Quick answer: For a Western Cyclades week, board at Lavrio: the first leg to Kea is 13nm, against 29 to 36nm from the Riviera marinas. For the largest marina in Greece and the most common Athens base for crewed catamarans and many sailing yachts, Alimos. For a short Saronic week from a boutique marina, Vouliagmeni. For a night ashore near beach clubs before boarding, Glyfada.
How we made this list: Lavrio comes first, for the Cyclades. The three Riviera marinas serve the same Saronic waters at near-equal distances, so they follow by role: Alimos as the main charter base, then Vouliagmeni, which is closest of the three to Poros, Hydra and Cape Sounion, then Glyfada. It is not a ranking of marina quality. Distances are approximate, in nautical miles (nm), between harbour positions, going round Cape Sounion where marked.
| Marina | Best for | Aegina | Poros | Hydra | Cape Sounion | Kea (Vourkari) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Lavrio | Western Cyclades start | 33nm* | 33nm* | 36nm* | 4nm | 13nm |
| 2. Alimos | Largest marina, main charter base | 17nm | 28nm | 36nm | 22nm | 36nm* |
| 3. Vouliagmeni | Short Saronic week | 17nm | 24nm | 31nm | 15nm | 29nm* |
| 4. Glyfada | Night ashore before boarding | 17nm | 26nm | 33nm | 18nm | 32nm* |
* Round Cape Sounion, because a straight line would cross the land. The other distances are straight lines.
Alimos, Glyfada and Vouliagmeni sit along one 7nm stretch of coast south of the city, on the Athens Riviera. Lavrio is on the east coast of Attica; by sea you round Cape Sounion to reach it.
Piraeus, Zea and Flisvos sit closer to the city and are outside this comparison; our Athens guide covers them, and names Flisvos and Zea as the more common bases for larger motor-yacht charters.
1. Lavrio
Lavrio suits a Western Cyclades week: Kea, Kythnos, Serifos and Sifnos. Our Alimos rebuild report calls it the usual start for the Cyclades, and our Athens guide says some charters start there to reach the islands faster.
The gain is the first leg to Kea: 13nm from Lavrio against about 36nm from Alimos round Cape Sounion. At the 7 knots our Saronic guide uses for a catamaran, that is about 2 hours against about 5. At 16 knots on a motor yacht, about 50 minutes against about 2 hours 15. The return counts too: on our 5-day Western Cyclades itinerary, the last day back from Kythnos is about 25nm to Lavrio and about 45nm to Alimos. Wind matters here too: our 5-day itinerary says the wind is strongest from mid-July to mid-August and that the passages around Kea deliver more than the forecast. In those weeks a short first crossing is worth having.
Lavrio is about 38km from Athens airport. The road runs down the east side of Attica and stays out of the city; transfer guides give about 30 to 55 minutes, against 30 to 45 for Alimos. So the drive costs up to about 10 minutes more, and the first day at sea is about 3 hours shorter on a catamaran: Kea in about 2 hours from Lavrio, while from Alimos most of day one goes on rounding Cape Sounion. AD ASTRA, for example, is based at Olympic Marine in Lavrion; the contract names the marina.
Lavrio is a working port with island ferries and a commercial harbour, and boarding there is about getting underway fast. If you want a night ashore before boarding, stay in Athens or on the Riviera and transfer in the morning; your broker times it to the boarding hour.
For Mykonos and the central Cyclades, a one-way week can make more sense than any Athens start; our Athens or islands guide compares the options.
The Saronic runs the other way. From Lavrio, Aegina is 33nm round Cape Sounion against 17nm from Alimos. For a Saronic week, start on the Riviera.
2. Alimos
Alimos suits a Saronic week, and it is where most crewed Athens yachts board: our Athens charter page says so outright. Our Athens guide calls it the main charter workhorse: practical, busy, easy from the airport, and the most common Athens boarding point for crewed catamarans and many sailing yachts. It is also the largest marina in Greece, with over 1,000 berths (all boats, not only charter yachts). DIVINE, a 100ft Posillipo for 12 guests, is one of the motor yachts based there.
Our Alimos page puts the airport transfer at 30 to 45 minutes, and our Athens guide allows 30 to 60 minutes to the Athens marinas, depending on traffic. Central Athens is about 20 to 25 minutes away.
The marina received its building permit on 11 May 2026 for a rebuild worth about 100 million euros. Works take about 20 months. The marina keeps operating, so boarding continues, with building work on the land side for about two seasons. For a 2027 booking, the contract names the exact marina: Alimos, Flisvos, Zea or Lavrion (another spelling of Lavrio).
