Your 3-day itinerary; Saronic gulf

Continuing my “3-day itinerary” series, I am now back with this page to suggest a new route during which you’ll have the chance to visit some of the most beautiful and closest to the capital, traditional greek islands.

Let’s suppose that you ‘re looking for a close destination to escape for a day or two; you need a place close to Athens, a place that you can arrive right away and a place that is well-connected and offers something new and different.

Of course, it’s getting warmer and warmer, therefore, a coast or an island would sound ideal to you! And here you are! Within close distance from Athens, you can find the Argosaronikos’ islands, the real diamonds and the jewels of Argosaronic (Saronic) Gulf. Along with their antiquities, historical monuments and sightseeing, those picturesque small islands with their beautiful sandy or pebbled beaches offer multiple options for an unforgettable and relaxing weekend away from the city. The islands offer accommodations for all budgets, tavernas on the beach, watersports and activities that cover everyone’s style and tastes.

Here’s the 3-day itinerary that I’ve prepared just for you!

Starting point; Athens

When booking a ticket to Greece, At[hens](https://www.livetheworld.com/post/a-night-out-in-athens-different-neighborhoods-different-styles-different-options-h3vo) is the first place that comes in mind; and that’s definitely understandable! Who wouldn’t want to see the mother city of democracy? Who wouldn’t want to admire Parthenon and Acropolis?! And who wouldn’t want to try the Greek delicious specialties served by typical greek restos?! But here’s some food for thought: as much as we love exploring our ever-surprising city, we know there’s just too much to see in this country to spend your holidays in Greece in just one place. And before you think you have no time or no money to consider too many places to visit in Greece, I’m here to tell you there are plenty of incredible things to do without spending much money or much time!

Day 1. From Athens to Poros

Only an hour ferry ride from Athens, Poros is said to be one of the most popular summer weekend destinations around Athens. Ideal for family vacations, Poros is a small island of the Argosaronikos gulf, famous for its pine forests and sandy beaches. The town is constructed on the slopes of the hill, where the majority of the activities take place. The most popular and best organised beach in Poros is Askeli, which also concentrates most of the accommodations on the island. At the same time Love Bay and Neorio beaches are definitely worth a visit, while around them you can find secluded coves to enjoy your privacy! Restaurants, shopping centers, malls and traditional greek taverns, can of course be found all around the island!

Day 2. From Poros to Hydra

After having spent a delightful day in the beautiful island of Poros, Hydra is the second island awaiting to be discovered! From your very first visit, a magic feeling surrounds you. Traditional mansions, cobble stone streets and donkeys all around the island, convince you about the uniqueness of Hydra! Main characteristic of Hydra is that there are no wheeled vehicles and the transportation of people is being made only by donkeys, a thing that makes the Island even more romantic and different from the rest! Hydra is considered to be one of the most impressive summer resorts that can be found around Athens! Ferries to the island depart very frequently, about 5-6 times per day, from Athens and from Poros, while the trip takes almost 2 hours.

Day 3. From Hydra to Spetses

Spetses, is the third island known as the lady of the Gulf Islands. It is the island of Boumpoulina and throughout the times it played an important role; especially, during the Greek Revolution of 1821. You’ll be surprised upon your arrival, since it’s instantly obvious that it’s an island where the history meets nature and tradition. The amazing combination of pine and sea, creates spectacular views of natural beauty. At the same time, it maintains features that remain unchanged over time.The mansions with the local architecture, the picturesque Byzantine churches, the historic museums, the cobblestoned streets, the picturesque shipyards and carriages are traditional elements that manage to fascinate the visitors for many decades and beyond. Spetses island is a popular weekend destination due to its closeness to Athens, while from Hydra there are multiple ferries departing often & any time of the day!

Ready to explore them all? More tips and similar itineraries are about to be revealed soon! All you have to do is just stay tuned on our page! Cheers!