The Argosaronic Gulf Islands near Athens
Ideal Charterter Duration
Islands in the Argosaronic Gulf: Small gems scattered over the sea
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Aegina
The island of Aegina is one of the most popular tourist destinations as it is the closest island to Athens .
According to the myth, the island took its name from a nymph, daughter of the river god Asopos, whom Zeus fell in love with and took with him to the island! From 11/1/1827 until 3/10/1829 Aegina town was the temporary capital of the newly founded Greek state. It was during that period when Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias had impressive neoclassical mansions built to house his headquarters that today are important tourist attractions.
During your stay on the island, you can visit the following museums and sightseeings:
Museums:
- Archaeological museum
- Historical and folklore museum
- Aphea Temple
- Christos Kapralos Museum
- Governor’s Kapodistrias Residence
In the town of Aegina also call in at:
Markellos Tower (built by Markellos, a 1821 War of Independence hero and later Governor of the island, which now houses the Kapodistrias Spiritual Center), Kapodistrias Orphanage (the first public building during Kapodistrias’ administration), Eunardeio (a 1829 building in Doric style) and Aegina Cathedral (the first Cathedral of the Modern Greek State; it also housed Kapodistria’s Government and the first parliament of the modern Greek State).
Explore ancient monuments and old monasteries:
The Temple of Aphea Athena
Close to Ayia Marina lies the 500 BC Doric Temple of Aphea Athena, the most important monument on the island. The temple was founded there ai it formed an equilateral triangle with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, the so-called “holy triangle” of antiquity. The most impressive part of the temple is its wonderful sculpted pediments, a large part of which is exhibited at the Glyptothek of Munich. Excavation findings are on display at the Archaeological Museum of Aegina.
The Sanctuary of Apollo Delfinios, Kolóna
Located at a short distance from the harbour, the area took its name from a standing column (of Doric Type), the only one remaining from a 6th Century BC temple. Mount Kolonas was a religious centre of the ancient town. Archaeological research has revealed the presence of more than ten historical buildings dating from the most recent Neolithic era (5th millennium BC) to the Mycenaean period (1600- 1200 BC). In front of the archaeological site lies a museum bearing the same name.
Palaiohóra, Ayia Marina. Near Palaiochora, on the road to Souvala, lies the impressive Monastery of Ayios Nektarios, one of the largest monasteries in the Balkans. It was built in the 20th Century (between 1904 and 1910) on the site of a small Byzantine monastery. Sun-loving tourists should definitely soak up the sun in the island’s crystalline beaches:
- Pérdika, a quiet pebbly beach in the traditional village of Pérdika
- Souvála, distinctive for its warm, therapeutic waters suitable for curing rheumatisms
- Ayía Marína, a cosmopolitan organized tourist resort with many hotels, rooms to let, beach bars and restaurants
- Marathónas, two sandy beaches, one next to another, 4 km away from the town
- Vayía
Hellas Yachting’s ships can take you, your children and your friends to Hydra Island, to see that Greece is light, that it’s the smiling dolphins that will follow you, the white houses of its 6.000 islands, a warm smile and an even warmer welcome.
Angistri
Only 19 nautical miles away from Piraeus, Angistri is an easily accessible Argosaronic Gulf paradise. Azure waters, pine trees and lush vegetation (where many bird species find refuge) are the main characteristics of this tiny, yet charming, island of less than 1,000 inhabitants! There are three large settlements on the island: Megalohóri (or Mýlos), Skála and Limenária.
Spetses
Spetses, an island boasting a long naval tradition, is famous for its significant contribution to the 1821 War of Independence. It was here that the revolution flag was raised on 3rd April 1821. The island has managed to retain its individual traditional character thanks to its well-preserved grand captain mansions, still bearing eloquent witness to the island’s glorious past. The picturesque old harbour and Dápia, a tourist and commercial centre where the heart of the island’s entertainment beats, are the trademarks of the town of Spetses.
