Island-hopping from Athens in one day
The Greek islands closest to Athens are in the Saronic Gulf. Visiting two of them in one day by public ferry means matching timetables between the islands and back to Piraeus. On our cruise the boat is your transport: the crew handles the route, the timing and the return, and you choose how to spend your time ashore.
The Athens All Day Cruise runs daily from April to October, leaving Marina Zeas in Piraeus at 09:00 and returning around 19:00, with Greek lunch and drinks on board.
Which islands you visit
- Agistri, a shore visit. A small, green island with a relaxed pace. Spend your free time on the beach near Skala, at a café or on the optional bike tour (€10 per person).
- Aponisos, Moni or Metopi, a swim stop. The crew chooses one of these small islets for the day’s conditions. This stop is time in the water and lunch on board, not a landing.
- Aegina, a shore visit. A short sail from Athens, with a lively harbour town, neoclassical buildings, the Temple of Apollo at Kolona and its famous pistachios.
So the day brings two islands to explore on foot and a third place to swim. The captain may change the route or order of stops, or cancel the cruise, for weather and safety.
What this cruise doesn’t include
We keep to one route close to Athens, so this cruise does not visit Hydra, Poros or Spetses, which lie farther from Athens. If one of those islands is a must for you, this isn’t that trip. If you’d like a relaxed day with two island visits and a swim, it is a good fit.
Your island time is independent. The cruise has a crew and onboard host, with guidance in English on board, but guided island tours, museum tickets and monument admission are not included.
Getting the most from your island time
You usually have about an hour and a half on each island. The crew gives you the time to be back on board, so check it before you set off.
- Bring a card and a little cash for cafés, shops or the Agistri bike tour.
- Pack swimwear and your own towel (towels are not included), plus shoes that grip on rocky parts.
- On Aegina, the Temple of Apollo at Kolona is a short walk from the harbour. The Temple of Aphaia is a taxi ride inland, so allow for the return time.
- Try the pistachio ice cream in Aegina town before you sail back.
See the full route, inclusions and extras, or read more about Aegina and Agistri.