The Best Greek Islands Near Athens: 5 Idyllic Gems

Last updated on September 28th, 2022

Athens is one of the most significant places worldwide, as it is the birthplace of Western civilisation and democracy. In Athens, you can witness the remnants of an old powerful City-State and a vibrant city with buzzing nightlife concurrently.

Athenians prefer to spend their weekends and summers in the magnetic islands of the Saronic Gulf, which lies in front of the main port of Athens, Piraeus. From Piraeus, you can visit the islands of the Saronic Gulf with ferries departing every 30 minutes or 1 hour.

Furthermore, you can arrange a spectacular sailing expedition in the Saronic Gulf by booking a boat trip amidst the ethereal blue-green waters of this stunning region of Greece. You also have to know that the islands there are excellent choices for one-day escapes from the anxiety of the everyday routine.

Without further ado, the best Greek islands to visit near Athens are the following:

Aegina

Another ideal island if you want to spend some relaxing time with your family is Aegina. Aegina is famous for its soothing environment and the unique variety of pistachios, which the locals utilise in modern recipes.

After tasting the exquisite dishes based on the indigenous pistachios, visit the Temple of Aphaia. The Temple of Aphaia constitutes, alongside the Temple of Poseidon in Sounio and Acropolis, the so-called Sacred Triangle.

Suppose you are at the Temple of Aphaia on a day with a clear atmosphere. In that case, you shall witness a marvellous spectacle: A transparent long-distance glance at the sites of the Temple of Poseidon and the eternal Acropolis.

Aphaia temple on Aegina island

Hydra

The ‘Lady of the Saronic Gulf’ awaits you more ravishing than ever to spend quality time in her unique scenery. The remarkable scenery is the result of the naval tradition of the island and its traditional architecture, where stony roads lighten your path to the spectacular main town of the island.

In Hydra, all the transportation is feasible only on foot, donkey, or by boat. You shall witness numerous boats in the island’s primary port, from which you can sail towards the stunning beaches of Mandraki, Molos, and Agios Nikolaos.

Hydra is a perfect destination for young couples who wish to celebrate their love in the picturesque alleys of the island. If you are still contemplating a trip to Hydra, imagine you walking hand-in-hand with your partner in Hydra and dedicating him/her to a song by the great Leonard Cohen.

The late singer was very fond of the island and lived in Hydra for many years. Generally, Hydra is also renowned for its artistic nature, as it was the filming site of the movies “The Boy on a Dolphin” (1957) and “Phaedra” (1962).

Spetses

Another extraordinary sailing expedition is the ‘Island of the Ship Owners’, the enchanting Spetses. Spetses island also has a rich nautical tradition and displayed a decisive role in the War of Greek Independence.

Spetses is an enchanting island, ideal for young couples who wish to experience something vibrant and soothing concurrently. The vibrant activities entail diving into the crystal waters of Xilokeriza and Zogeria beach and indulging in hiking. Hiking in Spetses is an otherworldly experience due to the flawless aesthetics of the natural environment.

The principal soothing activity in Spetses is visiting the Old Harbor and gazing at the stunning sunset from there. There are several restaurants in the Old Harbor, and you can enjoy the spectacle alongside a quality dinner.

 

Poros

The name Poros derives from the narrow sea passage between Poros and Peloponnese. This narrow sea passage is why many tourists opt for a sailing adventure in this spectacular region. As you can deduce, booking a sailing trip to Poros is indispensable if you strive for a better understanding of the Saronic Gulf islands.

The boat trip comprises the crossing of the passage Poros-Galatas, with Galatas being a picturesque fishing village with numerous little boats and houses of unique architecture. This splendid trip is concluded with a visit to the isle Soupia, which has stunning waters.

Stunning waters are abundant in Poros, as the famous Love Bay beach awaits you to dive in its blue-green waters and take comfort in the shady environment of the pine trees. Love Bay may be the most iconic beach you shall ever visit, so make every moment count in this paradise upon Earth.

Salamina

Salamina is an island with tremendous historical importance, as it was the site of the naval battle between Greeks and Persians. The island offers you an idyllic environment in case you have a family, as you will enjoy the serenity of the place and the crystal waters of the beaches Selinia and Saterli.

As a bonus recommendation, you should visit the island’s oldest village, Ampelakia. There, the naval battle between Athenians and Persians occurred.