Sailing itineraries from Athens

Two cruising grounds start at the door of Alimos Marina: the sheltered Saronic Gulf to the south-west, and the Cyclades beyond Cape Sounion to the south-east. Each of the routes below is a seven-day round trip, Saturday to Saturday, with nautical miles for every leg and where to spend each night.

Our 7-day routes

Saronic Gulf, 7 days — Aegina, Poros, Spetses and Hydra. About 115 nautical miles, with sheltered water and short passages: the gentlest week from Athens, and the one for first-timers and families.
Western Cyclades, 7 days — Kea, Kythnos and Serifos, by Cape Sounion. About 130 nautical miles, with open crossings and, in July and August, the meltemi: for experienced crews, or with a skipper.

Distances are approximate. Every route is a suggestion: your skipper, or you if you sail bareboat, adjusts it to the weather on the day.

Saronic Gulf or Cyclades?

Distance: in the Saronic Gulf most passages are 15–25 nautical miles; reaching the Cyclades takes a passage of about 36 miles on the first day and a similar return at the end.
Wind: the Peloponnese shelters the Saronic Gulf from the worst of the summer meltemi, which blows hardest across the Cyclades in July and August.
Character: the Saronic islands are green, with pine woods and neoclassical harbour towns; the Cyclades are drier, with white villages on bare hills and sandy bays.
Crowds: in high summer Hydra and Poros are busy; the western Cyclades are quieter than the famous islands further east.

Choosing a route for your crew

First time sailing: the Saronic Gulf, ideally with a skipper. The first passage, to Aegina, is only about 16 nautical miles.
Families with young children: the Saronic Gulf, where every day can include a swim stop and none needs a long passage; a catamaran sails almost flat.
Groups of friends: either — the Saronic Gulf for lively harbour towns every night, the Cyclades for more sailing and quieter anchorages.
Experienced sailors: the Cyclades, especially in May, June and September.