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Hydra’s red roofs and harbour below the hills

Island group · Αργοσαρωνικός

Islands close enough to Athens for the same day, sheltered when the Aegean blows.

Hydra

01IntroductionΑργοσαρωνικός

The islands of the Saronic and Argolic gulfs are the closest to Athens. Some are a fast boat ride of under an hour or two from Piraeus. They are more sheltered than the open Aegean, so they make a good choice in windy July and August.

Hydra is the one couples remember. It has no cars and a stone harbour framed by captains’ mansions, and you can swim off the rocks. Aegina has pistachios, a fine Archaic temple and an easy, local feel.

When to go
April to October; good on weekdays out of season
Meltemi, July–August
Meltemi: light
Islands we suggest
5

02At a glance

Best for
A short trip or the last nights before a flight · Car-free harbour towns · Pairing with Athens or the Peloponnese
When to go
April to October; good on weekdays out of season
Meltemi
The Saronic and Argolic gulfs are enclosed by the mainland, so they are much calmer than the open Aegean in summer. Ferries, beaches and sheltered spots
Getting there
Ferries and fast boats run from Piraeus. Hydra and Spetses can also be reached via the Peloponnese coast (Metochi, Kosta), which makes them easy to combine with a mainland road trip.
Skip it if
You want big sandy beaches, or empty islands at weekends, when Athenians come down.

03The islands, for couples

  1. 01 Hydra No cars, just stone lanes, donkeys and water taxis. Stay at least two nights so you see it after the day boats leave.
  2. 02 Aegina The Temple of Aphaia, pistachio orchards and a lively harbour town, about an hour away.
  3. 03 Spetses Pine-scented, with grand mansions and limited cars. Good for cycling and swimming.
  4. 04 Poros A green island separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow strait. Lemon groves sit on the far side.
  5. 05 Agistri Tiny, pine-covered and very relaxed, next to Aegina.
A boat leaving Hydra harbour, with stone mansions on the slopes
Hydra
Ancient stone ruins on a headland above a blue bay
Aegina

04Sites, food and stays

Ancient sites nearby

  • Temple of AphaiaArchaicOne of the best-preserved Archaic temples, set in pine woods above the sea. An easy day from Athens, or better, a night on Aegina.
The timeline

What to eat

  • Aegina pistachiosφιστίκι ΑιγίνηςAegina’s pistachios have protected (PDO) status. You can buy them in the harbour, sometimes still in their pink husks.
The regional food guide

Where you might stay

  • Kapetaniko HydraPlaceholderMansion rooms · Hydra town
All stays
Ancient stone ruins on a headland above a blue bay

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Aegina