Renting a boat in Athens & discovering the Saronic gulf, or the Cyclades Coasts? We will find the perfect boat for you. The Greek capital is romantic and modern at the same time with its historic monuments, countless shops, and many nightclubs. You can find just as many crowded streets, squares, and colourful shop windows, as small, narrow alleyways. There are countless cafés, restaurants, and pubs waiting for visitors in this vibrant metropolis. However, if you want to see something other than the bustling city life, you have to go on a sailing tour in the area. There are many beautiful places waiting for us. Here are some tips and advice if you want to sail around Athens.
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Location of Athens – the main ports
Athens is the capital of Greece, located southwest of the Attic Peninsula near the Sarona Gulf. Athens was a significant place throughout history as it was amongst the first poleis. The powerful city-state was an important center of science. The city that has a territory of the app. 38.964 km2 has a population of 3.5 million people, which accounts for about 35% of the whole Greek population. In 1985, Athens became the first cultural capital of Europe. The Acropolis and the Palace of Daphne were accredited as a UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1987.
Are you looking for an unforgettable trip to Greece? You don’t have to search any further for your destination. The Greek capital is a place that everyone has to admire at least once in their lives. A historic trip back in time and a breathtaking sea adventure await!
Can you rent a yacht in Athens – do I need a license?
Small boats (under a certain horsepower or length), electric boats, crewed yacht charters, and gulet charters may not require a license. Larger boats or those with more powerful engines need a skipper’s license. Before you confirm your sailing trip to Athens, please send us a copy and we will check it for you. You need to have the original copies on board, so don’t forget to take them. To sail in Athens, one of the following qualifications is necessary:
• ICC (International Certificate of Competence), with valid Navigational and VHF licenses, Prerequisites: RYA “Day Skipper Course” or complete the ICC Assessment form to prove competence from previous experience.• IPC (International Proficiency Certificate), America, Prerequisites: ASA 104 or US Sailing “Bareboat Cruising Course” OR:
• NauticEd SLC (International Sailing License and Credentials), International, • UK – RYA Day Skipper practical, • USA – US Sailing “Bareboat Cruising Course”, ASA “104 Bareboat Cruising Course” or above, • Germany – “Sportbootführerschein See“ or above, • Belgium – Algemeen Stuurbrevet/ Brevet de conduite général, • France – LE PERMIS PLAISANCE If you do not have a skipper license, it is also possible to rent a boat with a skipper
Yacht charter in Athens – the most popular ports
Kalamaki-Alimos Marina
The marina of Athens is the Athens Alimos Marina. It is one of the largest marinas with its 1000 moorings. The Alimos Marina can be found 15 kilometers to the southwest of the city center. A further 1080 moorings are of service, while 600 boats are accepted in the docking area. Yachts with a maximum length of 40 meters can be docked here; the allowed draft of the docking vessels is 6.5 meters. The marina is well-equipped and provides mariners with great services. It might be an ideal starting point for those who would like to explore the sea onboard a yacht.
Olympic Marina, Cape Sounion (Athens)
Located at Cape Sounion with beautiful views, the Olympic Marina can accommodate 680 yachts up to 40 metres long. The maximum water depth here is 10 metres. It offers a wide range of services, including free Wi-Fi, power supply, boat service, and refuelling.
Port of Piraeus
One of the Largest Mediterranean Ports. Piraeus ranks among the top 10 busiest ports in Europe, handling both passenger ferries and vast amounts of cargo. Three Primary Sections: Extensive facilities for ferries to the Greek islands and international destinations. Container Terminals: A massive cargo handling zone with modern infrastructure. Ship Repair Zone: Provides a range of ship repair and maintenance services. Large port with multiple piers – be sure to know your ferry’s specific gate!
Salamina port
This is the primary port for ferry connections to mainland Greece, specifically Perama (near Piraeus). It handles frequent car ferries and offers basic amenities for passenger arrivals and departures. Salamina boat rental
Glyfada marinas
Marina Glyfada A
Situated on the northern end of Glyfada Beach. Primarily accommodates smaller vessels and fishing boats.
Marina Glyfada B
Located further south and is slightly larger. Caters to recreational vessels and smaller yachts.
Marina Glyfada C
The biggest of the Glyfada marinas, capable of handling larger yachts.
