Best Islands Near Athens Greece For Summer 2024

There are many beautiful Greek islands near Athens that you can easily visit on a day trip or a longer vacation. This guide lists some of the best island destinations close to Athens, and explains what to do and how to get there.

Best Greek islands close to Athens

Some Greek islands are very close to Athens, the Greek capital. You can get there in about an hour or two on the ferry from one of the ports in Athens.

These include the Saronic islands, like Aegina and Hydra, and a few of the Cyclades islands, like Andros and Tinos.

You can book your ferry tickets online on Ferryscanner, a search engine where you can easily compare routes, timetables and prices.

Other islands are further out, but are easily accessible on a quick domestic flight from the Athens airport. This includes the two most cosmopolitan islands, Santorini and Mykonos, but also Milos, Crete, Rhodes, Skiathos and a few more.

A few of these islands close to Athens are suitable to visit on a day trip. Most of them deserve more time, as there is lots to see and do. Here is some more information.

1. Aegina island, Saronic Gulf

Aegina is the island closest to Athens. The sea dolphin from Piraeus port only takes 40 minutes to get to Aegina.

The island offers a good mix of history and nature. It’s a popular weekend destination with Athenians, and many of them own summer houses there.

Some of the highlights in Aegina include:

• The ancient sanctuary of Aphaia, built around 500-490 BC
• Agios Nektarios monastery, one of the biggest in Greece
• The historic Paleochora, a medieval city with 40 Byzantine churches where you can see well preserved frescoes and icons
• Aegina town, with its narrow streets, colourful houses, traditional taverns and horse-drawn carriages
• Perdika, a small village with whitewashed houses and amazing sunset views
• Moni, an uninhabited islet just across Perdika village, where you can enjoy nature at its best.

Most of the beaches in Aegina, like Agia Marina or Klima, have tourist facilities. Still, you can also find a few secluded coves and natural beaches, like Kolona beach.

Overall, Aegina is an ideal destination for a day trip, but there’s enough to keep you occupied for a few days.

2. Agistri island, Saronic Gulf

Agistri is a tiny island a short ferry ride from Aegina. Sea dolphins from the port of Piraeus take about an hour to get to Agistri.

Despite its proximity to Athens, Agistri is more relaxed than many other Greek islands. It’s a great destination if you’re looking for peace and quiet, combined with some of the best beaches in the Saronic Gulf.

Here is a selection of the best things to do in Agistri:

• Explore the idyllic beaches with crystal-clear waters, such as Mariza, Aponisos, Halikiada and Dragonera beach
• Rent a bicycle and cycle around the island
• Enjoy a hike through the dense pine forests
• Have a coffee or meal at one of the waterfront tavernas in Scala and Megalochori ports

Among the islands close to Athens, Agistri is probably the best if you want to escape the city life and spend time in nature. It’s suitable for a day trip, though people who like sandy beaches can easily spend a few days here.

There are also day trips to Aegina, Agistri and the uninhabited Moni island.

3. Poros, Saronic islands

Poros, another Saronic island, is located just off the coast of the Peloponnese. It is 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Piraeus port on the flying dolphin.

Along with the nearby islands of Aegina and Hydra, Poros is often included in island hopping day trips from Athens. This is an alternative way to travel if you don’t want to rely on Greek ferries.

Here are a few of the best things to do in Poros:

• Walk around the bustling port town and check out the elegant mansions and century-old clock tower
• Visit the ruins of the Temple of Poseidon
• Stop by the Archeological Museum and explore the history of Poros
• Admire the frescoes in St George’s Cathedral
• Pass by the impressive Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi

Poros is one of the greenest Saronic islands and many of the beaches have natural shade. Visitors who like nature can explore the island on foot or by bicycle, and swim in the crystal clear waters.

4. Hydra, Saronic islands

Hydra is one of the most cosmopolitan Greek islands. At only an hour and a half on the flying dolphin from Piraeus, it’s a popular weekend destination for Athenians.

Known for its rich history and traditional architecture, Hydra is also an ideal destination for people who want to relax. The lack of motor vehicles on the island will make you think you’ve travelled back in time.

Here are some of the highlights of Hydra:

• The main town, with the impressive mansions and historical museums
• DESTE Foundation for Contemporary Art, which hosts temporary art exhibitions
• The hiking paths, leading to quiet nature and various beaches
• The monastery of Prophet Elias and the nearby convent of Saint Eupraxia
• A half-day trip to the nearby islet of Dokos.

5. Spetses, Saronic islands

Spetses is another one of the Saronic islands. It’s the furthest one from Piraeus port, as it takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to get there on the sea dolphin.

The island is famous for its rich naval history, related to the Greek Independence Day, and it cosmopolitan culture. Ιt’s a popular island near Athens, not least due to its developed tourist infrastructure and the lack of motor vehicles.

