Saronic Gulf Islands
Four islands a short boat ride from Athens, each with its own pace, from Hydra's car-free harbor to Aegina's pistachio groves.
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Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses are the four Saronic Gulf islands most travelers reach by boat from Piraeus, Athens' port. Each is close enough for a day trip from the city, but they move at different speeds, so the choice depends on how much you want to slow down.
Hydra bans private cars, so the harbor front is the main street and luggage moves by donkey or water taxi. Spetses has horse-drawn carriages on its streets and the Bouboulina Museum, dedicated to a naval leader of the 1821 war. Aegina is the largest of the four and known for pistachios and the Temple of Aphaia. Poros lies closest to the Peloponnese, with a short crossing from Galatas. A day trip covers one island well. To slow down, stay at least one night. Late spring and early autumn are the warmest months and less busy than midsummer.
Saronic Gulf Islands in five
- Choose Hydra for charm, Aegina for easeHydra has no cars and a lively harbor; Aegina is the nearest and has beaches, a temple and a bustling town. Pick by how much time you have.
- Take a fast boat from Piraeus, check the dockCrossing times vary from under an hour to a couple of hours, depending on boat type and island. Confirm the berth at Piraeus.Piraeus
- Do Aegina as a day trip, Hydra with a nightAegina can be done in a day with a bus loop. Hydra is better overnight, after the day boats leave.
- Skip the car on Hydra and SpetsesHydra bans cars, and Spetses limits them. Walk, take a water taxi or ride a donkey.
- Book the return boat the day beforeStrong wind in summer can change sailings. Keep your return flexible, especially before a flight home.Insurance
Things to do in Saronic Gulf Islands
See all attractions in Saronic Gulf Islands
Need to know
- Airport
- None on the islands; Athens (ATH) is the gateway
- Getting there
- Boat from Piraeus, about 40 min to 2 hours depending on island
- Getting around
- Walking, taxis and water taxis; no cars on Hydra
- Best base
- Hydra harbor or Aegina town
- Time needed
- A day trip for Aegina; 1–2 nights for Hydra or Spetses
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh13°Low10°Mild, wetJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh14°Low10°Mild, wetFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
- MarchClear6 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Mild, windyMarchClear
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, windy
- AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh18°Low14°Spring, calmAprilClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, calm
- MayClear4 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Warm, openMayClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, open
- JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Warm seaJuneClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low25°Hot, meltemiJulyClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, meltemi
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Hot, busiestAugustClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busiest
- SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Warm sea, calmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea, calm
- OctoberClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Mild, calmOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- NovemberClear6 rainy daysHigh19°Low15°RainNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh15°Low12°Mild, wetDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
Average daily high and low in Hydra, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Saronic Gulf Islands
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 17°
- Humidity
- 92%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 60%
Athens
10:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today19°13°60%Monday: Rain. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Tue21°15°98%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 21°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed21°11°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu17°10°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri15°8°3%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sat15°7°5%Saturday: Fog. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sun16°6°5%Sunday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 5%.
Updated 07:46 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
What's on in Saronic Gulf Islands
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- Jun–AugAthens Epidaurus FestivalAthens, a day trip
Before you go to Saronic Gulf Islands
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Rules for Saronic Gulf Islands, checked
- Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you fly or sail.Source
- Non-EU visitors may be fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the current EES guidance before you travel.
- Buy ferry tickets from the operator or an official agent, and check the current timetable on the day you travel.
- Hydra bans private cars. Pack light, because luggage moves on foot, by donkey, or by water taxi from the harbor.
Plan around Saronic Gulf Islands
Closest island, with a temple and pistachios
Read the guideHydraCar-free harbor town of stone mansions
Read the guidePiraeusThe port where Saronic boats depart
Read the guideAthensThe capital, a short ride from the port
Read the guidePeloponneseThe mainland shore across the gulf
Read the guideAll of GreeceAthens, the islands and the mainland
Read the guideSaronic Gulf Islands FAQ
Which Saronic island is best for a day trip?
Aegina, because it is closest and has a bus loop to the temple and beaches. Hydra is a longer boat and works better with a night.
How do you get to the Saronic islands?
By boat from Piraeus. Fast boats and ferries run in season, with different speeds and prices. Check the timetable and the berth.
Is Hydra worth visiting?
Yes, for its car-free harbor and stone houses. It is not a beach island, so go for a walk, a swim from rocks and dinner by the harbor.
How many days do you need for the Saronic Gulf?
One day for Aegina; two nights for Hydra. Three to four days lets you hop between two islands without rushing.
When is the best time to visit the Saronic islands?
May, June and September for warm water and calm weather. July and August are busy and windy. Winter is quiet and many places close.