Top Things to do in Saronic Gulf Islands
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10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Saronic Gulf Islands That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Saronic Gulf Islands, Greece including Komiseos Theotokou Monastery, Bouboulina's Museum, Temple of Aphaia, Aponisos Beach, Lazaros Koundouriotis Mansion (National Historical Museum), Profitis Ilias Monastery Hydra, Mount Eros Hydra, Saint Nicholas Beach, Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi, Agios Nektarios Monastery.
Restaurants in Saronic Gulf Islands
1. Komiseos Theotokou Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
A beautiful church featuring a Venetian bell tower and a domed interior.
Reviewed By stinkwink - Sydney, Australia
From monastery to the cathedral, from the cathedral to a museum. A well-known path, just think about Aya Sophia, that was a Greek Orthodox cathedral first, later a mosque, and now it is also a museum. As the number of church-goer believers was decreasing, the churches started to get other functions. After arrival walking in the harbor, we noticed a Clocktower and a belltower behind it. Without knowing what we will see, we headed towards them. When we entered through the Clocktower, we realized that we're in Komiseos Theotokou Monastery. Inside in the courtyard of the Monastery-Cathedral-Museum, there are graves, and statues and a balcony going inside around the building, providing access to the rooms on the first floor. It is an excellent place to see all the attractions below in the atrium. Unfortunately, the church or whatever was closed, and since we had only three hours in Hydra as participants of a cruise, we weren't able to wait to catch the right time. Luckily my mobile is smart enough to take an enjoyable photo of a dark room, through the window. Komiseos Theotokou Monastery wasn't the first place where I had to practice it. Since I took the picture from outside, I even didn't break the rule, that prohibits photography inside the church. It was a pity that we had just such a short time since I would love to spend at least 1-1,5 hours there.
2. Bouboulina's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 509 reviews
Due to current Coronovirus restrictions we are sadly unable to offer our usual guided tours - instead visitors are given leaflets (English or Greek) with detailed information regarding the exhibits. Staff are of course available to answer any questions you may have. The number of people allowed in the Museum at any given time has been reduced in order to comply with the social distancing measures. We will resume our guided tours as soon as the restrictions are lifted. Bouboulina’s Museum is family-owned and since opening in 1991 has been visited by over 500,000 people, who have been moved by the fascinating story of this heroine of the Greek War of Independence. .**Also available are leaflets with Bouboulina's story only , in Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
Reviewed By Costas_Aquarius - Greece, null
Bouboulina's Home. A fantastic place. Very informative, very touching. True Greek History, bravery, inspiration for all.
3. Temple of Aphaia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 974 reviews
Reviewed By saronic - Zurich, Switzerland
For anybody with some cultural interest a visit to the Aphaia temple is a must, when on Aegina. Located in a quiet area, on a 160m high hill, surrounded by pine forests, the site can be reached by public transport, since most buses between Aegina town and the tourist resort of Agia Marina stop by here. We had arrived from Aegina town a bit too early, since the sanctuary only opens at 10am (and closes at 5.30pm). Entrance fee is 6€, but our student grandchildren were free, while my wife and me as seniors just paid half price. When there early July we had the place to ourselves, a great relief in comparison to a visit at Athens acropolis. The temple, somewhat forgotten over the centuries, is one of the best preserved monuments of antiquity in Greece. It is a peripteros (a temple surrounded by columns) in the Doric style, a few years older than the Parthenon on Athens acropolis. While the latter is considered a masterpiece of the classical period, the temple of Aphaia still belongs to the Late Archaic period. This can best be judged from the sculptures of the two pediments, which are exhibited now at the Glyptothek in Munich, the famous 'Aeginetes', once bought by Ludwig I of Bavaria. Strange is also the name of 'Aphaia', a local goddess, not encountered anywhere else in Greece. From the sanctuary we walked via the monastery of Agios Minas down to the beach at Agia Marina. It is not a walk that can be recommended anymore, nor is the direct path, since the area has been built up with many roads and houses.
4. Aponisos Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 460 reviews
Reviewed By saronic - Zurich, Switzerland
The best thing to do on Angistri (Hook) Island during the warmer months is to go for a swim to Aponisos in the southwest. We had come from Aegina by Flying Dolphin and then took a small, incredibly crowded bus - like something out of India - to here for 2€ one way per person. Thus the start was quite a nightmare. Once at Aponisos we walked over a small bridge to the small private island of that name, and then up to the ticket office and café. Entrance is 5€ per person and includes a free soft drink or a 'granita'. With it one has free use of sunbeds and umbrellas, only a shower costs a separate 0.50€. There are sunbeds and umbrellas on both sides of Aponisos island. The more open side on the southwest faces uninhabited Doroussa island and way back the peninsula of Methana. On this bay, but outside Aponisos, is a fish tavern. More special is the cove to the northeast, whch thanks to white sand at the bottom, has fantastic turquoise colours. If one associates a beach with sand or pebbles, nothing is to be found here. It is rocks all over the places and with plenty of sea urchins sticking onto them, so the only approach into the water is on ladders or steps. We spent a relaxing time here and our two Californian grandchildren hardly ever came out of the water. Luckily it was not so bad anymore to travel back by bus to the Flying Dolphin pier outside Skala.
5. Lazaros Koundouriotis Mansion (National Historical Museum)
6. Profitis Ilias Monastery Hydra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By DeniseM675 - Bayside, United States
All the reports regarding this hike are valid. It takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours each way. This trail becomes more challenging the higher you go. Path more uneven and actually steeper. You need to wear proper hiking shoes, wear a hat, have a liter of water & if you use hiking poles generally than bring them. I wouldn’t hike this in the rain. The views are wonderful, the monastery - spiritual & peaceful. If you choose to go on to the top you can but since I went later in the day I was set with what I did....
7. Mount Eros Hydra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By vanharmelen - London, United Kingdom
This is a very challenging hike and definitely a grade 1 hard. Take a minimum 1.5 liters of water per person. This is a proper workout and I felt the effects days after. All in all it took us around 4.5 hours round trip I am 46 and my partner is 36. The last 30 minutes you are just following paint marked on rocks, no path and in some cases you need to scramble. Also be careful on the way back that you follow the path... Amazing views at the top and getting back still requires a lot of energy you’ll want a well deserved beer and food.
8. Saint Nicholas Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 184 reviews
Reviewed By heiwf - Stavanger, Norway
Clean, fresh and beautiful beach of small, fascinating stones. Well kept umbrellas and sun beds for a very reasonable price. Nice little beach bar with cold beverages, Greek salad, toast, sandwiches etc. Wonderful place for a full day with sun&sea! The boat trip to go there is a bonus.
9. Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi
10. Agios Nektarios Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 492 reviews
Reviewed By 441anetaf - Peterborough, United Kingdom
Calm, lot of things to see, fresh water on premises to refill, need respect for their rituals (skirt knee length must-wear for every lady) and place. Amazing energy there, especially out of season and early Monday.
