The best Saronic islands to visit from Athens Greece

A visit to Greece is not complete without taking a Greek island tour. Only have limited time but want to experience island life, Greek style?

Then, a tour of the Greek Saronic islands is the perfect choice for a day of exploring. Let’s look at the best Saronic islands to visit from Athens, Greece – Hydra, Poros and Aegina.

Hydra

Hydra, an island in the Saronic Gulf, is an iconic jewel in Greece’s crown. Cosmopolitan, aesthetically appealing, with turquoise water so clear, you’ll be able to see aquariums of fish swimming.

Get ready for a pleasing colour explosion. Houses in Hydra feature vibrant, bright colours, similar to those found on other Mediterranean islands.

Cute little alleyways in Hydra greet you at every cobblestone corner. Stray cats wander around and lay in the sun like they own the island.

There are no vehicles here, just foot traffic. Forget overcrowded and overpriced Mykonos and Santorini. This little slice of paradise will capture your heart! Put this island on your must-see list.

Only three hours from Athens, it makes the perfect day trip or place to stay a little longer.

Book your cheap accommodation in Hydra here with Booking.com

Poros

Another Saronic island destination, Poros is truly stunning. It definitely lives up to it’s name as the picturesque island!

Pastel gorgeousness surrounds you on every part of this island and, of course, every shade of blue imaginable. People on Vespas and bikes weave in and out of traffic. A great addition to any Greek island itinerary!

Poros is two hours from Athens, so it’s accessible for a day trip.

Book your cheap flights to Athens with Trip.com

Aegina

Aegina, the closest of the islands to Athens, is a historical and unique island. Larger that Hydra and Poros, you’ll see vehicles as you walk around the island. Aegina is 30 minutes away from Athens, so it’s literally on your doorstep.

Make sure you visit this small white church on the edge of the harbour. You’ll feel spiritually transformed.

How to get there

To get to Hydra, Poros or Aegina, you’ll need to go via ferry or go on a day tour.

Hydra – the ferry from Athens takes between 1-2 hours depending if it’s a fast or slow one.

Poros – the ferry from Athens to Poros takes between 1 hour and 2.5 hours.

Aegina – trips by ferry from Athens take 30 minutes.

Alternatively, if you only have a limited time and want to see the three islands in one day, I recommend you book an island day tour.

There are several travel operators who do this trip. I choose “Athens Day Cruises” and you can book it with Viator.

Book your Saronic Island day tour here with Viator.

What to do on the islands

Tours

There are lots of island activities to do. If you want to be guided by a local expert, make sure you do a walking or swimming tour.

Explore

The three islands are very walkable and have many vantage points for taking those special holiday photos.

Shopping

You can find small stores throughout the islands. Head to the main streets or alleyways to get your island souvenirs. Popular souvenirs are evil eye products, art and jewellery.

Dining

Feeling hungry after all your exploring and shopping? We’ll you’re in for a treat! A specialty of the islands is seafood. It’s the freshest and most delicious I’ve tried. Choose a waterfront restaurant/cafe and enjoy a meal with the world’s most spectacular view.

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