Easy Island Escapes From Athens: The Saronic Islands

Why visit the Saronic Islands

When travelers visiting Athens want a Greek island experience without a flight, the Saronic islands are a fantastic choice. Fast ferries from Piraeus (the port of Athens) quickly connect you to the islands, making it easy to spend a few days exploring the region at a relaxed pace. Each island has its own personality, and together they form a wonderful mix of culture, scenery, and laid-back seaside living.

Hydra: Bohemian harbor life

Hydra is perhaps the most romantic island in the Saronics. The island is entirely car-free, which gives the harbor a timeless atmosphere where boats, cafés, and stone mansions define daily life. Elegant 18th- and 19th-century merchant houses rise above the harbor, while artists, writers, and musicians have long been drawn to Hydra’s creative spirit. The vibe is stylish and sophisticated without being flashy.

Port of Hydra

Where to stay

• Orloff Hotel Hydra

• Hydroussa Hotel

Where to eat

Techne Restaurant & Social: Unpretentious, fine-dining housed in a renovated building and lovely adjacent open-air courtyard with unrestricted views of the Gulf of Hydra.

A view of the old captains' mansions, on the Saronic Gulf, Spetses.

Spetses: Maritime heritage & quiet glamour

Like Hydra, Spetses is also car-free and strongly tied to Greece’s seafaring past. Grand captains’ mansions line the waterfront and horse-drawn carriages still pass through the harbor streets. Spetses carries a slightly more polished atmosphere than the other islands, with chic nightlife, stylish restaurants, and beach clubs. It is also one of the best Saronic islands for cycling.

Travelers should note that Spetses is the farthest of the four islands from Piraeus, so ferry schedules and departure-day transfers require detailed planning.

Panoramic view of the coastline, taverns, restaurants, and old buildings located on Anargirou street at sunset in Spetses, Greece.

Where to stay

• Poseidonion Grand Hotel

• Mare Monte Boutique Hotel

View of the Poseidonion Grand Hotel from the Saronic Gulf, Spetses.

Where to eat

To Pachni (Gr. Το Παχνι): Walk 20 minutes from the Poseidonion Grand Hotel into the area of Kokkinaria (Gr. Κοκκινάρια) for mouth-watering grilled meats (lamb chops!) and other traditional dishes for great value.

Poros: Old-school Greek summer

Poros is the “sleeper hit” of the Saronic islands. The island feels wonderfully traditional and unhurried, with pine-covered hills cascading down toward a lively waterfront filled with sailing boats and cafés. Poros is less scene-driven than Hydra or Spetses, which makes it ideal for travelers looking for relaxed days and classic Greek summer nostalgia with slow walks along the harbor, long lunches, and easy afternoons by the water.

• Where to stay: Anemone Residence

Rent a scooter on Poros.

Where to eat

• Poseidon: A beloved seaside taverna serving seafood dolmas, grilled octopus, red mullet ceviche, and shrimp linguine. Reserve ahead or arrive early in the evening.

• Glykisma (Γλυκίσμα): Also known locally as “Kanastidis Pastry Shop”. Come early in the morning for warm pastries and the rice pudding that locals love for breakfast.

Aegina: History & local island life

Just 40 minutes from Athens by fast ferry, Aegina blends ancient history with a relaxed island rhythm and one of the most authentic local atmospheres in the Saronics. The island’s most famous site is the Temple of Aphaia, one of the best-preserved temples from the 5th century BC and part of the sacred triangle with the Parthenon and Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. Other highlights include the Monastery of Agios Nektarios, the medieval ruins of Paleochora (often called the island’s “ghost village”), and easy excursions to Moni Island, a small nature preserve known for its deer, peacocks, and hidden beaches.

Where to eat

Ouzeri O Stokadis (Gr. Ουζερί "Ο Σκοτάδης"): An “ouzeri” in Greece typically serves small dishes paired with the national drink of Greece, ouzo. This particular ouzeri has been around since 1945 and is a great spot to watch the sunset.

Temple of Aphaia, Aegina

Ferries are the main type of transport between Piraeus (port of Athens) and the Saronic Islands. Check ferry schedules before booking hotels and note differences in travel times, e.g. Aegina is only 40 minutes (fast ferry) from Piraeus, but travel to Spetses takes 2 hours at minimum.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Greece page.