Here are the best things to do in Spetses:

• Walk around the port town, and enjoy its vintage charm and beautifully restored mansions
• Visit the Laskarina Bouboulina museum, dedicated to the inspiring woman who was the first female admiral in the world
• Visit the quaint churches at Kasteli, the oldest neighbourhood in the town
• Sit at a cafe or taverna at the cosmopolitan Dapia quarter
• Enjoy activities like horse riding, cycling and swimming

6. Andros island, Cyclades

Andros is the closest island to Athens from Rafina port, which is located an hour out of the city center. Fast ferries from Rafina to Andros take one hour, while conventional ferries take two hours.

Andros is the second largest island in the Cyclades, after Naxos. It’s a wild, mountainous island with over 170 beautiful beaches, lovely small villages and many things to do.

Here are a few of the highlights in Andros:

• The Venetian castle in Chora, the capital town of Andros
• The Archaeological museum and Contemporary art museum in Chora
• A museum dedicated to olives and olive oil production, the Cyclades Olive Museum, in Ano Pitrofos
• The amazing Panachrantou Monastery
• The long hiking trails
• All the stunning beaches and beautiful coves on the island.

You can easily spend a week in Andros, and not run out of things to do. For more information, check this article on the best things to do in Andros Greece.

Also, check out our book on Andros and Tinos in Greece!

7. Tinos island, Cyclades

Tinos is another beautiful island in the Cyclades. It only takes a couple of hours to get there on the ferry from the port of Rafina, which is an hour out of central Athens.

Tinos is best known as a religious destination, and an island with dozens of quaint traditional villages. Add to this several stunning beaches, a unique marble crafting heritage and local culinary traditions, and Tinos can easily become your next favourite Greek island.

Here are a few of the best things to do in Tinos:

• Spend some time in the iconic Lady of Tinos church, located in the island’s capital city
• Rent a car and tour the amazing villages, like Pyrgos, Ysternia, Kardiani, Agapi and Volax
• Stop by the Marble Crafts Museum at Pyrgos, and learn more about this unique art
• Visit the Kechrovouniou monastery, and the Ursulines convent at Loutra village
• Enjoy the incredible secluded beaches
• Attend the masses and Greek panigiria on 15th August, one of the most important day of the year for Greek celebrations

Overall, Tinos is a wonderful place to explore and absorb the local culture. Here is more information on what to do in Tinos Greece. 

Note: Andros, Tinos and Mykonos are on the same ferry line, so you can easily combine them on an island hopping trip.

8. Kea / Tzia island, Cyclades

Kea, also known as Tzia, is the closest Cycladic island to Athens. The ferry from Lavrio port, which is located close to Cape Sounion, only takes one hour to get to Kea.

Kea doesn’t look like most of the other Cycladic islands. Instead of the iconic white-washed houses and blue-domed churches, you will see buildings made of stone, painted in earthy colours.

Here are a few of the highlights of Kea:

• The beautiful main town of Ioulida, where you can visit the castle and archaeological museum
• The archaeological site of Ancient Karthea
• Small, picturesque villages like Otzias, Korissia and Vourkari
• Lovely beaches like Korrisia, Koundouros and Gialiskari

Despite the fact that Kea is so close to Athens, it has kept its traditional character. This makes it an interesting place to visit, either for a day trip or for longer.

9. Milos, Cyclades 

If you are familiar with the geography of Greece, you may be surprised to find Milos in the list of islands near Athens. Yet, the beautiful island is only a short 40-minute flight from the Athens airport.

Milos offers a great mix of activities. Here are the best things to do in Milos:

• Take an amazing sailing tour to Kleftiko Bay
• Swim and sunbathe at some of the most spectacular beaches in Greece
• Hike up the Venetian castle in Plaka, the capital town
• See the catacombs and the ancient Roman theatre
• Explore the various quaint villages in Milos
• See the replica of the ancient sculpture of Venus de Milo, in the local Archeological Museum
• Learn about the island’s history in the Milos Mining Museum
• Hike to the iconic Kleftiko beach – only for active travellers!

Here are a couple of Milos guides that you’ll find useful:

• Reasons to visit Milos
• How to get around Milos

Also, you can check out our book on Milos and Kimolos, available on Amazon!

10. Santorini, Cyclades 

Santorini is one of the most iconic Greek islands, and one of the most popular tourist destinations year round. Located in the Cyclades islands, it’s only a short 45-50 minute flight from the Athens airport.

Santorini offers a mix of activities, from beaches and relaxed nightlife to history and culture. Here are just a few of the best things to do in Santorini:

• Hike from Fira to Oia village and take in the magnificent views
• Take a sailing cruise around the island
• Visit the archaeological site of ancient Akrotiri
• Climb the impressive volcano
• Visit one or more of the wineries in Santorini
• Hire a car and stop at the quaint villages in Santorini

For more tips on Santorini, have a look at these other guides:

• What to do in Santorini in 4 days
• How many days do you need in Santorini

11. Mykonos, Cyclades

Mykonos is one of the most popular islands in Greece, and for good reason. It’s well known for its wild nightlife, stunning sandy beaches and sprawling capital town.