Welcome to the island of the aromas (isola di spezzie)
Spetses, an island boasting a long naval tradition, is famous for its significant contribution to the 1821 War of Independence. It was here that the revolution flag was raised on 3rd April 1821. The island has managed to retain its individual traditional character thanks to its well-preserved grand captain mansions, still bearing eloquent witness to the island’s glorious past. The picturesque old harbour and Dápia, a tourist and commercial centre where the heart of the island’s entertainment beats, are the trademarks of the town of Spetses.
Take a romantic trip around the island in horse-drawn carriages and admire the grand mansions adorning the narrow cobbled streets of the island. The best time to visit Spetses is during September, when “Armata”, a truly impressive re-enactment of a naval battle takes place ever since 1931. The rich history and naval tradition of the island is reflected on numerous sites that are definitely worth visiting:
• The House of Bouboulina
Built around the end of the 17th Century, the building is shaped like a Π, a detail which at that time indicated the importance of the owner. Bouboulina was a heroine that played a significant role in the 1821 War of Independence. Visit her house, which now operates as a museum to admire its wood-carved Florentine ceiling, 18th and 19th century furniture, interesting collection of old weapons, fine porcelain and rare books.
• The House of Hatzigiannis Mexis
Today the house hosts a museum exhibiting relics from the War of Independence, letters written by war heroes like Kolokotronis and Athanasios Diakos, a folk art collection and the relics of Bouboulina. The house was built between 1795 and 1798, and was donated to the Greek state in 1938 by the heirs of the Mexis family. The objects on display represent more than 4,000 years of the island’s history.
Hellas Yachting’s ships can take you, your children and your friends, to see that Greece is light, that it’s the smiling dolphins that will follow you, the white houses of its 6.000 islands, a warm smile and an even warmer welcome. It’s the myths of the waves… and maybe you will meet Princess Mermaid, sister of Alexander the Great, who roams the seas with her golden chest guard holding a shield and the Macedonian spear, and she will ask: “Does King Alexander lives?”. Then you should answer “YES HE DOES!” to make her happy! Otherwise…
Hydra
Hydra, built in the shape of an amphitheatre on a slope overlooking the Argosaronic gulf, is one of the most romantic destinations in Greece. Traditional stone mansions, narrow cobblestoned streets, secluded squares and above all the banning of cars and the use of around 500 donkeys as means of public transportation, explain the reason why Hydra preserved its distinctive atmosphere through the passage of time.
Hydra, built in the shape of an amphitheatre on a slope overlooking the Argosaronic gulf, is one of the most romantic destinations in Greece. Traditional stone mansions, narrow cobblestoned streets, secluded squares and above all the banning of cars and the use of around 500 donkeys as means of public transportation, explain the reason why Hydra preserved its distinctive atmosphere through the passage of time. The island experienced exceptional economic growth in the past thanks to its great naval and commercial activity. The Hydriots contributed significantly also to the 1821 War of Independence as their powerful fleet participated in crucial sea battles. It is rather impressive the fact that such a tiny island is the birthplace of five Greek Prime Ministers!
Lavish stone mansions owned by important families (Voulgaris, Kountouriotis, Tombazis, Kriezis, Bountouris etc), and built by Italian artisans reveal the wealth that experienced the island in the past. Today most of these mansions house the island’s museums. 300 churches and 6 monasteries spread around the island as well as the cannons and the statues of the Independence War heroes still standing at the balconies of the islands create a romantic mosaic.
As you walk along the waterfront, the heart of the town, you encounter monuments, churches, canons, museums, old mansions, statues of famous heroes, the old gunpowder store, shops and cafes, while picturesque winding streets lead you to neighborhoods located at the upper part of the town, as well as to the old neighborhood of Kiafas.
Hydra is also a yachting paradise, as every summer groups of sailing boats moor at the harbor, where they are joined by dozens of sensational motorboats and yachts. It’s worth mentioning that Hydra became famous all over the world thanks to the film “Boy on a Dolphin”, shot on the island in 1957 with Sophia Loren leading the starring role.
Visit the island’s museums to take in a little history:
- Ecclesiastical and Byzantine Museum.
- Annex to the National Historical Museum.
- Museum of Post-Byzantine Art and History of Hydra.
