Thinking about buying a home in the Saronic Islands? This helpful guide gives you clear, practical advice on where to look, what day-to-day life feels like and how to make your buying journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.
The Saronic Islands have long appealed to buyers who want Greek island life without the hassle of long ferry journeys or seasonal closures. With short travel times from Athens, dependable transport links and well-established year-round communities, the Saronics are a great choice for your new home.
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Contents
Why the Saronic Islands appeal to overseas buyers
If you’ve ever visited Aegina, Poros, Hydra or Spetses before, you’ll already know the appeal. Each island has its own identity, but what unites them is convenience. You can fly into Athens, step onto a ferry at Piraeus and be at your front door in under two hours.
Because these islands attract both Greek and international second-home owners, you’ll find a mix of amenities that make everyday life easy: reliable supermarkets, doctors, bakeries, local markets and a friendly, settled year-round community. Unlike more remote islands, the Saronics don’t shut down in winter, making them ideal if you want more than just a summer base.
An overview of the main Saronic Islands
Here’s a clear, at-a-glance summary of the islands most popular with overseas buyers:
| Island | Why buyers like it | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Aegina | Quickest ferry from Athens, lively year-round town, strong expat presence | Retirees, families, first-time buyers |
| Poros | Green scenery, easy access to the Peloponnese, good property variety | Holiday-home buyers, remote workers, sailors |
| Hydra | Car-free island with artistic appeal and strong preservation rules | Buyers seeking character homes and a quieter life |
| Spetses | Elegant harbour, historic mansions, boutique lifestyle | Luxury buyers, investors |
Aegina
Aegina is normally the first island recommended to buyers who want life to feel easy from day one. With ferries taking around 40 minutes on the high-speed service, it’s easy to pop into Athens for appointments, do some shopping or meet visiting family. Property options range from modern seafront apartments to older townhouses and villas in areas like Agia Marina and Perdika.
English is widely spoken, thanks to a large community of Greek-Athenians with second homes here.
Poros
Poros is only a few minutes by water taxi from the Peloponnese mainland, which gives you two advantages: easy access to big-town amenities on the coast and a great choice of beaches on both sides of the water. It’s the ideal island if you want to live life at a relaxed pace but have amenities like clinics or large shops within reach.
Many buyers choose Poros for its sailing scene and peaceful walking routes through pine forests. If you’re working remotely, Poros tends to have better connectivity and more year-round cafés than smaller islands.
Hydra
Hydra feels like stepping into another era. With no cars allowed, donkeys and water taxis take the place of traffic, giving a slow, calm rhythm to daily life.
Properties here tend to be older stone homes, often beautifully restored, and the island’s building regulations protect its traditional character. Because renovation rules are strict, it’s extremely helpful to work with a knowledgeable local agent and lawyer who can take the time to explain everything.
Spetses
Spetses is known for its stately mansions, long seafront promenade and lively waterfront in spring and summer. It has a more refined feel and attracts Greek families who return year after year, giving the island a friendly, familiar atmosphere.
Although property prices can be higher here than on Aegina or Poros, many buyers see it as a long-term home-from-home thanks to its welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of community.
What it’s like to buy property in the Saronic Islands
Buying in Greece involves several steps and is much easier to navigate when you have patient, supportive professionals guiding you. From reviewing contracts to checking land titles, having a good team makes all the difference.
On the Saronic Islands, many properties are older, so a technical survey is strongly recommended. Homes in places like Hydra often have thick stone walls or historic features that require specialist knowledge. In contrast, newer villas on Aegina usually involve fewer surprises but still benefit from proper checks, especially regarding land boundaries and permitted development.
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Practical considerations for everyday life
Transport is one of the biggest advantages here. Regular ferries make it easy for you to maintain connections with mainland healthcare, shopping and travel. Many buyers also feel reassured knowing they can reach Athens airport quickly, which makes it much easier to host family and friends.
In winter, shops stay open, and local cafés remain gathering points for both Greek residents and expats.
Property prices – what to expect
Prices vary between the islands and depend heavily on condition, views and proximity to the main towns. As a general guide:
- Aegina tends to offer some of the most attainable prices, particularly if you look slightly inland or outside the main harbour area.
- Poros provides good value, especially for homes with sea views or properties close to the mainland-facing coastline.
- Hydra commands premium pricing because of its strict preservation rules, limited supply and high demand for traditional stone houses.
- Spetses is at the higher end of the market, driven by strong demand for restored mansions and its long-standing reputation as an elegant holiday island.
Top tips for buying in the Saronic Islands
To help make your buying journey in the Saronic Islands smoother, here are some helpful pointers to bear in mind:
- Visit in different seasons so you get a realistic sense of daily life, ferry timetables and how lively each area feels year-round.
- Set a practical budget that allows for taxes, surveys and any renovation work. Giving yourself some breathing room will help you feel more in control of your search.
- Work with a reliable lawyer and agent who take the time to explain each stage clearly. Having supportive professionals makes the process much easier to navigate.
- Check ferry connections for the island and neighbourhood you prefer, especially if you expect regular trips to Athens.
- Arrange a technical survey, particularly for older properties, to avoid unexpected costs later on.
- Take your time. A steady, unpressured approach will help you feel confident in your decisions and choose the home that genuinely suits your lifestyle.
FAQs
Yes — foreigners can buy property throughout Greece, including the islands. The process is straightforward, provided you work with a knowledgeable lawyer who will guide you through obtaining a Greek tax number, completing due diligence and signing the final contract. EU and non-EU citizens follow the same basic steps, although some border regions may require additional checks.
It depends on what you want. Aegina is the most convenient for regular travel to Athens and is lively all year round. Poros is ideal if you want greenery, sailing and easy access to the Peloponnese. Hydra suits buyers seeking traditional stone homes and a rustic lifestyle, while Spetses appeals to those wanting a more elegant, long-term holiday base. Each is excellent in its own way, so the best island is the one that matches your lifestyle.
Among the Saronics, Aegina and Poros tend to offer the most attainable prices. Across Greece more widely, islands such as Evia, Thassos, Lemnos and some of the smaller Dodecanese islands often provide lower entry prices than well-known hotspots. Affordability ultimately depends on property type and condition, but looking slightly beyond the major tourist centres usually gives you more choice for your budget.