Our rebuild report suggests getting away from the works on day one; the first afternoon is still enough to reach a quiet anchorage for a swim and dinner. At our Saronic guide’s speeds, plan on about 2 to 2.5 hours to Aegina on a catamaran and about an hour on a motor yacht.
3. Vouliagmeni
Vouliagmeni suits a short Saronic week. It is the Riviera marina furthest from the city, on a bay south of Glyfada. Our Athens guide calls Astir Marina the boutique, ultra-high-end option for select larger yachts, and says the Riviera suits easy boarding, beach clubs and a relaxed night before the charter.
It is not a Western Cyclades start: Kea is about 29nm away round Cape Sounion, against 13nm from Lavrio.
Against Alimos, Vouliagmeni is 4 to 7nm closer to Poros, Hydra and Cape Sounion, about 15 to 26 minutes at 16 knots. Aegina is the same 17nm from all three Riviera marinas.
FLORI, a 2022 Sanlorenzo 95 for 8 guests, gives Astir Marina at Vouliagmeni as her home port. AGIO, a 2021 Azimut 88 for 10 guests, names Marina Vouliagmeni in her description.
4. Glyfada
Glyfada suits guests who want the night before boarding near beach clubs and cafés, in a coastal suburb rather than the city centre. One listing describes Glyfada Marina as surrounded by beach clubs, cafés and boutiques, about 30 minutes from the airport. Check the marina named on the contract.
At sea the three Riviera marinas are the same trip: Aegina is 17nm from each, and the other distances differ by 2 to 7nm. MAYBE NOT, an 83ft Ferretti for 8 guests, names Glyfada Marina in her description.
Boarding day: times, the night before, provisioning
Before you book flights, get three things in writing for your yacht:
- The marina. The contract names it: Alimos, Flisvos, Zea or Lavrio.
- The boarding and disembarkation times agreed for your charter. They vary by yacht and marina.
- Whether the airport transfer is included, and to which marina.
Times. At Alimos, our marina page says boarding day is usually mid-afternoon: your luggage goes straight on board and the crew handles the check-in formalities. On our 7-day Athens itinerary, disembarkation is the morning after the last night on board, after breakfast. Times vary by yacht and marina, so ask your broker for both before you book flights.
The night before. For an evening arrival, the Riviera has the most around it: our Athens guide recommends it for easy boarding, beach clubs and a relaxed pre-charter night, and Glyfada Marina sits among beach clubs, cafés and boutiques.
Provisioning. The preference sheet you send about six weeks before the charter shapes the provisioning: food, drinks, allergies and celebrations all go on it. At Alimos there is no supermarket inside the marina, but supermarkets nearby deliver free of charge.
Parking. Alimos lists car parking at the marina, but the rebuild works affect the car parks for about two seasons. If you plan to drive to any of the four, ask your broker first.
Five yachts from the four marinas
A selection from our listings on October 31, 2026, at least one from each marina. Rates are the listed 'from' weekly rates for the yacht and crew, excluding tips. AD ASTRA lists 20% APA, the advance for expenses, and DIVINE 30%; your broker confirms APA and VAT for each yacht.
AGIO
88ft · Azimut
Home port: Marina Vouliagmeni (in her description) · 10 guests
From €72,000 / week
MAYBE NOT
83ft · Ferretti
Home port: Glyfada Marina (in her description) · 8 guests
From €35,000 / week
Prices shown are listing snapshots dated October 31, 2026. Availability and the final weekly rate must be confirmed for your dates.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the transfer from Athens airport to each marina?
Lavrio: about 30 to 55 minutes, 38km. Alimos: 30 to 45 minutes. Glyfada and Vouliagmeni: about 30 to 40 minutes in normal traffic; allow 50 to 60 minutes in summer peak or on a weekday evening. The three Riviera marinas move with Athens traffic; the Lavrio road stays east of the city.
Does the airport taxi fixed fare cover the marinas?
The fixed airport fare applies to central Athens. Trips to suburbs such as Glyfada and Vouliagmeni run on the meter; for Alimos and Lavrio, check with your broker. Transfer details come with your contract.
Should we board at Alimos or Lavrio for the Western Cyclades?
Lavrio, unless the yacht you want is based at Alimos or you want a Saronic leg first. Then Alimos, with a longer first day round Cape Sounion.
Is Vouliagmeni a good place to start a yacht charter?
For a short Saronic week, yes. The sea-time saving over Alimos is under half an hour at motor-yacht speed. For the Cyclades, start at Lavrio.
About this list
Compiled by the DMA Yachting charter team from our own listings and Athens guides.
Last updated: November 5, 2026.
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