You’re in luck because we have gathered 8 beautiful islands that are just a short ferry ride far from the capital, making them perfect for a mini-Spring-Break!
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Serifos is an island in the western Cyclades, known for its ancient towers, castles, monasteries, and the capital of Chora with its whitewashed buildings, at the top of a hill. The island has a total of 72 beaches! Among the most popular are Psili Ammos, Ganema, and Livadakia. Some of the remarkable buildings on the island include an island, including the Monastery of Taxiarches, built in the 14th century. You may want to visit the White Tower, the remains of an ancient observatory, at the top of a hill. The island is famous among divers and several companies offer diving.
Distance from Piraeus: 2-4 hours
The island of Bouboulina is famous for its picturesque cobbled alleys, its historic mansions, and the crucial role it played in the Greek Revolution. To learn more about the history of the island, you can visit the Museum of Spetses and the Museum of Bouboulina. One of the most beautiful places on the island is the Bekiri cave, which has places where you can swim. Agia Paraskevi beach, which has a small church nearby, is a quiet beach for relaxing or swimming. A special feature of Spetses is the ban on cars within the city limits.
Distance from Piraeus: 2 to 3 hours
The nearest island of the Cyclades to the mainland, Tzia (or Kea), has become extremely popular in recent years. The Telegraph recently named Tzia one of the best seaside resorts in Europe! Much of the coastline is adorned with cottages and rental houses built of stone. One of the most emblematic monuments on the island is the lion of Tzia, an ancient sculpture, which you can see after a short walk. It is also worth visiting the Monastery of Panagia Kastriani, and Ancient Karthea. At the archeological site, you will see the ruins of the temple and the theater overlooking the sea. Tzia has many incredible beaches, including Koundouros beach, Otzias beach, and Gialiskari.
Distance from Lavrio: 1 hour
Andros is a mountainous island at the northern end of the Cyclades archipelago. Among the favorite beaches on the island are Agios Petros Beach and Achla. You can visit some museums in Andros, such as the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Olive Museum, which is a renovated olive mill. Another fascinating landmark is the Holy Monastery of Panagia Panachrantou, a Byzantine monastery on a mountain top that offers panoramic views of the island and the sea. Andros is a good place for hiking, as well as water sports, such as snorkeling and diving.
Distance from Rafina: 2 Hours
Poros consists of two islands in the Saronic Gulf, Sfairia and Kalavria. They are separated from the mountains of the Peloponnese by a narrow sea channel. Sfairia is occupied mainly by the city of Poros, while the much larger Kalavria has beaches and seasonal hotels. In the northern part of Poros, you can visit the ruins of the temple of Poseidon. Another notable attraction is the medieval monastery of Zoodochou Pigi, where you can see a rare collection of religious icons and enjoy stunning views.
Distance from Piraeus: 1 hour
The small island in the Saronic Gulf is very close to Aegina and an ideal destination for a three-day summer. It has beautiful waters for swimming, snorkeling, or diving. The main beaches are Dragonera and Aponisos Beach. Agistri has many hotels and resorts, the largest being Skala. The island has many small villages that you can walk or drive around.
Distance from Piraeus: 55 minutes
Aegina consists of a central island and many smaller islands. One of the closest islands to Athens just 40 minutes. One of the main archeological sites of Aegina is the Temple of Aphaia, a structure that dates back to around 500 BC. If you are interested in the history of the area, you should also visit the Archaeological Museum of Aegina, which has ruins and walls from the Neolithic period. Some of the remarkable beaches of the island are Marathon Beach, located in the city of Aegina, and the Monastery. This island hosts the Aegean Sailing School, a place where you can acquire or improve your skills by touring the waters of this beautiful island.
Distance from Piraeus: 40 Minutes
The island of Hydra offers tourists a pleasant break from the hustle and bustle of life in Athens. Motor vehicles are out of bounds in Hydra, which makes the island the perfect place to enjoy rest and tranquility. The beautiful mansions of the 18th century, along the waterfront, are the sights of the island. Hydra also has many museums, including Lazaros Kountouriotis, a well-preserved mansion dedicated to local history and culture. Some of the prominent beaches of Hydra are Agios Nikolaos Beach in the city of Hydra and the beach in Bisti.
Distance from Piraeus: 1:30 to 2 Hours
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