Another great sailing destination when arriving from Athens is the Saronic Gulf and Cyclades islands. Sail the Cyclades or the Saronic Gulf. If you are landing in Athens and want to be on the water fast, this is the easiest way to start a proper Greek island week without long transfers.
From a skipper’s point of view, I like these routes because you can mix easy miles with proper sailing days, and you always have a safe Plan B. You can keep it relaxed for families, or step it up a bit for a group that wants action and nightlife.
Saronic Gulf is the first or last stop when sailing from Athens Marina in Alimos. The Saronic Gulf is the most famous and widespread sailing area in Greece, located near Athens. In this area are the islands of Aegina, Poros and Agistri in the southern part. The second area is superb and is called Argolikos bay. Located south of the Saronic after Poros with the islands of Hydra and Spetses among other smaller islands.
Geographically, you are sailing just south and south-west of Athens, inside a sheltered sea with plenty of anchorages and short hops. That is why the Saronic is perfect if it is your first charter, if you have kids on board, or if you do not want to spend half the day under way. Most legs are 2 to 4 hours, so you still have time for a long swim and a proper dinner ashore.
Getting there is simple. You usually fly into Athens International Airport and drive or take a taxi to Alimos. If you are already in the city, Alimos Marina is on the coastal road, so access is easy. Parking can be busy on Fridays, so arrive a bit earlier and keep your bags soft; it makes boarding much easier.
Hydra and Spetses are the classic glamorous stops in Argolikos bay. Hydra is famous for being car-free, so you will see donkeys on the quay and a very photogenic harbour. Spetses has a lively waterfront and lovely rides with scooters and bicycles. If you want a cultural day, Epidavros is a great stop because the ancient theatre is one of the best preserved in Greece. For official background you can check the Hellenic Ministry of Culture page for the site at culture.gov.gr, and for general destination info the Greek National Tourism Organisation is always useful at visitgreece.gr.
Cyclades is a group of islands located in the Aegean Sea. Considered among the best holiday destinations worldwide, it offers visitors a wide variety of experiences. The main Cycladic islands are: Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Paros, Antiparos, Dilos, Ios, Kea, Kimolos, Milos, The Small Cyclades (Donousa, Folegandros, Koufonissia and Syros), Mykonos, Naxos, Santorini, Serifos, Sikinos, Sifnos and Tinos. The Cycladic islands have numerous beaches and good weather for yachts. There are many harbours where you can moor and refuel, and many of the islands have separate marinas for private boats. The Cyclades can suit all tastes, for both intense and exciting or quiet and relaxing holidays.
The Cyclades sit out in the central Aegean, south-east of Athens. The vibe changes the moment you leave the shelter of the Saronic. More open sea, more wind, more of that salty Aegean feeling. In summer you often meet the Meltemi, the north wind, which can be amazing for sailing but needs a skipper who knows how to choose the right bays and the right timing.
Getting there by yacht is part of the fun. You depart from Alimos and usually make your first Cycladic landfall on Kea or Kythnos, depending on the weather. After that, you can shape the week towards the famous islands like Mykonos and Paros, or towards quieter corners if the group wants fewer crowds. For a reliable wind overview before you travel, I always tell guests to keep an eye on the Hellenic National Meteorological Service at hnms.gr. Conditions change quickly in the Aegean, so it helps to have a realistic picture.
Sail the Cyclades or Saronic Gulf islands are a perfect sailing or motor yacht holiday because:
- a mix of lively nightlife and small quiet places
- great food, nightlife destinations, and plenty of water sports and extreme-games facilities
- many safe and remote bays to spend the night
- countless beauties and beaches to visit, along with historical sites and old churches
- strong winds for extreme sailing, and a windsurfing paradise
- picturesque Cycladic architecture and narrow cobbled streets
- many natural beauties
On a practical level, you also get variety without long drives and ferry queues. One day you are stern-to on a lively quay with music and people-watching, the next day you are alone in a bay with clear water and just the sound of the anchor chain. That contrast is why people come back.
Seasonally, May and June are my sweet spot for both areas. The water is warming up, visibility is usually excellent for snorkelling, and the ports are not yet packed. July and August bring the biggest crowds and the strongest winds in the Cyclades, so you need to plan more carefully and book early. September is gold: warm sea, calmer mood, and tavernas still properly open. If you are travelling around Orthodox Easter, check dates with
Sun, Apr 12 2026
because island services and opening hours can shift that week. If you are looking at long weekends, Agiou Pneymatos is also a busy one; seeMonday, June 1 2026
.Who it suits depends on what you want. The Saronic is great for first-timers, mixed-age families, and anyone who wants short legs and lots of swimming stops. The Cyclades suit couples, groups of friends, and experienced sailors who want that Aegean wind and iconic island scenery. Older travellers often prefer the Saronic for comfort, unless they really love sailing and do not mind a bit of movement at sea.
