Descriptions of sailing destinations in the Saronic Gulf of Greece, in alphabetical order. Click the name to see full details. These give detail of what to see and do, and the facilities ashore. If you’d rather see the full listings on a single page, click here.
For details of where and how to moor, see Saronic: Moorings. For suggested itineraries, see Saronic: Routes.
- Aegina TownAegina town, on the island of the same name, is known for its pistachio nuts and natural sponges. Alongside the harbour front cafes you’ll find an excellent fish market complete with several fish restaurants, and boats on the quay selling fruit and veg. One can’t help but think the fruit should be in the market and the fish ...Read more
- Agios NikolaosAgios Nikolaos is a bay on the south end of the island of Hydra. It’s only accessible by sea. However, you may not be alone – it’s a popular stop for water taxi’s from Hydra town. There’s a small pebbled beach, equipped with sun beds and umbrellas. Snacks and drinks are available, provided by a friendly ...Read more
- Agistri / Angistri / AgkistriThe small island of Agistri offers a number of beautiful beaches. The cobbled streets and whitewashed house are picture postard Greece. Outside the settlements it’s olive groves and pine forests, which supply the resin used in making Retsina wine. Definitely one for your yacht charter itinerary and since the harbour has been developed, it now features on ...Read more
- Astros / AstrousA holiday town popular with the Greeks, Astros is really two towns; the commercial centre being a couple of miles inland. The port and beaches form the tourist centre, but the medieval castle on the headland demonstrates this is not just a modern settlement. The town has numerous restaurants and cafe’s, and plenty of places to ...Read more
- Athens Kalamaki (Alimos)Kalamaki Marina is home to countless charter companies and is easily reached from Athens Airport, less than 20 miles (30km) away. It is also handy for the centre of Athens, 5 miles (8km) to the north. There’s even a beach next door. That’s the good news. On the other hand, although it has improved greatly since ...Read more
- Athens Marina ZeaDescription coming soon but here’s a picture.Read more
- Dhoroussa / DorousaThis small island lies at the west end of Agistri. The channel between these two islands provides several anchorages on the east side, popular with charter yachts. At the north end a small cafe sometimes operates on the Agistri shore.Read more
- Dokos / DhokosThe island of Dokos, is a great place to escape from it all. Other charter yachts aside, the population of a few monks and shepherds only just make it in to double figures (though it’s getting more popular; there were only 11 of them in 2001 but 18 in 2011)! The large bay of Skintos / Skindos ...Read more
- Epidavros / Nea EpidavrosThis small harbour is less known than the larger town further south at Palaia Epidavros. In fact Nea Epidavros town is rarely frequented by yacht charter crews, being about a mile inland from its harbour. The town is virtually invisible from the sea. Nea Epidavros lies at the foot of Mount Akros. It is famed as the location of ...Read more
- Epidavros / Palaia EpidavrosThe main reason to pause your charter yacht in Palaia Epidavros is to see the impressive and well preserved Greek amphitheatre which dates from 4BC and is still used for performances in high season. There is also a sunken Roman villa just off the beach. However, town itself is pleasant enough and offers several restaurants ...Read more
- ErmioniThis bustling town, built on a peninsula, seems to be a latecomer to tourism. The north side of the peninsula, known as Limania, provides the harbour and all the facilities you would expect of a small town, including chemists, excellent bakeries, banks with ATM’s and various general stores. There’s even a small hypermarket within walking ...Read more
- FokianosFokianos is a bay about mid way between Plaka and Kiparissi. The long pebbled beach stretches around the clear waters of the bay. There are a few (free) sun loungers and umbrellas. The beach sees few visitors, due to its relative inaccessibility. So you can have a section of beach to yourselves. There are however ...Read more
- HydraHydra is a must see destination for any Saronic Cruise. The former artists colony still relies on donkeys to transport everything from food to fridges along the cobbled streets, the only mechanised transport being a couple of dust carts. The bustling harbour is ringed with restaurants and gift shops selling everything from tacky souvenirs to highly priced designer attire ...Read more
- KapariKapari is a bay south of Ermioni. The small beach has sun loungers. There’s a good taverna nearby. There’s nothing else here but if you need provisions just follow the rod round the by to Ermioni. It’s about 3 miles.Read more
- KiparissiWith it’s low lying white buildings set against the green mountains behind, this fishing village provides an impressive stop. A few holiday rentals have appeared and the bar on the front is popular in high season but otherwise the bay is untouched by the tourist trade and I hope it will stay that way. The basics are ...Read more
- Koiladhia / KiladaIf you like fish, don’t miss Koiladhia. This is a working port and fishing is one of the two main occupations, so you can dine out on the local catch at one of several restaurants. The other business in town is boat building and repairs, with a substantial boatyard dealing with a variety of craft, yachts ...Read more
- KorfosA pretty village set in a well sheltered bay, Korfos offers few facilities beyond a clutch of restaurants and bars, and basic provisions, but is worth a visit. Unusually for the area, the quayside is controlled by the two restaurants who have laid mooring lines. Use their quay and you’re expected to use their restaurant. It’s ...Read more
