Agistri is one of those Greek islands that is rarely mentioned in glossy travel guides, but which is remembered for a long time. Small, green, very lively and at the same time calm. Exactly the kind of travel format when it seems that you have “looked into the real Greece”, and not into a tourist scenery.
This is the perfect island for a short escape from Athens, for leisurely bike rides, for nature, silence and the turquoise sea.
Where Agistri is Located and What Makes it Special?
Agistri (Αγκίστρι) is located in the Saronic Gulf, very close to mainland Greece. It is so compact that you can cross it from one end to the other in about 20 minutes (by car), of course longer by other means of transport – but in that precisely is its charm.
Facts worth knowing:
- The island’s area is about 13 km²
- population — approximately about 1,000 permanent residents
- over 80% of the territory is covered with pine forests
- pine trees grow almost to the water’s edge – a rarity for the Greek islands
Agistri is often called one of the greenest islands in Greece, and this is no exaggeration: the smell of pine needles accompanies almost the entire trip, the nature here is incredible.
How to Get to Agistri
The most convenient route is through Athens.
Route
- Athens → Piraeus port
- Ferry or high-speed catamaran to Agistri (with a short stop at Aegina) takes: from 1 to ~1.5 hours
- If you take into account the journey to the port, waiting and transfers, it takes about 2 hours, which is fully consistent with the real travel experience.
Our route passed through the neighboring island of Aegina, from where it is literally 10-15 minutes by water to Agistri.
We arrived at the port of Megalochori, and in the evening we returned from Skala Port (they are quite close, but it will probably take 30 minutes to walk, you can get there by car in 5 minutes).
Villages and Island Life
There are only a few settlements on Agistra, and each has its own character:
- Skala — port, cafe, life, tourist center
- Megalochori is a more traditional village, quiet and “local”
- Limenaria — the smallest, very quiet, almost meditative
These are not resort towns, but real Greek villages where it is easy to get lost in time.
Getting Around the Island: No Way Without Transport
Agistri is small, but without transportation you won’t see as much as you could.
What You Can Rent?
- bicycles
- electric bicycles
- motorcycles / scooters / tricycles
- auto
💡 Important:
- more rental points open in high season
- in the off-season (March, April) rentals are open, but some types of transport may already be taken
- bicycles are usually available even off-peak
If you are not very confident on your bike, your arms will get really tired, especially on longer distances and switchbacks. This is worth considering when planning your route if you are not very skilled at cycling.
Also, the internet disappears in some places, so it’s better to have an offline map.
Agistri Beaches: Why Transportation Is Really Necessary
There are several key beaches on the island, and they are scattered across different ends of the island.
The most interesting of the beaches
- Halikiada (Chalkiada)
A wild, very photogenic beach. The views from the top of the cliff are simply incredible. There is an exit to the bottom, but we decided not to go down this time.
- Dragonera
A beach with turquoise water, surrounded by pine trees. In the summer it works as a full-fledged recreation area, in March it is quiet, open space and the feeling of an “empty resort”. - Skala Beach
The most accessible beach near the port. Good for swimming and walking, but less “wild”. - Aponisos
A small island near Agistri, across a low bridge. Aponisos is privately owned and the family of the owners have created a cozy, festive atmosphere with sun loungers, cool drinks. One of the most beautiful places in the region.
It is precisely because of this location of the beaches that a trip across the entire island is a normal part of the route, not an exception.
The road across the island: what is most memorable
Traveling from one end of the island to the other isn’t just travel, but an experience filled with discoveries and adventure.
You will pass:
- the central part with small shops
- villages where life goes very slowly
- long stretches of road through a pine forest, surrounded by pure nature
And this is where those moments happen that you don’t plan for:
- unexpected panoramas
- silence without people
- wild birds
One of these moments can be an encounter with flamingos, we saw them flying in a circle over the lake – it’s an incredibly fascinating sight.
When would be good to go to Agistri
March – April
- few tourists
- nature is as green as possible
- the beaches are almost empty
Summer
- all beach locations are open
- more rentals and services
- much more people, tourists
If you want peace, space, and nature, the off-season is ideal as we did.
Why Agistri is not “Just One More Another Island”
Agistri is:
- not about parties
- not about luxury resorts
- not about Instagram crowds
This is about:
- green forests by the sea
- the road that is more important than the destination
- a sense of discovery, even if the island is small
- the true rhythm of Greece, without haste
This is the type of place that makes you want to say:
“It’s a good thing we went here.”
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