Explore the island’s beaches:
- Mandráki: During the War of Independence it was used as a harbour but today it is an organised beach with excellent water sport facilities.
- Bísti: A pebbly beach, where Hydra Diving Centre organises water sport activities such as diving and kayaking.
- Vlychós: A beach covered with pebbles at Vlychos holiday resort.
- Spiliá: Ideal for tan-seeking sunbathers.
- Limnióniza: Many people consider it as the most
- Hydronéta: This beach, which lies directly beneath the cannons, has cement decks suitable for sunbathing.
- Ayios Nikolaos: A sandy beach, on the west of the island. Access is only possible by water taxi.
Hellas Yachting’s ships can take you, your children and your friends to Hydra Island, to see that Greece is light, that it’s the smiling dolphins that will follow you, the white houses of its 6.000 islands, a warm smile and an even warmer welcome.
Salamina
According to the myth, the name Salamina (Salamis) was given to the island by Kychreas in honour of his mother Salamis, one of the five daughters of the river god Asopos.
Poros
Lush pine trees vegetation, crystal clear beaches, a lively waterfront adorned with shops, cosy cafes and restaurants, a picturesque capital (it has been declared protected settlement) with grand traditional mansions and picturesque cobbled streets, as well as a wide selection of entertainment venues are the ingredients of this quiet, yet cosmopolitan, destination that attracts visitors from all age groups.
The town of Poros is built in the shape of an amphitheatre over two hills. In antiquity Poros consisted in fact of two islands, Sphería and Kalávria, but the last explosion of the Méthana volcano in 273 BC radically changed the morphology of the area. Sphería was cut off from Méthana, and in this way Póros took its present-day form. Lush pine trees vegetation, crystal clear beaches, a lively waterfront adorned with shops, cosy cafes and restaurants, a picturesque capital (it has been declared protected settlement) with grand traditional mansions and picturesque cobbled streets, as well as a wide selection of entertainment venues are the ingredients of this quiet, yet cosmopolitan, destination that attracts visitors from all age groups.
Peer into the history and tradition of the island through a visit to its Archaeological and its Folklore Museums. Visit also the Temple of Poseidon (built circa 520 BC; the Athenian rhetorician, Dimosthenes, committed suicide in this temple by drinking poison, pursued by Philip, the King of Macedonia); the Zoodohos Pigi Monastery –the most impressive ecclesiastical monument on the island; the Russian naval base and the Residence of Governor Kapodistrias. Follow a route through the narrow streets of the town that will lead you up to a hill, where the trademark of the island stands: the historic Clock tower, where you can relax and enjoy a panoramic view of the whole town.
Take the opportunity to stroll around the Lemon Forest, a verdant hill with more than 30,000 lemon and orange trees, located on the opposite situated coast of the Peloponnese, southeast of the town of Galatás. The boat trip will only take a few minutes. The view from the hilltop to the island of Póros is really stunning. Take your sailboat to discover the surrounding islets:
Boúrtzi, home to the fortress of the Byzantine admiral Nasar; Modi, with its shipwreck from the Mycenaean period, and Daskaleió, with its chapel dedicated to Virgin Mary.
Poros is also famous for its beautiful beaches, stretching uninterrupted along the island’s coastline. Swim in the crystal clear waters of the long and sandy beach of Askéli; the hotels and bars situated here make it an interesting tourism resort with buzzing nightlife. Meyálo Neório is a sandy beach where the pine trees sweep right down to the water’s edge. Bask in the turquoise blue waters of the “Love Bay”, a beach surrounded by verdant pine trees that literally dip their needles into the sea. Enjoy a unique natural shade!
Hellas Yachting’s ships can take you, your children and your friends to Poros Island, to see that Greece is light, that it’s the smiling dolphins that will follow you, the white houses of its 6.000 islands, a warm smile and an even warmer welcome.
Methana
The peninsula of Méthana with its two steep volcanic slopes is actually a volcano that emerged from the sea! Welcome the opportunity to explore a stunning volcanic landscape with dense vegetation, coastal villages and diverse flora and fauna. The establishment of the spa complex in 1870 made it a popular spa town attracting mainly senior citizens from many European countries.