Salamina Greece, or Salamis(Σαλαμίς), is the largest island in the Argosaronic Gulf, about 2 km off the coast of Piraeus and the closest island to Athens.
It is one of the lesser-known Greek islands, probably due to its proximity to Piraeus Port. However, I’ll do my best to tempt you with a day trip the next time you’re near Athens!
In the northern part of Salamina, you’ll find the large Salamis Navy Base, which serves as the headquarters for the Hellenic Navy and is a restricted area.
Still, the island is worth a visit as it has many beautiful areas to visit, clear beaches to swim in, a large pine forest to hike in, fresh fish to taste, and archaeological sites and monasteries to explore.
If you are also a history buff, then you have to visit Salamina Greece, as this is where the great naval battle of Salamis against the Persians happened.
Based on my experience, these are the top things to do in Salamina—ideal for anyone looking to explore the island like a local.
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Fast Facts Salamina
- Archipelago: Aegean Sea Island.
- It is the largest of the Argosaronic Island group, covering an area of 95 square km (59 sq miles).
- Elevation: 375 m (1223 ft).
- Population: With 37,220 residents (2021 census) has the highest island population density in Greece.
- According to mythology, the island took its name from the nymph Salamina, the daughter of the river god Asopus.
Best Things to Do in Salamina, Greece
1. Explore Salamina Town
When you reach Salamina Port, Paloukia, you will not exactly be thrilled by its looks. Don’t let it affect you because it does not characterize the whole island.
As soon as you get off the Salamina ferry, go toward the left side of the port and drive to Koulouri, Salamina’s main town.
The town is built around the seaside, has many hills where you can enjoy a beautiful view, and sadly, resembles many of the Piraeus suburbs.
However, Koulouri has its charms: small alleys with flowers, old churches, and museums.
I recently visited the archaeological museum and was happily impressed at how beautifully they have retained the building’s architecture:
The Archaeological Museum of Salamis is a rather small building housed in the renovated oldest school in Salamina, with few but remarkable exhibits, such as the metrological relief that depicts various metric units.
You can visit it at Lempesi 42 St, daily from 8.30 am – 3.30 pm, but it is closed on Tuesdays (as are most smaller museums in Greece). The ticket is €5.
A very interesting Folklore and Popular Art Museum with traditional wedding gowns and Salamina dresses.
You can visit it at Kon/nou Karamanli 1 St inside the Municipal Palace, Monday to Friday between 9.00 am – 4.00 pm.
A walk around the old and mostly abandoned neoclassic houses of Salamina island is worthwhile as you get an idea of how the town was 100 years ago or more.
However, most of the buildings in Salamina today are new constructions with no particular character.
The hill Patris is on the NW of Koulouri, a 5-minute drive from Koulouri, and offers impressive views of the Salamina Bay.
On the hill, you can also visit the modern stone theater dedicated to Euripides, the great ancient tragic poet, who had a permanent residence in the Peristeria area of Salamis.
100 meters from the theater stands the unique church of Agia Eleftheriotria, with an impressive bell tower blending classic island, primarily Cycladic, architecture with Byzantine influences, creating this beautiful result.
The church was built on top of the German pillboxes after the island’s liberation on October 12th, 1944.
When you are done admiring the view, you can return to the beautiful seafront of Salamina, lined with charming cafes, offering a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the serene views of the sea.
We had a fantastic coffee at Belair, an all-day bar and restaurant. I had a Greek coffee, and my companion got an espresso.
Each coffee cost €3,5 ($3,88) and we also had some tsoureki (sweet bread) on the house!
If you are looking for where to stay in Salamina, a beautifully decorated apartment in town is Hakuna Matata Studio Apartment (mid-range, family-friendly).
2. Pay Tribute to Salamis’ Ancient Battle Monuments
Traveling south, around a 10-minute drive from the port, in Akti Themistokleous, you will find the Ancient Salamis Port, from which only a few rocks remain today.
In the same place, you will also see the Ancient Battle Monument.
In the background of this important monument, numerous ships are being repaired in the nearby shipyards.
The ancient naval battle in Kynosoura cape of Salamina, Greece, on September 22nd, 480 BCE, according to historians, was of tremendous importance to the development of Greece and, in extension, to Europe as we know it today.
The Greeks, under the command of brilliant Themistocles, fought the invading Persians and defeated a Persian fleet four times larger while the Persian King Xerxes was watching in dismay from Egaleo MT in Piraeus.
This significant triumph secured Athenian naval power in the Aegean and established democracies across Greece, instead of the Persian totalitarian political system if the Persians had won.
Democracy led to the Golden era of Athens, with masterpieces such as the Parthenon in the Acropolis, which started getting built only 33 years after the battle.
