7-day itinerary
7-Day Saronic Sailing Itinerary from Athens
Aegina, Agistri, Poros, Hydra and Spetses in a week from Athens, with daily distances and a gentler alternative for the final days.
Overview
A week in the Saronic and Argolic gulfs
This Saronic sailing itinerary starts and ends at Alimos, one of the largest marinas in Greece, about 30 to 40 minutes by road from Athens International Airport. It strings together the classic Saronic islands, Aegina, Agistri, Poros, Hydra and Spetses, and returns via the mainland harbour of Palea Epidavros. The Saronic Gulf is usually calmer than the open Aegean, which makes it a good week for a first charter close to Athens.
For the region, its islands and the yachts we offer there, see the Saronic Gulf yacht charter guide. This page is the day-by-day plan.
This route suits
- First charters close to Athens
- Short trips and long weekends
- Families and mixed groups
- Harbour towns and evenings ashore
- Bareboat, skippered or crewed
- Late arrivals into Athens
Day by day
The Saronic sailing itinerary at a glance
Distances are approximate and assume a direct route by sea between harbours. The real plan is set each morning by the skipper and the forecast.
Alimos to Aegina
≈ 16 nmFrom Alimos Marina on the Athens Riviera across the Saronic Gulf to Aegina. Moor in Aegina Town, known for its pistachios and its harbour front, or anchor in a bay on the west coast. The Temple of Aphaia, one of the best-preserved temples of the Archaic period, is a short taxi ride inland.
Aegina to Agistri
≈ 4–8 nmA short hop to Agistri, Aegina's small, pine-covered neighbour, with clear water and quiet coves. Stop for lunch at Perdika, the fishing village at the south-west tip of Aegina, on the way. This is the most relaxed day of the week.
Agistri to Poros
≈ 13–14 nmSouth to Poros, which is separated from the Peloponnese by a channel only a few hundred metres wide. The town climbs the hill above the waterfront, with the clock tower on top, and the village of Galatas faces it across the channel.
Poros to Hydra
≈ 11–12 nmOut of the Poros channel and round the headland to Hydra. Motor vehicles are not allowed on the island, the harbour is ringed by stone mansions, and donkeys still carry goods up the steps. The harbour is small and very popular, so arrive early or anchor in a bay along the coast.
Hydra to Spetses
≈ 15–16 nmWest to Spetses, the island of the revolutionary heroine Laskarina Bouboulina, whose house is now a museum. The Old Harbour (Baltiza) is the main mooring area for yachts, and horse-drawn carriages and scooters are the usual way around town.
Spetses to Palea Epidavros
≈ 40–45 nm by seaThe longest leg of the week, back round the eastern tip of the Peloponnese and north past Poros and Methana. Leave early. Palea Epidavros has a small ancient theatre by the sea, and the famous Theatre of Epidaurus, part of a UNESCO-listed sanctuary, is a short drive inland.
Palea Epidavros to Alimos
≈ 30–31 nmThe return across the Saronic Gulf to Athens. Most charter agreements ask you to be back at the base on the evening before disembarkation, so plan a morning departure and a lunch stop on Aegina if time allows.
nm = nautical miles (1.852 km). At 5 to 6 knots, a 15 nm leg takes about three hours.
Suitable yachts
Yachts that suit this route
Sailing yachts, catamarans and motor yachts all work well in the Saronic. Exact availability and price are confirmed in writing after your enquiry.
Guide
Planning your Saronic sailing itinerary
Contents
Why choose a Saronic sailing itinerary?
The Saronic Gulf begins at the edge of Athens. You can land in the morning, be on board by the afternoon and reach Aegina the same evening. The islands are close together, the water is generally more sheltered than in the Cyclades, and every stop has a harbour town with tavernas, shops and history. That combination makes a Saronic sailing itinerary one of the easiest ways to spend a week on a yacht in Greece, especially for first charters, families and groups that want evenings ashore.
Read more about the Athens bases, Alimos and Lavrio, on our yacht charter Athens page.
Wind and weather
In summer the Saronic is influenced by the same northerly system as the rest of the Aegean, but it is partly sheltered by Attica and the Peloponnese, so the wind is usually lighter than in the Cyclades. Sea breezes often build in the afternoon, and the Argolic Gulf around Spetses can be noticeably calmer. Thunderstorms are possible in late summer. Check the forecast each morning, for example the wind and wave forecasts from the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research POSEIDON system, and see our guide to the meltemi for the bigger picture.
Best time of year
The season runs from about May to October. Because the islands are so close to Athens, weekends in July and August bring many local boats, and harbours such as Hydra and Poros fill up quickly; weekdays are quieter. June and September offer warm water and fewer crowds. See when is the best time to sail in Greece?
