Saronic Gulf · Greece
Sail from the shadow of the Acropolis. Hydra in four hours, Aegina in two.
01
Alimos marina is the largest charter base in the world by hull count, twenty minutes from the Acropolis. The Saronic Gulf is sheltered, forgiving water — first-timers and families do well here. The city itself rewards a layover day: the Acropolis at 8am before the queues form, the new museum at the foot, the neighbourhood of Anafiotika (Cycladic houses built by Greek-island masons who came up for work) on the north slope.
02
Karamanlidika Tou Fani for the Cappadocian-Greek deli plates. Diporto, in a basement on Theatrou Square, has been serving the same five things since 1887. Hytra (Michelin-starred, rooftop) for the special evening. The Plaka district has too many tourist tavernas to count; the rule is: if the menu has photographs, walk on.
03
Five thousand years continuous. The Parthenon (438 BC) is the obvious moment; the Stoa of Attalos has been rebuilt; the Pnyx is where Athenian democracy met. The Byzantine churches in the Plaka — Kapnikarea, Agia Eirini — are 11th-century. The post-1830 city was Bavarian-designed; modern Athens is its own thing again.
04
Astir Beach (Glyfada) and Vouliagmeni's lake are the city swims. Sounion, 70km south at the temple of Poseidon, is the sunset day-trip. By boat: Aegina (17nm) for the Temple of Aphaia and the pistachio groves; Hydra (35nm) — no cars, no mopeds, donkeys and boats; Spetses (55nm) for the carless town and the wild south coast.
05
Layover a full day in Athens before sailing. The new Acropolis Museum is more rewarding than the rock itself for most people. The flea market at Monastiraki on Sunday morning. Take the funicular up Lycabettus at sunset, not the Acropolis. The hot spots change every two years; the old ones don't.
Nearby
Island · No cars
No cars, no mopeds, no taxis — the only island in the Mediterranean where that's true. Donkeys and boats. The harbour has been this way since the shipping families built their mansions here in the 18th century.
Arrive before noon to get a harbour berth. The cobbled lanes above the harbour lead to the mansions — most are now private, a few are open.
Island · Ancient temple
A 5th-century BC temple on a pine-forested hill — better preserved than most and completely uncrowded.
Anchor in Agia Marina on the east coast (45min walk to temple). The pistachio groves of Aegina: buy them from the boat sellers in the harbour.
Island · Carless · Beaches
The furthest of the Saronic islands. Another car-free town, with a cluster of beautiful coves on the south coast.
Anchor off Agioi Anargyroi beach on the west coast. The south of the island is wilder and emptier.
Wind & seasons
The Saronic is sheltered by the Peloponnese and Attica. Summer winds are a light-moderate NW sea breeze. Very forgiving for beginners. Good for weekend and 1-week trips without the Aegean exposure.
