Photo from famous port and beach of Skala with iconic church of Agioi Anargiroi, Agistri island, Saronic gulf, Greece
With hundreds of inhabited islands to choose from, and thousands more that are not inhabited, there are no shortage of island escapes, including as a day or weekend trip from Athens.
Hydra
Hydra was the original Greek holiday destination before Rhodes, Corfu and Mykonos rose to prominence. It is one of the few places in Greece where you will not need a car, even if you wanted to use one, because it is simply forbidden.
Take the ferry from Piraeus and dedicate the first day to see the historic and stately town of Hydra. The next day (or other days) spend it around the island by boat and swimming on the many beautiful beaches.
How to get there
Ferry services: from Piraeus to Hydra by ferry (distance 38 km and duration 3 hours and 15 minutes).
From Piraeus to Hydra with the flying dolphin is 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Aegina
In one hour you can be go from the port of Piraeus to Aegina.
Obviously there is no Athenian who has not visited Aegina. Nevertheless, even so, it is worth remembering that in one hour you can find yourself from the port of Piraeus to another world.
Neoclassical buildings, picturesque alleys, wonderful beaches, but also nightlife for anyone who does not want just a vacation in a beautiful place.
And of course consume plenty of pistachios from Aegina, which in any case in Aegina are included in recipes that you have not imagined.
How to get there
Ferry services: from Piraeus to Aegina by ferry (distance 17 km and duration 1 hour and 10 minutes).
From Piraeus to Agia Marina by ferry (distance 13 km and duration 1 hour and 20 minutes).
From Piraeus to Souvala by ferry (distance 11.5 km and duration 1 hour and 10 minutes).
From Piraeus (Tzelepis coast) to Aegina with the flying dolphin (duration 35 minutes).
Agistri
Those who go for a few days to Aegina and then want to continue with a less intense life and beautiful nature, there is always Agistri.
Wonderful waters, easily accessible by car or without, many options for good food.
And of course, if you are a cyclist, the flat Agistri with its many easy routes is the place for you.
Whatever happens, do not forget to visit the beaches of Drakonera, with the small coves that easily become a "private beach" and Aponisos, with the pines and the "exotic" feeling.
How to get there
Ferry services: from Piraeus to Agistri by ferry (distance 19 km, duration 1 hour and 30 minutes).
Also from Piraeus via Aegina to Agistri (distance 26 km, duration 2 hours and 30 minutes).
Poros
It has also been called the "Bosphorus of the Saronic Gulf," a nickname due to the geography of the island which at one point is only 350 meters from the coast of the Peloponnese.
An ideal island for those who love architecture (the city of Poros is full of beautiful listed buildings), water sports and hiking but also for those who want to spend all their holidays in the Saronic Gulf.
How to get there
Ferry services: from Piraeus to Poros by ferry (distance 31 km, duration 2 hours and 30 minutes).
From Zea Piraeus to Poros with flying dolphins (duration 1 hour and 15 minutes).
The journey to Kea (or Jia) from the port of Lavrio takes one hour.
Kea
So that you can say that you went to the Cyclades Islands but did not move far from Athens, the journey to Kea (or Tzia) from the port of Lavrio lasts one hour and brings you to an island that combines luxury, excellent food and nightlife.
There is also the very important archeological site of Karthea.
As for beaches, there are many...
How to get there
The easiest way to get to Kea is by boat from the port of Lavrio. The route Lavrio - Kea runs throughout the year. The journey takes 1 hour.
Salamis
For those who want to visit a real alternative island which is only 15 minutes away from the shores of Perama, and in which you suddenly feel that you have moved hundreds of kilometers away from the city, then Salamis is an excellent choice.
There are many beautiful beaches, most of them on the south side of the island.
There are also two pine forests that hikers can adore and will surely be loved by those who visit them.
How to get there
Ferry services: from Piraeus to Paloukia, Selinia, Kamatero by ferry (distance 23 km and duration 40 minutes).
From Piraeus to Peristeria by ferry (distance 8.5 km and duration 1 hour and 10 minutes).
From Perama to Paloukia by ferry (distance 1.5 km).
From Perama to Ampelakia by ferry (distance 1.3 km and 15 minutes).
From Neos Perama Megaron to Faneromeni Salamina by ferry (distance 1.1 km and duration 13 minutes).
READ MORE: Chania – A City That Will Remain in Your Heart Forever.