Last updated on May 16th, 2024 at 09:23 am
If you’re wondering what to do in Agistri, one of the best islands near Athens, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our ultimate guide to Agistri Greece, one of the lesser-known Greek Islands that you may have never heard of before but one that you will most definitely want to visit once you get to the end of this article.
Situated less than 20 nautical miles from Piraeus Port near Athens, Agistri Island is ideal for either the perfect weekend escape, the laziest summer holidays or even a fantastic day trip from the Greek capital. No matter how much time you choose to spend there, though, one thing’s for sure. The island’s relaxing ambience will make you feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
So, here’s what to do in Agistri, one of the most laid-back islands near Athens.
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Where Is Agistri in Greece
Agistri is a small island in the Saronic Gulf near Athens. Administratively, it’s part of Attica, the same region the Greek capital is in, alongside the rest of the Saronic Gulf Islands, namely Salamina, Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses. That’s why these islands feel more like the capital’s suburbs to us Athenians.
Top 5 Things To Do in Agistri
1. Swimming
Greece is a country that boasts countless spectacular beaches. As a rule, the farther from Athens you travel, the more pristine the beaches you’ll find. However, this is not the case with Agistri Island. No matter its proximity to Athens, the island is home to quite a few wonderful beaches with warm, crystal-clear waters.
In Agistri, you don’t have to go far to find a nice beach to relax and swim. Skala Beach is right next to the island’s main port, while Megalochori Beach is in the heart of the island’s largest settlement. Both beaches have affordable sunbeds and umbrellas for hire.
If you’d prefer a more secluded beach, though, head to Skliri or Chalikiada. Keep in mind that the latter is a favourite among wild camping lovers, which means that tents may not leave enough space for you to spread your towel, especially at weekends. That’s similar to what happens at Dragonera, another of Agistri’s remote beaches.
For an exotic experience, head to Aponisos, the remotest beach in Agistri that boasts turquoise Caribbean-like waters. There’s a fee to enjoy this beach as it’s part of a private island, but it’s worth every cent.
2. Hiking
When deciding what to do in Agistri, always remember that this Island is tiny. Therefore, you can easily walk around the entire island on foot. You can either walk on paved roads or on the hiking paths that go through the island’s scented pine forest. That said, keep in mind that those trails, although easy and delightful, aren’t signposted, which means that you’ll have to heavily rely on your Google Maps app.
The easiest walk you can enjoy is from Megalochori or Mylos to Skala and then on to the path that leads to Chalikiada Beach. This is a leisurely walk rather than a proper hike that anyone can enjoy.
On the other hand, avid hikers shouldn’t miss the chance to walk from Megalochori or Skala to Aponisos Beach via the pine forest. This hike takes about two hours and it’s a bit uphill. Therefore, it’s best to avoid it on a really hot day. Don’t forget to bring your water bottle and, we repeat, have your Google Maps app handy.
3. Sightseeing
One thing we love about Agistri and probably the top reason why we keep going back is that it’s an easy-going island in every way. In our case, this translates to a place that has few or no major things to see and do. Considering our itchy feet and our thirst to explore every single piece of soil in the destinations we visit, limited sightseeing is the only way for us to genuinely relax and rest.
That being said, the island does have a couple of points of interest that shouldn’t go unnoticed. In Skala, don’t miss the whitewashed Agioi Anargiroi Church with its distinctive sky-blue dome. For a look into the oldest and most picturesque side of the island, take a stroll around the hilltop Metochi Village, which is home to the island’s most important church, the Church of Zoodochos Pigi.
Last but not least, it’s worth making the trip to Limenaria, the most secluded of all places to visit in Agistri, to take in its authentic island vibes.
4. Water Sports
Agistri Island is all about having fun in the sun. Indulging in some water sports activities is one of the best things to do in Agistri. From boat rides and canoeing to windsurfing and kite-surfing, you will find a wide variety of water sports on almost all Agistri beaches.
