Published: 29th of March 2026
This is not a sponsored post and I am not affiliated with any of the businesses or organisations mentioned.
If you are heading to Athens anytime between April and October, and haven’t thought about popping to an island nearby, what are you doing? Are you really going to miss the chance of visiting some of the most beautiful islands in Greece (and thus the wold)? If you are short on time, don’t worry. In this blogpost, I will introduce you to three stunning islands that are only a short boat ride away from Athens but are definitely worth crossing a continent for.
These islands are only accessible by boat, by the way. This blog post does not include islands that can be reached by plane, even though all internal flights in Greece are super short (about 1h). So, you could, if you wanted to, take a plane to Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Corfu or Rhodes and spend the weekend there. But, we are not doing that here. We are travelling like the Athenians do, on a ferry (it’s mostly very large catamarans these days by the way)!
Make sure you check out my blog post on how to book ferries and internal flights in Greece and also my Athens airport & ports FAQs for more information on planning and booking your trip.
All aboard!
BEST GREEK ISLAND WEEKEND GETAWAYS FROM ATHENS
No 1: HYDRA
Hydra is small, charming and historic. It will only take you 1.5 hours to get there from Athens, but it will feel like you have been transferred to another era. The town is just a handful of charming neoclassical buildings and stone paved alleys arrayed amphitheatrically around a quaint port; you’ll fall in love with it at first sight.
Nevertheless, don’t let the laidback atmosphere fool you. There is more to Hydra than meets the eye. Rich in maritime tradition and revolutionary spirit, Hydra truly punched above its weight during Greece’s fight for independence against the Ottomans in the 19th century. The islanders still proudly raise the revolutionary flag every morning in all important buildings and the port…
A hotspot for sophisticated international travellers since the 1960s, this island is actually one of the first to put the Greek islands on the travellers’ map. Despite the expensive yachts crowding the quaint port in the summer, it has somehow managed to maintain the charm of an understated, elegant destination.
HOW TO GET TO HYDRA?
It is super easy to get to Hydra. It is a short (about 1.5h) hydrofoil or catamaran ride away from Athens’ main port, Piraeus. There are several boats throughout the day, every day, year round, and even more so during spring and summer. Book in advance if you need to arrive at a specific time of the day.
WHAT IS THERE TO DO IN HYDRA?
Hydra is perfect for a weekend trip. The main town is small and compact, and you can walk or take a water taxi everywhere.
Admiring the historical architecture of the quaint port and enjoying the slow pace of life in a car-free island, is the no 1 thing to do. Indulging into some tasty meze and crisp Greek wine in a local taverna is also compulsory.
Another must is walking to Hydronetta and diving into the crystal clear water from the rocky outcrops (there are also sturdy ladders). The cute cafe-bar above the rocks offers majestic views of the infinite blue. Stay until late and enjoy the beautiful sunset from the rocks or the romantic restaurant nearby.
Check out the travel guide – Hydra: Time travel on the idyllic Greek isle
No 2: SPETSES
The spectacular natural and built environment, historical pedigree and proximity to the mainland have enabled prosperity and finesse to feel native to Spetses. The island’s long held reputation as a jet set favourite surpasses that of Mykonos by about a century (yes indeed!). This reputation is maintained to this day. Quietly. Nevertheless, one can easily visit Spetses in a fairly modest budget; one of the many reasons why I haven’t met anyone visiting Spetses and not loving it. It is one of my own personal favourites, as well, so much so, that I got married there!
Spetses town is lined with beautiful neoclassical buildings and stretches along a remarkable seaside esplanade. It could easily take you more than an hour to walk from beginning to end, and what a glorious hour that will be! Dapia, the new port, is buzzing with movement and anticipation as boats and people come and go while others while away on the cute cafés nearby. Just a bit further along the bay, time stands still amongst the fortress-like captains’ mansions that hover over the waterfront. Continue your walk a bit more and you will end up at the pirates of the Caribbean…esque Old Port (Palio Limani), a bay within a bay filled with luxury yachts and traditional fishing boats, all mingling harmoniously amongst old shipyards, elegant restaurants and simple tavernas.
