Hydra, Spetses, Poros, Aegina, Tzia/Kea: the islands near Athens, with history, style and distinguished visitors are ideal for a quick getaway all year round.

Island-gems just a stone’s throw from Athens

1. Spetses. Τhe sea captains’ island, Spetses promises la ‘dolce vita’, whether for a quick weekend getaway or a long holiday. Have a leisurely coffee in Dapia, as you look across the sea towards Kosta and Porto Heli on the Peloponnese. Walk along the waterfront, past the handsome mansions below St Nicholas’ church, to the Old Harbour with its traditional boatyards. Then visit the Bouboulina and Hatzigiannis-Mexis museums.

2. Hydra. The aristocratic island of Hydra invites you to experience its beauty that has enchanted international jet-setters, artists like Chagall and Picasso and musicians like the late great Leonard Cohen. The port town is cosmopolitan and elegant, with its 18th-century mansions, captains’ homes, old churches, and marble-flagged steps that serve as streets on this steep island. A trip to take you back in time.

3. Poros. A place beloved by Seferis, the Greek Nobel laureate, and ground-breaking writer Henry Miller, with its beautiful nature, vintage charm and peaceful ambiance. A stone’s throw from Galata on the mainland, in Poros you’ll find small tavernas, yacht marinas, neoclassical buildings, a clock tower, pine forests reaching the sea, serenity, and relaxation.

4. Aegina. Just an hour from the port of Piraeus, Aegina is the island closest to Athens. Here you’ll enjoy ancient temples, stone-built Byzantine churches, a delightful old-fashioned port town, delicious local pistachio nuts, and a swimming season that lasts until late autumn. This charming, welcoming island will entice you as it has thousands of others from around the world, who have chosen to make it their second home. 

5. Angistri. This tiny island, just 5 minutes from Aegina and about an hour from Piraeus, offers pine-studded landscapes, beautiful bays and hidden coves, pure nature for trekking and biking, and picturesque seaside tavernas – perfect for an alternative holiday. 

6. Tzia/Kea. Close to Athens – just one hour from the port of Lavrio – Tzia/Kea will charm you with its cosmopolitan ambiance, unique beaches and the mysteries hiding on its seabed.

7.Kythnos. Picturesque villages boast narrow streets of cobbled stone and gardens full of flowers; tiny chapels pop up on rocky headlands and within forest glades. So much “hidden” beauty and authentic Aegean character, and just a short hop by ferry, really close to Athens. With a long history starting in the mists of the Mesolithic period, Kythnos, modest and hospitable, unexpectedly beautiful and serene, welcomes you.

7 days Saronic Gulf

DAY 1   ATHENS – EPIDAVROS                  

DAY 2   EPIDAVROS – POROS                         

DAY 3   POROS – HYDRA                         

DAY 4   HYDRA – SPETSES

DAY 5   SPETSES – PORTOCHELI                

DAY 6   PORTOCHELI – ERMIONI                      

DAY 7   ERMIONI – PERDIKA                      

DAY 8   PERDIKA – ATHENS

14 days Saronic Gulf

DAY 1   ATHENS – POROS                         

DAY 2   POROS – ERMIONI                      

DAY 3   ERMIONI – SPETSES                       

DAY 4   SPETSES – NAFPLIO                      

DAY 5   NAFPLIO – LEONIDIO                    

DAY 6   LEONIDIO – ELAFONISOS                 

DAY 7   ELAFONISOS – KYTHIRA

DAY 8   KYTHIRA – MONEMVASIA              

DAY 9   MONEMVASIA – PORTOCHELI                

DAY 10 PORTOCHELI – HYDRA                         

DAY 11 HYDRA – METHANA                    

DAY 12 METHANA – EPIDAVROS           

DAY 13 EPIDAVROS – KORFOS                                   

DAY 14 KORFOS – AGISTRI                       

DAY 15 AGISTRI – ATHENS

SPORADES: A JOURNEY TO THE GREATNESS OF NATURE.

The Sporades: Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos. Three lush green enchanting islands with stunning beaches. Among them, the famous sea park of the Northern Sporades. Discover Skiathos, the birthplace of Alexandros Papadiamantis, and enjoy a relaxing swim in Koukounaries, one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. On Skopelos, where “Mamma Mia” was filmed, you will admire the unique architecture of its capital town (“Hora”). On Alonissos’ hiking trails, you will explore the beauty of unspoiled nature.

Enjoy the sea and sand, alone or with company
The most popular beaches are in Pelion, offering a choice of sand or white pebbles to go with the turquoise water. Some of the most magical are Horefto, Ai Ioannis, Papa Nero, Damouhari, Fakistra and from Mylopotamos to Potistika in southern Pelion. In the Sporades, you will find amazing beaches well-known around the world – beaches of outstanding beauty such as Koukounaries and magical Lalaria on Skiathos, and Kastani, Panormos, Milia, Stafylos and Velanio on evergreen Skopelos, and Agios Dimitrios, the star of Alonissos.

