Athens, the capital of Greece, located on the coast of the Saronic Gulf, offers beautiful beaches, crystal-clear seas, and numerous historical landmarks, making it the perfect destination for a yacht charter. The city's breathtaking architecture is a testament to its rich history and serves as its best storyteller. Visit numerous museums and ancient ruins of temples, such as the Acropolis and Parthenon, which are sure to leave you speechless. Once you've chosen a yacht from the numerous yacht options available in Athens, you can continue your journey in the Saronic Gulf and nearby islands, where endless possibilities await you.
Find Your Ideal Yacht in Athens Sailing Region
Why is Athens Popular Among Sailors?
Opt for an Athens yacht charter as this city is an excellent choice for starting your Greece sailing journey. Athens offers you exploring its numerous historical monuments, small streets that are waiting to be discovered and a beautiful coast. There are some wonderful islands near Athens perfect for a boat trip that offer fascinating ancient temples and sandy and rocky beaches. These beaches have everything you could wish for, from isolated spots only reachable by a yacht to family-friendly places.
If you start your Athens sailing journey in one of the marinas in Athens, one of the options is to explore the islands in the Saronic Gulf. There are many beautiful locations such as Aegina Island which has many archaeological spots and picturesque villages to discover. Another nice location to visit after chartering a yacht in Athens is Hydra, an immensely popular and crowded island visited by many boat tours, especially in the summer.
From Lavrion, a city in the vicinity of Athens, you can start your sailing journey to the Cyclades and visit islands such as Kea, Paros or Sifnos. Kea offers picturesque ports and beautiful beaches while Paros is a small island with one main harbour which can provide very good shelter for your charter yacht. Sifnos is also an interesting island with one harbour but numerous coves providing good protection with anchorages.
Yacht Charter in Athens Sailing Region
Athens International Airport is the most prominent airport in Greece, where most of the world's airlines land. During the summer, there are many local lines that connect Athens with numerous islands. Marinas, such as Athens Alimos and Agios Kosmas are located near the city of Athens, while the marinas in Lavrion are located 30 kilometres from Athens Airport and east of Athens. Lavrion offers a good selection of sailboats and catamarans as well.
The best time for sailing Athens is from April to November. The high season is from July to August. During the high season, many islands in the Cyclades are influenced by meltemi wind and caution is needed.
Best Places to Visit in Athens Region
Charter a yacht in Athens, as it is the best starting point for exploring Peloponnese islands in the Saronic Gulf aboard your bareboat or skippered charter yacht. From Athens you can explore the Cyclades Islands as well or visit some of the islands in the vicinity. A small island located 12 nautical miles south of Piraeus, Aegina, is a small port has a 19th-century look. The Temple of Aphia is a must-see spot for antique lovers. It also offers a good viewpoint of the whole Saronic Gulf.
Angistri is a small, forested island with many popular coves.
An island which is often considered an ideal sailing destination in Greece is Poros. Round, pine-wooded island with picturesque houses and small streets. It has several safe coves worth exploring.
Methana is a small fishing village with a small but deep harbour. It is often a stop for boats heading to the bay of Epidaurus.
Important Info for Sailing in Athens Sailing Region
Best time to sail
April - November
Most popular marinas
Athens Alimos, Agios Kosmas, Lavrion Olympic Marina, Lavrion Main Port
Nearest airports
Athens International Airport
Number of charter yachts
1000+
Popular regattas
Andros Regatta
Top attractions
Acropolis, Plaka District, Cape Sounion, Delphi
Gastronomy Highlights of Athens Sailing Region
When sailing in the Athens area, you can try many delicious dishes whose main ingredients are olive oil and appetizing feta cheese. Here you will find excellent seafood dishes and charcoal-grilled meats. There are also local fast-food options such as souvlaki or gyros, that can be a good option for a quick snack while taking a break from sailing the Athens area.
Saganaki is a simple cheese dish served as an appetiser. It is fried cheese in flour.
Moussaka consists of layered minced meat, fried tomatoes, garlic, onions, and spices. Sometimes, it is served with nutmeg and cinnamon for a sweet touch.
Choriatiki is the most popular salad in Greece. It is made with tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, onion, feta cheese, olives, and olive oil.
