Islands Near Athens: Which Ones Work as a Day Trip
By Vasilis Tsiklos · Updated
Short answer
The Saronic islands (Aegina, Agistri, Poros, Hydra and Spetses) are the closest islands to Athens. Aegina, Agistri, Poros and Hydra all work as a day trip. Spetses is the furthest, and it's better with a night there.
Greek islands close to Athens at a glance
If you only have one free day, look at the Saronic Gulf, the stretch of sea just southwest of Athens. These are the closest islands to Athens, and the only ones where a day trip leaves you real time on the island. Islands further out, like Santorini or Mykonos, are a flight or a long ferry away and need at least one night.
Aegina
- Getting there:
- Ferry from Piraeus (conventional or high-speed)
- Travel time each way:
- 40 min–1h 25m
- Best for:
- First-timers, families, food lovers
- Good as a day trip?:
- Yes. The easiest island day trip from Athens
Agistri
- Getting there:
- Ferry direct from Piraeus, or a short hop from Aegina
- Travel time each way:
- 55 min–1h 35m from Piraeus
- Best for:
- Swimmers, people who want quiet
- Good as a day trip?:
- Yes, but it's a full day
Poros
- Getting there:
- Drive to Galatas, then a 5-minute boat, or a ferry from Piraeus
- Travel time each way:
- About 2h 15m by road + 5 min boat, or 1h–2h 30m by ferry
- Best for:
- Couples, slow wanderers
- Good as a day trip?:
- Yes
Hydra
- Getting there:
- Ferry from Piraeus, or drive about 2h 30m–2h 45m to Metochi port and take the short ferry
- Travel time each way:
- 1h 05m–2h 20m by ferry from Piraeus
- Best for:
- Couples, friends, anyone who wants a slow day
- Good as a day trip?:
- Yes
Spetses
- Getting there:
- Ferry from Piraeus (high-speed boats only)
- Travel time each way:
- 1h 45m–3h 45m
- Best for:
- People with a night to spare
- Good as a day trip?:
- Possible, but better with a night
The Saronic islands, one by one
Aegina: the closest and easiest
Getting there: ferries leave from Piraeus, both conventional ferries and high-speed boats. The crossing takes 40 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes and costs about €11.50–19.50 one way.
What it's like: a lived-in island with a busy harbor town, fish tavernas and pistachio stalls everywhere. Aegina pistachios are the island's best-known product. Inland, the Temple of Aphaia stands on a pine-covered hill and is one of the best-preserved temples in Greece.
Who it suits: first-timers, families with kids and anyone who wants an island day without a long journey.
Day-trip verdict: yes. If you've never done a Greek island day trip, this is the safe first choice.
Agistri: small, green and made for swimming
Getting there: ferries and high-speed boats run direct from Piraeus (55 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes, about €13.50–19.50), or take the 10–15 minute hop from Aegina (about €4–8).
What it's like: a small island covered in pine forest, with clear water and few sights. You come here to swim, eat and do very little.
Who it suits: swimmers and people who want a quiet beach day.
Day-trip verdict: yes, but it's a full day with more connections than Aegina. Check the return times before you go.
Poros: a short crossing from the Peloponnese
Getting there: Poros sits just off Galatas on the Peloponnese side. Drive about 2 hours 15 minutes to Galatas and take the 5-minute boat across, which runs every 15 minutes. Or take a ferry from Piraeus (1 to 2.5 hours; high-speed boats cost about €36–42).
What it's like: a pretty harbor town climbing up to a clock tower, with a pine-covered interior and calm water.
Who it suits: couples and slow wanderers who like a harbor, a walk and a long lunch.
Day-trip verdict: yes. It works well if you don't mind combining a drive with a short boat ride.
Hydra: car-free, stone houses and donkeys
Getting there: you can take a high-speed boat from Piraeus (1 hour 5 minutes to 2 hours 20 minutes, about €28–42). Our private trip, operated by our licensed partner, drives you about 2h 30m–2h 45m to Metochi port for the short ferry across (€7.50 per person each way, several sailings a day in summer).
What it's like: there are no cars on Hydra. You get stone mansions, a horseshoe harbor, donkeys carrying luggage, and swimming spots you can walk to from town.
Who it suits: couples, friends and anyone who wants a slow, pretty day.
Day-trip verdict: yes. Hydra is the island most people picture when they think of a Greek island near Athens.
Spetses: the furthest, better overnight
Getting there: high-speed boats leave from Piraeus. The crossing takes 1 hour 45 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes and costs about €40–51. You can also drive to Kosta and take a short boat.
What it's like: an elegant island with old captains' mansions, pine forests and beaches you reach by bike or scooter.
Who it suits: people with a night to spare who want a relaxed island stay.
Day-trip verdict: possible, but you spend a lot of the day traveling. Stay at least one night if you can.
The three-island cruise: three islands briefly or one properly
Several companies sell a one-day cruise from Athens that stops at Aegina, Poros and Hydra. It costs about €110–130 per person, lunch included, and takes 11–12 hours.
The honest trade-off: you see three islands, but only for a short stop at each, on a timetable shared with a full boat. If you want a taste of each and like having everything organized, the cruise is a good choice. If you'd rather swim, sit in a harbor taverna and walk the lanes at your own pace, one island done properly is the better day.
Practical tips for an island day trip from Athens
Wind: ferries can be delayed or cancelled when the wind is strong. Check the forecast the day before, and have a plan B on land.
Booking: in summer, popular crossings fill up. Book high-speed boats ahead on the operator's site or Ferryhopper; Friday departures and Sunday-evening returns can sell out weeks ahead. The small boat from Metochi can't be booked: you pay at the booth.
Return times: check the last ferry back before you leave, and aim for the one before it.
Comfort: bring a hat, water and swimwear. Island lanes are often stepped and uneven, so wear good shoes.
Questions about islands near athens
Which island is closest to Athens?
Aegina is the closest of the Saronic islands and the easiest to reach from Athens, with ferries taking 40 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes.
Can you visit a Greek island in a day from Athens?
Yes. Aegina, Agistri, Poros and Hydra all work as a day trip from Athens. Spetses is possible but better with a night. Islands further out, like Santorini or Mykonos, need at least one night.
Which island is best for a day trip?
Aegina is the easiest, especially for first-timers and families. Hydra is the prettiest and the most popular, and car-free. Agistri is best if you mainly want to swim.
Do I need to book ferries in advance?
In summer, it's wise for popular crossings and weekends: Friday departures and Sunday-evening returns can sell out weeks ahead. Also check the forecast, because strong wind can cancel sailings.