4 Best Boat Tours and Cruises in Athens

Greece has more than 2,000 islands, and although not all of them can be visited on excursions from Athens (you would need to take a flight), there are some islands that you can discover on a one-day cruise from Athens.

With this day cruise from Athens, a vehicle will pick you up at your hotel and take you back once the excursion is over. You will visit three islands and spend between one and two hours on each one, but the cruise itself will also be an experience in itself. The islands you will see are the closest to Athens, located in the Saronic Gulf:

Hydra

A small island with a bustling commercial activity where you will find beautiful colourful houses, breathtaking landscapes and wonderful beaches. Your guide will tell you the history of a place that once served as a refuge for pirates.

Poros

In the centre of the island, on a hill, are the remains of the temple of Poseidon, and you can also visit places such as the lemon grove, but I recommend taking a stroll around the harbour while admiring the landscape.

Aegina

Once there, you can take a stroll through the city or go on an excursion to the temple of Aphaia, which is quite popular in Greece.

What's included in this cruise

With this day cruise from Athens, you can discover three spectacular Greek islands in complete comfort. On board a boat with a professional crew, you'll enjoy a full day of sailing between the islands of Agistri, Moni and Aegina, with stops at each one so you can explore at your own pace. In addition to the visits, you'll have the opportunity to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, as the equipment is included.

The atmosphere on board is another of the great attractions of this experience. With chill-out music, snacks, drinks and a full Greek lunch, you'll spend an unforgettable day on the high seas. If you fancy a little extra adventure, you can join an optional bike tour of Agistri Island (paid separately). Everything is designed to let you experience the essence of the Aegean Sea like a local.

Agistri

A charming island where you can enjoy a stroll through Skala or try your hand at water sports. If you prefer, you can sign up for a bike tour along its coastal paths and traditional villages.

Moni

Famous for its crystal-clear waters, it is an excellent place for snorkelling and enjoying the natural environment. The sanctuary of Apollo Delfinios is also located here.

Aegina

The closest island to Athens and steeped in history. Don't miss the beaches or the Temple of Aphaia, one of the most important temples in ancient Greece.

What this cruise includes

With this day cruise to Mykonos from Athens, you'll experience an authentic journey across the Aegean Sea on a high-speed ferry to one of the country's most iconic destinations. Although the experience includes a guided tour and free time to explore the island, the boat trip will be the first highlight of the day. From the port of Rafina, the ferry will take you on a comfortable and panoramic sea voyage that will allow you to enjoy views of the Aegean as you approach Mykonos.

Once there, you will have about five hours to explore the iconic white streets of the historic centre, visit picturesque Little Venice, admire the windmills or relax on a terrace overlooking the sea. You can also choose to take a dip in the crystal-clear waters or even visit the famous Super Paradise beach bar. The entire itinerary is designed to give you a complete experience of sailing, history, scenery and local cuisine.

What's included in this cruise

If you want to feel surrounded by luxury for a day and treat yourself during your trip, this VIP day cruise from Athens is the ideal option. The main advantage of this activity is that you will not only enjoy the destination, but also the experience of the trip itself.

In addition to visiting the islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina, you will have between one and two hours of free time on each island. This excursion is available in English, Spanish, Italian and French. With it, you will be out all day with everything included and once on the islands you can explore them at your own pace, capturing their fabulous landscapes and buildings in your memory.

What does this cruise include?

The main purpose of day cruises departing from Athens is to give you the opportunity to get to know the Greek landscape and some of its islands in more detail. In other words, the beaches are not the main attraction of this boat trip. This is the first thing you should bear in mind before booking the experience so that you don't end up disappointed.

How to choose the right cruise

If you've taken a quick look at what's on offer, you'll have seen that there are dozens of similar cruises departing from Athens. How do you decide which tour to go for? My advice is to take a number of factors into account:

What to take on the cruise

Finally, remember to bring everything you need to spend the day in maximum comfort. Sunscreen is important, as is a swimsuit in case you get the chance to take a dip, and comfortable clothes and shoes. You won't need much else during the trip.

If a day trip cruise isn't enough for you, there are many more options for enjoying the Greek islands. Before booking your accommodation in Athens, consider spending a night or two away on a multi-day tour or even organising your own trip. This will allow you to visit islands further away from the capital, such as:

Santorini

With excellent beaches, nightlife and a landscape of white houses scattered across a mountain, it is the ideal place for any travel photographer.

Mykonos

Known for its parties and nightlife. You can get there by plane and from there hop over to other nearby islands. Or you can sign up for an excursion to Mykonos from Athens.

Paxos

Close to Corfu. Relaxation and privacy are guaranteed, and it won't be too crowded as it's only accessible by boat.

Rhodes

Ideal for spending a few days enjoying both its landscapes and tourist attractions such as Monolithos Castle and the Epta Piges natural park.

Crete

This is Greece's largest island and could be another place to start your trip around the country. In addition to landscapes and beaches, you can visit important archaeological sites.

Cruises around the Greek Islands from Athens are an opportunity to discover more of the country in a single trip and not just see the Greek capital. With this in mind, I recommend taking a look at this article on 8 Best Tours and Day Trips from Athens where you can find options to further enhance your travel experience.

We sometimes associate excursions with exhaustive planning and rule them out simply because we have to spend nights away from our main travel destination, but organised excursions offer a solution to this problem. In the vast majority of them, you will also have the services of a guide during the tour, who will allow you to learn more about the history of the country and make the most of your time.