Route A
One week starting and ending in Athens.
- Alimos
- Methana
- Hydra
- Spetses
- Poros
- Aegina
- Alimos
Suggested islands
Sifnos
Σίφνος lies approximately in the middle of the triangle formed by Milos, Serifos and Paros. The north and north-west of the island are occupied by barren ranges of hills, the east and south by gentler uplands. The coast is much indented and lined by cliffs for much of its length.
Agriculture (particular onion-growing) on the island’s fertile soil, the manufacture of pottery of traditional type and weaving bring the inhabitants a modest degree of prosperity.
The principal port on Sifnos is Kamares, which is well sheltered, and where you can rent bikes or scooters to reach Apollonia, the island’s capital. From there roads leads to the must-see places along the coasts and indeed these also proof beautiful anchorages and should really if possible visited by boat.
The medieval village of Kastro – with remnants of its ancient walls – but also the bays of Faros, Vathi and Platis Gialos are absolutely worth exploring: translucent turquoise water, combined with good tavernas. However, the best restaurants (notably To Liotrivi) can be found in Apollonia.
Aegina
Αίγινα, lying some 17 nm south-west of Piraeus, is a hilly and fertile island of Tertiary limestones and schists, with isolated rounded hills of volcanic origin. For the most part the coast falls steeply down to the sea, with few sheltered bays. The main occupation of the inhabitants is farming, in particular the growing and export of the island’s excellent pistachio nuts. Fishing, sponge-diving and pottery manufacture are also of some economic importance. Aegina is noted for the production of its water-coolers (kannatia) – two-handled wide-necked jars in a porous fabric which keep their contents cool by evaporation. With its mild climate and low rainfall, Aegina has long been favoured as a summer resort by the prosperous citizens of Athens. In recent years it has become increasingly popular with foreign visitors.