AGISTRI: THE HIDDEN PARADISE CLOSE TO ATHENS

Are you looking for a small island with wonderful waters very close to Athens? Agistri is the answer! I have been several times and it has been great every single one of them!

HOW CAN YOU GO? From Piraeus port you can either take the ferry (1:30 hr trip duration) to Skala port in Agistri island or the “flying dolphin” (55 minutes trip duration) to Megalochori port.(Myloi) or Skala.  You can check for tickets online on websites , I recommend you to use below link and site: Ferryscanner.com

3 are the main villages of the island:

1. Megalochori.
2. Skala that includes “Metochi” in the mountain area, where the 1st inhabitants of the island settled & “Skliri” area.
3. Limenaria.

FYI Skala is the more crowded one while Limenaria is a bit far from the life and doesn’t have many things to do.

Angel’s tip: be careful and book your tickets few days in advance, especially if you want to visit the island for a weekend during summer season. Usually the last ferry & “dolphin” on Sundays becomes unavailable really fast!

TRANSPORT: the distances are small and there is 1 bus and 2 taxis in the island. Of course villages are within walking distance ( 1-1,5km between the 2 main ones that you can walk) but in case you want to visit Limenaria village or 2-3 main beaches a car/motorcycle is needed. In case it is summer time and the weather is hot, even 1 km walking is hard enough for most of us…In my opinion a scooter is the best option! (you can rent in the island)

The BEACHES of the island:

Angel’s tip: take a diving mask with you to enjoy the beautiful sea bed; waters are crystal clear all over the island.

1. My favorite one is APONISOS beach. Actually it is a very small, organized, private island connected with a platform to Agistri island. Entrance fee is 5 euros per person. The waters are stunning as you can see! Not an actual beach with sand though. Access is through a platform or diving into the sea. Angel’s tip: Be careful of the sea urchins! In summer season and weekend, I would recommend to make a reservation for sunbed & umbrella, tel: +306974785367 / +302297091666.The back side in Aponisos beach accessible only by stairs and for dives
2. The view is stunning, the access a bit difficult and the waters great! Where else? CHALIKIADA beach. 10 minutes walk through the forest from “Skliri” area. Better not to have kids with you since you need to climb down some rocks. And be careful. Angel’s tip: Area is well known for free camping and the nudist beach, so be prepared that many around you may be without swimming suits. 
3. DRAGONERA beach: pebbly, clystal clear waters and a beach bar with few sunbeds & umbrellas, nice but not impressive waters like the ones mentioned earlier. Angel’s tip: be careful of the sea urchins!
4. If you are looking for something easy and close to the ports and the villages go to SKALA, SKLIRI & MEGALOCHORI beaches. There are the beaches between the 2 ports of the island. “Sunrise Beach House” in Skala is the best there, with cocktails, snacks and nice sunbeds. And you can find sand below “Amaryllis hotel”.
   

   Skliri beach

5. If you want to go for diving & jump in clear magnificent waters visit MARIZA beach in Limenaria village.

Where to STAY?

Many hotels/rooms in the island. My favorite ones I have stayed within the years are “Infinity Blue” in Megalochori (premium new rooms), “Kekrifalia hotel” in Skliri with incredible seaview and “Mylos hotel” in Megalochori with great breakfast and swimming pool. Angel’s tip: If you want to work remotely or have kids/babies Mylos hotel (Yacht Club Jamaica) is a perfect option. Choose a room in the same level with the swimming pool for your kids. If you don’t have a car and you want to go out at night choose to stay in Skala where the more shops are… either for nightlife or restaurants and souvenir shops. Megalochori is more quiet.

The RESTAURANTS I recommend:

• “Kafenes To Mandraki” in Megalochori village especially for seafood. Ouzo, great Greek wine, fresh salads, delicious  tomato balls, shrimp pasta and fresh kalamari.
• Are you looking for souvlaki? Go the “Seilor” in Megalochori.
• Visit “Toxotis” in Skala, located in a central road with no seaview but cheap prices and good meat or seafood dishes.
• “Moschos Restaurant” and “Ligo Krasi, ligo Thalassa” for seafood (the latter has many fried dishes on the menu).
• Local Greek taverns for meat: “Parnassos” restaurant in Metochi and “Tasos” in Limenaria. Angel’s tip: Both “Parnassos” and “Tasos” have a special dish with rooster,  but better make a call a few days in advance to preorder it and they will have it ready for you.
• “Alkyoni” : tasty food, good prices and a gorgeous view in Skliri! Go during sunset where the colors of the sky are great!  Mainly for seafood 🙂
  

  Chalikiada beach

Breakfast & brunch:

• “Mylos hotel” (known as the Yacht club Jamaica Pool Bar) in Megalochori.
• “Haka espresso gastro” in Megalochori.
• “Copa Cabana” in Skala with its amazing sweets in general.
• “Kekrifalia hotel” in Skliri.
  

  Kekrifalia hotel(one of the best in the island) for breakfast with great view.

Bars: not a big number of bars available but you can certainly enjoy a drink in several places on the island. My favorite ones are:

• Sunrise
• “A” bar
• Kastro bar
• Haka

Something different:

• You can rent a small boat in Skala and Limenaria ports in order to have a tour on your own in the golden spots of the island and enjoy the stunning waters! Agistri boat rentals: +306978312250 / +306972216763 / +306971787120
• Organized tours or possible on your own as well for excursions in other islands close by with “Aponisos private cruises” +306944562276
• You can have an organized tour for snorkelling with professional divers and usually stop in Dorousa island. The scubadiving session is great, even if you have never tried it before. After the session is over, you can enjoy food/BBQ with traditional and fresh greek food (included in the price). Check for more info “Interdive Diving Club” in Megalochori village.

 

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