Hydra, Poros & Aegina Day Cruise from Athens with Lunch

The cruise ship and buffet lunch

The day begins with a morning transfer to the port, where you board a comfortable cruise ship with spacious open decks. From the deck you see the Greek coastline slip by and the blue water of the Saronic Gulf open up, and there is live music and entertainment while you sail. Multilingual escorts are on board to help, and an audio tour introduces Hydra.

A buffet lunch of Greek and Mediterranean dishes, including chicken, fish, pasta and salad, is served on board while you sail between islands. Drinks are not included. If you are looking for the best Athens island day trip, this cruise combines three islands, a meal and easy sightseeing without changing hotels or booking ferries.

Poros

Poros is the first stop and the smallest of the three islands, separated from the Peloponnese coast by a narrow strait so close that it looks like a river. The main town climbs a hillside above the harbour, topped by a landmark clock tower, and pine trees cover much of the island. The waterfront promenade is lined with cafés and shops.

You have about one hour on Poros, enough to walk up towards the clock tower for views or sit by the harbour. Many visitors ask whether Poros is worth a stop on a day cruise; it is a gentle, green start to the day, and the short time keeps the programme moving. From late spring to early autumn the waters near the shore are inviting.

Hydra

Hydra is often the highlight of the cruise. No cars are allowed on the island, and the stone mansions of its old sea captains rise in tiers around a horseshoe-shaped harbour. Donkeys and water taxis are the main way to get around, and the narrow lanes are full of art galleries, small shops and quiet corners. In the 19th century Hydra's ships played a key role in the Greek War of Independence.

You have around an hour and three-quarters on Hydra, enough for a walk along the seafront, a wander up the lanes or a swim from the rocks. If you are asking what to do in Hydra on a day trip from Athens, start with the harbour, then explore the streets behind it. The audio tour on board helps you place what you see.

Aegina

Aegina is the largest of the three islands and the closest to Athens. Its harbour town has fishing boats, cafés and horse-drawn carriages, and the island is famous across Greece for its pistachios. It briefly served as the first capital of modern Greece in the late 1820s. The island's best-known ancient monument is the Temple of Aphaia, a well-preserved Doric temple in a pine-covered hilltop setting.

You have about two hours on Aegina. An excursion to the Temple of Aphaia is offered at an extra cost, and you can also choose to stay in the harbour town to stroll, shop and relax. The best time to visit Aegina on this cruise is in the afternoon light, before the ship returns to the port.