saronic gulf
Suggested for 1 week
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Suggested for 2 weeks

Sailing routes and places to visit in the Saronic Gulf

PLAN YOUR CATAMARAN HOLIDAY FROM ALIMOS MARINA

Plan a Saronic Gulf catamaran charter from Athens

For a one-week sailing holiday from Athens, start by considering a Saronic Gulf loop with Aegina and Poros. Hydra can be included when the forecast, pace and available berths suit the trip. The area offers options for groups who value time ashore and swimming stops over a long list of islands.

These are illustrative holiday plans, not fixed departures or navigation instructions. Stops, direction and timing depend on weather, berth availability, the yacht and the skipper’s judgement. A charter week includes embarkation, the return to base and check-out; it is not seven full days of island passages.

Saronic Gulf or Cyclades: which suits your group?

Start with your group’s comfort with time underway, rather than the number of islands on a map.

Choosing a sailing region from Athens
Planning questionSaronic GulfCyclades
One-week approachAegina and Poros, with Hydra as a possible extension.Cape Sounion area, Kea, Kythnos, Sifnos and Milos, followed by the agreed return to Alimos.
Two-week approachMore time at each stop; consider Spetses, Ermioni or an Argolic Gulf extension.Cape Sounion area, Kea, Syros, Mykonos, Paros, Sifnos, Milos and Kythnos, followed by the return to Alimos.
Sailing conditionsGenerally more sheltered than the Cyclades; strong winds and rough conditions are still possible.More open-water exposure; summer Meltemi conditions can change crossing plans.
Group preferencesWorth considering for mixed-experience groups who want shorter island-hopping plans.Worth considering for groups comfortable with open-water passages and changes of plan.

Considering a different style of trip? Read our Cyclades sailing guide.

An illustrative one-week itinerary

This example keeps the focus on Aegina, Poros and the Hydra area. It deliberately leaves Spetses for a longer trip or a different agreed route.

Saturday-to-Saturday example, subject to conditions
DayAreaPlanning focus
SaturdayAlimos MarinaEmbarkation, briefing and provisioning; stay at the base.
SundayAeginaStart the island loop and allow time ashore.
MondayPorosContinue south, with a swimming stop if conditions allow.
TuesdayHydra areaVisit if conditions and a suitable berth or anchorage permit.
WednesdayPoros areaStart the return north, or adjust the route with your skipper.
ThursdayAegina or Agistri areaChoose a final island stop suited to the return forecast.
FridayAlimos MarinaReturn within the time agreed in your charter arrangements.
SaturdayDisembarkationComplete check-out at the agreed time.

What changes with a two-week charter?

One possible two-week outline is Alimos, Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses, Ermioni, Poros, Aegina and Alimos. Use the additional nights for longer stays and weather flexibility instead of moving every day.

Nafplio and Monemvasia are longer extensions beyond the core Saronic island loop. Discuss an alternative route for either destination; they are not automatic additions to every two-week holiday.

Read more about Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses in the destination sections below.

How far will you sail?

For a sense of scale, the legs below use approximate nautical miles (NM). The time estimates are calculations at an assumed average of 5–6 knots, not promised yacht speeds. Actual passages depend on the chosen harbours, safe routing, wind, sea state and stops.

Illustrative passage scale, not a passage plan
Example legApproximate distanceTime at 5–6 knots, before stops
Alimos Marina to Aegina town18 NMAbout 3–4 hours
Hydra to Poros12 NMAbout 2–2.5 hours

The ferry journey times mentioned in the Aegina destination text below refer to commercial passenger services from Piraeus, not to your catamaran passage from Alimos.

How does the weather affect your route?

The Saronic Gulf is generally more sheltered than the Cyclades, but shelter is relative: wind direction and local conditions still determine suitable passages and overnight stops. Consult current Hellenic National Meteorological Service forecasts and warnings and your charter briefing; this page is general planning guidance.

Which catamaran should you choose?

Compare our Bali and Lagoon catamaran fleet from Athens by sleeping arrangements, registered capacity and charter type. A larger yacht does not remove weather constraints. Send your dates, group size and preferred pace to our charter team, and review the booking FAQs before planning.

The maps and destination descriptions on this page show places to explore; they do not guarantee that every place fits your charter. Final routing and return timing must be agreed for your trip.

Aegina island

So close to Athens that you can be there in 40mins from the port of Piraeus, Aegina is a favourite island for Athenians and visitors alike because of its rich history, old-world charm, beautiful bays and delicious pistachios.

A charming island close to Athens, Aegina will give you a taste of all the other Greek islands – and yet is only around an hour from Piraeus by ferry. Indeed, if you take a day cruise to the islands close to Athens it will likely be your first stop. But you’ll definitely want to come back to spend much more time here. 

Aegina’s long summers, mild winters and proximity to Athens make it a year-long holiday destination. You’ll find antiquities and traditional tavernas, a port town with a 19th-century atmosphere, beaches, deserted Byzantine chapels, as well as pine-clad hills and mounds of freshly roasted pistachios. 

