MUNICIPALITY of POLICHNITOS
Vatera

With a length of 8 kilometres and width of 10 to 30 metres, Vatera is a beautiful beach covered with coarse-grained itacolumnite sand, rubbles and mar-ram grass trees.
Because of its position –in the south part of the island –it is protected from the usual summer north winds (meltemi). The seafront is crystal clear because the water is renewed in the open sea.

On either end of the beach two rivers flow into the sea forming interesting biotopes, Almiropotamos in the west and Vourkos in the east. Almiropotamos, which springs from the hot springs of Polichnitos and flows all year round, is a shelter to a great number of turtles, water snakes, water hens and other bird species straying from neighboring biotopes such as the one of the gulf of Kalloni. One of the advantages of Almiropotamos is its riparian ways that give an easy  access to visitors for the exploration of the area in great depth. In addition, the flora found on the riverside is unique and of great interest.
West from Almiropotamos begins the cape of St.Fokas. At its very end there is the picturesque piscatorial shelter and above that there is St.Fokas’ chapel next to the ruins of early Christian churches built with material coming from the ancient temple of Dionysus. A little further on, there are small sheltered sandy beaches, where you can go either on foot or by boat.

The area of Vatera hosts the majority of visitors of our Municipality. There is a satisfying number of hotels and rooms to rent as well as a camping site where they can obtain a pleasant and affordable stay. The development of agro tourism in the recent years is very important too.
Local restaurants and taverns selling fresh fish, local meat and fresh, homemade food cooked in olive oil accompanied by homegrown vegetables are a good solution to those who do not wish or are unable to cook their own food.
Furthermore, the clean and cheap cafes of Vrisa, serving a great variety of exquisite starters (meze) for ouzo, day and night, are a nice alternative for an outing.
Visitors can enjoy their coffee, ice cream, traditional sweets, drinks and dancing- 24 hours a day- at the local cafes and bars.

According to their interests, visitors can:
@ play on the long sandy beach and the open sea without bothering anyone or being bothered.
@ do water sports with safety despite the open, yet windward, sea.
@ walk near the coast or through olive yards and pine forests in order to discover the beauties of the area.
@ fish and go scuba diving.
@ enjoy the beautiful view from the top of Mount Helias.
@ swim alone or in company at the two edges of the beach and the small sandy beaches near St. Fokas becoming one with nature.
@ visit the exhibition of the Collection of Natural History and the church of Zoedochos Pigi (Life-giving Spring) with its amazing wood carved temple at the village of Vrisa, enjoying their coffee under the big plane tree later on.
@ experience the beneficial effects of the healing water of Polichnitos and Lisvory hot springs.
@ groove every night enjoying more the moonlit ones.
@ join or attend folk feasts or performances in all the villages of the area.

In Vatera all newspapers and magazines arrive the latest till midday. There is also the possibility to book tickets and rent cars. The beach is organized with beach volley and football facilities as well as deck chairs, sun umbrellas, canoes and water bikes. Finally, there is plenty of parking space.
The four existing mini markets can serve basic needs. Visitors can purchase more goods in Vrisa (2Km). The Health Centre, pharmacies and a bank are all located in Polichnitos. (7Km).

Vatera is convenient for any sort of vacation- intense or not, with or without a family- because of its size. Although thousands of people visit it every year nobody has ever felt suffocated by the presence of others.
“Summer holidays in Vatera may be the best of your life. It is a promise we make for the first time you’ll visit our place. For the second time and the ones to follow you’ll be already sure about your decision to return because of your previous experience.” (Efstratios Nikelis, Headmaster of the Unified High School in Polichnitos.)