Timeless Isles: Hydra & the Saronic

Car-free harbours, artistic heritage, and the grace of island life close to Athens

Introduction

Just beyond Athens, the Saronic Gulf offers a blend of classical history and island elegance. From Aegina’s ancient temples to Hydra’s car-free charm and Spetses’ cosmopolitan harbours, this voyage captures the soul of Greece in a week of sailing, culture, and serenity.

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Itinerary Overview

Total Distance: 117 nm | Average Daily Sailing: 2-3 hrs

Panoramic view of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, with the Parthenon atop the hill and ancient ruins in the foreground, surrounded by lush green trees.

Day 1 - Athens

Begin in Athens, where ancient wonders and modern energy intertwine. Stroll beneath the Acropolis, explore lively Plaka with its cafés and boutiques, or enjoy a final taste of city life along the waterfront before setting sail into the Saronic Gulf.

A harbor with several boats docked, a church with a red dome and a clock tower in the background, blue sky with clouds.

Day 2 - Aegina

Known for pistachios and history, Aegina combines seaside charm with cultural depth. Visit the Temple of Aphaia, stroll through the harbour town, or relax on sandy beaches. The island’s lively tavernas and fresh pistachio treats make it an unforgettable first stop.

A coastal town featuring a white clock tower with a blue door and Greek flag, orange-tiled roofs, and boats docked along the waterfront with mountains in the background.

Day 3 - Poros

Poros enchants with pine-clad hills and a waterfront lined with neoclassical houses. Climb to the clocktower for sweeping views or explore the island’s quiet coves. Its laid-back elegance and bustling harbour promenade create the perfect balance of leisure and discovery.

A colorful harbor with several boats docked along a waterfront, with a seaside town featuring white buildings and orange rooftops in the background under a clear blue sky.

Day 4 - Spetses

Spetses is a cosmopolitan favourite, where horse-drawn carriages line the promenade and grand mansions recall its maritime past. Chic boutiques, stylish cafés, and lively nightlife attract Athenians and travellers alike, while hidden beaches offer respite just beyond town.

A coastal town with colorful buildings along a harbor filled with sailboats, viewed from a terrace with a small sculpture of a tree in a circular stone planter and a nearby white church with a bell tower.

Day 5 - Ermioni

A quiet gem, Ermioni rests on a small peninsula framed by pine forests. The old town holds winding alleys and flower-filled courtyards, while the waterfront bustles with traditional tavernas. Its authentic atmosphere and calm charm make it a refreshing contrast to busier ports.

Colorful boats docked in a harbor with a hillside town and mountain in the background under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Day 6 - Hydra

Hydra is unique: no cars, just donkeys and cobbled lanes winding past stone mansions. The harbour is a natural amphitheatre filled with cafés and galleries, attracting artists and travellers alike. Its bohemian spirit and unspoiled charm are a highlight of the Saronic.

A lively street scene in Athens, Greece, with people dining outside at cafes, vibrant bougainvillaea flowers, traditional Greek architecture, and the Acropolis in the background during daytime.

Day 7 - Athens (Return)

Sail back to Athens and enjoy a final stroll through its bustling streets or a quiet coffee by the marina. Reflect on a week of pistachio groves, neoclassical harbours, and islands alive with history — a journey of Greek culture and island elegance close to the capital.

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Explore our yachts that brings this itinerary to life, or view the sailing route in more detail.

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Optional Onshore Experiences

Enhance your voyage with hand-picked experiences ashore, blending the region’s rich culture with its celebrated cuisine.

Colorful seaside village with white buildings, blue accents, and red-tiled roofs along the waterfront. Horses are tied up on a cobblestone promenade, with boats docked in the water.

Cultural Moments

  • Athens Classics: Visit the Acropolis and wander Plaka’s lively lanes of cafés, boutiques, and timeless charm below ancient temples.

  • Temple of Aphaia: Explore Aegina’s hilltop sanctuary, a Doric masterpiece with sweeping views of the Saronic Gulf.

  • Hydra Heritage: Discover stone mansions and art galleries in Hydra, where donkeys replace cars and bohemian spirit thrives.

Street market stall with baskets of hazelnuts on white cloth and a white chair nearby, parked cars in background on asphalt road.

Cuisine Journeys

  • Aegina Pistachios: Sample the island’s famed pistachios, enjoyed roasted, candied, or folded into irresistible local sweets.

  • Poros Seafood: Dine on freshly caught fish along the harbourfront, where neoclassical façades glow in the evening light.

  • Spetses Dining: Savour elegant waterfront cuisine in Spetses, with chic cafés and stylish restaurants overlooking the marina.

Elysian - Sailing Beyond Ordinary

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