Agistri vs Salamis
Agistri or Salamis? Ferry times from Athens, beaches, prices and crowds compared side by side, with a straight answer on which of the two suits your trip.
Agistri
NatureThe greenest island in the Saronic Gulf. 87% pine forest, turquoise beaches and just three small villages. The perfect escape from Athens for anyone avoiding mass tourism.
Read the guideSalamis
CulturalThe largest island in the Saronic Gulf and the closest one to Athens. Famous for the Battle of Salamis (480 BC), where Themistocles defeated the Persian fleet. Today it is a weekend destination for Athenians.
Read the guideThe short answer
On the fast boat from Piraeus, Salamis is the closer of the two: 30 min against 50 min for Agistri, a difference of about 20 minutes each way. On a short trip that gap is worth more than it looks, because it applies twice.
Agistri has the better swimming, 4 out of 5 against 2 for Salamis. It also has more of them: 6 beaches covered here against 2.
For sights off the sand, Agistri is the richer of the two: 8 places and museums against 4 on Salamis.
Salamis is the cheaper base, around 45 euros a night against 80 on Agistri, roughly 78 percent more. Over a week that is about 245 euros of difference on the room alone.
The numbers
| Agistri | Salamis | |
|---|---|---|
| Fast ferry from Piraeus | 50 min | 30 min |
| Conventional ferry | 1 h 40 min | 30 min |
| Ferry from | 8 EUR | 2 EUR |
| Departures per day | 17 | 40 |
| Beaches covered | 6 | 2 |
| Places and museums | 8 | 4 |
| Activities | 0 | 1 |
| Room per night from | 80 EUR | 45 EUR |
| Food per day | 30 EUR | 18 EUR |
| Recommended days | 3 | 1 |
| Population | 900 | 36,000 |
| Area | 13 km2 | 95 km2 |
| Visitor cars | Yes | Yes |
| Best season | Apr - Oct | Mar - Nov |
| Beaches | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Food | ||
| Nightlife | ||
| Connectivity |
Which one for your trip
Choose Agistri if
- Swimming is the priority and you want the better beaches of the two
- You want museums, monasteries and ruins as well as a swim
- You want somewhere with a bit more going on after dinner
Choose Salamis if
- You are short on time and want the shortest crossing from Athens
- You are watching the budget
- You only have a day and want an island that works as a day trip