This perspective is based on the theory that most of modern Western culture, such as philosophy, science, individual liberty, and democracy, has its roots in the ancient Greek world. If the Persians had won, perhaps Western civilization today would be different.
A 5-minute drive further down the road at Kynosoura Cape, you reach the Tomb of Salamina Fighters.
The Tomb, created by the Greek sculptor Achilleas Vasileiou, overlooks the part of the sea where the ancient battle occurred.
It’s made of limestone and gravel and features a bronze statue of two warriors to honor the Greeks who gave their lives protecting Greece from the Persians.
It is a great spot to watch the sunset in Salamina, Greece, and to imagine what it was like for the ancient men to fight in the sea all those thousands of years ago.
However, the view in Kynosoura is mostly dominated by shipyards and ships waiting for repair today. On your way back toward the town, stop for a short stroll at the village of Kynosoura.
Salamina Battle Contributors
Some of the ships that contributed to the Battle of Salamina are:
- Kythnos, Sifnos, and Serifos islands contributed 1 boat (trireme) to the battle
- Milos and Kea with 2 boats
- Lefkada with 3, Naxos with 4
- Corinth 40, Aegina 30, Sparta 16, Epidaurus 10
- Athens 180
3. Stroll Selinia Traditional Salamina Village
Selinia is a small town, a 15-minute drive from Salamina port and southeast of Salamina town.
It is one of the few areas on the island that has retained some of its old glamor, with its seaside dotted by nice-looking mansions and houses.
A distinct landmark of Selinia is the large white and blue church of Saint Nikolaos on the town’s coast, visible from far away.
As you get to Selinia from the road, you find a small, modern amphitheatrical open-air theater made of stone with mosaic patterns and designs and three arches in the front.
This is a great spot to watch the ferries going back and forth.
On its seafront, there is a beautiful sandy beach that looked clear and when I visited, was full of residents.
After a stroll around the village, we went for our favorite Greek fast food: souvlaki, a salad, and a glass of Greek beer.
Across from the church, there are a couple of hospitable taverns and cafes.
If you are looking for hotels in Selinia, try the Votsalakia Hotel & Luxury Apartments(mid-range) & Blue Hotel (budget).
4. Swim at Aias Club Beach
Traveling around Salamina, you will find many beaches that you can explore.
Aias Club beach is organized with sunbeds and umbrellas, but you can find a lot of free space if you wish to find a quiet spot.
There are trees around it so you can seek shelter and there is a nice promenade with fishing ships docked at the end of the beach.
You may also enjoy: Best Day Trips from Athens
5. Be Amazed by Euripides’ Cave
Euripides’ cave can be found on the southernmost part of Salamina, between the Peristeria and Kolones areas.
Euripides, an ancient Greek playwright born on Salamina, whose plays are still performed widely all over Greece and the world, used it as a retreat.
To get to the cave, you need to hike for about 20 minutes from the sea (easy level). On top of the cave, you’ll be rewarded with the same lovely sea views that, once upon a time, Euripides also admired.
Better to avoid going deep inside the cave, as there might be safety issues.
6. Swim in Salamina’s Beaches
Nearby, there are some nice beaches with clear waters that you can swim in, Kochi, and Faros beach with a stone lighthouse from 1901 that you can hike to.
They are almost all unorganized, but there are taverns and cafes nearby for everything you may need.
Beautiful and popular beaches are also Psili Ammos and Kaki Vigla.
7. Check out the Strange Circular Funerary Monument
Very close to Faros Beach and in the Kolones area, you can visit the 4th-century AD funerary monument with four graves belonging to members of a wealthy family.
You can see similar types of funerary monuments in the Ramnous Archaeological site in Athens.
8. Visit Agios Nikolaos of Lemons Monastery
On the west side of Mount Stavros, you can visit the beautiful Monastery of Agios Nikolaos of Lemons. The Monastery is built in such a lovely spot that people organize their weddings or their children’s Christenings.
It is unknown when it was built, as the only date found is 1742 on the bell tower. The unique name, however, comes from the lemon trees that were said to have been planted by Abbot Evdokios around 1800.
A little further from the monastery lies the small Byzantine chapel of Saint John the Calybite, dating back to the 10th century.
It was traditionally where the monks of Agios Nicholas of Lemons were buried, and it is said that there was a healing spring nearby.
9. Hike to the Mycenaean Acropolis at Kanakia
Traveling to the southwest of Salamina, Greece, and with some hiking involved, you can reach the Mycenaean ruins of around 1300 BCE in Kanakia.
