Escape the heat with these island day trips from Athens

Athens, Greece, has a secret. 👀

You don’t actually have to choose between a week in the city or a week on a faraway Cycladic island. You, traveler, can have both. The closest islands to Athens are not only less than 2 hours from the port of Piraeus—super accessible for a single day or weekend trip—the ticket prices are also very reasonable. Extend your stay in one of the coolest cities in the world, see more than just the Acropolis and the Agora, and still dip a toe into the island life. Here are 4 amazing islands close to Athens you can spend the day in and be back in the city by nightfall.

Get a tan and a pistachio gelato on Aegina

It’s worth the quick jaunt, dear reader. Source: iStock

For approximately €11.50, and less than an hour of your morning, you can spend the day in Aegina. Dock at a lively harbour lined with cafés, fishing boats, and horse-drawn carriages, and enjoy a fragrant whiff of the island’s famous pistachios. Spend the morning climbing to the Temple of Aphaia, a beautifully preserved 5th-century BC sanctuary perched among pine trees with sweeping views across the Saronic Gulf, then wander the backstreets of Aegina Town or hop over to the little fishing village of Perdika for a leisurely lunch of fresh seafood by the water.

You can reach Aegina 7 days a week with Aegina Ferries, Aegean Flying Dolphins, Olympian Ferries, Remezzo Maritime Company, Saronic Ferries, and Magic Sea Ferries. Use our search and booking tool to find the best time and price.

Let your hair down, like Leonard, in Hydra

Taverna lights glitter on picturesque Hydra. Source: iStock

Noisy Athenian traffic is wearing you down? Escape to one of Greece’s most famous islands, Hydra, in just 1 hour and 30 minutes by ferry. Since cars and motorbikes are banned on Hydra, the only noises you’ll hear will be the peaceful clodding of donkey’s hooves, the waves crashing against the coast, and your travel buddy saying “OoooOOooooh.” Spend the day wandering the marble lanes up into the quiet backstreets, ducking into little museums and churches, then follow the coastal path to a spot like Spilia or Hydronetta to slip straight off the rocks into deep blue water. By sunset, your inner bohemian will be running the show.

You can reach Hydra 7 days a week with Alpha Lines and Magic Sea Ferries.

Pour a chilly rosé in Poros

Replenish your dopamine with the colours of Poros. Source: iStock

Hydra is sort of a household name for international visitors. But Poros is much lesser known, and just as quaint. For starters, it’s the greenest of the islands we’ve assembled here, even in the height of summer. The average crossing is just over an hour, but the fastest ferry will have you there in 55 minutes. Fancy a swim? Head to the Port of Love to dip into a cove with turquoise waters and dotted with rich pine trees. When the sun starts setting, head back into town to catch a glimpse of the famous Clock Tower and end your evening at a classic seaside taverna like Serenita, Apagio or Poseidon.

Blue Star Ferries, Magic Sea Ferries, and Saronic Ferries all sell daily tickets to Poros for an average of €30.00.

Sail to spectacular Spetses

Spetses is as luxurious as it is accessible. Source: iStock

Spetses is the farthest of the islands close to Athens we’ve covered here, with the longest ferry coming in around 2 hours. That said, there are ferries both in the early morning from Athens and evening from Spetses, so it’s totally possible to pull off a day trip if you don’t mind a little extra time at sea. Otherwise, it’s a great little spot to spend the evening or weekend if you prefer an extension.

Spetses is an elegant island, with towering walls of bougainvillea flowers, horse-drawn carriages, and neoclassical houses lining the port. For beaches, you’re spoiled for choice: Agia Paraskevi, Vrellos and Agio Anargyroi are all popular spots.

Sail to Spetses with Alpha Lines (like we did last week!) and Magic Sea Ferries.

You’re only a few hours away from a beautiful island

Browse the best dates and times for your daytrip right here on Ferryscanner with our search and booking tool. As of this summer, you can earn Ferryscanner Miles for every trip you take! That means your quick trip to Hydra can contribute to next year’s trip a bit further out. Sound like a plan?