7 days Sporades

DAY 1   VOLOS – SKIATHOS               

DAY 2   SKIATHOS – SKOPELOS                         

DAY 3   SKOPELOS – ALONISOS               

DAY 4   ALONISOS – SKYROS

DAY 5   SKYROS – KYMI 

DAY 6   KYMI – KARYSTOS             

DAY 7   KARYSTOS – KEA   

DAY 8   KEA – ATHENS

14 days Sporades

DAY 1   ATHENS – LAVRIO                        

DAY 2   LAVRIO – NEA STYRA

DAY 3   NEA STYRA – CHALKIDA                    

DAY 4   CHALKIDA – LICHADONISIA             

DAY 5   LICHADONISIA – VOLOS                         

DAY 6   VOLOS – SKIATHOS                    

DAY 7   SKIATHOS – SKOPELOS                    

DAY 8   SKOPELOS – ALONISSOS                  

DAY 9   ALONISSOS – SKYROS                        

DAY 10 SKYROS – KYMI                           

DAY 11 KYMI – PETRIES                        

DAY 12 PETRIES – KARYSTOS                    

DAY 13 KARYSTOS – ANDROS                      

DAY 14 ANDROS – KEA                             

DAY 15 KEA – ATHENS

A dozen island beauties on the edge of the Aegean.

Endless beaches and unexplored islets, castles and ancient civilizations, cosmopolitan but at the same time unspoiled, these quintessentially Greek islands are above all charming and hospitable.

7 days Dodecanese

DAY 1   RHODES – SYMI                            

DAY 2   SYMI – KOS                             

DAY 3   KOS – LEROS              

DAY 4   LEROS – IKARIA

DAY 5   IKARIA – PATMOS

DAY 6   PATMOS – KALYMNOS                  

DAY 7   KALYMNOS – TILOS   

DAY 8   TILOS – RHODES

14 days Dodecanese

DAY 1   ATHENS – KYTHNOS                                 

DAY 2   KYTHNOS – PAROS

DAY 3   PAROS – AMORGOS                   

DAY 4   AMORGOS – IKARIA             

DAY 5   IKARIA – SAMOS            

DAY 6   SAMOS – PATMOS                      

DAY 7   PATMOS – LEROS              

DAY 8   LEROS – KALYMNOS                  

DAY 9   KALYMNOS – KOS                 

DAY 10   KOS – SYMI                            

DAY 11   SYMI – RHODES                       

DAY 12   RHODES – ASTYPALEA       

DAY 13   ASTYPALEA – IOS                  

DAY 14   IOS – SERIFOS                                   

DAY 15   SERIFOS – ATHENS

Emerald isles in a sapphire sea

The sapphire waters of the Ionian Sea welcome you to paradise. Kefalonia, Corfu, Zante, Lefkada, Ithaca, and Paxi. All of these holiday destinations are wonderful. The major islands of the Ionian lived for centuries under Venetian rule and it shows in their castles and churches. Carpeted with olive trees, pines, and vineyards, they are fertile and green, a stunning setting for their award-winning white-sand beaches and peacock-blue waters. You’ll also find that the hospitable citizens have music in their souls. 

On land, you’ll want to explore the monasteries and mountain villages and seek out waterfalls, hiking trails and scenic routes by car or motorbike. Nature lovers can retire to the wetlands for birdwatching or the marine parks for glimpses of elusive monk seals and Loggerhead turtles. As for sailing or cruising, there’s no better place than the Ionian, where the winds are favorable the anchorages safe. Kite and windsurfers already regard the Ionian as THE prime location for their sports.

Celebrated exotic beaches 
Award winners, the stunning beaches of Lefkada – Engremni, Porto Katsiki, Kathisma – and the Shipwreck beach on Zante are famous the world over. Voutoumi and Vrika on Antipaxi are beloved by boat owners, while Schinos on Ithaca is where the elite meet. Myrtos, on Kefalonia, appears on many posters, its white crescent lapped by milky blue waters and framed by towering cliffs. Then there’s Kaladi on Kythera, and of course Corfu’s much-photographed Paleokastritsa. The Ionian islands have countless other large and small beaches, with a full range of facilities and watersports.

Lands of myths and colorful traditions
Medieval castles and monasteries, storied buildings and excellent museums – testaments to the rich culture and history of the Ionian islands. On Corfu, Homer’s kingdom of the Phaeacians, popular sights is the city’s Old and New Venetian Forts, the Achillion palace built by Sissy, empress of Austria, and Mon Repos. Outstanding museums include the Asian Art collection in the Palace of St Michael and St George, the Archaeology Museum, the  Municipal Gallery and others. Also famous are the island’s marching bands in full regalia, their unusual Easter customs and the processions in honor of patron Saint Spyridon.

On  Lefkada, you will find one of the most impressive medieval buildings in Greece and the island’s most significant attraction,  the sturdy 14th-century castle of Santa Maura, which guards the entrance across the lagoon from the mainland. Throughout the main town, you’ll notice wonderful examples of 17th and 18th-century Ionian baroque churches. Kefalonia too has impressive attractions, such as  Venetian fortresses, Mycenaean tombs, Roman mosaics, and baroque churches, while Argostoli’s Corgialenios Museum and Library are among the best in Greece. On Zante, the basilica and bell tower of Agios Dionysios remind one of Venice, and the monastery of Agios Georgios ton Gremnon above Shipwreck bay is beautifully preserved. Fans of Byzantine architecture will also want to venture to the Strofades islands, 37 nautical miles off Zante, to see the impressive 13th-century monastery fortress there.

