Greece has magnificent historical monuments and museums, beautiful beaches, great weather, delicious food and cultural happenings to discover. Exploring the entire spectrum of history, culture and places in Greece, may take a few years. Why not begin with a short trip in Saronic islands, just after your visit to Athens?

Saronic islands: A change of scene

After spending a few days in Athens, you may feel a need for a change of scenery. Check out the nearby Saronic islands to add spice to your Mediterranean holiday. Hydra and Aegina are two of the most sought-after destinations that are easily accessible from the Piraeus port. Most travelers cannot decide which one to visit first, Hydra or Aegina.

Choose Hydra for the laid-back life

Hydra is the best island for a laid-back life. Once you disembark, you will find out that the only means of transport on Hydra are pedestrians and donkeys. This is a result after the municipality of Hydra banned all sorts of vehicles, in order to re-establish a more humane lifestyle on the island.

Apart from donkeys and relaxed well-being, Hydra is famous for its cultural activities and historical museums. Take your time to discover them.

Choose Aegina for the high-class and popular visitors

Aegina is the island of choice for the wealthy Greeks. The island is popular among tourists because of its beautiful sights, historical ruins and great nightlife. The outskirts of the town are filled with little Greek villages which have stayed true to the old Greek lifestyle.

Of all the beaches on the island, Souvala and Agia Marina are the two most popular ones. If you want food and entertainment, these are perfect. But if you prefer a secluded beach, check out the Marathonas Beach.

Why to Choose? – Visit both Aegina and Hydra

Both islands are close enough for visiting them at once with a one day cruise from Athens. You can either find your own way around the island or choose an organized experience with Athens Day Cruise. The cruise takes you to Aegina, Hydra and Poros in a three-deck ship and has a lot of activities for the whole day. This way, you don’t have to choose between Hydra or Aegina.

Visiting islands on your own gives you the freedom to choose when you go to the next place. But an organized one day cruise is more convenient for those who are short on time. Plus, it also helps you relax and enjoy the music, dance, and great Greek food.

So which one is your favourite, Hydra or Aegina?

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In this article, we will tell how to get the best holiday experience in Athens.

Athens in the capital of Modern Greece and one of the most exciting and promising destinations in Europe. The city is filled with numerous historical sites and experiences. Besides history and culture, you can seek more experiences with a visit to the nearby Saronic islands. A visit in the Saronic islands can be one of the most relaxing and interesting adventures, and Athens Day Cruise offer you a unique opportunity to discover three Saronic islands in one day.

Especially, if you are a lazy history buff, you will love these islands with the abundance of historical sites and facts combined with VIP catering and touring services. Make an ordinary one-day cruise extraordinary, with VIP upgrading!

Aegina – a must destination in the Saronic Gulf

The Saronic Gulf is also called as the Gulf of Aegina, indicating the glory of the island. Aegina, like the rest of Greece, has a 2500-year-old history. Back in 7th century BC, the city-state was one of the first to issue its own coins. Eventually, as a monetary center Aegina developed into a trading center for ancient Greece. Nowadays, locals, Athenians and tourists visit the island as a relief from the hectic traffic of the capital. Aegina is also considered as the pistachio capital of the world, with many delicacies to taste.

The ruins of the Temples of Aphaia and Apollo are some of the most visited historical monuments on the island. With the Athens Day Cruise VIP tickets you will be able to do the Panoramic Aegina Tour with distinguished guides in Aphaia’s Temple and the Cathedral of St. Nectarios.

Everyone loves Hydra

Imagine a coastline with tall, elegant stone mansions, no vehicular pollution, a scenic mountain in the backdrop, and you get Hydra. This island is most sought after because of its traditional laid-back experience. Hydra banned all forms of vehicles from the island a few years ago. If you want to get around, you can either walk or hop on a friendly donkey. If time permits, check out the picturesque Kaminia and Mandraki villages.

By acquiring an Athens Day Cruise VIP ticket, you can also experience the Hydra Walking Tour.

