Situated close to Athens, the Saronic or Argo Saronic islands are an island complex consisting of 7 small islands and islets that serve as unique vacation destinations. The Argosaronic Gulf of the Aegean Sea entails the islands of Aegina, Hydra, Poros, Salamina, Agistri, Spetses, Dokos, and also the town of Methana.
All of these islands are worth visiting as they have stunning beaches, unique history, and a cosmopolitan lifestyle that can suit any taste.
Most of these islands are easily accessible by boat, and their proximity to the ports of Athens makes them an ideal destination for people who dislike long boat trips.
Here’s a complete guide to the Saronic islands for those of you who plan to visit them and enjoy their distinct beauty:
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A Guide to Visiting the Saronic Islands
Where are the Saronic Islands?
The Saronic islands are located in the Saronic Gulf, which is an archipelago of the Aegean Sea opposite the southwestern coast of Attica.
Two of those, namely, Hydra and Dokos, are situated near the Peloponnese region, between the Saronic and the Argolic Gulf.
How to get to the Saronic Islands
Thanks to this proximity to Athens, the Saronic Islands are ideal for weekend getaways or even day trips. They can be accessed by sea only as they don’t have any airports.
Depending on the destination, a trip from the ports of Athens to one of the islands can last from 10 minutes to 2 hours. Most ferries depart from the Piraeus port.
You can access Aegina, Hydra, Spetses Agistri, and Poros directly from Piraeus, but you can only access Dokos by renting a private boat. For Salamina, you could also choose the port of Perama, where very short crossings (10 mins) take place multiple times a day.
Click here for the ferry schedule and to book your tickets.
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How to travel around the Saronic islands
The hydrofoil boats are the commonest means of transport to get from one island to the other. However, there are some islands that are not connected via ferry lines, so the Saronic islands aren’t exactly the ideal island-hopping experience.
Click here for the ferry schedule and to book your tickets.
The best way to move around the islands is by renting a car or a motorcycle because although they are relatively small islands, there are many isolated beaches and places to visit. In most cases, there are no available taxis, and if there are, there are surely not many around. You could either rent your own vehicle, book a taxi/private transfer or opt for the water taxis.
I recommend booking a car through Discover Cars where you can compare all rental car agencies’ prices, and you can cancel or modify your booking for free. They also guarantee the best price. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Poros has a local bus transport option if you wish to hop on it and go to places, such as different beaches or the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi, or the remains of the Temple of Poseidon. You can find the detailed schedule and updates here.
Tip: For Hydra specifically, you have to keep in mind that no cars or other vehicles are allowed on the island, so you could either hike to places or choose the water taxis.
The best time to visit the Saronic islands
For all types of travelers, the best time to visit any of the Saronic islands would be between April and September. The temperatures during springtime and summer are high enough to enjoy the beaches.
Keep in mind that if you visit in early April or late September you might find some shops or locales closed, and maybe fewer crowds and quieter nightlife.
During the high season, which is from mid-July to the end of August, you will find islands full of tourists, locals, travelers, and a very vibrant nightlife.
An Overview of the Saronic Islands
Aegina
Aegina is a charming island just 40 minutes away from the port of Piraeus. It is a cosmopolitan island, ideal for a daily cruise or weekend getaways. There, you can marvel at its unique architecture and enjoy its lovely atmosphere.
There are many traditional Greek taverns, the remains of chapels from the Byzantine era, and a lovely retro feeling around town. The island is also famous for the very tasty, locally produced, pistachios.
What to do in Aegina:
- Walk around the Old Town (Palaiochora)
- Visit the imposing Temple of Aphaia
- Rent a bike and then stroll through the port of Perdika and get a taste of the Cycladic element
- Learn more about Aegina’s history by visiting Christos Kapralos Museum
- Head to the prehistoric site of Kolonna
- Pay homage to Agios Nektarios church, dedicated to the patron saint
Hydra
Hydra is a romantic Saronic island with a rich history (during the resistance of 1821 against the Ottoman Empire) and a unique quietness since no cars or vehicles are allowed on the island. You can get there from Athens in less than 2 hours by ferry.
Once there, you will see a town built amphitheatrically, with amazing views over the Saronic Gulf, as well as many donkeys, because that’s how the locals move around or carry things.
What to do in Hydra:
- Learn more about its history by visiting the Historical Archive Museum of Hydra
- Take photos of the legendary Bastions near the port
- Stroll around the old neighborhoods in Hydra town
- Head towards the Ecclesiastical and Byzantine Museum to get a taste of the Christian Orthodox history of the island
- Head to the historical beach of Mandraki
- Swim at Bísti, an organized beach with pebbles
- Go on an adventure at Agios Nikolaos, a remote sandy beach only accessible by sea (you can find water taxis)
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Things to do in Hydra
How to get from Athens to Hydra
Poros
Decorated with lush pine forests and virgin nature, Poros is a small island, which promises to charm travelers who wish to explore it.
