While staying in Greece‘s fascinating capital city, there is certainly no shortage of exciting cultural experiences to be had or memories to be made. What might surprise some visitors though, is that there are a number of islands so close to Athens that you can head there just for the day. While Santorini and Crete are undoubtedly gorgeous they take a while to get to by taking a ferry, so if your time is limited you should consider some island day trips. Here are three of our favorites, which are all easy to plan for but difficult to ever forget!
Aegina
The first capital of Modern Greece
Being less than an hour’s journey from the port of Piraeus renders Aegina as an ideal day trip destination. Apart from the wonderful beaches, the island is also rich in historical monuments. For instance, don’t miss the Temple of Aphaia, which is located in Aghia Marina above the port, and dates all the way back to 480 BC. There are regular bus services from the main town so you can easily explore the island without a car. Consider renting a bicycle and exploring the coast on two wheels with the wind in your hair.
Make sure to try some of the top-quality pistachios that Aegina has become well-known for. Most bakeries and pastry shops around the island even have pistachio-featured food items. Don’t forget to buy a couple of bags as gifts or just to snack on during the boat ride back to Athens.
Spetses
Going car-free for a carefree holiday
Located a few hours from Athens, Spetses is idyllic, with uniquely stunning architecture, mainly comprised of neoclassical sea captain’s mansions that have been since converted into boutique hotels and museums. Visitors aren’t permitted to come here with cars, so you can explore the cobblestone streets on foot. Although, there are horsedrawn carriages and taxis (on land and on water) to help get further around the island.
Spetses is an island of great historical significance, as it played a large role in Greece’s fight for liberation from the Ottoman empire. A visit to The Bouboulina Museum will explain the island’s moments throughout history in great detail. The site is the actual house of Laskarina Bouboulina, a heroine of the Greek War of Independence in 1821.
Notably, every year a triathlon (called ‘Spetsathlon’) takes place, where athletes from around the world participate.
Andros
A large island with lots to offer
Both Aegina and Spetses are islands in the Saronic Gulf. If you’re looking to venture to the Cyclades instead, Andros is an easy choice. From the port of Rafina, you can reach Andros in approximately two hours.
As the second-largest island in the Cyclades, it would take a while to fully explore the entire area. But, day trips are good opportunities to get a taste of the island’s charm. Andros is home to countless pristine and expansive beaches. Several of them are close enough to the port that you can visit without having a vehicle. In the capital (known as Chora) you can find the remains of a Venetian castle, and just opposite, located in the sea surrounded by rocks is an impressive and historic lighthouse, called Tourlitis of Andros which started operating back in 1887.
On this island, you’ll undoubtedly find unspoiled nature along with a laidback vibe.