The magic of Poros

No three-island trip from Athens is complete without a visit to the magical Poros.  Love Bay is one of the most popular beaches on Poros. If you have finished your share of historical monuments, just take a lazy stroll through the town and enjoy its scenic beauty.

A relaxing journey between islands

From embarking our cruise vessels till disembarking back to Athens, you will get to experience “Unforgettable Hospitality” with the VIP amenities. Transferring from and to your hotel, welcome drinks, exclusive lunch buffet and mid-day finger food breaks are waiting for you. Relax in our VIP lounge bar or in your VIP executive cabin suite between island stops. Let the breeze of Saronic Gulf and our exclusive services to create the best one-day cruise of your holidays.

Book today the only VIP three-island one-day cruise from Athens worth doing

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]]> https://www.athensdaycruise.gr/blog/saronic-islands-is-it-worth-it/ Thu, 25 Apr 2019 14:10:51 +0000 https://www.athensdaycruise.gr/?p=4342 Staying in the capital allows you to explore the famed Saronic islands with ease and experience them by yourself. Greece is one of the most exciting countries in Europe. It is filled with history, culture and breathtaking views. A trip to Europe will always be incomplete without a few days in Athens. Despite its 2500-year-old […]

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]]> Staying in the capital allows you to explore the famed Saronic islands with ease and experience them by yourself.

Greece is one of the most exciting countries in Europe. It is filled with history, culture and breathtaking views. A trip to Europe will always be incomplete without a few days in Athens.

Despite its 2500-year-old history, today Athens is a modern city. If you want to explore the traditional and modern Greek way of life, it is best to include a few islands during your visit in Athens.

The beauties of the Argo-saronic Gulf

Greece has approximately 6000 islands in total. Among these, the Saronic islands hold a special place because of their beautiful beaches, historical sites, unique way of life and proximity to the mainland and especially Athens.

Saronic Gulf, or Gulf of Aegina as it is also known, belongs to the peripheral unit of Attica islands and includes most of the famous Argosaronic islands.The next time you visit Greece, make sure you visit the Saronic sisters. If you don’t want to visit all the seven islands, at least try visiting the most popular ones.

There are seven most famous and prestigious Saronic islands, with a few smaller and more alternative to follow. Each one of them offers a mixture of history, culture, nightlife and nature sites that is difficult to avoid.

Saronic islands for History Lovers

If you love historical places, the Museum of Historical Archives and the Bastions at Hydra is a must visit. In the museum there are exhibits that demonstrate the dominance of Hydra during the first decades of Greek State and its participation in liberation activities.

When travelling through Poros, check out the Monastery of Zoodohos Pigi. But if you want to experience both ancient and new history, head over to Aegina. The Temples of Athena Aphaia (Afea) and Apollo are on this popular island. You can also check out the Monastery of Agios Nektarios.

Visit all history places in one day with our one day cruise experience

 

Experience traditional Greek life

Some tourists may prefer enjoying an up close and personal experience of Greek life. You can enjoy traditional Greek lifestyle on Hydra. Stroll down the beautiful roads of Hydra, leaving behind the urban noises, since Hydra is a vehicle-free island. Or you can ride a donkey!

While visiting Aegina, the most traditional delicacy you can taste is anything with pistachio and pistachio flavor. We recommend a taste of Pistachio crème and crepes.

Many of the villages on the outskirts of Aegina and Poros also follow a laid-back lifestyle. In fact, almost everywhere in Greece, 2 PM to 5 PM is the siesta time, so be ready to follow the same schedule.

Saronic islands for nature and beach lovers

The Saronic islands are blessed with several beautiful beaches. Some of them are well organized and have many café-restaurants, water sports and other activities. For those who prefer isolation, there are also a few beaches which are secluded and peaceful.

Agia Paraskevi on Spetses is an example of an organized beach. If you are adventurous, you can also try the naturist beach of Halikiada in Agkistri.

If you are still doubting if the Saronic islands are worth a visit, Athens Day Cruise offers a one-day cruise experience in Aegina – Poros – Hydra!

Book your trip today!

 

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