Saronic Islands

THE SARONIC GULF ISLANDS

The Saronic Islands are located between the northern coast of the Peloponnese and the southern coast of Attica. Salamis, Aegina, Poros, Hydra, Spetses, Angistri and Dokos are their names. From an administrative point of view they belong to Piraeus. The closest islands to Attica are Salamis and Aegina. Poros, Hydra, Spetses and Dokos are closer to the Peloponnese. Angistri Island is west of Aegina. All of them sustain themselves mainly through tourism.

Every island has its own peculiar features, not only natural but also architectural.

However, the populations of each are very hospitable, and you will find crystalline water, clean beaches, good infrastructure where tourism is concerned, a wide range of leisure activities, delicious food and the chance to try out water sports.

 

AEGINA

Aegina, the second largest city of Saronic Islands, is the capital and port of the island. Aegina, with 85km2 and 57 km of coast, is located between Salamis and Poros and got its name from the nymph Aegina.

The most important places of interest are: the picturesque St. Nicholas church, located in the port,

and the cathedral of Aegina, where the first head of state of the independent Greece, Ioannis Kapodistrias, took his oath.

Not far from the cathedral, you will find one of the most emblematic buildings of the modern Greece: the Kivernio (the governor’s palace).

Do not forget to visit the Archaeological Museum, the convent of the Virgin Faneromeni, the Paleochora with its medieval castle and

the feminine monastery of Saint Nectarios, who is the patron saint of the island and protector of children.

 

One of the most important temples is the Temple of Aphaea, the ancient divinity who protected the island, located at a distance of 4 km from the touristic area of Agia Marina. The temple rises on the top of a hill in the middle of a pinewood and offers a wonderful view of the Aegean Sea.

 

POROS

Poros, capital and port of the island, is a small and nice city, built in the island style, with two-floor houses and narrow paved streets. It is 33km2 and has 43km of coastline..

Poros consists of two islands connected by a narrow strip of land. In the Antiquity, these two parts were called Sferia and Calavria, the place where Ulysses was born.

Every July, the Nautical Week is organized in the island and any visitors come to take part in the cultural events and to see the island’s naval history exhibitions.

The green island of Burtsi with its defensive castle, built in 1827, is located in the western side of the port.

It is worth it to visit the Doric Poseidon temple, the Monastery of Soodochu Pigis, and the Archaeological Museum of Poros.

 

HYDRA

Hydra, with an area of 50 km2 and 56 km of coastline, is different of the other Saronic Islands due to its rocky and infertile land and its architectural style, which perfectly fits with the simplicity of the surrounding environment.

All of it has provided the island with a unique and attractive character that have turned it in one of the most visited destination in Greece.

Life in the island is cosmopolitan, housing is luxurious, and there are boutiques, galleries, restaurants, clubs and nightlife. There are no roads and you can try water sports and enjoy its intense nightlife.

There was once a Mycenaean village in the west side of the town. During the Byzantine period, as proved by findings in the west side of the island, the village reached an exceptional development.

Every June, during one weekend, the island’s Miaulia festivities are organized. A lot of people comes to see the attractions, including the re-enactments of the fire of the Turkish fleet.

 

There are many places to visit: The monastery of Kimisi tis Ceotocu (Dormition of the Mother of God), the Church of Ipapandis (of the presentation of Christ in the Temple), the Chruch of Agiou Ioani tou Nistefti (John the Baptist), the Historical Museum-Archive and the town of Mandraki..

 

SPETSES

Spetses includes 22 km2 and is located at the opening of the Argolic Gulf, in front of Costa, in Ermioni, separated by a strip of sea. The distance from Spetses to Costa is 1.3 miles.

 

It is the most southern island of the Saronic Gulf and it has a great commercial and merchant maritime tradition. In addition, it played an important role in the Revolution of 1821.

 

In the Antiquity, the island was known as Pitiousa, the island of pine trees, and it is still the island with most tree coverage of the Saronic Islands.

It is worth visiting the Cathedral of Agios Nikolaos (St Nicholas), which was a catholic monastery in the past, the small Church of Virgin of Armata, the impressive building of the Posidonio Hotel,

the monument dedicated to the famous Bouboulina,

the area of Kounoupitsa, with its beautiful buildings from the School of Anargirios Corgialenios, hosting nowadays the Environmental Education Centre.

In August, the cultural events of the Anargiria take place and, in September, there is an event to commemorate the Armata sea-battle, with a re-enactment of the battle starting at the Church Virgin of Armata, close to the lighthouse in the old port. There are also sport contests and folk dances.