Saronic Islands Day Cruise from Athens (2026)

The Saronic Islands: A Day on the Water

Three islands, one day, departing from Piraeus (30 minutes from central Athens by metro). The standard Saronic cruise visits Aegina, Poros, and Hydra — each distinctly different from the others, and collectively a representative sample of the Greek island experience without a flight or overnight ferry.

Aegina

The closest of the three to Athens, Aegina is most famous for its pistachios (the best in Greece, grown in red volcanic soil) and the Temple of Aphaia — a well-preserved Doric temple from 490 BC that predates the Parthenon. The temple is a 25-minute bus ride from the port. Day-trippers who stay at the port miss it.

Poros

The narrow strait between Poros island and the Peloponnese coast is so tight that the ferry nearly scrapes the waterfront cafés on both sides. The town climbs a small hill with a clocktower at the top; the view from there across the strait is the postcard. Most people spend their time at the cafés on the waterfront, which is a reasonable use of an hour.

Hydra

The most remarkable of the three. Hydra has had a constitutional ban on motorised vehicles since the island was settled — no cars, no motorbikes, no bicycles. Transport is by donkey, boat, or foot. The waterfront is lined with 18th-century merchant mansions built when the island's fleet controlled a significant portion of Mediterranean shipping. The architecture is intact because there has been no road-building to destroy it.

Give Hydra the most time of the three islands. Walk up to the monastery (20 minutes from the port), swim at Vlychos or Kamini, and have lunch somewhere that isn't on the main waterfront square.

Practical Notes

Cruises depart from the port of Piraeus (Gate E8–E9 area) — take metro Line 1 to the end. Departure is typically 7:30–8am; return by 7–8pm. The open-deck boats become very cold in strong meltemi wind; bring a layer even in August.

The three-island cruise is a long day on a boat with other tourists. If you want the islands without the group format, independent ferries run from Piraeus to each island individually — Hydra in 1h45m by Flying Dolphin, Aegina in 40 minutes.