One Week by Yacht in Greece’s Saronic Islands: A Sample Itinerary from Athens

If you want the Greek islands without long passages, the Saronic Gulf is hard to beat. The islands sit right on Athens’ doorstep, so you can start your week at a city marina in the morning and be swimming off Aegina by lunchtime. In seven nights you can visit ancient temples, car-free harbour towns and pine-fringed coves, and still have plenty of time just to relax on board.

The itinerary below is a sample. A good captain will adjust it to the weather, the yacht and how your group likes to spend its days. For more on the wider region, see our Greek Islands charter guide.

Why choose the Saronic Islands?

According to the Greek National Tourism Organisation, the Saronic group includes Aegina, Agistri, Poros, Hydra, Spetses and Salamina. Each has a different character. Aegina was the first capital of the independent Greek state and is known for its pistachios. Hydra bans cars and is famous for its stone mansions. Poros is green and quiet. Spetses has an elegant old harbour and a long boatbuilding tradition.

Short hops between islands make the Saronic a good fit for families, for first-time charterers and for anyone who would rather spend the day at anchor than under way. It also suits every type of yacht. Motor yachts can cover the whole loop easily. Catamarans and gulets give more space on deck. Sailing yachts can enjoy relaxed island-to-island sailing.

Sample seven-night itinerary

Day 1: Athens to Aegina

Board at an Athens marina and cross the gulf to Aegina. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Aphaia. This Doric temple was built around 500 BC on a hilltop on the east of the island, and on a clear day you can see the Acropolis from it. Back in Aegina town, stroll the narrow streets of neoclassical houses and buy some of the island’s pistachios.

Day 2: Agistri

Agistri, Aegina’s small neighbour, is a short hop away. Pine trees run right down to clear water, and the coves are ideal for a long swim stop, snorkelling and paddleboarding from the yacht. It is a quiet, unhurried day, and a good way to settle into life on board.

Day 3: Poros

Head south to Poros. The town looks across a channel only about 200 metres wide to Galatas on the Peloponnese, and arriving through it is one of the most attractive approaches in the Saronic. Walk up to the 1927 clock tower for views over the town’s rooftops. The ruins of the Temple of Poseidon, where the orator Demosthenes died in 322 BC, are on the northern part of the island.

Day 4: Epidaurus and the Peloponnese coast

Cross to the Peloponnese coast for one of Greece’s great ancient sites. The Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its 4th-century BC theatre is known for its remarkable acoustics. UNESCO calls it one of the purest masterpieces of Greek architecture. The theatre still hosts performances during an annual festival that has run since 1955, so ask us whether your dates could include an evening show.

Day 5: Hydra

Hydra is the highlight for many guests. There are no cars, motorbikes or even bicycles: people get around on foot, by donkey or by water taxi. The crescent-shaped harbour is lined with cafés, galleries and grand stone mansions that recall the island’s role in the 1821 War of Independence. In the 1950s and 1960s Hydra also drew artists and writers, including Leonard Cohen. Before dinner, swim off the rocks at Kamini or Vlychos.

Day 6: Spetses

Spetses is the furthest point of the loop. Private cars are not allowed in town, so horse-drawn carriages and bicycles take you between the main harbour and the Old Port, where traditional boatyards still work. A statue of Laskarina Bouboulina, the island’s War of Independence heroine, stands on the main dock. If you charter in early September, the Armata festival recreates the naval battle of 1822 with a spectacular show in the harbour.

Day 7: Back towards Athens

Begin the return north. Your captain may break the trip with a final lunch stop and swim off Poros or Aegina before an evening at anchor. Disembark at the Athens marina the next morning.

When to go

The Greek charter season generally runs from May to October. July and August are the busiest and most expensive weeks. May, June and September offer warm water, quieter harbours and often better value. Some yachts based near Athens offer Saronic charters well into the autumn, so ask us about late-season dates.

What will it cost?

Rates depend on the yacht, the season and the number of guests, so we quote each charter individually. Most crewed charters in Greece are quoted as a weekly charter fee plus an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA) for fuel, food, drinks and port fees, and VAT may also apply. Our guide Yacht Charter Costs Explained explains each item so there are no surprises.

Book early for summer 2027

The best-value yachts and the most popular weeks in July and August often go first. Many owners also offer early-booking discounts for reservations made well in advance. If you are thinking about Greece for 2027, now is a good time to start planning.

Tell us your dates, your group size and the kind of holiday you have in mind, and we will send you a shortlist of crewed yachts suited to the Saronic Islands. Contact iBoat International to start planning your week.