Saronic Islands Sailing Itinerary from Athens: A 7 Day Cruise to Hydra, Poros and Aegina

This itinerary sails through the Saronic Gulf, the stretch of sea closest to Athens, starting and ending in the same marina and covering a circuit of islands and coastal towns within a relatively compact, sheltered cruising ground.

Distances between stops stay short throughout the week, with mostly downwind conditions and protected waters that suit both first time sailors and more experienced travelers, leaving plenty of time each day for swimming and time ashore rather than long passages.

The islands themselves vary considerably over a short distance, from Aegina's pine covered hills and ancient ruins to Hydra's bare, rocky profile rising steeply from a harbor with no roads, and the greener, more wooded landscapes of Poros and Agistri.

Each stop carries its own character, Aegina's Temple of Aphaia, Hydra's car free streets and stone mansions, Poros's clock tower above the harbor, and Epidavros's ancient theatre, regarded as one of the best preserved in Greece. Evenings generally move between quiet coastal towns and livelier harbors, with traditional tavernas a constant throughout the week.

Days tend to follow a similar pattern, a swim stop or two during the morning sail, lunch either at anchor or ashore, and an afternoon arrival that leaves time to explore before dinner, with the rhythm shifting gently between quieter islands and busier harbor towns as the week progresses.