Athens Guide: Luxury Yacht Charter in the Athenian Riviera & Saronic Gulf

Athens is where most Greek charters begin, and with good reason. Few capital cities in the world can match its combination of deep history and immediate access to the sea. Within an hour of landing at Athens International Airport, you can be standing on the deck of your yacht at Alimos Marina – one of the largest in the Mediterranean, with over 1,000 berths – with the silhouette of the Acropolis visible on the skyline behind you and the open Aegean stretching ahead. The Athenian Riviera, the 60-kilometre coastal strip running south from the city to Cape Sounion, has reinvented itself over the past decade as a destination in its own right: luxury beach clubs, Michelin-quality restaurants, and a string of bays and coves that feel surprisingly wild given their proximity to a city of four million.

Beyond the Riviera, the Saronic Gulf offers a collection of islands that could keep you happily occupied for a week without ever venturing into the open Aegean. Car-free Hydra, with its neoclassical harbour and artist community, is a world apart from the capital that lies barely 37 nautical miles north. Elegant Spetses, with its grand shipowner mansions and horse-drawn carriages, feels like stepping back a century. Poros, green and pine-scented, sits so close to the Peloponnese mainland that you could almost swim across the strait. And Aegina, with its pistachio groves and superbly preserved Temple of Aphaia (built around 500 BC, predating the Parthenon by half a century), is just 16 nautical miles from Athens – an easy half-day excursion. For charter guests, the Saronic Gulf is the ideal short-break destination or the perfect first chapter of a longer Greek voyage. Enquire with Boatcrowd for availability and pricing on our Athens fleet.

Why Charter a Yacht from Athens

Gateway to Everything

Athens International Airport is one of Europe’s best-connected hubs, with direct flights from virtually every major city. From the airport to the marinas at Alimos, Zea or Flisvos is a 30–45 minute transfer. By mid-afternoon you’re onboard, cruising south past the Athenian Riviera’s beach clubs with a glass of champagne in hand. No other charter base in Greece offers this level of convenience.

History on the Doorstep

The Acropolis and its Parthenon (built 447–432 BC, UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987) are a short drive from the marinas. The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, the ancient theatre at Epidaurus (with acoustics so precise a coin dropped on stage is audible in the back row, 14,000 seats), and the sacred sanctuary of Delphi are all accessible as day excursions. No other charter base puts five millennia of Western civilisation so close at hand.

World-Class Marina Infrastructure

Athens’ marinas are among the most developed in the Mediterranean. Alimos Marina (Kalamaki) holds over 1,000 berths with full technical services. D-Marin Zea accommodates yachts up to 80 metres and specialises in superyacht services. Flisvos Marina focuses on vessels over 35 metres, with a waterfront position and upscale dining nearby. All three are within 20 minutes of each other along the coast, and all offer fuel, provisioning, customs clearance and crew facilities.

The Saronic Gulf: Four Islands, Four Personalities

Hydra, Spetses, Poros and Aegina are each distinct, yet all lie within a few hours’ cruise of Athens. You can visit all four in a long weekend or spend a full week exploring their harbours, beaches and hillside villages at a leisurely pace. The gulf is sheltered from the Meltemi, making it one of the calmest cruising grounds in Greece – ideal for families, first-time charter guests, and anyone who wants to combine cultural exploration with relaxed swimming.

Key Destinations Near Athens

• Cape Sounion – The dramatic headland 25 nautical miles south of Athens, crowned by the 5th-century BC Temple of Poseidon. Fifteen Doric columns still stand 60 metres above the sea, silhouetted against the sky. Lord Byron carved his name into one of the columns in 1810. The anchorage below offers a swim and a sunset that launches a thousand charters.

• Hydra – Thirty-seven nautical miles from Athens. No cars, no motorbikes – just donkeys, water taxis and footpaths. The harbour is a crescent of neoclassical sea-captain’s mansions, art galleries and harbourside cafés. Leonard Cohen lived here in the 1960s and called it “a poor man’s St-Tropez.” Bisti Bay, on the south coast, is a secluded pine-fringed cove accessible only by sea.

• Spetses – The most elegant Saronic island, 49 nautical miles from Athens. Grand shipowner mansions line the waterfront, horse-drawn carriages serve as taxis in the old town, and the Poseidonion Grand Hotel (built 1914) anchors the social scene. Zogeria Bay on the south coast offers turquoise water in a pine-backed cove.

• Poros – A green, pine-covered island separated from the Peloponnese mainland by a 250-metre strait. The hilltop clock tower offers panoramic views, and the island’s calm bays make it an ideal family stop. The ruins of the Temple of Poseidon (6th century BC) sit in a pine grove at the centre of the island.

• Aegina – Just 16 nautical miles from Athens – the closest Saronic island. Famous for its pistachio orchards (Aegina pistachios hold Protected Designation of Origin status and are among the finest in the world) and the Temple of Aphaia, built around 500 BC and one of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples anywhere. The fishing village of Perdika, on the south coast, is a popular lunch stop with tables on the water.

