Salamina
The Battle of Salamis viewpoint, Faneromeni monastery, Kanakia beach and the old capital.
Salamina (ancient Salamis) is where the Greek fleet destroyed the Persian armada in 480 BC — arguably the most consequential naval battle in Western history. Today it's a quiet island of 39,000 residents just 20 minutes by ferry from Piraeus, a popular weekend escape for Athenians who come for the seafood tavernas, the small sandy beaches and the Faneromeni monastery. Not a tourist destination in the conventional sense — a genuine working Greek island close to the capital.
Good for
- History-minded visitors who want to stand where the 480 BC battle was fought, 20 minutes from Piraeus
- Athenians and travellers after a cheap, easy seafood-taverna day out
- Anyone curious about a real working Greek island with no tourist veneer
Maybe skip if
- If you're looking for a classic island holiday — Salamina is a suburb-island, not a resort
- If you want clear-water Cycladic beaches; the swimming here is modest
Getting there
No airport. Closest island to Athens — frequent shuttle ferry from Perama (Athens west suburb), ~10 minutes, €1–2. More working community than holiday destination.
Read full route
Tip: Useful for half-day escapes from Athens — not a typical island holiday spot.
When to Visit
Salamis is technically an island but functions as an Athenian suburb — 10-minute ferry from Perama, mostly visited for the historical battle site (480 BC) and the Faneromeni monastery. Beaches are cheap-and-cheerful Athenian-weekender beaches. Locals live there year-round.
1-day itinerary for Salamina
Day 1: Faneromeni & the Battle Site
- 09:30 · Paloukia Ferry Port
Arrive by ferry from Perama (10 minutes). The crossing itself passes through the narrow strait where the battle was fought. Rent a car at the port — the island is larger than it looks. - 10:00 · Battle of Salamis Viewpoint
Look out from the ferry port across the strait to Piraeus — this is where the 480 BC battle was fought. Xerxes watched from the mainland as his fleet was destroyed. A monument marks the viewpoint. - 11:30 · Faneromeni Monastery
17th-century monastery on a pine-covered hill on the west coast — the most important religious site on the island. The interior frescoes cover every surface. Beautiful setting overlooking the sea. - 13:30 · Lunch — Eantio Tavernas
Eantio, the main town on the west coast, has the best fish tavernas on the island. Athenians drive here at weekends for the lunch. Very reasonable prices. - 15:00 · Kanakia Beach
The best organised beach on Salamina — sandy, shallow, family-friendly, with good facilities on the southwest coast. The sunset here is excellent. - 18:00 · Paloukia — Departure
Ferry back to Perama for the bus or metro to Athens. Ferries run every 10-15 minutes throughout the day and evening.
Top beaches of Salamina
Kanakia Beach
The best organised beach on Salamina — sandy, shallow and well-equipped on the southwest coast. Popular with Athenian weekend day-trippers. The sunset over the Saronic is a good reason to stay late.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 400 m
- Depth
- Shallow — safe for children
- Wind protection
- Southwest-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm in summer, exposed only to rare S/SW winds
- Facilities
- Good: sunbeds, beach bar, tavernas, parking.
Peristeria Beach
A smaller, quieter beach on the west coast — sandy and calm, with fewer visitors than Kanakia. Good alternative when Kanakia is crowded on summer weekends.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 300 m
- Depth
- Shallow — calm
- Wind protection
- West-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm most summer days, sometimes choppy on rare westerly winds
- Facilities
- Basic: small taverna, some sunbeds. Quieter than Kanakia.