Actually not a very good idea: Athens in midsummer. The Greek capital has so much to offer, sights as far as the eye can see. But the enormous heat - sometimes up to 40 degrees on some days - makes sightseeing tours sweaty and uncomfortable affairs. You need to cool down: Fortunately, islands in Greece are usually not far from the mainland.

After the hustle and bustle on the Acropolis or Plaka in Athens, one longs for relaxation. But the nearest city beaches are partially flooded by tourists. Relaxation is definitely neglected here. Just an hour by ferry from the port of Piraeus is Agistri, one of the Saronic Islands.

On Agistri there are only five small villages, two taxis, one bus and no annoying tourists - a dream! The small island is only inhabited by around 1.000 residents, so you have the beautiful beaches (almost) to yourself. But is it worth "escaping" from the urban jungle? Aviation.Direct has taken a closer look at the small island.

Easy to get to by ferry

Two shipping companies connect the port of Piraeus with the Saronic Islands. Both ferries also take you to Agistri, but at different speeds. While Bluestar Ferries needs almost two hours for the route, the crossing with the “Flying Dolphin” - a speedboat ferry - only takes around an hour. A single ticket costs around 15 euros. Self-explanatory: the faster connection is more expensive.

Attention: the faster ferry docks in Megalochori, not in Skala! So if you are staying in Skala, I would recommend Bluestar Ferries, even if the crossing takes longer. Otherwise you can expect a half-hour walk in the sun or a long wait for the Agistri bus.

The beaches leave nothing to be desired

There are no big sights on Agistri. You are on a Greek island in the middle of the Saronic Gulf. Of course, what comes to mind right away? Correct: "Where is the nearest beach?" The choice is not small: the entire island is actually a huge beach promenade. With the Agistri bus, a rental scooter or by bike, the entire island can be explored in under 30 minutes. In theory, you could just pack a bath towel and lie down somewhere near the ocean.

Attention: If you do not have a moped driver's license, a scooter is out of the question for you. The Greeks have recently stopped accepting a class B driving license.

There are of course organized beaches with sun beds! One of them: Megalochori Beach. Although in the immediate vicinity of the harbor, this place offers an enormous amount of space for relaxation and tranquility, as it is one of the smaller beaches on the island and comparatively few people visit it. A parasol and two loungers cost just five euros for the entire day. A waiter takes care of the well-being of the guests and, if desired, also serves cool drinks directly to the seat. A restaurant is also in the immediate vicinity, so that you don't have to take any food with you for the day. The sea water itself is crystal clear and very pleasant when swimming. Only the many algae can tickle your feet uncomfortably.

Lots of delicious restaurants on the small island

Tourists on Agistri also get their money's worth in culinary terms! Since the number of tourists is limited, the prices are also at a humane level - for my taste the food on the island was even relatively cheap! The mostly family-run restaurants can also score points across the board in terms of taste. Although the island is really very small, it is home to dozens of restaurants. So there is a lot to discover in culinary terms. And: During our stay we visited quite a few different restaurants at least once and were never disappointed!

Tip: Fish lovers should definitely visit the restaurant directly opposite the only traditional Greek church on the island. Although the price is more in the upper segment, the Greek tavern offers a delicious selection of fish and seafood specialties.

It was also remarkable that quite a few young people got lost in Agistri. On the contrary: the bars were jam-packed at night and, contrary to expectations, the small main square was very lively. But if you expect to celebrate the party of your life on Agistri, I will have to disappoint you. There is only one nightclub on the island - but this was closed due to the corona.

You see, a trip to Agistri is definitely worth it if you need a break from Athens city life. The island is (still) an insider tip among Greek tourists and is therefore not as crowded with tourists as other island destinations from Athens such as the neighboring islands of Aegina or Hydra. So if you are looking for peace and seclusion, you will not be disappointed here. So: the hustle and bustle off - relaxation on!