Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Greece / Saronic Islands
 |  | Destination Guide : Saronic Islands |
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| | | Find the hidden isles |  | Why go on holiday to the Saronic Islands?
Go to lounge on the beaches of Spetses, to experience the elegance of Hydra, to go island hopping and take advantage of the proximity of the five Saronic Gulf islands to the Greek capital, Athens. They are popular with the Greeks and as they don't appear in many package brochures, make an interesting alternative to the more popular Greek island destinations.
How much will it cost?
A seven-night cruise including flights, half board and free on-board drinks is from £749. A seven-night self-catering package to Aegina is from £169. Flights to Athens are from £50. Local ferries are from five euros (£3.30). A studio apartment in Spetses is from 50 euros (£34) a night in high season. Hire a small yacht to sleep six people from 1,000 euros (£675) for a week. Or for a taster, take a one-day cruise from Piraeus to Aegina, Poros and Hydra from 99 euros (£67) including a buffet lunch.
When should I go?
Many shops and restaurants don't open until May and start closing down again at the end of September. The Greek islands are at their hottest in July and August when it can get up to a scorching 100F/37C. Aegina is so close to Athens that between June and September, accommodation can get very booked out by Athenians taking a weekend break so book ahead rather than leave it to chance.
What and where are the Saronics?
They nestle in the gulf waters between Athens and the Peloponnese. Salamis is nearest to Athens (and as such almost like one of its suburbs), followed by Aegina (an hour and a half ferry ride or 35 minutes by hydrofoil from the Athenian port of Piraeus). Poros is a much smaller island close to the Peloponnese mainland town of Galatas, Hydra is a long thin island and Spetses, the most southerly and some four and a half hours by ferry or two and half hours by hydrofoil from Piraeus, is the most popular with British holidaymakers.
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| | | No wheels | | What's Spetses got to offer?
The best island in the group for beaches, it's also the most verdant, being covered with pine trees, and is car free. You can get around by boat, motorbike or horse-drawn carriage. Most holidaymakers gravitate to Spetses Town with its quaint old harbour, ringed by historic Venetian buildings. Shipbuilding is still a tradition here and there is a good collection of ships' figureheads at the museum, housed in the mansion of a former shipowner. It's signposted from the Plateia (Square) Orologiou.
So which Spetses beach should I head for?
A mix of sand and pebbles, Agia Marina is a resort beach and it can get pretty crowded. Another more developed beach is Agioi Anargiroi, good for watersports.
If you're looking for something quieter, try the sheltered cove of Agia Paraskevi, shaded by thick pine forest or Zogeria, popular with locals, set in a cove with sand, rocks and pebbles.
How about Hydra?
The rocky, barren island of Hydra has a particularly picturesque harbour with a mixture of elegant historic buildings and modern homes stacked up along along the steep cliffs. The haunt of artists and writers over the years, Hydra has a reputation for being a sophisticated island. All motorised transport is banned here, with donkeys doing most of the work.
If you're fit and like a good walk, take the hour long trek up to the monastery of Moni Profiti Ilias which has great views over the town below. The most popular but most expensive restaurants and cafes are along the waterfront, but you may think it worth the extra for the ambience.
Any festivals?
There's a maritime festival in honour of sailors on Poros during the first 10 days of July. Between mid-July and mid-August Poros also stages a cultural festival with folk dance, music, plays and shadow puppet shows held all across the island. In September the Armada celebrates Greek independence and culminates in the reconstruction in Spetses Town harbour of the firebombing of the Ottoman fleet in 1821.
Any ancient historical sites to see?
The Saronics are not known for ancient sites, though it's worth checking out the ruins of Paleochora, the former capital of Aegina and the Temple of Apollo, also on Aegina, though not much more than a lone Doric column remains. From Poros you can nip across to Galatas on the Peloponnese mainland on a small boat and head for Nafplio. From there take a bus to one of Greece's most famous ancient sites, Epidaurus, with its impressive third-century theatre.
