Location
Salamina is a small island directly located under the mainland of Athens and Peloponnesus. Transportation to and from the island is very easy and consistent. There are ferries and boats leaving from Perama port (for direction Athens/Pireaus) to Paloukia port (Salamina island) and vice versa every 15' the whole day (duration 15’). Also small cruisers leave from Piraeus main port to Salamina island every 30' (only daytime, duration 45’). Also there is another connection with ferry on the side close to the town of Megara (for direction Peloponnesus) every 30'.The accessibility to the airport of Athens is well regulated by (rental)car, taxi, bus or train and the connections with ferries between the mainland and Salamina. On the island there is local bus transportation available as well as a lot of taxis, so you are able to easily move around the island. On the other hand the distances are very short. Further more you can also rent a car or a scooter in Salamina.
Activities
Salamina (or Salamis) is the largest island in the Saronic gulf and it is situated very close to Athens. The islands of the Saronic Gulf (Salamina, Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses) are for many people from Athens their favorite summer address. Salamina lies in a small bay opposite the place Pireaus, Elefsina, Megara and less than 1 mile from Perama. The island has a dry and healthy climate all over the year with just a few rains and a lot of sunshine in the summer and mild winters.
Salamina has a coastline with a length of 104 km. The best beaches of Salamina are Resti, Iliakti, Aianteio, Perani, Kiriza, Maroudi, Peristeria, Kolones, Satirli, Piriakoni and Kanakia. The capital city of Salamina is Salamis-city, also called Koulouri, where you can go for shopping in the friendly centre. Furthermore Salamis has a small port full with yachts and fishing caciques and a picturesque boulevard where you can go out in one of the many lounge bars, ouzeries, taverns and restaurants. Almost every beach has its own ouzeri or tavern. In the evening there are a lot of options to enjoy the nightlife (traditional taverns with live music, nightclubs etc). There is also an open air cinema in Selinia.
Culture
Salamina is the birthplace of the tragic poet Euripides and his place in history is marked with a famous battle in 480 BC (Greeks against Persians). In Salamina you can visit the Agora (local traditional market), and the ruins of the temple of Aias (Ajax). You can also visit the Byzantine influences found in the monastery of the Virgin Maria Faneromeni (15th century) and enjoy the beautiful frescoes in the church. Also you can visit , the small convent Agios Nikolaos (18th century) in the heart of the pine forest next to the Mycenean city at Kanakia (1600 b.c in which period Salamis was an independent kingdom under the rule of King Ajax).
You can visit the interesting folk museum at the town hall and the new archaeological museum in Salamina city. More information about Salamina and Athens can be found on the websites www.salamina-online.com and www.holiday-in-athens.com
During the summer at the open air Euripide's theater a lot of cultural events take place such as musical concerts, theatrical plays, folk dances and other.
Sport facilities
Swimming: There are a lot of small beaches around the island so even in the high season you can find a peaceful beach where you can enjoy your privacy.
Walking, Hiking: Salamina provides a beautiful nature with possibilities for short- and long-distance walking or hiking. Large parts of the island are mountainous and covered with pine trees forests. There are a lot of nature trails and forest roads especially for walking.
Mountain biking: There are excellent routes for mountain biking especially at the south part of the island, almost every weekend mountain bike competitions take place.
Sailing: In Salamina there is a yachting club where you can rent a sailboat (with or without a skipper) for one or several days. You can also attend the sailing school. Website: http://www.nobs.gr
There are tennis courts, Volleyball-, Basketball-, 5x5 Football fields and a Paintball location.
Horse riding: There is a very good riding club with a luxurious lounge bar/restaurant on the top of the mount Stavros with a magnificent view over the Saronic Gulf. Website:www.ktimafilipikon.gr
Excursions from Salamina
From Salamina it is easy to make a daytrip to the capital of Greece, Athens. Where you can enjoy the Greek culture and history, the Acropolis, the museums and the Greek life in Plaka. You may want tot go shopping in Athens, go for a lovely dinner and afterwards enjoy the famous nightlife. A visit to the majestic Temple of Poseidon (Neptune) at Sounion is definitely to be recommended.
There is also a ferry to the mainland (close to Megara city) from where you are able to visit several interesting places of the Peloponnesus, from there it is possible to make day trips to Corinthis, Epidaurus theater, the picturesque city of Nafplion and Mycenae. A visit to Delfi and Mount Parnassus (one of the highest mountains of Greece which is surrounded by beautiful nature) is an exemple of a day trip from Salamina. Another possibility is a day trip to one of the other nearby islands of Saronic Gulf. Cruises of this kind are organized from Salamina or you may want to catch a boat from Piraeus port.
More information about Salamina and Athens can be found on the websites www.salamina-online.com en www.holiday-in-athens.com