- MarathonosMarathonos is a bay just north of Perdika on Aegina island. There’s a small beach in the south east corner and several restaurants ashore. However, for more atmosphere, Perdika is only about a half a mile walk away and is highly recommended for a visit. Marathonos offers fairly good shelter, especially in the south east corner. ...Read more
- MethanaMethana is popular with Greek tourists, many drawn by the therapeutic sulphur springs. Bareboat charter yachts are less frequent visitors, many I suspect put off by warnings in the pilot book about the smell. Those who have braved it seem to agree the odour is greatly overstated and rather a non issue. The town sits on the east side of ...Read more
- MonemvasiaMonemvasia is a fantastic place, a fortified Byzantine town full of zigzagging alleyways perched on a 300m high rock connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. A walk through the streets (and there’s no other way to get through them because of their narrowness) is like going back hundreds of years, though perhaps the ...Read more
- Nafplion / Navplion & MycenaeNafplion, at the head of the Argolic Gulf, was previously the capital of Greece. The walled city had spells of Venetian and Turkish occupation, both of whom left their mark in the elegant architecture that remains today. The Palamidi fortifications also remain, ringing the town and offering great views for those who can manage the ...Read more
- PerdikaA charming fishing village, Perdika is one of my favourite spots in the Saronic, with it’s row of restaurants on a terrace overlooking the harbour. Believe it or not, it also boasts the world’s first 360o camera obscura, essentially a huge pinhole camera giving an all around view. Like many Greek villages, Perdika also has some ruins ...Read more
- PetrokaravoThis large bay at the north end of Spetses offers plenty of space. Off the west side of the main bay is a smaller inlet with a restaurant. The main bay is often used by flotillas for beach parties but there’s plenty of room for everyone.Read more
- Plaka / LeonidionThe small village of Plaka on the west side of the Argolic Gulf has long been a popular stop. The village has three or four restaurants, a small shop and a long and sparsely occupied beach, with a beach bar. There’s a small hotel and a municipal shower block just a couple of minutes walk from the ...Read more
- PorosThe small town of Poros, which bears the same name as the island, is only 30 miles from Athens but a world apart. Poros: Sunset over the West Quay, pontoon (since expanded) and Navy Bay A popular retreat for Athenians, the island retains it’s “Greek-ness”, with a range of traditional restaurants, a fish market, and good selection ...Read more
- Porto Heli / Port KheliThis large almost totally enclosed bay is a popular water sports centre, though popular with bareboat charter skippers more for the excellent shelter. Porto Heli offers copious mooring space, courtesy of the long quay built when the bay was intended to become a NATO base. A sandy beach runs along the north shore in front of a line ...Read more
- SalaminaSalamina is the main town on the island of Salamis, the nearest island to Athens. The town surrounds the fishing harbour. The island is famed of the location of a historic naval battle in 480BC when the Greek fleet fought off the Persians and thus purportedly saved western civilisation. The town is on the prettier west ...Read more
- Sambateki / SabatekiA new destination for yachtsmen, following recent construction of a breakwater across the bay. Let’s hope it lasts longer than the harbour at Plaka! Sambateki is a small village with limited facilities though this may change if it becomes popular with sailors. There are a couple of tavernas so you won’t starve, and you should be ...Read more
- Soupia / Frog IslandThe island of Soupia looks like a frog when approached from the east, hence its alternative name. Behind the island is an anchorage.Read more
- Spetses TownIf your yacht charter was conditional on including some retail therapy for your nearest and dearest, then Spetses could be the answer. There’s a choice of beaches for the youngsters, fine restaurants, and a good choice of bars to party the night away. The town centre is car free, there are excellent walks, so why do so ...Read more
- TirosA sleepy village that stretches about a mile along the seafront of the large bay. In high season, it is a popular destination for Europeans, but even then, with the yacht moorings right at the south end of the bay, you’re unlikely to be disturbed. The sea front is dotted with restaurants along it’s length so ...Read more
- ToloTolo was once a small fishing village. But blessed with a 2km long beach it was only a matter of time before it was discovered. It’s now a popular tourist destination. Fortunately, with such a long front the hotels are well spread and not of the high rise variety. The town boasts all you would expect ...Read more
- Tselevinia / SkillaionJust south east of Tselevinia is an pleasant anchorage, ideal for breaking the trip between Poros and Hydra or Ermioni. There’s nothing there so not much more to say really!Read more
- VathiVathi is a sweet little place with just three or four restaurants, no shops, one bar and a volcano (inactive)! It’s a small fishing harbour with limited space so one to avoid on Friday and Saturday nights when it gets over run with boats out from Athens for the weekend. The first couple of restaurants nearest ...Read more
- Vivari / KhaidhariThe village lies at the head of a superb natural anchorage offering good shelter. There’s not much here, just a few restaurants, a beach and some basic provisions, but it’s a little off the beaten track and I’ve always found a warm welcome here. Quay space is very limited so be prepared to anchor and dinghy ...Read more
- YerakasThis delightful fishing village is little more than a row of houses (and a couple of restaurants) lining the quayside. Other than visiting sailors, Yerakas sees few visitors, and indeed quite a few yachtsmen manage to sail past the well concealed entrance! Yerakas is set in a long inlet, described by some as a fjord (they’ve ...Read more