7 good reasons to visit the island of Salamis near Athens!

Spending a few days in the Greek capital and feel like getting away from it all? Just the thing: there are several islands within an hour’s drive of Athens. Salamine island is just 15 minutes from the port of Piraeus. So treat yourself to a few hours away from the hustle and bustle of the city to discover this little-known Greek island. Here are 7 good reasons to visit the island of Salamina in the Saronic Gulf!

1 – The island of Salamis is just a few minutes from Athens

With its 93 km² and 30,000 inhabitants, Salamis is the largest of the Saronic Islands.
This Aegean archipelago lies in the Saronic Gulf, between Attica, the Isthmus of Corinth and the Peloponnese.
These islands offer beautiful green landscapes, quiet beaches and pretty villages.
Some, like Aegina and Salamis, are even home to interesting ancient remains.

The special thing about the Saronic Islands is that they’re just a stone’s throw from the Greek capital!
If you’re just passing through Athens, you can easily visit Salamis during the day.

2 – Salamis, a Greek island with few tourists

Located just opposite the port of Piraeus, Salamine island is one of the most accessible Greek islands from Athens. And yet, it’s seldom visited! Its proximity to the port of Piraeus makes it an unattractive place for Athenians, who see it as just another suburb. As for holidaymakers, if they come to take a boat from Piraeus, it’s more likely to be for more distant islands such as the Cyclades, Crete or the Dodecanese.

The result?
You finally get to visit a Greek island without foreign tourists! And it’s not that Salamis lacks interest – quite the contrary.
The island boasts a number of historical and cultural sites, some beautiful beaches and two large pine forests where you can stroll or cycle.

3 – The island of Salamis has a rich and fascinating history

According to Greek mythology, Salamis takes its name from the nymph Salamis, daughter of the god Asopos, sister of Aegina and wife of Poseidon.
Cychrea, son of Poseidon and Salamis, became the first mythical king of Salamis after freeing the island from a terrible dragon.
Salamis is also mentioned in Homer’s Iliad.

Historically speaking, the island of Salamis was the site ofone of the most important naval battles of antiquity : the one that pitted the Greek fleet of Themistocles and Eurybiades against that of the Persian Empire in 480 B.C. It is therefore the symbol ofa great victory for Greece!

4 – Salamis is home to two fine museums

The most important town on the island of Salamis bears the same name.
It is home to 80% of the island’s population and most of the urban activity.

The city of Salamis has many points of interest, including its pretty town center, its seafront with its fish market and the Orthodox churches of Agíos Minás and Agíos Dimitríos.
But it’s above all for its museums that the town is worth a visit!
Don’t miss the Folklore Museum in the Town Hall and the Archaeological Museum, housed in a former school.

5 – Salamis’ beaches are quiet and wild

Salamis has around twenty beaches, but the most beautiful are to be found in the south of the island.
Little visited, they offer a wild setting and are often devoid of tourist infrastructure.

For peace and quiet and delicious clear water, we recommend the beaches of :

• Kanakia
• Peristeria
• Saterli
• Faros and Patitiri beaches in Kolonès
• Kyritsa
• Aias beach in Maroudi
• and Nato Beach in Eantio

6 – The monastery of Panagias Faneromenis is a magical place

To the northwest of Salamis, the monastery of Panagia Faneromeni sits amid a splendid landscape of olive and pine trees overlooking the sea.
This 17ᵉ century edifice is built on the site where an icon of the Virgin Mary was discovered.
Every year, on August 23, pilgrims from all over the world come to venerate the Virgin during festivities lasting 3 days.

This place of pilgrimage also contains the tomb of Iannis Gkouras, hero of the Greek revolution of 1821.
Don’t miss the interior frescoes and the museum section of the monastery!

And as a bonus, there are even a few animals at the entrance to the monastery: fawns, peacocks…
Enough to delight young and old alike!
Admission to the monastery is free, so it’s a good idea to make a small purchase in the store.

7 – The house of poet Angelos Sikelianos on the island of Salamis

Near the monastery of Faneromeni, an idyllic white and blue house stands isolated by the sea.
This is the house that the great poet Angelos Sikelianos occupied from 1933 until the end of his life.

This little haven of peace is unfortunately closed to the public. But a tour of it gives an idea of the calm and beauty that inspired one of the greatest Greek poets and playwrights of the 20ᵉ century. To learn more about Angelos Sikelianos, you can visit the museums dedicated to him in Lefkada and Delphi.

How do I get to Salamis from Athens?

Are you staying in the Greek capital and would like to spend a day in Salamis?
Nothing could be easier: the island is just 17 km from Athens!

Meet at the port of Piraeus : a ferry leaves every 20 minutes for the island of Salamis.
The crossing takes just 15 minutes.
You can also take your car with you on the ferry, which may be a good idea for visiting the more remote parts of the island.

You can also reach Salamis via Perama (cost just over €8 for a car with 2 people – crossing takes 15-20 mins) or Megara (€6 for 1 car and 2 people, crossing takes 5 mins, departure every 30 mins all year round).
Fares May 2024.

Don’t have a vehicle?
You can rent one from Rental Cars.
Otherwise, don’t worry: the island of Salamis is well served by bus.
So don’t hesitate to treat yourself to a few hours’ relaxation away from the capital!

And if you decide to extend your visit and stay one or more nights in Salamis, have a look at Booking.
You’ll find a wide range of accommodation options, from hotels to vacation homes.

Sandra B.