From Athens: Hydra, Poros, and Aegina Day Cruise with Lunch
Hightlight
-
English-Speaking
-
Food
-
Group-Friendly
-
Local guide
History
The Saronic Islands have shaped Mediterranean trade and culture for millennia. Hydra’s 18th-century merchant captains built stone mansions with ship wealth, arming the 1821 Greek Revolution—its harbor cannons still salute the past. Poros, a mere 300 m from the Peloponnese, hosted ancient Poseidon cults and 19th-century Russian naval yards, its lemon groves scenting the narrow strait.
Aegina, Athens’ 5th-century BCE rival, minted Greece’s first silver coins and erected the Temple of Aphaia (480 BCE), a Doric jewel rivaling the Parthenon. Byzantine, Frankish, and Venetian layers blend into car-free streets, donkey paths, and pistachio orchards that define these timeless havens.
Highlights
- Cruise the azure Saronic Gulf past Salamis and ancient coastal forts
- 105 min in car-free Hydra: donkey rides, bastion views, harbor cafés
- 60 min in verdant Poros: clocktower climb, lemon forest, seaside promenade
- 2 hours in Aegina: pistachio markets, neoclassical town, optional Aphaia Temple
- Mediterranean buffet lunch onboard with Greek wines available
- Multilingual escorts and audio guide in 7 languages
Full Description
Begin with seamless hotel pickup or self-transfer to Marina Kalithea, boarding a spacious three-deck cruiser. Sail south past the Athenian Riviera, the audio guide narrating myths of Theseus and the Argonauts. First landfall: Hydra (105 min)—step onto marble quays where donkeys replace cars. Climb to the 1806 bastions, photograph amphitheatric mansions, or sip freddo cappuccino at pirate-era cafés.
Re-board for a scenic channel crossing to Poros (60 min). The ship glides beneath the iconic clocktower as lemon groves perfume the air. Stroll the waterfront, ascend to the 1927 tower for panoramic shots, or relax at a seaside ouzeri.
Lunch is served en route to Aegina (2 hours)—a lavish buffet of grilled chicken, baked fish, vegan stuffed peppers, Greek salad, and seasonal fruit. In Aegina, explore the bustling harbor, haggle for world-famous pistachios, or join the optional Temple of Aphaia excursion (€15). The final hour cruises home under Attica’s golden sunset.
Why Choose This Experience?
This all-in-one voyage delivers three contrasting Saronic jewels—artistic Hydra, lush Poros, historic Aegina—without ferry schedules or island logistics. Generous free time, onboard dining, and stable cruising make it effortless.
Ideal for cruise passengers, families, or anyone seeking authentic Greek island culture in a single, memorable day from Athens.
What’s Included
- Full-day cruise on modern, stabilized vessel
- Hotel pickup/drop-off (if selected) from 38 central Athens locations
- Mediterranean buffet lunch (meat, fish, vegan)
- Multilingual live escort (English, French, Spanish, Italian)
- Audio guide in 7 languages via app
- Free Wi-Fi, sundeck, and shaded seating
- Port taxes and fuel surcharge
- Digital island maps, pistachio voucher (Aegina)
- Baby seats (on request)
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup (optional) – 7:00–7:45 AM
- Depart Marina Kalithea – 8:15 AM
- Scenic cruise with commentary (3 hours)
- Hydra: Free exploration (105 min)
- Cruise to Poros (1 hour)
- Buffet lunch onboard (45 min)
- Poros: Free time (60 min)
- Cruise to Aegina (80 min)
- Aegina: Free time + optional Aphaia (2 hours)
- Return cruise (1 hour)
- Arrive Marina Kalithea – 7:30 PM
- Hotel drop-off – ~8:00 PM
Pricing
From $146 per person
Meeting Point
Marina Kalithea – main pier, clearly signposted. Hotel pickup: driver waits outside lobby with name sign. Exact time confirmed via email/SMS 24h prior.
