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Easiest island hopping or beach area near Athens

We will be staying in Athens mostly as it is a short trip to Greece. Is there an easiest/ best island to visit to experience that part of Greece, and not just the city of Athens.

Thanks so much

Posted by
3311 posts

Or take a look at Aegina, just ONE hour from Piraeus ... if you take a "regular" ferry (not a closed-in, no-view hydrofoil), you can enjoy the wonderful view of the whole Saronic Bay, with colorful ships, swift motorboats, and full-sail yachts. While Hydra has a lovely port, with donkey carts, I go for Aegina because of the high-hill inland, with the most perfectly preserved ancient Temple (Temple of Aphaia) on any greek island. PLUS (unlike Hydra), Aegina has several sandy beaches, for a swim and lunch at a local taverna. NOTE: For your day-trip in warm weather, choose a weekday, because on weekends Athenians throng to all the close-in islands for a quick getaway from the city, crowding things up a lot.

Posted by
1383 posts

Dani

I agree with Janet. Aegina is easy to reach and has a nice island atmosphere. Also a couple of nice sites.

Alan

Posted by
5678 posts

I thought I remembered a beach near Sunion--no ferry required--and I was right. Check out this site that tells you about mainland beaches near Athens. And I'm sure he's right that the further out you go the better the beach. That advice applies for any city near an ocean or sea.