml). The Persians had sent 200 triremes to circumnavigate around the island of Skiáthos – eastern coasts of Évvoia, so as to create an obstruction to the strait of Evrípos from the south.

1st Sea Battle: The Greeks decided to attack, but at sunset so that the conflict would not last long, with the hope of taking the enemy on in parts. The Persian ships that had remained in Afétai were far more than double their numbers. The Persians looked on in surprise as the outnumbered Greeks sailed against them. The conflict was violent and brief, as night was falling, with the Greeks capturing 30 Persian triremes and the fleets then returning and sailing back to their anchorages.
The Greek fleet was reinforced the next day with 53 Athenian triremes. Just at the break of dawn, lightning bolts could be seen way off to the SE and a light sirocco (SE) wind started to blow.

2nd Sea Battle: Later that day, the sirocco wind had turned into a storm with thunder and lightning and the heavy rain along the coasts of the Koílon gulf (Petriés) smashed against the 200 Persian ships. The Greeks then decided to attack for a second time at sunset. This attack resulted in the destruction of the Kilikías fleet (Asia Minor). Both fleets retreated once again with nightfall.

3rd Sea Battle: The Persian admirals were now enraged with the Greeks and they decided to force an attack the next day, not during the afternoon but at midday. The Persian tactic was to encircle the Greeks with their many ships, a fact which the Greeks had understood and so had lined themselves up, with their sterns against the coast. An incredible conflict took place and both parties suffered damages. Neither side was victorious and at night both fleets retreated to their anchorages. Even though there was no dominant side, Themistoklés was triumphant and justifiably so, as his instigation to stay in Artemísio in order to confront the Persians was vindicated. The naval battles had proven that the Persian fleet was not completely invulnerable. However, that same night came the most terrible news. Thermopýlae had fallen. Leonídas and the 300 Spartans were dead. The Greek fleet then took the decision to set sail towards the Saronic Gulf.

This withdrawal was not a defeat, but a deliberate preservation of the fleet for the final stage of the war.

Outcome & Historical Significance

The sea battles at Artemisium:

• Prevented the Persian fleet from outflanking Thermopylae
• Delayed the Persian advance
• Trained the Greek crews under real combat conditions
• Boosted morale among the allied Greek cities
• And most importantly: kept the majority of the Greek fleet intact, allowing it weeks later to crush the Persian navy at Salamis (480 BC)

Without Artemisium, the Battle of Salamis might never have happened.

Sightseeing

One of the Longest Beaches in Evvoia

Pefki’s beach stretches for over 4 km, with shallow waters and pine trees almost touching the sea. It’s ideal for walking, swimming, and long sunset views across the Maliakos Gulf.

Cape Pefki

Beautiful spot for sunrise/sunset, with views to the North Aegean and Skiathos.

A mix of pine forests and seafront

As its name suggests, Pefki is framed by dense pine areas, especially inland toward Artemisio mountain. Walking paths and shaded routes give the village a relaxed, “island-with-forest” character.

Gateway to the Lichadonisia

From the port of Pefki, summer boats go to the Lichadonisia, the famous “Greek Seychelles”. This is one of the major reasons people choose to stay in Pefki.

Perfect base for northern Evvoia exploration

Pefki gives direct access to:

• Orei (ancient ruins + Venetian castle + Bull of Orei)
• Istiaia (ancient city site, archaeology + modern-town atmosphere)
• Artemisio (site of the famous naval battles, 480 BC)
• Beaches of Agiokampos, Ellinika, Kanatadika
• Pefki–Glyfa ferry, connecting Evvoia with Fthiotida and the rest of Central Greece.

Flavours of Pefki & North Evvoia

The region is known for:

• Fresh fish and seafood, often from local boats
• Local honey, especially pine and thyme varieties
• Tsipouro and ouzo from small local producers
• Evvoian cheeses (kasseri, graviera, mizithra)
• Traditional spoon sweets from nearby villages