Greece’s Saronic Gulf Islands Voted Best for 2023

Greece’s Saronic Gulf islands were voted Best Island Destination in the World Travel Awards (WΤΑ) for 2023 in a glamorous ceremony in Batumi, Georgia.

The six Saronic Gulf islands won the prestigious award for their unique beauty, rich history,  crystal-clear blue waters, and close proximity to Athens via the Piraeus Port.

Aegina, Agistri, Hydra, Poros, Salamis, and Spetses are the six islands that dazzled the voting committee.

Aegina

Aegina’s proximity to Athens makes the island ideal for short getaways. It has several archaeological monuments, picturesque villages, and beautiful beaches to discover, while its seafront main town stands out for its neoclassical architecture.

Places to visit are Aegina Town, Perdika, Vagia, Marathon, and Agia Marina. The most famous site in Aegina includes the ancient Temple of Athena Aphaia.

Hydra

Steeped in history and the dazzling white of its traditional houses, Hydra is one of the most cosmopolitan islands in Greece.

Old mansions, a hospitable port, elegant nightlife, deep, blue waters, and the fact that there is not a single car on the island all contribute to the beauty of this island.

Spetses

This is another island famous for its elegance and impressive mansions as well as the car ban that keeps the atmosphere clean and serene.

A yacht marina, boutique hotels, fine restaurants, and secluded beaches add to the uniqueness of Spetses. It is also home, now a museum, of Greek War of Independence heroine Laskarina Bouboulina.

Salamis

The closest to Athens and the largest of all Saronic Gulf islands, Salamis is the place where the Ancient Greeks smashed the Persians in the historic naval battle in 480 BC.

Today, it serves as a second home to many Athenians who own summer houses there. It is only one nautical mile away from the Piraeus Port.

Poros

An island that expects you to love it, like Greek poet Georgios Seferis and American writer Henry Miller did, is Poros. It stands across Galata and looks like the missing piece of the puzzle of the Peloponnese.

Pine trees with branches touching the blue sea, clear waters, nice restaurants and friendly local people.

Agistri

Agistri is a small pine-clad island, with pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. It is also a popular destination for lovers of outdoor sports lovers such as hiking, cycling, sailing, kayaking, or horseback riding.

You can stroll along the island’s picturesque little alleys and visit the traditional tavernas, coffee houses, and windmill.

 

Greece’s Best for 2023

The World Travel Awards this year recognized the quality of hotel and resort services of several hospitality establishments, older and new, in Greece. Below is the full list of awards.

Greece’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2023 – Creta Maris Resort
All-Suite Hotel 2023 – Katikies Garden
Leading Beach Resort 2023 – Domes Aulūs Zante
Leading Boutique Hotel 2023 – Athina Luxury Suites
Leading Business Hotel 2023 – InterContinental Athenaeum, Athens
Leading Car Rental Company 2023 – SurPrice Car Rentals
Leading City Hotel 2023 – Divani Caravel Hotel
Greece’s Leading Conference Hotel 2023 – InterContinental Athenaeum, Athens
Leading Destination Management Company 2023 – Luxury Travel DMC
Leading Family Resort 2023 – Marbella, Mar-Bella Collection
Leading Holiday Villa Rental Company 2023 – Olive Villa Rentals
Leading Hotel 2023 – Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas
Greece’s Leading Hotel Group 2023 – Metaxa Hospitality Group
Leading Hotel Management Company 2023 – Hotel Brain Group
Leading Hotel Residences 2023 – Avaton Luxury Hotel
Leading Hotel Suite 2023 – Charisma Cave Pool Suite @ Charisma Suites
Leading Island Destination 2023 – Saronic Islands Attica Region
Leading Island Villas 2023 – The Villas by Santo
Leading Luxury All Suite Hotel 2023 – Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection
Greece’s Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel 2023 – Katikies Mykonos
Leading Luxury Hotel 2023 – Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens
Leading Luxury Hotel Villa 2023 – Royal Blu Mansion @ Mykonos Blu Grecotel
Leading Luxury Private Villa 2023 – Villa Primavera (Olive Villa Rentals)
Greece’s Leading Luxury Resort 2023 – Domes Miramare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Corfu
Leading Mainland Destination 2023 – Mani, Region of Peloponnese
Leading Online Travel Agency 2023 – Bookgreece.com
Leading Resort 2023 – Lesante Blu Exclusive Beach Resort
Leading Sustainable Hotel 2023 – Creta Maris Resort
Leading Tour Operator 2023 – Kallisti Tours
Leading Travel Agency 2023- Luxury Travel DMC
Leading Travel Management Company 2023 – Mideast Travel Worldwide
Greece’s Leading Villa Resort 2023 – Daios Cove