Agistri
Skala in the morning, Aponissos for the swim, Megalochori for sunset.
Agistri is what every Athenian recommends to a visitor short on time — 55 minutes from Piraeus on the Flying Dolphin, a Saronic Gulf island where pine forests run all the way to the water and the beaches are good enough that no one feels short-changed. The two ports are Skala (busier, faster ferries) and Megalochori (the more traditional capital). The headline beach is Aponissos on the southwest coast — a tiny island connected by a footbridge to the main island, with water people will tell you looks photoshopped. One day works for a swim and dinner; two days lets you reach the wilder west coast.
Getting there
No airport. Direct fast ferry from Piraeus, ~1h. Also reachable from Aegina via 10-minute shuttle.
Read full route
Tip: Easier than Aegina to find a quiet beach — half the visitors.
When to Visit
Agistri is a tiny island next to Aegina — pine forests, clear water, three settlements. Quieter than its neighbours; the Athenian weekend crowd here is mostly families. Open year-round but most things shut Nov-Mar. Best June and September. Weekday in shoulder season is the dream.
1-day itinerary for Agistri
Day 1: Skala, Aponissos & Megalochori
- · Skala Port
The busier of the two ports, where most car ferries dock. Café-lined waterfront, the long sandy Skala Beach right next to the harbour, and the local bus that runs to Megalochori and Aponissos. - · Skala Beach
Long sandy town beach with shallow water and the most facilities on the island — sunbeds, beach bars, water sports, family-friendly. Popular with Athenian day-trippers, busy in summer. - 🍴 Stop for lunch · Skala — see Eat & Drink below
- · Aponissos Beach & Islet
8km southwest, on the wild side of the island. Take the bus from Skala or Megalochori (about 20 min). A small uninhabited islet connected to Agistri by a footbridge, with crystal turquoise water on both sides. €5 entry includes a sunbed and a soft drink. The signature swim of the island. - · Lekani Saltwater Lake
Between Limenaria village and Aponissos — a small saltwater lake surrounded by wetland. Migratory birds in spring (kingfishers, wagtails). Walking paths around the perimeter. Quiet and unmarked; nobody else there. - · Megalochori (Capital)
The traditional capital — quieter than Skala, with stone houses, the 1885 Cathedral of Zoodochos Pigi, and a small archaeological collection. Walk the seaside pedestrian path back to Skala (1.5km, 15 minutes) at sunset. - 🍴 Stop for dinner · Skala — see Eat & Drink below
Top beaches of Agistri
Dragonera Beach
3km southwest of Megalochori on the west coast — quieter than Skala, surrounded by pine forest right down to the water. Free camping is permitted at the back. View across to Kyra islet. The escape from the day-tripper crowd.
- Type
- Fine pebble
- Length
- 200 m
- Depth
- Medium — clear, deep enough to swim properly
- Wind protection
- West-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm most summer days, sometimes choppy on rare westerly winds
- Facilities
- Light: a small canteen, sunbeds with straw umbrellas, free camping permitted at the back.
Halikiada Beach
Wild pebble cove reached only by a forest trail from Skala — pine trees down to the white pebbles, completely undeveloped. Nudist-friendly and almost always quiet. The reward for a 30-minute walk.
- Type
- White pebble
- Length
- 150 m
- Depth
- Medium to deep
- Wind protection
- Northeast-facing — exposed to the meltemi (the dominant summer N/NE wind); often windy on meltemi days
- Facilities
- None — accessible by 30-min steep walk through pine forest from Skala. Nudist-friendly.