Marina Glyfada E
The southernmost Glyfada marina offers modern facilities for boats and yachts. boat rental Glyfada
Aegina Port
The port is situated on the western side of Aegina Island. It’s the main port and gateway to the island. It serves as a convenient hub for visitors coming from Athens and the mainland. It handles both ferries and smaller boats. The port is lined with a promenade featuring traditional tavernas, cafes, and shops. Aegina Town, the island’s capital, is built around the port area, providing easy access to accommodation, amenities, and attractions. boat rental Aegina
Poros Port
Poros is a two-part island. The main port town is situated on the smaller, southern island (Sferia), separated from the Peloponnese mainland (Galatas) by a narrow strait. The port forms a naturally protected bay with views of the mountains and the waterfront buildings of Galatas on the opposite shore. Poros Town centers around the port, offering easy access to shops, restaurants, and amenities for visitors. The port accommodates ferries of various sizes, water taxis, as well as smaller yachts and recreational boats. The port has a charming atmosphere, lined with cafes, tavernas, and the iconic Clock Tower hill in the background.
Hydra Port
As Hydra bans cars and motorcycles, the port maintains a traditional atmosphere with donkeys being the primary mode of transporting goods. Everything in Hydra town revolves around the port. This is where ferries arrive, tavernas line the waterfront, and daily life flows. The port serves a mix of ferries connecting Hydra to Athens (Piraeus), other Saronic Islands, and the Peloponnese mainland, as well as smaller yachts and pleasure boats.
Lavrion Marina
Many sailors start at the marina of Lavrion in the eastern part of the Attica Peninsula, to the Cyclades. The port can accommodate up to 680 yachts. The maximum depth of the port built-in bay is 7 metres, and incoming yachts can be up to 30 metres long. yacht charter Lavrion, Lavrion sailing
Ayios Nikólaos Marina, Kea
It is an important port on the island of Kea, close to beautiful golden beaches and excellent fishing spots. It can accommodate 255 yachts at the same time, with a maximum length of 50 metres. The water depth of the port is up to 8 metres.
Mérikha Marina, Kithnos
This tiny marina can accommodate about 30 yachts up to 60 meters long and has a water depth of 8 meters. Local hotels, restaurants, and lively nightlife areas are in the immediate vicinity. Whether you are young and are looking for some lively places or you are an adventurer passionate about history, you will definitely have an unforgettable holiday in the city of Athens. Enjoy the sun with a cocktail on the beach, or explore the historic treasures exhibited in the museums.
Beaches in Athens
There are many beaches on the Attic coast where you can find everything that is necessary for swimming and sunbathing. From exclusive opportunities to fine and clear sand, there is a wide variety of beaches in the area. We recommend you to visit the western shores of Athens if you would like a quick swim in the afternoon or if you arrive by car and want to find a parking spot without struggling. If you have spent your day cruising the waters, beaches in the western shores are perfect for a swim after a long day.
Astir Vouliagmeni:
If you are looking for an exclusive experience, Astir Vouliagmeni is your spot! This is a paid beach that may be one of the best spots you can visit during your vacation in Athens. Vouliagmeni can be found in the southern suburbs and offers a wide range of the best services from free WiFi to large and comfortable sunbeds. There are of course several cafes and places with ice cream, food, and drinks at your service here.
Kavouri beach:
Kavouri, located in the suburbs of Vouliagmeni, is actually a peninsula covered with pines, surrounded by expensive mansions. A large number of sandy beaches can be found on the shores that are ideal for swimming, even though the most popular spot is near the peak of Megalo Kavouri. It has a sandy beach and fairly shallow waters. Refreshing drinks are served at a lot of places.
Yabanaki–Varkiza:
This is not only a beach but also a waterpark with dozens of services and entertainment opportunities, located in the southern suburbs of Varkiza. A wide range of watersports such as waterskiing, banana boats and windsurf courses are available. In the afternoons, a playground with full supervision operates to the kids’ joy.
Main sights of Athens
Ancient Athens was referred to as the cradle of western civilization. The Greek capital is a spectacular place to visit. The Acropolis that towers above the city is the symbol of the city’s rich heritage. The Olympian Zeus is a high and breathtaking temple located in the city center. Once in Athens, you should definitely visit the iconic Parthenon of the goddess Athena Parthenos. Athens, a city rich in history, has several museums as well. The world-famous Benaki Museum is home to dozens of Greek artifacts from the Bronze Age to World War II. The most beautiful selection of antique treasures is exhibited in the National Archaeological Museum. Although Athens is not necessarily characterized by green areas, there are indeed a few such spots that are worth visiting. Two of those are the Stavros National Park and the once royal National Gardens.
