Yacht Charter in Athens

Three Reasons to Charter a Yacht in Athens

1. Idyllic Climate

Athens’ Mediterranean location means the city enjoys lots of dry, sunny, warm weather! Perfect for a yacht charter, especially due to its location in the Saronic Gulf, which means it is relatively sheltered from any extreme conditions. Along with the safer bays in this area, it makes Athens particularly ideal for less experienced sailors as navigation should be easier, and means it’s a stress-free sail for the pro’s. The prevailing wind is the Meltemi, which blows from north to northeast between July and September, and though it shouldn’t affect your charter, it’s important to be aware.

2. Glittering Athens Riviera

When people think of Athens, they tend to just conjure up images of the magnificent ancient remains, but the city has so much more than that. The lesser known Riviera is a glorious place for a yacht charter as it’s home to a perfect variety of golden sands and rocky coves, stunning marinas from which you can rent or moor your boat, and opportunities to do activities like windsurfing. With an array of waterside bars and restaurants specializing in freshly caught seafood, you can spend a day getting lost in Athens’ city centre, and retire to the beach for the evening to drink and dine on your yacht or in a restaurant, in front of the glowing colours of a Mediterranean sunset!

3. Extraordinary Heritage

Considered to be the ‘Ancient Capital’ of the world, the city of Athens is home to some of the most important historical remains across the globe. A yacht charter here will give you access to sites such as the remains of Ancient Olympia, where the first Olympic Games took place in 1896, and the world-renowned Acropolis and Parthenon.

24 Hours in Athens

In a city like Athens you want a good amount of time to explore the sights, wander the charming cobbled streets and eat good food, and a yacht charter in Athens gives you this chance. Whether you visit before, during or after your charter, give yourself at least 24 hours to uncover the magic of this historical city.

You may wish to moor your boat the night before in one of Athens’ marinas so you can get up early and start your day without any fuss. Once you’re up, head straight into the centre and grab a coffee from a charming café in Kotzia Square, and then head to the Acropolis, which was last inhabited in 510BC, and is considered one of the most prominent ancient sites in the world. When you start to get hungry, find Manimani restaurant – a restored neo-classical house located near the Acropolis museum serving up inexpensive Peloponnesian dishes. If you’re up for some more walking, you can hike (or take a more chilled cable car journey) to the top of Lykavittos Hill for some of the best views of the city, and what may the most impressive view throughout your whole yacht charter.

Afterwards, head back into Athens city centre and find Agia Irini Square; a bohemian hub of life where many locals gather in cafes and restaurants, and it’s the perfect place to soak up the lifestyle of the locals and watch the world go by. On summer evenings, open air cinemas are scattered across the city, and are the ideal, peaceful way to end a busy day. For dinner, there are plentiful options that you will come across, but if you want to dine with a view, head to Dionysos, which serves traditional Greek food with breathtaking views of the Acropolis lit up at night.

Exquisite Cuisine

Greek cuisine blends traditional Mediterranean flavours with unique local ingredients to create distinctive dishes which are imitated and celebrated worldwide. Whether eating on board your boat, or venturing onshore to dine in local restaurants, a yacht charter in Athens means you’re in for a culinary treat! If you want to sample the best of the best, experience the Michelin-starred fresh seafood from ‘Varoulko Seaside’ in Piraeus, overlooking the Mikrolimano harbour. Otherwise, don’t miss out on the chance to try the quintessentially Greek ‘Baklava’, a sweet dessert made from phyllo pastry drenched in syrup, or taste the real version of a Greek salad, made with the freshest of ingredients!

Getting There

The city is well connected; with Athens International Airport, - which is Greece’s busiest - located 20km east of central Athens, reaching your yacht charter base will be easy!