Sailing Holidays in
Saronic Islands
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The rocky and partly volcanic Argo-Saronic Islands, lie just in front of the mainland and most of them are only a short sail away from the Athenian Coast. Saronic Gulf is the best destination to combine a short stay in Athens and a sailing holiday in the beautiful nearby islands.
Aigina is the most fertile island of the group, famous for pistacchio plantations and has a rich history including one of the finest ancient temples in Greece. Tiny Agkistri is often treated as a little adjunct to Aigina, but it’s a lovely place, ideal for swimming and complete relaxation.
The three southerly islands - green Poros, tiny, car-free Hydra and upmarket Spetses -are very special and have and every island has a character of its own. Given their proximity to Athens and their beauty, the Argo-Saronics Islands are hugely popular destinations, almost becoming city suburbs at weekends and with significant expat populations.
More than any other group, these islands are best out of season and midweek, when visitors (and prices) fall dramatically and the port towns return to a quieter, more provincial pace. You will also notice a significant difference between Hydra and Spetses, the remotest of the islands, and those closer to Athens since they’re accessible only by hydrofoil and catamaran rather than the cheaper conventional ferries, what makes them market wise more expensive and exclusive.
The islands were not extensively settled until medieval times, when refugees from the mainland established themselves here, adopting seagoing commerce (and piracy) as livelihoods. Today, foreigners and Athenians have replaced locals in the depopulated harbor towns; windsurfers, water-taxis and yachts are faint echoes of the massed warships, schooners and kaïkia once at anchor.
Navigational Aids
Acharnes
The Municipality of Acharnes is one of the biggest in extent municipalities of the prefecture of Attica, is a place with rich natural, historical and cultural heritage.
Agistri, an earthly paradise in Argosaronikos gulf, is full of green and pine trees that reach the island's blue sea, sandy beaches, tranquility but also intense night life; an island suited for marvelous summer vacations and for relaxing weekends.
The island of Aegina is one of the most popular tourist destinations with a rich history, beautiful, natural landscape, and cosmopolitan beaches and, of course, a large variety of choices regarding the night life on the island.
Alimos is a modern suburb, just eight kilometers from the center of Athens, next to the beautiful coast of the Saronic Gulf with small and large bays, wonderful beaches and the biggest marina in Greece.
Athens is the historical capital of Europe, with a long history, dating from the first settlement in the Neolithic age.
Eleusis is situated about 18 km northwest from the center of Athens. It is best known for the Eleusinian Mysteries and as the birthplace of Aeschylus. Modern day Eleusis is a major industrial center.
Elliniko-Argyroupoli is a municipality in the southern part of Athens, next to the beautiful coast of the Saronic Gulf, with wonderful beaches and elegant nightclubs.
Amidst the blue of the Saronic Gulf, well protected on its own smaller gulf, with the scent from the valley's orange blossoms meeting the sea breeze in its picturesque and friendly port, with its beautiful beaches, Epidavros is always ready to welcome travellers whatever the season.
Ermionida is situated in the Argolida region of Peloponnese. It is rich with historical and cultural heritage, with picturesque traditional small villages and towns. Among them, Porto Cheli, Ermioni, Kilada and Kranidi.
The captivating suburb of Glyfada stretches along the Saronic Gulf coast often referred to as the "Athenian Riviera". It is an absolutely delightful holiday resort and features the latestmodern facilities, some of the best sandy beaches in Attica, seaside restaurants and marinas with hundreds of yachts.
Hydra, built in the shape of an amphitheatre on a slope overlooking the Argosaronic gulf, is one of the most romantic destinations in Greece with traditional stone mansions, narrow cobblestoned streets, secluded squares and above all the banning of cars.
Kropia is a municipality in East Attica, mostly surrounded by vineyards and olive groves with beautiful beaches which are especially crowded during the summer.
Loutraki-Agioi Theodoroi is a municipality in the Corinthia regional unit where the total absence of humidity in the area and the prolonged sunshine period provide the ideal climate conditions while the coexistence of mountain and sea create a magnificent scenery.
Megara is on the Saronic Gulf opposite the island of Salamis and is surrounded by vineyards as well as farms producing olive oil, wheat, citrus fruits, tomatoes and potatoes.
The peninsula of Methana with its steep volcanic slopes is actually a volcano that emerged from the sea! Welcome the opportunity to explore a stunning volcanic landscape with dense vegetation, coastal villages and diverse flora and fauna.
Nafplio is one of the most beautiful towns in the area of Argolis in the eastern Peloponnese as well as one of the most romantic cities in Greece.
Nea Kios is a small modern town in the shores of the Argolic Bay, located very close to the two big cities of the prefecture, Argos and Nafplio, and to the mouth of two rivers, Erasinos and Inachos.
Palaio Faliro is a populated seaside suburb, with beautiful landscaped coastal zone and high quality marina (Flisvos marina). Faliro was in the ancient times the port of Athens.
A major Greek port, Piraeus is an important city and often considered to be a suburb of Athens. The most appealing area lies around its easterly quarter with waterfront restaurants, bars and nightspots in a beautiful harborfront promenade, lined with trees and passing the medieval city walls.
Poros is a verdant island full of beauties and wonderful landscapes, fine neoclassical and Venetian buildings, picturesque villages and beautiful beaches. It is still an unspoiled and very authentic island, ideal for relaxing and peaceful holidays.
Salamina is the largest of the Argo-Saronic islands. Most people know Salamina for the famous sea battle of Salamis in 480BC, where a small Greek fleet defeated a much larger Persian fleet. The island is also the birthplace of Euripedes.
Spetses is a historic island in the Argosaronic Gulf, full of pine trees, surrounded by the small picturesque islands of Spetsopoula, Mikro Bourboulo and Agios Giannis. It is one of the most popular all-year-long destinations for both local and foreign tourists.
Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni is a popular seaside municipality in East Attica, with beautiful parks, bustling nightlife, elegant cafes and restaurants, amazing sandy beaches and a high quality marina.
