Athens / Saronic Gulf
Guide
Athens, the famed capital of Greece, is the heart of ancient western civilization, the powerful empire of a time long passed yet still strong in heart and spirit. The city is still dominated by 5th-century BC landmarks, including the Acropolis, the Parthenon temple, Kerameikos, and the Temple of Hephaestus. The Acropolis Museum, along with the National Archaeological Museum, preserves and showcases valuable sculptures, jewelry, and many more relics of unique beauty and artistry from Ancient Greece.
To enjoy an enchanting cruising trip from Attica through space and time, we suggest Alimos (or Kalamaki Port) as your starting point. Only 15 km from Athens, it gives you access to the islands of the Saronic Gulf, such as Methana, Aegina, Poros, Spetses, and Hydra.
AZRAQ
Things to do
- The Acropolis
- The Acropolis Museum
- Ancient Agora and Temple of Hephaestus
- Roman Agora
- Kerameikos
- National Archaeological
- Walk around Plaka
- Enjoy the nightlife
Recommended Sailing Itinerary
1 WEEK – 108 Nautical Miles
Day 1 AIGINA 18 N.M.
Our first destination after leaving the Alimos marina is the island of Aegina. You can enjoy a meal or just coffee in one of the many tavernas. This is the time to provision your yacht, as there are supermarkets, butchers, and a fish market close by. Don’t miss a visit to the temple of Aphaia – this beautiful sanctuary was built around 500 BC. It is situated on the north-east of the island, amid the pine forests, with stunning views over the Saronic Gulf.
Day 2 POROS 15 N.M.
Poros town and the harbour area have been built on the hillside, opposite the shores of Troizinia. Mooring spaces can be found on the town quay or on the pontoons to the north.The town’s picturesque alleys, Neorio, and Bourtzi Islet are some of the must-visit places on the island. Poros has a cosmopolitan vibe and many Athenians are regularly visiting the island. There are many bars along with the port of Poros Town and along the beach of Askeli that stay open till the early hours.
Day 3 HYDRA 12 N.M.
Located between the Myrtoan Sea and the Argolic Gulf, Hydra Town is rich in contemporary culture, with art, theatre and museums playing a prominent role in local life. With lots of aegean cats and extraordinary silence due to the rule that no wheeled vehicles can be used there. You can enjoy your dinner and have drinks either on the boat or in one of the many restaurants and bars the island has to offer.
Day 4 METHANA 15 N.M.
The peninsula of Methana with its two steep volcanic slopes is actually a volcano that emerged from the sea. Follow a fascinating route to the fishing village of Agios Georgios and on to the Baths of Pausanias, one of the peninsula’s hot springs, or follow the footsteps of the ancient historian Pausanias to the ancient city of Méthana. In the village of Paleókastro stand the remains of the classical walls and gates of an acropolis, the rest of which fell into the sea due to a volcanic eruption. Visit the island’s volcanic beaches (Nissaki Agion Anargiron, Limnionas and Vathy).
Day 5 EPIDAURUS 16 N.M.
Sail across the broad passage that separates Methana from the mainland, aiming for the rectangular bay of Epidaurus Town. Pretty Epidaurus Town is a lovely spot to stop for the evening and enjoy a leisurely meal, but the town is mainly known as a gateway to the incredible Epidaurus Theatre. Known for its beauty and symmetry, Epidaurus Theatre is a remarkably well-preserved ruin dating back to the 4th century BC. A must see.
Day 6 AGISTRI 8 N.M.
On our last day of sailing we need to slowly head back to Athens. We will be stopping at the island of Agistri for swim and dinner in one of the local traditional taverns the islands has to offer. Agistri island’s coastline has many beautiful bays and gulfs while its land is almost completely covered by a sweet-scented pine forest.
Day 7 ATHENS 24 N.M.
Time flies when you are having a good time sailing, they say. May the winds be on our back as we need to sail back to our home port today. Make sure to take a stroll in Athens old centre and walk among the ancient ruins under the Acropolis. Enjoy souvlaki, grab a beer, cheers!
Map
Weather
In Athens, the capital of Greece, the climate is Mediterranean, with mild, moderately rainy winters and hot, sunny summers.
The city is located near the 38th parallel. It covers a wide area in the plain of Attica, which is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and overlooks the sea to the south.
Even though the winter is mild, from December to mid-March, sometimes there can be outbreaks of cold air from the Balkan Peninsula, which can bring cold and rain for some days, and sometimes even snow. Snowfalls occur more easily in the northern part of the city; at the city center, the Acropolis is whitened with snow more easily than the lower surrounding areas. A particularly abundant snowfall, which also affected the southern and coastal areas, occurred in February 2008. In that case, the temperature dropped to -4 °C (25 °F).
Summer is hot and sunny; in fact, Athens in summer is the hottest capital of Europe. In July and August, the temperature quite easily reaches 35/36 °C (95/97 °F), but during heatwaves, it can reach as high as 40 °C (104 °F). The highest record is 43 °C (109.5 °F) and was set in August 2021.
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