Greek islands from Athens
From the car-free calm of Hydra to the caldera sunsets of Santorini, Athens is the gateway to the islands — some an easy day cruise from the port, others a short flight or overnight ferry away.
Saronic islands — day trips from Athens
Hydra, Poros and Aegina sit just off the coast near Piraeus — close enough to visit in a day by ferry or on a one-day cruise of all three.
Aegina: pistachios, ancient temples, and Athens' closest island
Aegina is 40 minutes from Piraeus by hydrofoil: a working island with a world-class ancient temple, famous pistachios, and a pilgrimage basilica worth visiting.
Hydra: the car-free island of stone mansions and donkeys
Hydra bans all motor vehicles — just donkeys, cobblestones, and 18th-century sea captains' mansions. The most rewarding day trip from Athens by far.
Poros: the green island almost touching the Peloponnese
Poros sits metres from the Peloponnese coast with a clock tower, Lemon Forest walks, and calm swimming beaches. The quietest, greenest Saronic day trip.
Cyclades — Santorini and Mykonos
The islands most travellers add to an Athens trip: Santorini for its caldera and sunsets, Mykonos for its beaches and nightlife, with sacred Delos a short boat ride away.
Delos: the sacred uninhabited island, birthplace of Apollo
Delos is Greece's most significant ancient site: an entire sacred city abandoned since 88 BC, 30 minutes by boat from Mykonos. Closed Mondays. Here is how to
Fira: Santorini's clifftop capital and the caldera path hub
Fira is Santorini's busy capital: the cable car from the port, the 10km caldera walk to Oia, the best museums, and the island's liveliest nightlife all in
Mykonos: windmills, beaches, nightlife, and the gateway to Delos
Mykonos combines cosmopolitan beach clubs and renowned nightlife with the best day trip in the Cyclades: the sacred uninhabited island of Delos, 30 minutes
Oia: Santorini's iconic sunset village above Ammoudi Bay
Oia is Santorini's most photographed village: blue-domed churches, cave houses on the caldera rim, and the most famous sunset in Greece. Here is what to know.
Santorini: caldera cliffs, volcanic islands, and Assyrtiko wine
Santorini is Greece's most dramatic island: a flooded volcanic crater ringed by white-cube villages, black-sand beaches, and vineyards producing Assyrtiko wine.
Crete — the great southern island
Greece's largest island rewards a longer stay: Minoan Knossos, the Venetian harbours of Chania and Heraklion, and beaches like Balos and Elafonissi.
Agios Nikolaos: Crete's lakeside resort town and gateway to Spinalonga
Agios Nikolaos sits around a mysterious bottomless lake connected to the sea. The real draw is the gateway role: Spinalonga island and the Elounda bay are
Chania: Crete's most beautiful town and the west's best base
Chania's Venetian harbour is Crete's most photogenic corner. The old town delivers real food and architecture. Beyond the walls: Balos lagoon, Elafonissi
Elafonissi: the pink-sand lagoon at Crete's southwest tip
Elafonissi is a shallow turquoise lagoon with genuine pink-tinged sand at Crete's southwestern edge. It earns the hype — but arrive early or expect crowds.
Heraklion: Crete's capital, Knossos, and the great museum
Heraklion pairs Europe's greatest Minoan museum with the palace of Knossos next door. Crete's capital is a proper city — Venetian walls, food markets, honest
Knossos: the Minoan palace of King Minos and the Labyrinth
Knossos is Europe's oldest palace complex and the heart of Minoan civilisation. The throne room, frescoes, and labyrinthine corridors are 20 minutes from
Spinalonga: the fortress-island and Europe's last leper colony
Spinalonga is a small island with a long, layered history: Venetian fortress, Ottoman settlement, and Europe's last active leper colony until 1957. Reached
Island guides and cruises
How to choose, reach and make the most of the islands — plus the day cruises that let you see several in one trip.
Aegina island guide: temples, pistachios, and easy day trips
Complete guide to Aegina island near Athens — the Temple of Aphaia, pistachio groves, beaches, ferry times from Piraeus, and honest tips for your 2026 day trip.
Athens Riviera sunset sail: sailing the coast at golden hour
Everything about sunset sailing on the Athens Riviera in 2026 — what to expect, departure points, what's included, the best spots along the coast, and how to
Best islands near Athens: which to choose for your trip
The best Greek islands close to Athens for day trips and short breaks in 2026 — Hydra, Aegina, Poros, Santorini, Mykonos compared honestly by distance
Crete from Athens: ferry, flight, and how long to stay
How to get from Athens to Crete in 2026 — overnight ferry vs flight, journey times, prices, best parts of the island to visit, and how many days you really
Delos guide: visiting the sacred island of ancient Greece
Complete guide to visiting Delos, the uninhabited sacred island near Mykonos in 2026 — the archaeological site, the Terrace of the Lions, how to get there
Greek islands from Athens: which island and how to choose
Santorini, Mykonos, Hydra, Aegina, Crete — which Greek island should you visit from Athens? Ferry times, flight options, day-trip feasibility, and honest
Hydra island guide: the car-free gem of the Saronic Gulf
Everything you need to know about Hydra — the car-free Saronic island near Athens. Ferry times, things to do, best beaches, and how to plan a perfect day
Hydra, Poros, and Aegina cruise: the classic Saronic day trip
The definitive guide to the Hydra-Poros-Aegina cruise from Athens in 2026. What each island is like, how long you get there, what to do at each stop, and how
Island hopping from Athens: routes, timing, and how to plan it
How to plan island hopping from Athens in 2026 — Saronic vs Cyclades routes, ferry connections, how many islands in how many days, booking tips, and common