Highlights on the way
Aegina and Agistri
Aegina has a busy harbour town, pistachio orchards and the Temple of Aphaia on a pine-covered hill. Agistri is greener and quieter, with some of the clearest water close to Athens.
Poros
Poros town faces the Peloponnese across a narrow channel that you sail straight through. It is a sheltered stop and a good place to wait out a windy day.
Hydra
Hydra is the most famous of the Saronic islands: a car-free island with a horseshoe harbour, stone mansions built by eighteenth- and nineteenth-century ship owners, and paths along the coast to swimming spots.
Spetses and Epidavros
Spetses has elegant captains' houses and a strong naval history. Palea Epidavros, on the Peloponnese coast, is a quiet harbour with a small ancient theatre; the great Theatre of Epidaurus belongs to the UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of Asklepios.
How far you sail in a week
The main Saronic sailing itinerary covers roughly 130 to 145 nautical miles. The first five days are short and relaxed; the last two are the longest, because the route has to come back round the Peloponnese from Spetses. If that sounds like too much, use the gentler finish below.
| Day | Route | Approx. distance |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Alimos to Aegina | ≈ 16 nm |
| Day 2 | Aegina to Agistri | ≈ 4–8 nm |
| Day 3 | Agistri to Poros | ≈ 13–14 nm |
| Day 4 | Poros to Hydra | ≈ 11–12 nm |
| Day 5 | Hydra to Spetses | ≈ 15–16 nm |
| Day 6 | Spetses to Palea Epidavros | ≈ 40–45 nm by sea |
| Day 7 | Palea Epidavros to Alimos | ≈ 30–31 nm |
A gentler alternative for the last three days
Skipping Spetses makes the second half of the week much shorter. After Hydra on day 4, spend a second day on the island or sail back to Poros on day 5 (≈ 11–12 nm), continue to Perdika on Aegina on day 6 (≈ 12 nm) and return to Alimos on day 7 (≈ 18 nm). The same idea works in reverse if you want Hydra early in the week.
| Day | Route | Approx. distance |
|---|---|---|
| Day 5 | Hydra – Poros | ≈ 11–12 nm |
| Day 6 | Poros – Perdika (Aegina) | ≈ 12 nm |
| Day 7 | Perdika – Alimos | ≈ 18 nm |
Bareboat, skippered or crewed?
The Saronic is a good area for a bareboat charter if one of your crew holds a recognised licence; Hydra's crowded harbour is the main challenge, and anchoring in a nearby bay is always an option. With a skipper, you can leave the harbour manoeuvres to a professional. For a fully crewed motor yacht, the route can also be done at a faster pace, with more time at each stop; see luxury yacht charter Greece.
Practical tips for the week
- Arrive at Hydra and Poros early in the afternoon, especially at weekends.
- Hydra has no cars, so plan provisioning in Aegina or Poros.
- Leave early on the long return legs; the afternoon breeze is often on the nose heading back to Athens.
- Plan to be back at Alimos the evening before disembarkation, as your charter agreement sets out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Saronic Gulf good for a first charter?
Yes. It is close to Athens, the islands are close together and the water is usually calmer than in the Cyclades. Without a licence, choose a skippered charter.
Where does this Saronic sailing itinerary start?
At Alimos Marina on the Athens Riviera. Some yachts are based at other Athens marinas; we confirm the exact base with your quotation.
Can we do the Saronic in less than a week?
Yes. A long weekend works well for Aegina, Agistri and Poros, and four or five days are enough to reach Hydra and come back.
Which is the longest day on this route?
Spetses to Palea Epidavros, roughly 40 to 45 nautical miles by sea. The gentler alternative on this page avoids it.
Can we stay overnight in Hydra?
Yes, but the harbour is small and busy in summer. Arrive early in the afternoon or plan to anchor in a bay along the coast.
Is a motor yacht or a sailing yacht better here?
Both work. A motor yacht covers the route faster and leaves more time at each island; a sailing yacht or catamaran makes the passages part of the holiday.
Plan your trip
Sail this Saronic sailing itinerary
Send your dates, group size and the kind of week you want. We come back with the yachts that are actually available, their exact specifications and a written quotation.
Keep exploring
Where to go next
Compare the cruising regions, pick the charter format that fits your crew, or go straight to the yachts that match your dates.
Request availabilityItineraries
- 7-day Cyclades itinerary→
- 7-day Ionian itinerary→
- 7-day Saronic itinerary→
- A first week in the Ionian→
- How many islands in a week?→
