Resolutely sea-oriented, Greece is an ideal country to discover by boat. It boasts a large number of marinas , each well equipped and, above all, each more charming than the last. So we've put together this itinerary for a week's sailing cruise in Greece.
We chose to make Athens the port of departure and arrival for this cruise, quite simply because its airport is the most accessible in Greece, and it's a destination only 3 hours' flight from Paris. The Athens marina is also very dynamic, so you'll have no trouble renting a sailboat or getting supplies. Next, this sailing cruise itinerary in Greece will take you through the Saronic Gulf and the Argolic Gulf. Both are encircled by a wild, verdant Mediterranean coastline, and dotted with numerous islands, some of which you'll be calling at for the night. We've also designed the itinerary to allow you to sail 2 to 4 hours a day, so you can enjoy a leisurely pace and, above all, plenty of time to make the most of each of your ports of call.
Day 1: Athens
The Greek capital is the starting point for this itinerary on a sailboat cruise in Greece. There's no shortage of things to do in Athens, a city rich in tourist attractions and history. You may want to consider spending a few nights there before starting your Greek cruise. The city boasts some of Greece's most beautiful archaeological sites, and it would be a shame to miss them because you're in too much of a hurry. Then it's time to embark. Athens boasts a number of marinas, which cater for pleasure boats and yachts. All of them offer a wide range of services and facilities, making them the perfect starting and finishing points. A particularly strategically located port is the Agios Kosmas marina, directly opposite Aegina, your second destination.
Day 2: Aegina
Allow 13 nautical miles, or around 2 hours 30 minutes, to reach the second destination on this Greek sailboat cruise itinerary: Aegina. Located in the Saronic Gulf, this island is directly opposite Athens. The triangular-shaped island has a large number of anchorages, but we recommend Nisida Nisida, on the north coast. It offers several advantages: it's well sheltered from the wind, but it's also lapped by turquoise waves. Aegina is an excellent beach destination. The island is also a very good diving spot in Greece, so you can equip your sailboat with the appropriate equipment.
Day 3: Hydra
It's already time to leave Aegina for Hydra, another superb island in the Saronic Gulf. To do this, you'll have to sail from island to island for 16 miles, or around 3 hours. We advise you to head back towards the east coast of Aegina, where you'll find a multitude of coves and some of Europe's most beautiful beaches, making perfect pauses along the way. Call in just outside Hydra, the island's main town on the north coast, and disembark at the port of Mandraki. This way, you avoid Hydra's urban port, which can be quite busy and lively, to enjoy this tranquil haven away from mass tourism. However, you won't be depriving yourself of the city of Hydra, which is only half an hour's walk away. On the way, you'll pass a number of beautiful Greek churches, making for an interesting stroll. Consider spending the evening here and dining in one of the marina's excellent restaurants.
Day 4: Spetsès
The next day, after spending the night in Hydra, weigh anchor again to continue this Greek sailing cruise itinerary, this time heading for Spetsès. You'll need to sail 18 miles, or around 3 hours 30 minutes. Spetsès is a much smaller island than the previous two, and this time marks the entrance to the Argolic Gulf. Very popular with Greeks who love its unspoilt landscapes and villages rich in historical heritage, it's an ideal destination in spring, when it takes on a quieter village atmosphere. Despite this, the island remains very authentic and peaceful, all the more so as it is strictly car-free, with inhabitants travelling on foot, by bike or by boat. There's also a wealth of water sports on offer, making it an ideal family destination. Choose the island's west coast, with its many less crowded but still beautiful anchorages, and you'll be well on your way to your next destination the next day.
Day 5: Plaka
Weigh anchor and head for Plaka. This time it's not an island, but a port on the mainland, more precisely on the Peloponnese, the peninsula facing Athens. To reach it, you'll have to sail west for 18 miles, or 3 hours 30 minutes. Plaka is a small, unadorned but well-equipped port, so it's the ideal time to stock up on provisions before setting off again to discover the Mediterranean by boat. Plaka is actually a small port attached to a larger town: Leonidio.
Day 6: Hermione
Set sail again, staying on the Peloponnese, but this time on the other side of the Argolic Gulf, towards Hermione. You'll need to sail 18 nautical miles, or 3 hrs 30 min, to reach this last stop on your Greek sailboat cruise itinerary, before returning to the port of arrival. Hermione is one of Europe's most beautiful villages, a very old one, even mentioned in Homer's writings. In spite of this, the village is rarely visited by tourists, making it an ideal stopover. What's more, it boasts many excellent restaurants where you can sample authentic Greek specialities.
Day 7: Athens
It's already time to wrap up this Greek sailing cruise itinerary and head back to the port of arrival: Athens. You'll need to cover 40 miles, or 8 hours of sailing. We've chosen to leave the last day as the only day of sailing, so that you can make the most of each stopover. You can also choose to make this trip in two parts, stopping again in the Saronic Islands. Your arrival in Athens can also be the starting point for a multi-day visit, as the Greek capital is one of Greece's must-visit cities.
Alternative sailing itinerary in Greece
By staying in the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs, you can slightly modify the itinerary by visiting other islands and harbors, since the region boasts a wealth of beautiful things to see in Greece, and we haven't covered them all here. For example, you could stop off at Dokos, a particularly unspoilt island close to Hydra. In the extreme south-east of the Peloponnese, you can also make a stopover on Poros, an island barely isolated from the mainland, yet so peaceful. Finally, from Athens, you can also head south rather than west, and visit the Cyclades: a multitude of divine islands that are all good reasons to charter a boat to visit them. Take a look at our 15-day itinerary in the Cyclades.
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