Spring (April – May): Pleasant weather with warm temperatures, calmer winds, and fewer crowds. The seas are starting to warm up, making it enjoyable for swimming as well. Autumn (September – October): Similar to spring, offering warm days, gentle breezes, and a quieter experience as the peak summer season has ended. The sea is still warm from the summer months. Advantages of Spring and Autumn: You’ll avoid the intense summer heat, making sailing more enjoyable and sightseeing on the islands pleasant. Winds are generally milder, providing good sailing conditions without being too unpredictable. Ferry routes are less busy and you’ll find a more relaxed atmosphere on the islands themselves. In May and September/October the sea temperature is still pleasant for swimming and water sports. July – August: These are the busiest months, with crowds, higher accommodation prices, and less predictable winds, including the possibility of the Meltemi wind (strong northerly wind). While not impossible to sail, it requires more careful planning and awareness.
The climate diagrams are based on 30 years of hourly weather model simulations. They give good indications of typical climate patterns and expected conditions (temperature, precipitation, sunshine, and wind). The “mean daily maximum” (solid red line) shows the maximum temperature of an average day for every month for Athens. Likewise, the “mean daily minimum” (solid blue line) shows the average minimum temperature.
The wind rose for Athens shows how many hours per year the wind blows from the indicated direction. The diagram for Athens shows the days per month, during which the wind reaches a certain speed.
Day 1. Athens – Selinia Salamis (Salamina island) 9.42 km (5.85 nm), Day 2. Salamina – Aegina 26.25 km (16.31 nm) Day 3. Aegina – Poros (Poros Island) 35.54 km (22.08 nm), Day 4. Poros – Ermioni 40.00 km (24.85 nm), Day 5. Ermioni – Idra (Idra Island) 19.58 km (12.16 nm), Day 6. Idra – Coressia (Kea island) 83.19 km (51.69 nm), Day 7. Kea – Sounion – Athens77.30 km (48.03 nm)
Sailing itinerary from Athens to Santorini
Day 1. Athens – Selinia Salamis (Salamina island) 9.42 km (5.85 nm), Day 2. Salamina – Aegina 26.25 km (16.31 nm), Day 3. Aegina Lavrion ( Olympic Marine) 68, 02 km (42, 26 nm), Day 4. Lavrion – Merihas (Kythnos Island) 45, 95 km (28, 55 nm), Day 5. Merihas – Livadi (Serifos Island) 47, 76 km (29, 68 nm), Day 6. Livadi – Milos island (Adamantas) 51, 33 km (31, 90 nm), Day 7. Milos – Folgerandos (Karavostasis) 67, 01 km (41, 64 nm), Day 8. Folgerandos – Santorini (Thira) 50, 25 km (31, 22 nm), Day 9. Thira – Vlychada (Santorini) 15, 83 km (9, 83 nm), Day 10. Vlychada – Ios 52, 81 km (32, 81 nm), Day 11. Ios – Sifnos island (Kamares) 67, 61 km (42, 01 nm), Day 12.Kamares – Siros 88, 45 km (54, 96 nm), Day 13. Siros – Kea 69, 63 km (43, 27 nm), Day 14. Kea – Glifada – Athens75, 68 km (47, 02 nm).
If you trust a specialist to find the ideal boat for you, or if you can’t find a suitable yacht, find us on one of our contact details, or fill out the form below. After submitting your request, we will contact you within 24 hours to answer your questions and provide solutions to your carefree journey. We will help you to find the best solution.
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"If you rented a boat from us, we don't need to introduce ourselves. If you book with us for the first time, you will soon get to know us." 🙂 Some feedback about us...
27/05/2017
Lavrion - Greece
Sehr guter Service und Beratung. Die Buchung war recht einfach.
Family Doppler (Germany)
28/05/2022
Milos - Greece
Our catamaran sailing trip was fantastic. The Alegria is an amazing boat. Comfortable and beautiful, with all the features one could hope for...
Harry (USA)
13/08/2022
Dubrovnik - Croatia
Ismét nagyon jó áron kaptunk,egy igazán luxus hajót. A Bali 4.5 egy igazán jó válaasztás. A Köszönjük az ügyintézést.
Ágnes (Hungary)
03/06/2023
Mykonos - Greece
Easy to book, and perfect communication from the very beginning. The boat was in perfect condition and very comfortable for a group of 10pax...