🪪 The island at a glance
📍 Where it is
Agistri lies in the Saronic Gulf, a few kilometres west of Aegina. From Piraeus the fast boats take about an hour and the conventional ferries less than two. If you are already on Aegina, a small boat crosses in about 20 minutes. In antiquity the island was called Kekryfaleia, while its present name, meaning fishing hook, recalls its shape.
📍 Where Agistri is
Agistri is in the Saronic Gulf, just west of Aegina, and one of the closest islands to Athens. The island is in red, and in green are Piraeus and Aegina, where the ferries and small boats arrive from.
🗺️ The map of the island
Agistri is small, and one road goes around almost all of it. Ferries arrive at Skala, the most touristy village, or at Megalochori, also called Mylos, the old main village. Between them, on the hill, is Metochi. The road continues through the pines to Dragonera, Limenaria and Aponisos, at the southern tip. The island is easy to get around by bike, by bus or on foot.
🗺️ Map of Agistri
Agistri is small and almost entirely covered in pines. At the northeastern tip is Skala, the main port, and a little to the west is Megalochori, with the second port, and Metochi on the hill. A road runs west down to Dragonera and south to Limenaria and Aponisos. Chalikiada is east of Skala. Tap each number to see what it is.
Map: Vincenzo Coronelli, 1688 (Public domain) · Wikimedia Commons
⚖️ Is it worth it? The pros and cons
Agistri is ideal for swimming, nature and rest, close to Athens. Here is an honest picture.
📊 At a glance, from 1 to 5
👍 The pros
- Very close to Athens, even for a day.
- Pine forests reaching the sea, with shade.
- Clear, turquoise water.
- Small, easy to get around by bike or on foot.
- Reasonable prices for an island so close to Athens.
👎 The cons
- Summer weekends fill up with Athenians.
- Few sights: it is an island for swimming and resting.
- The prettiest beaches are pebbles and rocks.
- In winter almost everything closes.
⚓ Skala
Skala is the largest village and the main port, with most of the hotels, tavernas and cafés. It has the island’s biggest sandy beach, with shallow water that is good for children, and above the harbour stands the large church of Agioi Anargyroi, with its white domes. In the evening the main street fills with people, and in summer a small open-air cinema runs.
The beach, next to the harbour.
Aegina, just opposite.
Sand and shallow water.
Quiet, outside the village.
The big church of Skala.
The main street.
Lights on the water.
Open-air cinema.
Caiques and turquoise water.
Photos: Panagiotis Botsis (CC BY-SA 3.0), ZoonPolitikon (CC BY-SA 4.0), Lichinga (CC BY-SA 4.0), BlogJordan (CC BY-SA 3.0), Artvill (CC BY 4.0), Kaethe17 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Sarah Samoraj (CC BY 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
🏘️ Megalochori, Metochi and Limenaria
Megalochori, or Mylos, is the island’s old village, with white houses, narrow lanes and a small harbour with fishing boats. It is quieter than Skala, and most of the permanent residents live here. Up on the hill, Metochi is a small village with views over the whole Saronic Gulf, all the way to Athens.
In the south, Limenaria is a farming village with tiled houses, fields and a few tavernas. Near it is a small lake where birds stop, and further down are the rocks of Mareza, for a swim.
The old village, above the sea.
Nets and caiques.
The farming village of the south.
Birds and quiet.
The west coast.
Photos: Ziegler175 (CC BY-SA 3.0), Konstantinos Trovas (CC BY 3.0), Ggia (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons
You can rent bikes in Skala and Megalochori, and it is the nicest way to see the island. The road has a few climbs, so an e-bike helps. Take water and set off early.
🏖️ The beaches
The best-known beach is Aponisos, at the southwestern tip, with turquoise water, rocks, pines and the islet of Dorousa opposite. It has a taverna with sunbeds, and plenty of people in summer. In the west, Dragonera is a pebble beach inside the pine forest, with natural shade. East of Skala, Chalikiada is a pebble beach below tall cliffs, reached only by a path through the pines. For children, the sandy beach at Skala is the easiest.
Pines down to the water.
Below the cliffs.
Pines and red rocks.
Pebbles and shade.
Small coves reached by path.
Photos: Ggia (CC BY-SA 3.0), Lichinga (CC BY-SA 4.0), Nurka (Public domain), Kernpanik (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
- Aponisos: turquoise water, with a taverna, at the southern tip.
- Dragonera: pebbles and pines, on the west coast.
- Chalikiada: pebbles below cliffs, reached by path.
- Skala: sandy beach with shallow water, for children.
- Mareza: rocks for diving, near Limenaria.
🌲 The pines and the view
What sets Agistri apart from the other Saronic islands is its pines. They cover almost the whole island and reach down to the rocks, giving shade even on the beaches. Paths run through the forest, with views of Aegina, the Methana peninsula and the Peloponnese.
Shade down to the sea.
Above Dragonera.
The view towards the Peloponnese.
Agistri, just opposite.
Photos: Margaritaprounia (CC BY-SA 3.0), Kernpanik (CC BY-SA 3.0 DE), Kernpanik (CC0), Kernpanik (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
🍽️ What to eat
On Agistri you will mostly eat fresh fish and seafood, in tavernas by the water in Skala, Megalochori and Aponisos. Try fried baby squid, grilled octopus and salads with local capers. From Aegina, just across the water, comes the pistachio, which you will find in sweets and ice cream.
📅 When to go
June and September are the best months, with a warm sea and few people on weekdays. In July it is still calm, while in August and on summer weekends it fills up with Athenians. May and October are lovely for walking and cycling, but many places close in winter.
⛴️ How to get there from Athens
| How | Duration | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast boat | About 1 hour | Piraeus | The fastest option, ideal for a day trip. |
| Conventional ferry | About 1.5 to 2 hours | Piraeus | Cheaper, also takes cars, often via Aegina. |
| Small boat from Aegina | About 20 minutes | Aegina harbour | If you are combining the two islands. |
From Ioulianou 50, Piraeus is about 40 minutes by metro. Ferries to Agistri leave from the Saronic gates, at one end of the port. On summer weekends, book tickets in advance. You don’t need a car on the island: there is a bus, plus bikes and scooters. Agistri is easy to combine with Aegina: see also our guide to Aegina.
🗓️ Three days on Agistri
Skala and Chalikiada
Arrive at Skala in the morning and walk through the pines to Chalikiada for a swim below the cliffs. In the afternoon, swim at the sandy beach in Skala, and in the evening have dinner and catch a film at the open-air cinema.
Dragonera and Aponisos
Rent a bike or take the bus to Dragonera for a morning swim in the shade of the pines. Carry on south to Aponisos for a swim in the turquoise water and lunch with a view of Dorousa.
The villages
Climb up to Metochi for views over the whole Saronic Gulf, then go down to Megalochori for a coffee by the little harbour. In the afternoon, head to Limenaria and the little lake, and watch the sunset on the west coast.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Agistri on a day trip from Athens?
Yes, it is one of the easiest day trips. Take the morning fast boat from Piraeus, swim at Chalikiada or Aponisos, and come back on the afternoon boat. Check the return time in advance.
Where should I stay on Agistri?
In Skala, for the tavernas, the sandy beach and the port. In Megalochori, for a quieter, traditional atmosphere. In Limenaria or near Dragonera, for complete peace among the pines.
Do I need a car?
No. The island is small, a bus links the villages with the beaches, and you can rent a bike or a scooter. If you have your own car, the conventional ferry takes it.
How many days do I need?
One day is enough to see Skala and one beach. Two to three days let you go around the whole island, the villages and the best beaches at your own pace.
— Kathy
