Located a short ferry ride from Athens in the Saronic Gulf, Agistri is a small island ringed by beautiful beaches lapped by the azure waters of the Aegean Sea. It’s dotted with traditional villages where life hums along at an enticingly laid-back pace and is blanketed in a pine forest that provides habitat for a healthy population of chukar partridges.
Things to do in Angistri
Skala serves as the main port of Agistri and is clustered with cafes dishing up the local specialty, barbecued octopus. It’s also home to one of the island’s most photographed architectural landmarks, the Church of Agioi Anargyroi, with the building’s beautiful, whitewashed exterior topped by a blue dome.
Spend an afternoon exploring the island’s capital, Megalochori, a small fishing village that was used as a naval base in Ancient Greece. Stroll along its whitewashed alleys and admire the village’s early-19th-century windmill before feasting on fresh seafood at one of the local tavernas.
You can kick back on the sands of Scala Beach or head to the pebbly cove of Chalikiada, which is framed by high cliffs on the east coast of Agistri. Another popular local bathing area is Aponisos, a rocky beach with ladders descending into the crystal clear waters. Tubes and sun loungers are available for rent while the plentiful sea life makes it ideal for snorkelling.
Getting around Angistri
Agistri is around one hour by ferry from the Athens port of Piraeus, which can be accessed from Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos. Regular water taxis connect Agistri to the larger Saronic island of Aegina. Rental cars and motorbikes are available for getting around the island while the main towns of Megalochori and Skala can easily be explored on foot.