• Vouliagmeni – The jewel of the Athenian Riviera, 25 kilometres south of the city centre. The natural Vouliagmeni Lake – fed by underground thermal springs at a constant 22–29°C year-round – is a unique pre-charter experience. Astir Beach is the Riviera’s most prestigious beach club, with rotating designer pop-ups and a terrace overlooking the bay.

Best Time to Charter from Athens

Peak Season: July and August

The warmest months (30–35°C / 86–95°F) and the liveliest along the Athenian Riviera. Beach clubs and rooftop bars are in full swing. The Saronic Gulf is calm and warm (25–26°C sea temperature). This is the most expensive period, and popular yacht berths sell out early.

Shoulder Season: May–June and September–October

Ideal conditions for combining city exploration with a charter. May and June are warm (22–29°C) with long daylight hours and fewer crowds at archaeological sites. September and October stay warm and offer softer charter rates. The sea is swimmable from May through October.

Early and Late Season: April and November

Mild and pleasant for sightseeing (17–22°C). The Acropolis, Delphi and Epidaurus are at their best without summer crowds. Some Riviera beach clubs may be closed, but Athens’ restaurant scene runs year-round.

Signature Experiences

• Temple of Poseidon at Golden Hour – Time your departure from Athens for late afternoon so you round Cape Sounion as the sun drops behind the temple. The 15 remaining Doric columns turn to gold against the darkening sky. Your crew serves drinks on the aft deck as the most dramatic curtain-raiser in Greek chartering unfolds before you.
• Donkey Rides and Art Galleries on Hydra – Walk the car-free harbour, browse galleries that have attracted artists since the 1960s, and take a donkey ride up to the hilltop monastery of Profitis Ilias for panoramic views of the Saronic Gulf. Return to a harbourside table for grilled sea bream and a cold beer as the evening promenade passes by.
• Pistachios and Ancient Temples on Aegina – Visit the Temple of Aphaia – one of the three corners of the ancient “Sacred Triangle” with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion – then stop in the town for Aegina’s famous pistachio ice cream and a bag of fresh-roasted nuts to take back aboard.
• Sunset Cocktails at Astir Beach – Before you board, spend an afternoon at the Athenian Riviera’s most prestigious beach club at Vouliagmeni. Designer cabanas, Mediterranean sharing plates, and a terrace overlooking the bay. The perfect way to transition from city to sea.

Yacht Types Available

• Motor Yachts (78’–99’) – Ideal for Athens-based charters, with the speed to cover the Saronic Gulf in a day and reach the first Cycladic islands by evening. All-inclusive crewed charters with water toys, chef and full service. Weekly rates from around $45,000–$75,000.

• Superyachts (100’+) – Athens’ marinas accommodate the largest yachts in the Med. D-Marin Zea handles vessels up to 80 metres; Flisvos Marina specialises in 35m+ yachts. Full concierge services, from Acropolis private tours to helicopter transfers to the islands.

• Luxury Catamarans (55’+) – Perfect for the Saronic Gulf’s shallow bays and sheltered anchorages. The stability and space make catamarans particularly appealing for families and multi-generational groups. Athens has the largest concentration of crewed catamarans in Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is it from Athens to the first islands?

The Saronic Gulf islands are remarkably close. Aegina is just 16 nautical miles from Athens’ marinas, roughly an hour at cruising speed. Poros is 31 nautical miles, Hydra 37 nautical miles, and Spetses 49 nautical miles. You can be anchored at a quiet island cove within two hours of boarding your yacht.

Can I visit the Acropolis before boarding?

Absolutely. Many charter guests arrive a day early to explore Athens on foot – the Acropolis and its new museum, the Ancient Agora, the Plaka neighbourhood, and a rooftop dinner with views of the illuminated Parthenon. Your Boatcrowd team can recommend hotels and arrange private guided tours to avoid the queues.

Is the Saronic Gulf suitable for young children?

The Saronic Gulf is one of the most family-friendly cruising grounds in Greece. Sheltered from the Meltemi, with warm, calm seas and short passages between islands, it is ideal for families with young children. Hydra’s car-free environment means children can explore safely, and the shallow bays throughout the gulf offer gentle swimming.

Can I combine an Athens charter with a Cyclades itinerary?

Yes – this is one of our most popular routes. A typical 7-day itinerary departs Athens, spends two days in the Saronic Gulf (Hydra, Spetses), then crosses to the western Cyclades (Kea, Kythnos, Serifos) or heads directly to Mykonos via the open Aegean. Your Boatcrowd specialist will design a route that flows naturally based on your interests and the season.

What’s the dining scene like on the Athenian Riviera?

The Riviera has matured into a serious dining destination. Vouliagmeni’s Astir Beach complex hosts rotating pop-ups from global brands. Seaside restaurants along the coast from Glyfada to Varkiza serve everything from elevated Greek taverna cuisine to sushi and fine-dining Mediterranean. Island Club at Varkiza has drawn a cosmopolitan crowd for over 20 years. Your crew can arrange pre-boarding dinners and transfers.