If you see the above picture and it says that it is from the island of Kefalonia, you would believe it, right? Well, it’s not the popular tourist island of Kefalonia, it’s the lesser known and visited island of Salamina!
Salamina is the closest island for residents living in Athens to visit. In fact, you can get there in less than an hour — including the 7-10 minute ferry ride. Not to mention it is a cheap trip with the ferry only costing a handful of euros. So, why don’t more Athenians visit Salamina?
On your brief ferry-boat ride to the island you pass by an abandoned island that is used for military training and looks like a freaky ghost town with worn and withered villages.
Also, upon arrival at the port, you can’t help but notice a group of navy boats lined up. This part of the island is quarantined for Salamis Naval Base, headquarters for the Hellenic Navy.
Perhaps it’s not the most picturesque arrival to your dream get-away, however, it’s hard to believe that either of these two reasons are why people don’t visit the island more from the mainland. After all, once you arrive at the port and disembark from the ferry, you have already passed the not-so-great part, leaving it all behind in the rear view mirror……
Maybe it’s the surrounding mainland around the island that detracts people from visiting. After all, across the Western portion of the sea you get a good view of Aspropyrgos, where there are some not-so-nice neighborhoods, a landfill and then there’s Elefsina on the coast where factories use the ports as well as huge manufacturing, transportation and cargo ships docking.
But still, that is just one side of the island. And, something worth noting is that the island is the shape of a jig-saw puzzle piece, so only a small portion of Salamina actually faces the potentially polluted waters and less than attractive view with billowing smoke clouds evaporating into the skies.
What you really find once you land on the island is such a great treat that many who frequent the beaches in the summer months try to keep it secret from their fellow Athenians for fear that they will flood to the island!
Beaches that are natural inlets, water that is so clear with white sand making the reflections appear as if you are in a gigantic swimming pool – that is what you will find on Salamina. Not to mention there is a museum, ruins from the Battle of Salamis in 480 B.C. as well as other traces of past civilizations most of which are free of charge to visit all around the island.
Tavernas and coffee shops with local family run businesses spanning over generations is what you will find on Salamina. If you go during the summer you will find the freshest seafood and fish served up in taverna that are along the coast on cement balconies built into the sea. During the winter times you will find sleepy villages and tavernas run by the locals – and you will probably find yourself dining with the locals as well; which is a great way to learn even more facts about the island!
Also, Salamina is an excellent island to go for a ride on a motorcycle. The roads are peaceful and scenic ranging from seaside drives to pine forests and little villages. So get over the location and the stigma that you always thought Salamina embodied and experience a secret get-away from Athens!
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
