Salamina Car Hire

Guide of Salamina

Geography

Salamina is the largest island in the Saronic Gulf, the closest island group to Athens. It is relatively close to popular islands like Aegina, Spetses and Hydra. The island has an area of 93 sq. km and is mostly rocky and mountains. The southern section of the island is carpeted in the pine forest and is home to a handful of beautiful beaches and creeks.

Climate in Salamina

Salamina has a hot and humid Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and mild winters. The hottest time to visit is between June and September, when temperatures reach highs of 33°C and lows of 17°C. November to March is the coolest time to visit, and January is the coldest month on the island. Temperatures range between 6°C and 13°C in winter. Those looking to avoid soggy days should visit in July, which averages just 1 mm of rainfall.

Culture

According to Greek myth, Kychreas named the island Salamina in honour of his mother, Salamis, one of the five daughters of the river god Asopos. In Homer’s Illiad, the island played an important role in the Trojan War under the leadership of Ajax.

Beyond the myths and legends, Salamina was the site of one of the most important battles in ancient Greek history – the Battle of Salamis – a great Greek naval victory over the Persian Empire in 480 BC. Today, it is home to the Salamis Naval Base, headquarters for the Hellenic Navy.

Unlike most of the Saronic islands, international visitors don’t tend to venture onto Salamina, though it’s an extremely popular weekend getaway for Athenians.

Things To Do in Salamina

Explore the sights of Salamina Town

Salamina Town might not be the island’s prettiest town, but it is home to some of its most impressive sights. It’s where you’ll find the Archaeological Museum of Salamis, the Maritime Museum and the Folklore and Popular Art Museum. Don’t miss the fish market. Locals head here early in the morning for freshly-caught cod, blue whiting, octopus and cuttlefish.

Take a trip to Euripides Cave

Located on the southern stretches of the island overlooking Peristeria Bay, the Cave of Euripides is said to have been the birthplace of Euripides, the ancient Greek playwright. Experts believe that it was once an important place of worship and a burial site during the Neolithic period. It’s a 20-minute hike from the beach, but the views at the top are well worth the effort.

Hit the beaches

Salamina boasts more than 95 km of coastline, so there are plenty of beaches to choose from. You can easily reach most of the island’s beaches by car, bus or boat. The south coast offers the best beaches on the island, like Kanakia, Pyrgiakoni, Lambrano and Saterli. The north-western coast is less picturesque, but there are a few gems like Psili Ammos, Steno Faneromenis and Resti Iliakti. Most of the beaches are sandy and lapped by clear, turquoise waters too.

Hike to Mycenean Acropolis in Kanakia

These Mycenean ruins, which were only excavated three decades ago, date back to around 1300 BC. It’s a glorious two-hour hike through pine woods to reach the ancient site and you can pause at Kanakia Beach for a cooling swim in the clear waters.

Hop around churches

Salamina’s landscape is peppered with pretty churches, but some of the most picturesque include Faneromeni Monastery, Agios Nikolaos Kalyvistis and Agios Dimitrios Church. These storied churches are stuffed full of frescoes and iconography, some with works by renowned Greek sculptor Yannoulis Chalepas.

Eating Out in Salamina

Salamina is famous for its fish restaurants and many Athenians will happily head here for an afternoon to enjoy an ouzeri meal (small tapas dishes served with ouzo). Ouzeri Kakas, located right by the fish market, offers an excellent introduction to ouzeri. The taverna serves up simple seafood dishes like lobster, giant crayfish and mussels, as well as carpaccio and an excellent cuttlefish ink risotto, accompanied by chilled glasses of ouzo. If you’re in the market for meat, Meltemi offers local specialities like handmade smoky sausages, pigs knuckles cooked in a cast iron stove and pastourma saganaki.

Begnis Bakery is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth. Here, you’ll find sticky glazed doughnuts, Hydra-style almond pastries, halva, platetsi (warm bread stuffed with feta) and kougoulouari (courgette pie with raisins).

Transport

Airport

The closest airport to Salamina is Athens International Airport (ATH), which is located around 16 km east of the island. The airport is served by dozens of international airlines and operates daily flights to many of the country’s most popular islands and cities.

From Athens International Airport, you can either drive or take a bus to the port of Perama, which is only one nautical mile from the island. The ferry ride takes less than 15 minutes and sailings depart at least every half an hour.

Getting Around Salamina

Salamina is a large island and its best sights, attractions and beaches are peppered across the south and west coast, far from the port of Paloukia. While there is an extensive bus network, we recommend hiring a car for more flexibility. A car rental will give you the freedom to get off the beaten track and can save you time and money too.