Sailing to the islands near Athens, with history, style and distinguished visitors are ideal for a quick getaway all year round
Take your yacht or the hydrofoil from the port of Alimos – Athens and get to know the charming little islands near Athens. A short distance from Athens, these heavenly islands offer stunning seaside landscapes, beautiful beaches, historic monuments, stately buildings and one-of-a-kind hospitality. Explore these heavenly islands close to Athens.
1. Spetses. Τhe sea captains’ island, Spetses promises la ‘dolce vita’, whether for a quick weekend getaway or a long holiday. Have a leisurely coffee in Dapia, as you look across the sea towards Kosta and Porto Heli on the Peloponnese. Walk along the waterfront, past the handsome mansions below St Nicholas’ church, to the Old Harbour with its traditional boatyards. Then visit the Bouboulina and Hatzigiannis-Mexis museums.
2. Hydra. The aristocratic island of Hydra invites you to experience its beauty that has enchanted international jet setters, artists like Chagall and Picasso and musicians like the late great Leonard Cohen. The port town is cosmopolitan and elegant, with its 18th-century mansions, captains’ homes, old churches, and marble-flagged steps that serve as streets on this steep island. A trip to take you back in time.
3. Poros. A place beloved by Seferis, the Greek Nobel laureate, and ground-breaking writer Henry Miller, with its beautiful nature, vintage charm and peaceful ambience. A stone’s throw from Galata on the mainland, in Poros you’ll find small tavernas, yacht marinas, neoclassical buildings, a clock tower, pine forests reaching the sea, serenity and relaxation.
4. Aegina. Just an hour from the port of Piraeus, Aegina is the island closest to Athens. Here you’ll enjoy ancient temples, stone-built Byzantine churches, a delightful old-fashioned port town, delicious local pistachio nuts, and a swimming season that lasts until late autumn. This charming, welcoming island will entice you as it has thousands of others from around the world, who have chosen to make it their second home.
5. Angistri. This tiny island, just 5 minutes from Aegina and about an hour from Piraeus, offers pine-studded landscapes, beautiful bays and hidden coves, pure nature for trekking and biking, and picturesque seaside tavernas – perfect for an alternative holiday.
6. Tzia/Kea. Close to Athens – just one hour from the port of Lavrio – Tzia/Kea will charm you with its cosmopolitan ambience, unique beaches and the mysteries hiding on its seabed.
7.Kythnos. Picturesque villages boast narrow streets of cobbled stone and gardens full of flowers; tiny chapels pop up on rocky headlands and within forest glades. So much “hidden” beauty and authentic Aegean character, and just a short hop by ferry, really close to Athens. With a long history starting in the mists of the Mesolithic period, Kythnos, modest and hospitable, unexpectedly beautiful and serene, welcomes you.
From our base in Athens, Kalamaki marina, you can follow two main sailing routes: The Saronic route and the Cyclades route.
The Saronic islands of Aegina, Poros, Angistri, Hydra, Dokos, Spetses and the Peloponnesian coast offer smooth sailing sheltered from strong winds.
The Saronic route is highly recommended for easy sailing, especially in July and August for avoiding the strong winds blowing down in the Cyclades, also for a shorter break of less than two weeks. Along this route you will find many Cosmopolitan towns, ancient temples, Byzantine castles, small fishing ports and unspoiled anchorages.
You should not miss a visit to Poros, Hydra, Spetses, also Yerakas, Leonidion, Monemvasia (referred to as the Greek Gibraltar), Elaphonissos and Kithira will also surprise you for their natural beauty, sandy beaches, the totally unspoiled and friendly small ports and peaceful anchorages.
One week sailing Itinerary Total distance: 90 NM (Less Experienced Sailors) |
One week sailing Itinerary Total distance: 138 NM |
Two weeks sailing Itinerary Total distance: 256 NM (Experienced Sailors) |
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1. Alimos – Aghia Marina 12.9 NM | 1. Alimos – Poros 29.0 NM | 1. Alimos – Aegina 17.0 NM |
2. Aghia Marina – Perdika 8.0 NM | 2. Poros – Spetses 26.8 NM | 2. Aegina – Aghistri 4.1 NM |
3. Perdika – Aegina 3.8 NM | 3. Spetses – Ermioni 9.9 NM | 3. Aghistri – Epidavros 10.5 NM |
4. Aegina – Aghistri 4.2 NM | 4. Ermioni – Hydra 9.8 NM | 4. Epidavros – Poros 21.4 NM |
5. Aghistri – Epidavros 10.8 NM | 5. Hydra – Epidavros 32.9 NM | 5. Poros – Spetses 27.3 NM |
6. Epidavros – Poros 21.0 NM | 6. Epidavros – Aghistri 9.0 NM | 6. Spetses – Nafplio 25.0 NM |
7. Alimos marina 29.0 NM | 7. Alimos marina 20.6 NM | 7. Nafplio |
8. Nafplio – Leonidio 25.2 NM | ||
9. Leonidio – Monemvasia 33.5 NM | ||
10. Monemvasia – Hydra 46.6 NM | ||
11. Hydra | ||
12. Hydra – Poros 12.3 NM | ||
13. Poros – Aegina 15.7 NM | ||
14. Alimos marina 17.0 NM |