Hotels of Greece
Saronic Islands
Saronic Islands
The Saronic Gulf islands, or the Argo-Saronic Islands, are the closest of the Greek islands to Athens and can be reached in an hour or less by high-speed ferry. They are perfect for day-trips and overnights even in the winter, as well as for spending a week or more on each. Or you can do a combination since there is frequent ferry service between them. They are also islands that you can use as a base to visit the sites of Athens by day and return in time for a shower and dinner. The island of Hydra has a jet-set reputation that rivals Mykonos and yet it is a traditional island with perhaps the most spectacular port village in Greece. Spetses was the location for John Fowles book The Magus and has pine forests that go right down to the sea. Poros is so close to the Peloponnesos you can practically swim there. Agistri has beautiful beaches and does not seem like an island that could be so close to Athens. Aegina has important archaeological sites, nice beaches and lots of excellent fish tavernas where the Athenians go to for lunch. Salamina is almost a suburb of Pireaus but the far side of the island has beaches and pine forests. For more info on these islands see My Saronic Gulf Islands Pages
Click on the links below to each island to see my recommended hotels followed by other highly rated accommodations. A great way to plan your trip is my Create-an-itinerary page which allows you to put together a custom itinerary with the help of a travel agency with no obligation to book. You can find recommended travel agencies on Matt's Travel Agencies and Tours Page.