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| | | Go nuts | | What's the food like?
Hydra, surrounded by deep, clear waters, is famous for its fish and you'll find plenty of fish tavernas on the island and all over the Saronics. A speciality on Spetses are the almond sweets called Amigdalota made from almonds, honey, flower water and sugar and available at local bakeries. Also on Spetses try the local lemon liqueur.
What should I buy?
Aegina is famous for its pistachio nuts, grown there since ancient times. Elsewhere, buy olive oil, herbs, pottery, local artwork on Hydra, dark pine resin honey from Spetses, olive oil, olives and sticky Greek sweets.
What is there for children to do?
They'll enjoy short boat trips around the islands. Aegina has a water park, 1.5kms from Aegina Town (open May to October). The best island overall for youngsters is Spetses as it's more geared up for the package holiday tourist and they'll find more British children there to play with.
Where's good for nightlife?
Aegina is probably the liveliest island. There are plenty of bars plus two open air cinemas in Aegina Town and the resort of Agia Marina also has bars and discos. An evening stroll along the waterfront here is also popular. Hydra is also quite busy, with most of the action in the bars along the south-west coast. The clubs and bars along the harbour front of Spetses Town are lively at night. Poros also has a busy little waterfront.
Tourist office
Hellenic Tourism Organisation, 4 Conduit Street, London W1S 2DJ. Tel 020 7495 9300.
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| | Fact File : Saronic Islands |
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| | | Saronic Islands | | Did you know?
The Saronic Gulf islands are named after mythical King Saron of Argos who drowned while chasing a deer which had run into the gulf waters.
Language
Greek.
Visas
None required for EU residents.
Getting there
Direct charter flights from UK to Athens. Ferry and hydrofoil routes operate throughout the group.
Flying time from London
Around three hours.
Getting around
Extensive inter-island ferry service. Some islands have no motorised transport and use water taxis, motorbikes and even donkeys.
Currency
Euro.
Costs
All prices may vary but as a rough guide: litre of petrol 50p, moderately-priced restaurant meal for one with wine £10, 24-exposure film £2.50, bottle of beer £1 and four-mile taxi ride about £3.
Weather
The Saronics enjoy a fairly typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers when temperatures can climb to 100F/37C, to mild winters with a minimum of 50F/10C.
Time difference
Three hours ahead of the UK.
International dialling code from the UK
00 30 for Greece followed by island code.
Voltage
220 volts, 50Hz - you'll need an adaptor for the standard continental two-pin plug.
Opening hours
Banks open 8am-2pm Monday-Thursday and 8.30am-1.30pm Friday. Post offices open 7.30am-8pm and till 2pm on Saturday. Shops vary from seven days a week to some closing for very long lunches.
Health - before you go
UK citizens are covered for health care on production of form EHIC (from post offices). Emergency treatment is free in hospital (though relatives must take food in for patients). However, the health service in Greece is very underfunded and one of the poorest in Europe so if you'd prefer private treatment, travel insurance is essential.
Health - when you are there
Tap water is safe to drink. Sunburn is the biggest danger so slap on the sun lotion and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Warnings
In July and August, the meltemi (the strong northerly wind which often springs up without warning) can play havoc with ferry schedules and sailors should check forecasts regularly.
Emergency
Tel 166. British Embassy Ploutarhou 1, Athens 106 75. Tel 723 6211.
Customs
On Spetses, Easter celebrations include the burning of a fishing boat to symbolise Christ's resurrection and the burning of an effigy of Judas.
Pets
You may bring your pet to and from the UK provided you have the correct documentation under the Pet Travel Scheme - see your vet for details.
Tipping
Service is included on restaurant bills but it is customary to leave a small tip, also with taxis.
Tourist office
Hellenic Tourism Organisation, 4 Conduit Street, London, W1R 0DJ. Tel. 020 7495 9300.
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