Hydra, Poros & Aegina Day Cruise

You do not need to fly to Santorini to see the Greek islands. The Saronic Gulf, right on Athens' doorstep, has some of the most charming islands in the country, and the classic one-day cruise strings three of them together. The first stop is usually Hydra, the star: a crescent harbour of grey-stone captains' mansions climbing the hillsides, with no cars or scooters allowed, so donkeys and mules carry luggage and shopping up the stepped lanes. Its eighteenth- and nineteenth-century shipping fortune paid for those mansions, and its light and calm have drawn artists, writers and musicians for decades. Next comes Poros, separated from the Peloponnese by a channel so narrow the ship seems to slide between the houses, with a hilltop clock tower that gives a sweeping view of the strait. The last stop is Aegina, the largest of the three, briefly the first capital of modern Greece, famous for its pistachios — buy a bag at the harbour — and home to the beautifully preserved Temple of Aphaia in the pine-covered hills, which some cruises offer as an optional excursion. On board, a guide gives commentary in several languages, lunch is served, and there is usually live music and Greek dancing on the return leg. The day is long, about eleven to twelve hours, and the time on each island is short, an hour or two, so think of it as a tasting menu rather than a stay. Through Tiqets you can book the full-day guided cruise with lunch, along with alternatives to Agistri, Moni and Aegina, including a sailboat option.

What to expect on the day: cruises leave early in the morning from the Athens coast, and some packages include a transfer from central hotels while others ask you to make your own way to the port, so check the details when you book. The ships are large cruise boats with indoor lounges, open decks, a bar and a dining room. The sea in the Saronic Gulf is usually calm, but on windy days, particularly in the summer meltemi season, it can be choppy; take seasickness tablets if you are prone. Lunch is a buffet-style Greek meal on board, and drinks are generally extra unless the product says otherwise. Bring swimwear: at Hydra and Aegina there is sometimes time for a quick dip if you skip the sightseeing.

Making the most of short stops: on Hydra, walk up from the harbour into the lanes, visit the Historical Archives Museum or a mansion, and have coffee on the waterfront watching the donkeys. On Poros, climb to the clock tower for the view and then wander the waterfront. On Aegina, choose between the optional Temple of Aphaia excursion (worth it for history lovers) and a stroll around the harbour for pistachios and a seafood snack. Because the stops are short, the cruise suits first-timers who want a sample of island life and cannot spare several days; if you fall in love with Hydra, the fast ferry from Piraeus will take you back for a proper stay another time.

Is it right for you? The cruise is excellent value for seeing three islands without the logistics of ferries and hotels, and the onboard atmosphere is cheerful, sociable and family-friendly. It is not for travellers who dislike crowds or organised group tours: the ships are big and the harbours busy when several cruises arrive at once. Independent alternatives are easy too — fast ferries run from Piraeus to Aegina in under an hour and to Hydra in around two — so a do-it-yourself day on a single island is a great option if you prefer depth to variety. Cruises run mainly from spring to autumn, with a reduced schedule or none at all in the depths of winter.