7 days Ionian

DAY 01   ATHENS – TRIZONIA                 

DAY 02   TRIZONIA – ASTAKOS

DAY 03   ASTAKOS – LEFKADA                          

DAY 04   LEFKADA – PAXI                    

DAY 05   PAXI – CORFU                         

DAY 06   CORFU – PARGA                         

DAY 07   PARGA – LEFKADA (VASILIKI)

14 days Ionian

DAY 01   ATHENS – TRIZONIA                 

DAY 02   TRIZONIA – ASTAKOS

DAY 03   ASTAKOS – LEFKADA                          

DAY 04   LEFKADA – PAXI                    

DAY 05   PAXI – CORFU                         

DAY 06   CORFU – PARGA                         

DAY 07   PARGA – LEFKADA (VASILIKI)                  

DAY 08   LEFKADA (VASILIKI) – ITHAKI

DAY 09   ITHAKI – KEFALONIA (POROS)                              

DAY 10   KEFALONIA (POROS) – ZAKYNTHOS

DAY 11   ZAKYNTHOS – NAFPAKTOS             

DAY 12   NAFPAKTOS – GALAXIDI                         

DAY 13   GALAXIDI – KORFOS                       

DAY 14   KORFOS – ATHENS

Dazzling white villages, golden beaches, and clear azure water are just the start of what these islands have to offer.

Within easy reach of Athens, these are the Aegean’s most precious gems. Ancient Greek geographers gave this unique cluster of islands the name Cyclades because they saw that they formed a circle (kyklos) of sorts around the sacred island of Delos. According to myth, the islands were the debris that remained after a battle between giants. In reality, they resulted from colossal geological events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Their colors are blue and white like the Greek flag. The islands come in all sizes and, though the ingredients are the same – incomparable light, translucent water, heavenly beaches, lustrous white buildings, and bare rock, each one has its own distinct character. The group’s stars, Mykonos and Santorini, need no introduction but the lesser-known islands, big and small, are just as rewarding. For starters, try aristocratic Syros, cosmopolitan Paros, the sculptors’ paradise of Tinos, bountiful Naxos, exotic Milos, and historic Delos, not to mention the ‘hidden gems’ that adorn the Aegean, such as Tzia/Kea, Kythnos, Sifnos, Serifos, Amorgos, Sikinos, Anafi and Folegandros. Whether you’re traveling with your family, friends or sweetheart, you’re bound to find your summer paradise in the sun in the Cyclades.

What’s your idea of the perfect beach? Green-blue water and white sand? Beach bars and water sports? Framed by rocks for snorkeling and scuba diving? A secret Aegean cove accessible only on foot or by boat? No matter what your ideal is, you’ll find it in the Cyclades. First stop: Mykonos with its extra golden sand, turquoise water, and 5-star facilities. Paradise, Super Paradise, Psarou and Elia, all rank in the top 10 beaches worldwide.

Next comes volcanic Milos, with the biggest range of colors and rock formations, such as at Sarakiniko and Kleftiko, and Santorini’s black and red beaches like Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolo that reveal the wild beauty of the Cyclades. Small Serifos is ringed with beaches, while rugged Amorgos can claim the ‘Big Blue’ at Agia Anna beach, where Luc Besson shot his seminal movie about testing the limits of man. Andros’ ‘secret’ sandy beaches, like Ahla and Grias to Pidima, win rave reviews for being extra photogenic, as does Tinos for the round boulders at Livada and the enormous dune at Pachia Ammos (Fat Sand). For getting away from it all, both tiny Polyaigos, between Kimolos and Milos, and the Lesser Cyclades, near Naxos, offer unexplored destinations of raw beauty, for those who come by yacht.

7 days Cyclades

DAY 01   ATHENS – KYTHNOS                     

DAY 02   KYTHNOS – SIFNOS                        

DAY 03   SIFNOS – IOS                  

DAY 04   IOS – FOLEGANDROS             

DAY 05   FOLEGANDROS – MILOS                         

DAY 06   MILOS – SERIFOS                       

DAY 07   SERIFOS – KEA                             

DAY 08   KEA – ATHENS

14 days Cyclades

DAY 01   ATHENS – KEA                 

DAY 02   KEA – TINOS

DAY 03   TINOS – SYROS                          

DAY 04   SYROS – MYKONOS                    

DAY 05   MYKONOS – PAROS                         

DAY 06   PAROS – NAXOS                         

DAY 07   NAXOS – KOUFONISI                  

DAY 08   KOUFONISI – AMORGOS

DAY 09   AMORGOS – IOS                              

DAY 10   IOS – SANTORINI

DAY 11   SANTORINI – FOLEGANDROS             

DAY 12   FOLEGANDROS – MILOS                         

DAY 13   MILOS – SERIFOS                       

DAY 14   SERIFOS – KYTHNOS                                 

DAY 15   KYTHNOS – ATHENS