Athens Yacht Charter & Sailing Vacation

Sailing experience level

Write your own Greek odyssey

One of the world’s oldest cities, Athens’ location in Southern Greece made it an important gateway to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Today, Athens remains beloved of sailors for much the same reason. Our base in Athens’ Zea Marina offers rewarding conditions for experienced sailors, with strong winds and exhilarating blue water crossings between the Saronic and Cycladic islands satisfying your taste for adventure.

The human race may belong to Africa’s Great Rift Valley, but Western civilization can trace its origins to Athens. Beyond the history, culture, and lifestyle of this 5,000-year-old city, the Mediterranean offers a world of opportunities for coastal and ocean sailors to explore. Greece boasts more than 2,000 islands of great variety, including the lush and historic islands of the Saronic Gulf and the world-famous Cyclades.

Picturesque Kea lies a stone’s throw from Athens itself, offering sandy beaches, traditional fishing villages, ancient ruins, and even the remains of a bronze-age settlement. Whatever you want from a Greek sailing vacation – fine food and drink, open water adventures, sun-drenched beaches or wild nights out – it’s all in reach on an Athens sailing vacation.

Highlights

Ancient relics and ruins
Catch the famous Meltemi wind
Exciting blue water sailing

Qualifications required to sail in Athens:

Licenses required: ASA 104 | US Sailing “Bareboat Cruising Course” | SLC, IPC, ICC

Sailing experience at Level 3 at least 20 days or 400 miles as skipper on an equivalent size yacht.

Inspiring Itineraries

Athens one-week bareboat

Crystal seas, paradise islands Discover the Saronic and Cycladic islands on a bareboat charter vacation from our base at Zea Marina. Strong winds and long spells of blue water sailing make the Saronic Gulf ideal for more experienced skippers, with the famous Meltemi wind. This wind can occur anytime between May and October but is most frequent in summer, June through September. Its maximum strength and duration is during July and August. It may blow for a single day or up to a week, although usually, 3 to 4 days is most common. This wind can offer welcome relief on a hot summers day when temperatures in and around Athens can be very hot. Sail at your own pace and discover the ancient relics, stunning scenery and lively culture of the Aegean Sea on a bareboat charter vacation.

Highlights

Aegean seafood
Historic Athens
Traditional villages
Epidaurus Theatre
Fantastic Saronic sailing
Great hiking and snorkeling

View Itinerary

Cyclades two-week itinerary

Take the helm and enjoy our recommended two-week bareboat sailing holiday itinerary around the Cyclades islands, the most popular island group in the Aegean Sea. The name “Cyclades” refers to the islands forming a circle around the island of Delos, and these islands are some of the most beautiful in the world! Set sail from our Athens base and experience stunning sandy beaches, distinctive white and blue architecture, friendly locals, folk music and breath-taking landscapes as you island hop your way around the islands taking on the adventure one day at a time!