Meanwhile, if you visit Perdika in the south, you’ll feel like you’re in a Cycladic village and at the Temple of Aphaia you’ll discover one of Greece’s most memorable ancient sanctuaries. So if you’re looking for an easy-to-get-to island close to Athens or an island escape during your city break to Athens, Aegina is for you. 

Poros island

A quiet and small island in the Saronic Gulf, Poros charms its guests with pine forests, serenity and old-world charm

Once upon a time, two small islands – Spheria and Kalavria – came together to produce a little jewel in the Saronic Gulf, the island of Poros. A short hydrofoil or ferry ride from Athens will bring you to this place, beloved of Giorgos Seferis, the Greek Nobel laureate, and Henry Miller.

Poros is a stone’s throw from the mainland, resembling a puzzle piece gone missing from the Peloponnese. Small boats bearing visitors come and go across the channel. When you land, you find quaint tavernas, yacht marinas, neoclassical buildings, a clocktower, pine-tree forests reaching the sea, serenity and relaxation. On foot, by bike or by boat, Poros invites you to discover its charming simplicity on one of the best islands close to Athens.

Hydra island

Hydra is a cosmopolitan island close to Athens, once inhabited by revolutionaries and forever favoured by jet-setters

So close to Athens that you can hop across whenever the mood takes you, this small, hilly island in the Saronic Gulf has over the years mesmerised its visitors with its quaintness, rich history and cultural allure. 

The moment you arrive on Hydra, you instantly feel the change of pace. The main port is cosmopolitan and elegant, with its 18th-century mansions, captains’ houses, old churches, wells and marble-covered alleyways that fan out everywhere. Everywhere you look, water taxis buzz around the island like bees. 

The main town, Kaminia, Vlichos, Molos, Episkopi and Mandraki are just some of the highlights of an island which nurtured a revolution that won independence for an entire country.

Spetses island

Luxury and local tradition coexist on the beautiful island of Spetses, a favourite of captains and fashionistas, so close to Athens in the Saronic Gulf

Cosmopolitan Spetses, one of the favourite islands close to Athens, will make you want to return again and again. It’s an ideal destination for a quick retreat all year round and never fails to make you feel special – whether you are enjoying a leisurely coffee in Dapia, with a view of Kosta and Porto Heli on the mainland opposite, taking a romantic stroll along the Old Harbour, or learning about the island’s fearless heroine Laskarina Bouboulina.

Horse-drawn carriages, bicycle and walking will be your only modes of transport on Spetses – all the better to enjoy the well-kept captains’ mansions below Agios Nikolaos Monastery, the boatyards and Bouboulina’s Museum. And of course the ambience of the legendary Poseidon Hotel near the port, which has hosted royalty, politicians and dignitaries. Spetses has long been a favourite escape for high society, as reflected in the smart cafes, art stores and stylish boutiques. 

Ancient Epidaurus

A living ancient theatre, a one-of-a-kind archaeological site and the famous Asclepius of antiquity – all within a natural landscape that makes for an ideal beach and culture holiday

You are in the Peloponnese, in the concave of the ancient theatre of Epidaurus. From the upper tier,  peace and tranquillity reign over the horizon and you understand immediately why the ancients chose this place to construct the famous Asclepion (or holistic healing centre) of Epidaurus. Now take a deep breath and look around at the grandstand and the stage down below, from which you can hear the proverbial pin drop.

You’re in possibly the most beautiful open-air, ancient theatre in the world, the birthplace of Psychagogia, meaning entertainment – in the fullest sense of the word. The theatre of Epidaurus was built as a place for patients to have therapeutic fun and has become renowned for its extraordinary acoustics. Now a Unesco World Heritage Site, it is still a therapy for body and soul. And best of all, it is an ancient theatre that is still alive today as, since 1955, performances of ancient tragedies have found their natural home here, nowadays during the annual Athens and Epidaurus Festival.

Nafplion

One of Greece’s most romantic cities, Nafplio is famous for its listed architecture and majestic Venetian castles. Best of all, it is just a short drive from Athens, perfect for a daytrip or a stopover during a road trip in the Peloponnese .

Nafplio is a city in the Peloponnese that brims with life, preserving its legends and enticing you into its mystical ambience. It was the Venetians’ ‘Naples of the East’ and the first capital of Greece.

Viewed from above, Nafplio oozes romance: tile roofs, grand homes and a blue-green sea. The famous Bourtzi, Akronafplia and Palamidi castles add a sense of drama to this stunning seaport town, consisting of fortresses, neoclassical buildings, old neighbourhoods, wide sidewalks and large squares.

The most significant sights in the Saronic Gulf

  • Aegina: The island escape one hop from Athens
  • Poros: The vintage isle with a pine-green charm
  • Hydra: The noble isle in the Argosaronic Gulf
  • Spetses: Style and sophistication in the Saronic Gulf
  • Nafplio: Experience the irresistible charm of Greece’s first capital
  • Monemvasia: A medieval castle town where fairy tales come true

Suggested Catamarans

More places to visit