Mysteries & Myths of the Saronic Gulf from Alimos
Escape to the Saronic Islands
Embark on a captivating journey through the idyllic Saronic Gulf, where a mix of history, stunning islands, and welcoming culture await. Begin your odyssey in Alimos Marina, the bustling heart of Athenian sailing. For those starting their boat tour in Alimos, Athens International Airport is the nearest point of arrival. You can quickly embark on your unforgettable sea adventure with a short transfer from the airport at the beginning of your journey.
First, discover Aegina, an island where the sun-drenched Temple of Aphaia sits atop a hill overlooking the shimmering sea. Then, explore the relaxed coastal town of Ermioni, a gateway to the Peloponnese with hidden coves and a glimpse into local life.
Step into timeless splendor on Spetses, where horse-drawn carriages replace cars and grand mansions speak of rich maritime heritage. Then, experience the iconic harbor of Hydra, where colorful houses and charming boutiques frame views of crystal-clear waters.
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Poros, with its lush pine forests and tranquil beaches.Then, uncover the ancient healing wonders of Epidaurus, where a remarkably preserved theater whispers tales of bygone eras.
Finally, return to Alimos Marina, carrying memories of sun-kissed islands, friendly locals, and historical echoes of captivating Greek culture. This Saronic Gulf adventure promises diverse experiences, inviting you to uncover the essence of these unique destinations.
Alimos
Alimos Marina is where most Saronic Gulf trips begin — the largest marina in Greece, lined with charter boats, a short tram ride from central Athens. It's functional more than scenic, but that's the point: you provision, you board, you go. The waterfront promenade has enough cafés and tavernas for a relaxed first-night dinner before an early departure, and the nearby Flisvos Marina adds a few more upscale options if you want a proper meal with a sunset. By morning, the city skyline fades behind you and the first Saronic islands start to appear on the horizon. Aegina is roughly an hour south, and from there the whole gulf opens up — but that's tomorrow's story.
Aegina
Aegina is the closest large island to Athens — just 90 minutes by sail from Alimos Marina — and known nationally for its pistachios, considered the best in Greece. The harbour town keeps its 19th-century neoclassical architecture from when Aegina briefly served as the first capital of modern Greece in 1827. On the hill above the eastern coast stands the 5th-century-BC Temple of Aphaia, one of the best-preserved ancient temples in the Aegean. The southern coast holds quiet swimming bays at Marathonas and Perdika, the latter a fishing village famous for fresh seafood. Aegina is 90 minutes from Athens. Season runs April through October.
Ermioni
Ermioni sits on the Peloponnese mainland coast opposite Hydra — a small port town built on a pine-covered peninsula with two natural harbours, one on each side. The southern bay handles charter boats, with a row of fish tavernas along the quay and the village fishing fleet anchored alongside. The peninsula tip is a public park with walking paths under tall Aleppo pines and views back across the gulf to Hydra and Spetses. Ermioni is a 30-minute sail from Hydra, an hour from Spetses, and a useful provisioning stop on any Saronic loop. Season runs April through October.
Spetses
Spetses is the most southerly of the Saronic Islands, and one of two Greek islands with a near-total ban on cars inside the town — meaning transport is by horse-drawn carriage, scooter, or foot. The harbour at Dapia handles charter boats and is lined with neoclassical sea-captain mansions from the island's shipbuilding heyday. Beyond the town, the Old Harbour still functions as a working boatyard, and the rest of the coast holds pine-fringed swimming bays. The island grows a small wine and olive harvest, and the local almond sweets are exported across Greece. Spetses is 3 hours from Athens. Season runs April through October.
Hydra
Hydra is the second car-free Greek island in the Saronic — but here even scooters and bicycles are banned. Transport is by donkey, foot, or water taxi. The harbour is a perfect natural amphitheatre: neoclassical mansions stacked up the slopes around a curved quay, built by 18th-century merchant captains who made fortunes running the British blockade during the Napoleonic Wars. Leonard Cohen bought a house here in 1960 and lived on the island intermittently for decades. The coast holds rocky swimming spots at Vlychos, Plakes, and Bisti, all reachable by water taxi. Hydra is 90 minutes from Spetses and 2 hours from Athens. Season runs April through October.
Poros
Poros sits in the Saronic Gulf less than 400 metres from the Peloponnese mainland, separated by a narrow channel that gives the harbour town its distinctive feel — yachts moor on the Poros side and dinghy across to the village of Galatas for groceries. The town climbs a steep hill behind the quay, topped by an iconic clock tower with views across the channel. The southern coast holds Russian Bay — named after a 1770s Russian fleet that wintered here — and dense Aleppo pine forest reaches the waterline. The 4th-century-BC Temple of Poseidon ruins sit inland. Poros is 90 minutes from Athens and 30 minutes from Hydra. Season runs April through October.
Answered