The ruins of the Aiantas (Ajax) kingdom were found only in 1999 when archaeologist Yiannis Lolos was hiking in the area.
Kanakia is probably the best area of Salamina, covered in trees and as the area is not developed at all, you can swim in crystal clear waters and experience some of the beautiful Salamina nature.
You may also enjoy: The Mycenaean Palace of Nestor in Pylos.
10. Make a Dive into Clear Kanakia Beach
Kanakia Beach in south Salamina is one of the best beaches in Salamina.
It is not organized, it has small pebbles and sand and you can reach Kanakia after you have hiked the Mycenean archaeological site of Salamina or you can drive there.
The only tavern working here is Meltemi, which has an outdoor seating area in the summer but also operates in the winter with a heated indoor space, warmed by a fireplace and wood stove.
The menu is based on fresh fish and seafood, depending on the daily catch brought in by the trawlers fishing in the bay, but it also serves coffee and drinks.
To get here, you’ll need a rental car. From Salamina port, drive towards the southern part of the island, pass through Aianteio, and continue to Kanakia, crossing a beautiful pine forest.
The distance is about 16 km (9,94 mi), and you should expect to cover it in approximately 25 minutes.
It is worth staying for a few days in Kanakia Salamina. I suggest you stay at Plaza House, an elegant apartment building a 3-minute walk from the sea (mid-range).
11. Easy Hike to the Windmills on the Hill
Only 2 out of 10 in total old windmills still stand on the low hill of Agios Nikolaos overlooking Salamina Bay on the west side of the island.
It was built in the 18th century, and it was widely used to mill and provide food for the islanders. It’s a pretty place between pine trees with sea views of the Saronic waters.
The only sad thing is that the windmills are left to fall into complete disrepair.
12. See Orsa, the 2,500-year-old Olive Tree
The Olive Tree of Orsa is located in the area of Aiantio, in western Salamina Greece, more precisely on Kakivigla Avenue.
It is a complex of trunks whose circumference exceeds 6 meters. But the most amazing thing is that scientists from the Klorane Institute have concluded that the olive tree is older than 2500 years old.
The Olive Tree of Orsa is the only creature that is still alive from the time of the Salamis Naval Battle!
13. Visit the House of the Greek Poet Sikelianos
On the northwest of Salamina stands a beautiful house that belonged to a famous Greek lyric poet and playwright, Angelos Sikelianos (1884-1951).
It overlooks the sea, and it has Cycladic lines that look a bit like a Mykonos or a Santorini house. Its white color makes a lovely contrast with the blue of the sea and the sky.
Sikelianos wrote many exceptional poems, but my favorite is this one:
THE HORSES OF ACHILLES
O Field of Asphodel, two horses
Whinnied and raced along your edge,
Their backs were shining like a wave
As they came surging out of the tide
And tore across the empty sand…
14. Go to Panagia Faneromeni Monastery
Since you are visiting the Sikelianos House, very close lies the beautiful and impressive Holy Monastery of Panagia (Holy Mother), the most important monastery in Salamina Greece.
The idea of its construction first came in 1642 when Lampros Kanellos saw a dream of the Holy Mother asking for a church dedicated to her, which he soon built.
During the Greek Revolutionary War (1821) against the Ottomans, the Monastery monks used their rooms as a hospital and sanctuary for the Greek fighters.
Today, 19 nuns are living there, taking care of the monastery.
15. Explore the Fish Market in Salamina
On the main Akti Karaiskaki Avenue that crosses the Salamina town, you will find the Municipal Fish Market, right by the coast.
Walk through the stalls, check out the catches of the day, and compare freshness, size, and variety. Prices don’t vary much, so it’s more about what looks best to you.
Ask questions, learn what’s local (like anchovies and sardines) vs. farmed or imported, and don’t be shy about asking how to clean or cook your fish — most vendors will even do it for you. Still, it’s handy to know the basics!
If you’re a seafood lover or just want to try something fresh with family or friends, I totally recommend stopping by the fish market — it’s one of those authentic local experiences that really stays with you.
Where is Best to Stay in Salamina
Salamina Town is lively, all year round, as more than half of the Salamina residents live here: The Hakuna Matata Studio Apartment (mid-range, family-friendly), a pretty apartment with a yard.
Selinia village:
Votsalakia Hotel & Luxury Apartments(mid-range) & Blue Hotel (budget).
Aianteio
Aiantio is a seaside settlement 6 kilometers west of the island’s center, named after the legendary King Ajax, the son of Telamon.
The area stands out for its lush vegetation and pine-covered slopes with quite a few many walking trails through the pine trees. Here, you’ll find tavernas, cafes, and beaches, with the most well-known being NATO Beach.