You can get there by crossing the small sea strip opposite Poros from the port of Galatas. The crossing lasts only 10 minutes.
What to do in Poros:
- Stroll around the picturesque ‘sokakia’ alleyways
- Visit the famous Clock of Poros
- Explore more of the 6th century BC Temple of Poseidon
- Marvel at endless sunsets
- Swim at Askeli beach or sunbathe and do water sports
- Party at Love Bay, a beautiful beach among the pines
- Head to Monastiri beach to find peace and bask in the sun
- Learn more about its history by visiting the Archaeological Museum of Poros and the Folklore Museum
Salamina
Salamina, the island of Ajax is so close to Athens that it is considered another suburb of it. Although it is not very touristic, hence rarely visited by Athenians as a holiday destination, it has a lot of sites to see and good beaches to visit and swim at.
You can cross to Salamina from the port of Perama in less than 10 minutes.
What to do in Salamina:
- Explore the ancient site of Kolones
- Experience a unique diving experience with Salamina Diving Center
- Visit the Cave of Euripides, a cave considered to be used since the Neolithic period (5300-4300 BC)
- Go to the rich Archaeological Museum of Salamina
- Eat fresh seafood by the sea
- Immerse yourself in the tradition of the island by visiting The Museum of Folk Art and The Maritime Museum
Agistri
Agistri is a beautiful Saronic island located less than an hour away (19 nautical miles) from Athens. You can hop on a flying dolphin from the port of Piraeus and land on the small islet where stunning hills of pine forests.
The island is known for its magnificent beaches, mostly rocky, where you can dive into serene crystal-clear waters. It is a small island so the ideal solution would be to rent a bike and ride around.
What to do in Agistri:
- Dive into the endless turquoise of Chalikiada beach, totally unorganized and virgin
- Sunbathe or enjoy a drink on Dragonera beach, lounging on the sunbeds
- Visit the wetland of “Lekani” Lake and enjoy nature
- Head to the private (5 Euros entrance) yet stunning Aponnisos beach and try snorkeling
- Tour around and see the traditional churches, including the Church of Virgin Mary, the Church of Agioi Anargyroi, and the Church of Agia Kyriaki
- Stroll around Skala, the main port town, and eat at traditional taverns.
Spetses
With a rich naval tradition and significant history and contribution to the Greek War of independence in 1821, Spetses is an island worth exploring. You can get there in about 2 hours from Athens from the port of Piraeus, where you can find up to 5 crossings per day.
It has a picturesque harbor that still retains its old-fashioned character and the houses of heroes from the war of independence are still intact serving as museums of Greek history. Romantic in its atmosphere, it also has horse carriages touring the travelers around.
What to do in Spetses:
- Stroll around the old harbor for a taste of Spetses
- Marvel at the wonderful sunset from the Lighthouse at the end of the old harbor
- Enjoy pristine nature and clear waters in Agia Paraskevi beach or head to Agia Marina beach for sunbathing and lounging at the beach bars
- Swim at Agioi Anargyroi beach and take a boat to Bekiris Cave, full of stalactites and stalagmites
- Visit Spetses Museum housed in the mansion of Chatzigianni-Mexi, and go to Bouboulina Museum, inside the very house of this War of Independence heroine
- Take a short work from Dapia port and find the famous Church of Agios Nikolaos
Methana
Although Messina is not an island, it is part of the Argo Saronic Gulf islands. It is actually a peninsula connecting the region of Argolida with Eastern Peloponnese. It said that the whole picturesque town emerged from the sea thanks to the volcano eruption. You can access the destination by boat from the port of Piraeus or by road by driving to Argolida.
It features stunning landscapes, 32 smaller volcanoes, hot springs, and amazing beaches you should visit. Apart from the many traditional villages, you can find nearby, including Megalochori, Paleoloutra, Mounoupitsa, Vathi, and Kipseli, you can also find many hiking paths around the volcanic landscapes.
What to do in Methana:
- See the crater of a volcano on the hill of Kameni by hiking there.
- Bathe in natural hot springs in the village of Vromolimni.
- Head to Nissaki Agion Anargiron or Limnionas and Vathi beaches to take a swim
- Go to “Dritsaika” to get a panoramic view of the Saronic Gulf and its endless blue
- Hike to the Cave of Pigeons next to the stunning Almyra beach with its crystal-clear waters
- Find the remains of old walls and fortifications, including the gates to an Acropolis, in Paleokastro
- Walk in the footsteps of the ancient historian Pausanias along the volcanic path starting from the fishing village of Agios Georgios