The combination of that small island feeling and a place of historical significance with the perks of an upscale destination sums up the beauty of Spetses.
HOW TO GET TO SPETSES?
Spetses is only a short hydrofoil or catamaran ride away (about 2.5-3h) from Athens’ main port, Piraeus, on the same route as Hydra island. There are several boats throughout the day, every day, year round, and even more so during spring and summer. Book in advance if you need to arrive at a specific time of the day.
WHAT IS THERE TO DO IN SPETSES?
The walk from the Old Port (Palio Limani) all the way to Dapia (the new port) and even further than that to the beach of Scholes will easily take you more than an hour. This excludes all the pitstops that can be done along the way at cafés, restaurants, the splendid Poseidonion Grand Hotel and so much more. There are even sun lounges for hire and small public beaches along the way where you can have a quick or more relaxed dip in the sea! If you want to go… a bit faster, take one of the many horse drawn carriages, a traditional mode of transportation that the islanders maintain to this day!
In Scholes, Kaiki Beach Club is also a nice spot for the classic Mediterranean beach club experience. Further than that, there are many other beaches around the island that you can access by boat taxis, regular taxis or the public bus.
Note that Spetses is a car-free island but you will come across every kind of two or three wheeled vehicle imaginable as the town is quite spread out along the seafront and upwards towards the hills as well.
Check out the travel guide – Spetses: the Greek island of legends
No 3: ANDROS
The capital of Andros, Chora, feels distinctly different from the whitewashed minimalism found elsewhere in the Cyclades, with elegant neoclassical mansions, marble-paved streets, and a quietly refined atmosphere shaped by its seafaring heritage. Set on a narrow peninsula overlooking the Aegean, the town blends culture and scenery effortlessly—home to impressive museums, contemporary art spaces, and a charming central square lined with cafés.
Beyond the town, Andros will surprise you with its unusually lush landscape for a Cycladic island, dotted with springs, valleys, and greenery. This natural richness extends to its coastline, where iconic beaches such as golden, wind-swept shores and secluded coves offer some of the most diverse and unspoilt swimming spots in the region, making it an ideal destination for those seeking both culture and natural beauty in a more authentic, less crowded setting.
HOW TO GET TO ANDROS?
You can easily access Andros with a conventional boat, not a catamaran, which I personally prefer as it offers a much more scenic journey, especially if you sit on the top deck! It takes about two hours from the city’s secondary port, Rafina.
Happily, Rafina is a lot closer to the airport than the main port Piraeus. So, this is a perfect choice if you are catching a flight straight after your boat journey. Rafina is also a lot smaller than Piraeus, so easier to navigate.
Note that Andros is a fairly large island and the boat will leave you in the port of Batsi, which is a 45min drive to Chora, the capital town, which is where I recommend staying. Taxis and the local bus are always coordinated with the boats arrival and departure times.
WHAT IS THERE TO DO IN ANDROS?
Wander around Chora and admire the weird and wonderful landscape and beautiful architecture (including the unique Tourlitis Lighthouse) before sitting down on a traditional taverna to eat your weight in feta and seafood meze. Finish off the feast with a strong Greek coffee (or a refreshing iced coffee), and you are ready for a short and sweet visit to the very interesting Maritime History and Modern Art museums.
If it’s too hot for that, a quick dip into one of beaches near Chora will provide some relief from the strong sun. However, if you have a bit more time, it is definitely worth spending the day (or a morning) in iconic Tis Grias to Pidima beach or romantic Syneti beach.
FINAL THOUGHTS
So, what do you think? Have I convinced you to extend your 3-day Athens city trip to a 5 or 6 (or maybe 7?) day introduction to Greece? Combining Athens with a a quick boat ride to some of the most beautiful islands in Greece is essentially the perfect way of dipping your toes into Greek culture, history and landscapes without having to commit to a full 2-week holiday!
See you in Greece!
This is not a sponsored post and I am not affiliated with any of the businesses or organisations mentioned.
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