The Saronic Gulf and Cyclades sailing package consists of a seven-day sailing holiday. The journey starts from Alimos Marina in Athens, and takes you around most of the Saronic and Cycladic islands with plenty of stops for swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing. It is a dream holiday, not to mention that it is the cheapest way to visit all these islands without being stuck in a hotel room.
Alimos Marina is a big base, so you have supermarkets, bakeries, chandlers, and plenty of last-minute shopping nearby. On check-in day, I always suggest doing the heavy provisioning in Athens and saving island shopping for fresh things like fruit, bread, and local cheese. It keeps the fridge happy and your budget under control too.
Timetables, opening hours and routes can change without notice. Always double-check locally before you travel.
And do not forget the sailing part!
The holiday package offered includes the sailing boat, skipper, port and marina fees and water. As the boat’s kitchen is fully equipped, it is possible to cook on board.
Cooking on board is a big part of the experience if you like it. Simple breakfasts, Greek salad with proper tomatoes, pasta after a long sail. And when you want to eat out, you can. In the Saronic you will find easy tavernas right by the quay, and in the Cyclades you can mix casual souvlaki with more upmarket places, especially on Mykonos and Paros.
As for water sports and underwater fun, many guests ask me where to do a proper dive day. If you want to add scuba diving to your week, have a look at portoscuba.com and we can plan a stop that fits the route and the weather. Even if you do not dive, a mask and snorkel are worth packing; the clarity in early summer is beautiful.
Sea and outdoor activities depend on the weather and your own fitness level. Always follow local safety advice and skipper instructions.
Typical 7-day holiday programme for Saronic Gulf
- Alimos Marina Check-in at 17:00
- Epidavros
- Hydra
- Spetses
- Poros (Ermioni stop possible)
- Aegina
- Alimos Marina Check-out at 9:00
Day by day, this route gives you a bit of everything. Epidavros is a calm start and a great cultural highlight. Hydra is for walking the harbour, a sunset drink, and a morning swim before the day-trippers arrive. Spetses brings that island elegance, and Poros is a very comfortable yacht stop with good shelter. Aegina is close to Athens, so it is perfect for the last night, with an easy return to Alimos in the morning.
Depending on the mood of the group, we can skip a few bays in order to visit others. You can discuss the places you would like to visit with the skipper and make the sailing route as you wish. The programme is not fixed, but in case of unexpected weather conditions the skipper will suggest alternatives to make sure you have a comfortable and interesting journey.
If the group wants more swimming time, we usually do shorter sails and spend longer at anchor. If you want more town life, we plan more nights in ports. Families often ask for calm nights, so we choose sheltered bays and avoid the noisy quays at weekends. Small detail, but it makes a big difference to sleeping on board.
Typical 7-day holiday programme for Cyclades islands
- Alimos Marina Check-in at 17:00
- Kea
- Finikas (Syros)
- Mykonos
- Paroikia
- Merichas (Kythnos)
- Alimos Marina Check-out at 9:00
This Cyclades week is a nice balance. Kea is a gentle first step into the Aegean. Syros is a real island capital with local life and good food, not just tourism. Mykonos is the party and the famous alleys, best enjoyed with a plan and a bit of patience. Paroikia on Paros is a solid yacht stop with a proper harbour feel, and Kythnos is a calmer finish before you head back towards Athens.
Depending on the mood of the group, we can skip a few bays in order to visit others. You can discuss the places you would like to visit with the skipper and make the sailing route as you wish. The programme is not fixed, but in case of unexpected weather conditions the skipper will suggest alternatives to make sure you have a comfortable and interesting journey.
In the Cyclades, the skipper’s job is often about timing. Leaving early can mean flatter seas and easier docking before the afternoon gusts. On windy days we pick the side of the island with better shelter, and we keep an eye on safe harbours with good holding. If the Meltemi is strong, we may stay an extra night somewhere comfortable and do a longer leg when it drops. That flexibility is what keeps the trip fun.
If you want help choosing between a sailing yacht and a motor yacht, ask us and tell us what matters most. Sailing yachts are about the journey, the quiet, the wind, and longer swims at anchor. Motor yachts give you speed, more range, and more time ashore, but fuel planning becomes part of the week.
Our local team of skippers, travel agents and scuba instructors with over 20 years of experience in Halkidiki is here to help you.
If you already have dates in mind, send them over and we will suggest the best direction for the winds and the vibe you want.
If you’d like to explore the coast, ask us about day trips at sea and sailing boat options.
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Don’t forget to mention:
- Number of persons, possible dates
- The hotel you’ll be staying
- The activity you are interested in