A week from Athens: Kea, Kythnos and the Saronic Gulf
A route for those who want to see the Cyclades without a week of 30–40 nm legs. Kea and Kythnos are the islands of the archipelago closest to Athens, free of the Mykonos and Santorini crowds; from there the loop heads west into the Saronic Gulf, where the meltemi is much weaker. About 158 nm: one long day from Kythnos to Poros and short hops around the Saronic, with nights in bays and small town harbours.
Day by day
Alimos (Athens)
- Alimos37.910, 23.708
Handover after 17:00, provisioning at the supermarkets by the marina, night on the pontoon.
Alimos → Kea (Vourkari)
- Vourkari (Kea)37.666, 24.325
- Lavrion (Olympic Marine)marina37.697, 24.060
Along the coast to Cape Sounion and across the Kea Channel. Vourkari is a taverna-lined berth at the head of Agios Nikolaos bay; from neighbouring Korissia a road climbs to Ioulida, the island's main village, and the archaic Lion of Kea.
Kea → Kythnos (Merichas)
- Kolona (Kythnos)37.416, 24.372
- Merichas (Kythnos)37.391, 24.393
A short hop south. On the way, lunch at anchor off Kolona, where a sand spit joins Kythnos to the islet of Agios Loukas and you can swim on both sides. The night is in Merichas, the island's main port, on a quay lined with tavernas.
Kythnos → Poros
- Poros37.498, 23.455
The longest day: 46 nm west across open water to the Peloponnese. In the meltemi it is a beam reach — fast, but leave at dawn. Poros greets you with a narrow strait and a waterfront below the clock tower.
Poros → Palaia Epidavros
- Palaia Epidavros37.638, 23.158
- Methanatown quay37.578, 23.391
Around the volcanic Methana peninsula to a small harbour among citrus groves. Next to the village is the Little Theatre of ancient Epidaurus, and the famous great theatre and Sanctuary of Asclepius are about 15 km away by taxi.
Palaia Epidavros → Aegina
- Aegina37.746, 23.427
- Agistri (Skala)town quay37.709, 23.369
A short leg east past Agistri. Aegina is the pistachio island with a horseshoe harbour; the Temple of Aphaia on the hill is worth the taxi ride.
Aegina → Alimos
- Alimos37.910, 23.708
A morning crossing of the gulf, refuelling and handover by 17:00.
Coordinates are approximate, for the harbour or bay. Paste them into Google Maps or a chartplotter, and check the chart and pilot book before you moor or anchor.
Good to know
- Wind: the Cyclades get the meltemi in summer — a northerly of 20–30 knots that kicks up a short, steep sea between Kea and Kythnos. In the Saronic Gulf it is much weaker. There is no shelter on the way from Kythnos to Poros, so on a forecast above 25 knots wait it out in Merichas.
- Berths: Vourkari, Merichas, Poros and Aegina have town quays — stern-to on your own anchor. The harbour at Palaia Epidavros is small, so arrive before evening.
- Kolona on Kythnos is a daytime anchorage: in season both bays are busy, and in the meltemi the southern one is calmer.
- Logistics: 30–40 minutes by taxi from Athens airport to Alimos. Ferries run from Lavrion to Kea and Kythnos, so a crew member who arrives late can catch up with the boat on the islands.
How to get to the marina
- Alimos Marina, Athens
- Athens (ATH) — 37 km, 40 min by car
35–60 min · €40–60 per car
Taxi rank right outside arrivals; metered ride via Attiki Odos and the coast road. Night tariff from midnight to 5 am costs more.
35–60 min · €45–70 per car
Driver meets you with a name sign in arrivals and drops you at the pier; price fixed when booking. A 6–8 seat minivan is about €70–90.
35–60 min · €30–60 per day
Rental desks in the arrivals hall. Only worth it for the drive itself: the marina car park is paid and the car sits idle during the cruise.
1–1.5 h · €6 per person
Express bus X96 "Airport – Piraeus" runs 24/7 every 20–40 minutes; get off at the Poseidonos Avenue stops by Alimos Marina. Buy the ticket at the kiosk or machine by the stop and validate it on board.
1.5–2 h · €9–11 per person
Metro line 3 to Syntagma, then tram T6 to Pikrodafni and T7 a couple of stops along the coast to Alimos Marina. Awkward with big bags, but no traffic.
The X96 is the only public transport from the airport that also runs at night — handy if you land after midnight.
Prices are autumn 2026 estimates in euros; times are without traffic. Bus and ferry timetables change with the season, so check them before you travel.
When to go and what it costs in Greece
Median € per berth per week from the agent's latest check, monohulls; each month's page has both boat types, a chart and boats departing that month.
Discounted boats in Greece
All boats in Greece
How long is the Athens — Kea route and where do you stay overnight?
7 days and about 158 nautical miles in a loop, starting and finishing in Athens. Overnight stops in order: Alimos, Vourkari (Kea), Merichas (Kythnos), Poros, Palaia Epidavros, Aegina. The longest leg is day 4, 46 nm.
How do I get to the marina for the Athens — Kea route?
The route starts and finishes at Alimos Marina, Athens. The nearest airport is Athens (ATH), 37 km away. Fastest: taxi, 35–60 min, €40–60 per car. Cheapest: bus, 1–1.5 h, €6 per person.
When is the best time to sail the Athens — Kea route?
Greece's season runs April to October. In July–August the meltemi blows 25–30 knots in the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, so beginners are better off in the Ionian or the Saronic Gulf in those months. June and September bring warm water, gentler wind and prices below the peak; April, May and October are the shoulder months and the cheapest weeks of the season. By the agent's latest checks (monohulls), the cheapest month is March: a median of ≈€237 per berth per week. The most expensive is December, at ≈€283. The most boats with 20% off or more are in October: 39%. The agent checks the current month and the next five; each month has its own page with the numbers.
How much does a yacht for this route cost?
A whole boat in Greece for a week starts from €945 in the agent's current selection: the cheapest discounted week departing in the next three months. Prices per berth by month are higher up the page; the boats are under “All boats in Greece”.
Do I need a licence to charter a yacht?
For a bareboat charter (no skipper or crew provided), yes: a skipper's licence and, as a rule, a VHF radio certificate. Without a licence, we add a skipper, paid separately from the boat price.
What's included in the boat price?
Just the boat, for a week. Usually paid separately: transit log and final cleaning, fuel, marina fees, the security deposit (or deposit insurance), a skipper, cook and hostess if you need them, and extras (SUP board, on-board Wi-Fi, coffee machine, child safety netting).