5. Island-Hopping To Aegina
Aegina, yet another of the best islands near Athens, is literally a stone’s throw from Agistri. Therefore, if you’re still wondering what to do in Agistri, Aegina is either the ideal day trip from there or the best island to continue your island-hopping trip in Greece. An island of rich history – it used to be the capital of Greece for a brief time – and abundant in archaeological and religious sites, Aegina is worth a trip in its own right.
Planning The Perfect Agistri Holidays: A Guide
If you were to ask us which is the perfect island near Athens for a weekend break, we would wholeheartedly and undoubtedly answer that Agistri is the one. In our opinion, two days is the ideal time to spend there. That said, many people choose to spend their entire summer holidays there. We can’t blame them. Agistri’s relaxing vibes are hard to resist. Read on for our complete Agistri Travel Guide.
Best Time To Visit Agistri Greece
The main reason to visit Agistri is to enjoy the beach and the sun. Therefore, it makes sense to plan a trip to the island in the summer, late spring or early autumn. By all means, try to avoid the months of July and August and, if possible, all weekends, too. That’s when Athenians flock to the island for their (our) much-needed beach escape.
How To Get To Agistri
You can reach one of Agistri’s two ports from Piraeus Port near Athens either by ferry or by hydrofoil. A quick note here. In Greece, we never use the term hydrofoil. We call this type of vessel a flying dolphin or, simply, a dolphin. A ferry takes about one hour and a half to reach Skala Port, whereas a flying dolphin will get you to Megalochori (Mylos) Port in about 55 minutes.
The ferry is slightly cheaper than the highs-peed one. However, your choice of vessel should be based on where you’re staying on the island. If your Agistri accommodation is near Skala, take the ferry. If you’re staying closer to Megalochori, hop on the high-speed ferry.
Book your ferry tickets to Agistri here!
Getting Around Agistri Island
As we’ve already mentioned more than once, Agistri is tiny. You don’t need a car to get around, as Agistri is one of the best Greek islands to explore without a car. You can either walk or rent a bicycle or scooter.
Alternatively, you can use public transport. The bus will take you pretty much everywhere on the island, including Limenaria Village and the beaches of Dragonera and Aponisos. However, brace yourselves for long queues and hordes of people on the bus, especially during the high season and at the weekends. Last but not least, there are taxis that can get you anywhere you want, any time you want. Ask your hotel for the taxi drivers’ phone numbers.
Where To Stay in Agistri
The vast majority of Agistri hotels are situated in Skala. That’s where we choose to stay for ourselves every time we visit Agistri. That’s because most restaurants, bars and shops on the island are in Skala.
Don’t be surprised if you stumble upon a tent or thirty while wandering around the forests or remote beaches. The island is very very popular with wild camping enthusiasts. We don’t agree with wild camping for a variety of reasons so we kindly ask you not to follow their example and book a room in Agistri instead. For more, read our guides about responsible travel in Greece and the best ways to be a responsible traveller.
Book your room at one of the best Agistri hotels!
What To Do in Agistri If You Have Just One Day
Even though Agistri is the perfect weekend destination from Athens, it’s also ideal for an unforgettable day trip from the Greek capital. If you’re travelling to Athens on a tight schedule that doesn’t allow you to spend a couple of days on the island, you should at least visit Agistri on a day trip to escape the heat of the concrete jungle that is Athens.
Enjoy a full day trip to Agistri & Aegina from Athens!
Why Visit Agistri
We don’t claim that Agistri is the prettiest island in Greece. That would be Amorgos. Nor is it an island with countless things to do that will keep you busy and active, like Paros or Andros. Yet it’s the most relaxing island near Athens you could ever wish for. That’s reason enough for this small island near Athens to have you hooked. Pun intended. Agistri is the Greek word for hook.
Νothing beats the feeling of hopping on a ferry for a short ride that will take you to a small island with beautiful beaches, laid-back vibes, great food and pleasant walks. We have no doubt that you will absolutely enjoy your time on this island. Especially now that you know exactly what to do in Agistri for a memorable trip on one of the best islands near Athens!
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