There are several ways to get to Mykonos from Athens. These include a 50-minute flight from the Athens airport, and a 2.5-hour fast ferry from the port at Rafina.

Here are the best things to do in Mykonos:

• Stroll around the beautiful town of Mykonos, with its maze of narrow streets
• Explore all the stunning sandy beaches around the island, like Paradise, Super Paradise, Platis Gialos, Agia Anna, Elia and Lia
• Experience the lively nightlife in the town of Mykonos
• …or escape the party crowds by taking a kayaking trip around the coast – I loved it!!
• Take a half-day trip to Ancient Delos, an amazing archaeological site

For more information on Mykonos and Delos, check out these articles:

• Mykonos without the crowds
• An amazing tour of Ancient Delos

Finally, here is a 7-day itinerary for Athens, Santorini and Mykonos.

How to get to the ports in Athens

As mentioned earlier, Athens has three main ferry ports: Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrion. Here is a map showing the ports in Athens in relation to the airport and the city center.

Piraeus port

Piraeus port is the main port in Athens. It is located about 10 kms south-west from Syntagma Square in central Athens.

Piraeus is a big, chaotic port with several gates that are quite spread out. You will need to check which gate your ferry is departing from – this information should be on your ferry ticket.

This map of Piraeus port shows all the gates. E5, E6 and E7 are very close to Piraeus metro station, while other gates are further away.

You can get to Piraeus on the Athens metro, the Athens airport bus, or on a pre-booked taxi. The taxi will drop you off near your departure gate, so it’s much better if you have lots of luggage.

The blue metro line takes about an hour to get to Piraeus metro station from the Athens Airport, passing by Syntagma and Monastiraki on the way. Depending on which gate you are departing from, allow at least twenty minutes to get to your ferry from the metro station.

Rafina port

Rafina is the second largest port in Athens. It is located about 32 kms from the centre of the city. It’s a small port, that is a lot more user friendly than the bustling Piraeus.

To get to Rafina, you will need to take a KTEL bus from Nomismatokopio metro station, on the blue line. Alternatively you can pre-book a taxi. This should take an hour or a little longer from central Athens, and would cost about 30-40 euro.

If you are catching a ferry right after you’ve landed at the Athens airport, you’ll be pleased to know that Rafina is much closer than Piraeus. A taxi from the airport would take around 20 minutes.

Lavrio port

Lavrio port is located about 60 kms south of Athens. It’s the most remote port in Athens, and getting there from the city centre can take you well over an hour, depending on traffic.

You can get to Lavrio on a KTEL bus, which departs from Nomismatokopio metro station, on the blue line. The easiest way is to book a taxi, which would usually cost about 50-60 euro. 

Allow at least an hour to get to Lavrio on a taxi, or longer if you are going by bus.

FAQs about islands near Athens

Here are a few questions visitors often ask:

What islands are nearest to Athens?

The islands that are geographically closest to Athens are the Saronic islands, especially Aegina and Agistri.

Which is the best island near Athens?

Some of the best islands near Athens include Aegina, Hydra, Spetses, Andros, Tinos and Santorini. It depends what you are looking for!

What islands are a day trip from Athens?

The best islands for a day trip from Athens are the Saronic islands, Aegina, Agistri, Poros, Hydra and Spetses, and the Cycladic island of Kea or Tzia.

Which Greek island is easiest to get to?

Many islands in Greece are easy to get to. Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Kos and Zakynthos are among the easiest islands to get to. There are international flights from several European airports, and domestic flights from the airport in Athens.

What is the best time to visit Greek islands?

The weather in Greece is warmer between Greek Easter, which is in April or May, and late October. July and August are the warmest months, but also the most crowded and expensive. Overall, if you are interested in spending time on the beach but don’t want the crowds, the best months to visit the Greek islands are June and September.

Have a look at this detailed article: Best time to visit the Greek islands.

How many Greek islands are there?

Greece has 119 inhabited islands, which are located east, south and west of mainland Greece. Here is an introduction to the different Greek island groups.

More Greece travel guides

• Day trips from Athens
• Athens to Thessaloniki by train
• How to take the Athens airport metro
• What to pack for Greece
• Driving in Greece
• Best Greek islands in October
• Things to do on a Sunday in Athens
• Shopping in Athens

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Hi! I’m Vanessa from Athens and I love travelling around the Greek islands. If you only have a few days in Greece, these islands close to Athens are great destinations to visit. For more information and news about Greece, follow my FB page and FB group.