Aianteion Bay Luxury Hotel & Suites & Aias Summer House (mid-range).
Kanakia
A fantastic accommodation in Kanakia is Plaza House, an elegant apartment with modern aesthetics, spacious, with a nice courtyard, a 3-minute walk from the sea (mid-range).
FAQ for Salamina
Can I do Island Hopping from Salamina?
Unfortunately, there is no direct connection between Salamina and the other islands. You have to go back to Piraeus port and take a ferry to get to any of the islands of your interest.
Solo Female Traveller to Greece
Women who travel alone are perfectly safe in Greece, in big cities, or on any of the islands. Traveling around the country is quite easy as Greek people are very friendly and eager to help and reply to any questions from visitors.
Having said that, common sense and gut feeling should always be trusted. If something feels wrong, then it probably is!
How to Get to Salamina from Athens
There are 3 ways to get to Salamina:
1. The most common way is to get to Piraeus in Athens. From Piraeus, you have to get to Perama, which is half an hour’s drive away. The Salamina ferry ride from Perama to Paloukia port takes just 15 minutes. There is no need to purchase your ticket in advance. Boats leave every 15-20 minutes during the day but every 30 minutes at night. Tickets cost €5,90 per car up to 4.5 meters) and €7.20 for longer cars. Motorbikes pay €1.10-€1.55. The ticket for the driver is €0.60, and €1.20 per passenger.
2. ONLY during summer at weekends: Take the small speedboat from Piraeus to Selinia port in Salamina. The trip lasts 35 minutes. There are 3 routes, at 10.00, 12.00, and 15.30
3. Drive to Megara and take the 10-minute ferry to Salamina from Nea Peramos port. There are at least 5 routes every day, but not at night.
How to Get Around Salamina Greece
A car or a scooter is the best way to explore the island. If you need to rent a car in Athens, check out great deals at DiscoverCars.
Where to Stay in Athens
Looking for the Best Hotels and apartments near the Old Athens Plaka and Acropolis Parthenon? Check out all the updated posts for Athens’ best properties:
- Where to Stay in Plaka, Athens’ Old Town (Hotels and Apartments)
- Acropolis View Hotels & Apartments in Athens
- Best Athens Beach Hotels (By the Athens Riviera Coastline)
- Central Apartments in Athens (near the Acropolis)
- Athens Budget Apartments
- Athens Budget Hotels
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Happy and safe travels,
Evgenia
How to Get to Athens Port (Piraeus) from Athens Airport
- Bus: If you are arriving at Athens International Airport you can travel straight to the port by taking the X96 express bus (€5.5, children <6 yo, free entrance), which departs every 40 minutes and the average trip lasts 1 hour – runs 24/7. X93 will take you to Athens center.
- Metro: (€9) is easily found across airport arrivals (blue line – M3) going directly to Piraeus port. The average trip to Piraeus lasts 1 hour.
- Taxis are available in front of the airport (around €45 to Athens, €55 to Piraeus (depending on the traffic in Kifisos), and take up to 3 or 4 people with small luggage)
- Rent a car with Discover Cars for reliable, new cars at affordable prices
- You don’t like driving but love hassle-free solutions? Book a Private transfer with an English-speaking driver from Athens International Airport to Piraeus Ferries, or anywhere else in Greece.
Essential Greek Travel Info
- ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Greek: “Ya sou” and “Efharisto”
- Booking.com: I use Booking.com mostly for Europe.
- All-Inclusive Resorts in Greece
- Rent an Affordable Car in Greece
- Athens Metro Website (timetables and ticket info)
- Trains (Hellenic Train)
- Public Buses KTEL
- Get Your Guide: For all your day or multi-day tours and city guide needs, I use Get Your Guide
- Emergency Numbers Anywhere in Greece: AMBULANCE 166 – FIRE 199 – POLICE 100– EMERGENCY NUMBER 112
I would go here to see the green hiking area and the old olive tree!
Hi Fred, thanks for the comment.
Yes, hiking is especially nice in the area of Kanakia, in a beautiful forested area, with the ancient ruins, the Monastery of Lemons, and of course the nearby beach. The Old Olive Tree is very impressive and definitely worth a visit!
Great information. We’re happy that after painfull, nonsense guides we finally came to your beatiful, detailed descriotion of an island. Thank you for your time and effort of describing every aspect of the trip to the island. We wish you all the Best, Cant wait for more guides.
Dear Joasia,
Thank you so much for your kind comment and for finding my post useful. As I am planning a trip to Salamina soon I will post more about the island’s beaches and best restaurants. Please suybscribe to the newsletter so that you get all the news 🙂 Wish you all the best from Athens!