How to get there
- Optional hotel minibus (central Athens)
- Taxi from Syntagma (~20 min, €25)
- Metro Line 1 to “Faliro” + 10 min walk
- Tram to “Delta” stop (5 min walk)
- Free parking at marina (limited)
Good to Know
What to bring
- Swimwear, quick-dry towel, water shoes
- Sun hat, sunglasses, SPF 50+ sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes (Hydra cobbles, Aegina streets)
- Light jacket (evening breeze on deck)
- Cash (€30–50) for donkey rides, pistachios, souvenirs
- Motion sickness tablets (rarely needed)
- Reusable water bottle (refill stations onboard)
Know before you go
- Hydra: Donkey ride €15–20 round trip
- Aegina: Temple of Aphaia €15 (pay onboard)
- Lunch: dietary needs noted at booking
- Toilets, showers, lockers on lower deck
- No large luggage—store in cabin
- Stable ship, minimal motion
Reviews
- Perfect island-hopping! Hydra’s donkeys, Poros’ lemons, Aegina’s pistachios—lunch was outstanding. Worth every euro!
- Long day but seamless—3 islands, delicious food, friendly crew. Hydra stole my heart.
- Comfortable ship, generous portions, just the right free time. Highly recommend for a taste of the islands!
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
How much free time do I truly have on each island, and how is it structured?
The cruise is thoughtfully timed to give you meaningful, unhurried exploration on each island without feeling rushed, with the ship docking right in the heart of each port for instant access. In Hydra, you’ll enjoy a full 105 minutes from approximately 10:30 AM to 12:15 PM—ample for a donkey ride up to the bastions (30 minutes round trip), photos of the amphitheatric harbor, a leisurely walk along the seaside promenade, and coffee at a historic café like Roloi or Isalos. Poros offers a compact yet satisfying 60 minutes from 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM—perfect for climbing the iconic clocktower hill (15 minutes), strolling through lemon-scented lanes, browsing waterfront shops, or grabbing a quick souvlaki by the channel.
Is the buffet lunch substantial, and are dietary restrictions accommodated?
Absolutely—the included Mediterranean buffet lunch, served onboard between Hydra and Poros around 1:00 PM, is a highlight of the cruise, offering a generous spread that satisfies diverse tastes and appetites. The menu rotates but consistently features grilled chicken souvlaki with lemon-oregano, baked white fish with herbs, vegetarian pasta with fresh tomato sauce, classic Greek salad with feta and Kalamata olives, dolmades (stuffed vine leaves), tzatziki, giant beans in tomato sauce, and seasonal fruit or halva for dessert. Vegan and gluten-free options, such as stuffed peppers, hummus, and rice dishes, are always available—just inform the escort when boarding or note it during booking.
How does the optional Temple of Aphaia excursion work on Aegina?
The Temple of Aphaia excursion is an optional add-on (€15 cash, paid to the escort upon boarding or on Aegina) that seamlessly integrates into your 2-hour stop, making it easy to see one of Greece’s best-preserved ancient temples without missing the island’s charm. Fifteen minutes after docking in Aegina (around 4:30 PM), a dedicated air-conditioned minibus departs directly from the port, driving 20 minutes uphill through pistachio groves to the 480 BCE Doric temple perched on a pine-covered hill with panoramic Saronic views. You’ll have 45 minutes to explore the impeccably preserved columns, the small onsite museum with statues and pottery, and the legendary “Aphaia Pediments” (replicas).
Is the cruise family-friendly, and what about motion sickness?
This cruise is exceptionally family-friendly and designed to accommodate all ages with ease and comfort, making it a stress-free day out for parents and children alike. Infants travel free (no seat), while kids aged 4–12 receive a reduced fare (~€73), and the ship features a lower air-conditioned deck with family-friendly seating, high chairs on request, and a small play corner with coloring books.
What are the exact differences between the pickup and no-pickup options?
Choosing the pickup option adds significant convenience, especially for those staying in central Athens or arriving by cruise ship, while the no-pickup option offers flexibility for self-reliant travelers. With pickup, a modern minibus collects you directly from your hotel lobby (or the closest accessible point for pedestrian zones) between 7:00 AM and 7:45 AM, depending on your location among the 38 listed hotels.
