Even if you don’t leave for long summer vacations, escaping on weekends to a nearby destination can rejuvenate you more than you can imagine. Small islands near Athens, even an hour away, will put you in a vacation mood from the moment you set foot there. That is, you don’t need to go far or spend a lot of money on ferries to have a good time on a summer weekend.
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At exploringgreece.tv we recommend four islands near Athens that are ideal for spending a weekend…
Near Athens weekend: Poros island
An island within breathing distance from Athens that you will enjoy so much that it will become your hangout. If you take the hydrofoil, you will be there in an hour starting from Piraeus. Poros is the island where you will have relaxed and carefree vacations. A calm green island in the Saronic Gulf is ideal for a short escape from Athens. It also has beaches and sights and nice places to eat. It may be a small island but you will find many beaches and they are all easily accessible. And because Poros is essentially two islands, Kalavria and Sphairia, most of the beaches are on the first one. You will find beaches with sand and fine pebbles all with crystal clear waters. If you like to constantly discover new sights, Poros is the island that will offer you that.
Tip: Book your accommodation early because it is hard to find on weekends.
Near Athens Weekend: Agistri island
Agistri is an island for relaxation and meditation. Within 48 hours you can explore and love this island next to Athens. Agistri island is only an hour away from the port of Piraeus and you can get there two ways. Either you take the “flying dolphin” vessel or the regular ferry. The first one will take you there in 55 minutes while the second one in about 90 min. Whatever choice you make you will spend a weekend on a green island with crystal clear waters and relaxed good times. We suggest you stay at Skala if you want to live the vibrancy of the island and keep it all for yourself.
Tip: Agistri is ideal if you are into walking and you can walk the entire island several times.
Near Athens Weekend: Hydra island
The aristocratic Hydra island of the Argosaronic is the island that leaves no one indifferent. You will get there in an hour and a half from Piraeus and you will spend a weekend that will look like a week of vacation. In Hydra, you will pay for a more cosmopolitan weekend. You will walk in the picturesque alleys and also get “boat trips” around the island. In general, it is not an island that will disappoint you in any way. A strong reason for the island is also its gastronomy as you will taste interesting salty and sweet flavors.
Tip: Ask and find out where the area with the 7 windmills is and go to enjoy the unique view.
Near Athens weekend: Aegina island
It will take just an hour by ferry to reach the island of Aegina—an ideal destination for summer weekends. Aegina offers everything without having to be at the center of the buzz of intense tourist traffic. Aegina has quiet beaches and beautiful hiking routes. It’s the neighbor of Attica that you’ll choose over and over again for a leisurely weekend and you’ll think you’ve gone somewhere far away.
Tip: Don’t leave the island without buying the famous local pistachios.
The four ideal weekender islands near Athens are Poros, Agistri, Hydra, and Aegina. All are located within 1-1.5 hours from Piraeus port and offer crystal clear waters, beautiful beaches, and relaxing atmospheres perfect for short escapes from the city.
Poros island is approximately one hour away from Piraeus by hydrofoil. The island consists of two parts, Kalavria and Sphairia, and features easily accessible beaches with sand and fine pebbles, making it an ideal destination for a weekend near Athens.
It is recommended to book your accommodation early, especially for weekends, as availability becomes limited. This applies particularly to popular islands like Poros where finding rooms on weekends can be challenging.
Hydra island is located 1.5 hours from Piraeus by ferry. It is known as the aristocratic island of the Argosaronic where you can enjoy picturesque alleys, boat trips around the island, and excellent gastronomy with interesting local flavors. A must-see is the area with the 7 windmills.
Aegina is just one hour from Athens by ferry and offers quiet beaches, beautiful hiking routes, and a leisurely atmosphere without heavy tourist crowds. The island is famous for its local pistachios, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a relaxing weekend getaway.
