Taste
Bread from a fourth-generation bakery, a painted church in the fields, a Savatiano tasting at the winery, and the plain’s figs to take home.
Markopoulo is a farming town of vines and fig trees. Start at Daremas, a family bakery in its fourth generation, then drive out through the fields past Panagia Varaba, a domed church of the twelfth to thirteenth century.
At Papagiannakos, a family winery founded in 1919 and devoted to the local Savatiano, a tour of the vineyard and cellar ends with a tasting. The local figs, the Vasilika and Mavra varieties, are sold under a protected geographical indication by the producers below.
Family business in Markopoulo growing figs since 1919: Royal and Black Markopoulo figs (PGI 'Syka Vravronas Markopoulou Mesogeion') on six plots in the area, without fertilisers or chemicals according to the business. Royal figs ripen from early August to late September, Black figs from August to October. Supplies fresh figs to traders.
Grower of fresh figs of the two local varieties, Royal and Royal Black Markopoulo figs (PGI 'Syka Vravronas Markopoulou'), on four family-owned orchards in the Markopoulo area. Figs are packed in certified facilities and sold on the Greek and export markets. Also grows Hayward kiwifruit.
The Papasotiriou family's fig orchards: four orchards of Royal Black Markopoulo figs (PGI), the oldest at Drivlia – Porto Rafti and three at the foot of Mt Merenta (Malexi, Kadi, Agios Athanasios). At its Markopoulo facility the family sorts and packs fresh figs and makes fig jam.
Fourth-generation family business growing organic Markopoulo PGI figs of the Royal and Royal Black varieties on its own farms; the switch to organic farming began in the early 2000s. The family handles picking, sorting, packing and shipping for the local market and for export.
Family pistachio business: about 150 trees on 10 stremmata of irrigated family estates in Markopoulo Mesogaias, plus growers in the area and elsewhere in Greece (about 1,200 trees on 45 stremmata in total). Pistachios are hand-picked, hulled and dried. Also sells almonds, Corinthian currants and nut mixes. Office in Nea Smyrni, Athens.
Half day · 3 stops · 7.3 km end to end
1Stop 1 of 3
Fourth-generation family bakery in Markopoulo. The family food business began in 1888; Sofia and George Daremas started the bakery in the mid-20th century. Breads, koulouria (cookies), rusks and pastries, kneaded and shaped by hand.
Open every day from 06:00, as the bakery publishes.
2.8 km to the next stop
2Stop 2 of 3
Twelfth- to thirteenth-century domed, free-cross church with wall paintings from several periods.
4.4 km to the next stop
3Stop 3 of 3
A family winery founded in 1919 and devoted to Savatiano, in a bioclimatic building completed in 2007. Visits and tastings by appointment.
Vineyard and cellar tours with a tasting, by appointment; wines can be bought after the visit.
Distances are straight-line.
Next experience · Sea
On the water at Porto Rafti
Dive, sail, wing-surf or take a boat out on the bay, then swim at Avlaki and eat by the water.
See the experience