Embark on a motor yacht charter from Athens, where ancient wonders meet azure seas.
Nestled along the shores of the Aegean Sea, Athens is a mecca for travellers with its rich history, vibrant culture, and captivating landscapes.
From Athens, you can easily sail to the nearby Cyclades, an archipelago of sun-drenched islands renowned for their whitewashed villages, azure waters and ancient wonders, from iconic Santorini to the cosmopolitan energy of Mykonos and the tranquil beauty of Paros.
Alternatively, set a course for the Saronic Islands, where you can explore charming islands like Hydra, Poros, and Aegina, each with its unique character and charm. Wander through the maze of cobblestone streets, marvel at the neoclassical architecture, and indulge in the local cuisine.
Athen's blend of ancient history, natural beauty, and cosmopolitan atmosphere delivers an unforgettable journey through one of the world's most enchanting destinations.
Athens is the perfect starting point for exploring the stunning Greek islands. From the cosmopolitan city, you can easily access the nearby Saronic Islands, the iconic Cyclades, or even as far as the Dodecanese and Ionian island groups.
The waters surrounding Athens and the Greek islands offer excellent sailing conditions, with consistent winds, relatively calm seas, and a multitude of safe harbours and anchorage.
While Athens is a bustling metropolis, a motor yacht charter allows you to escape to the unspoiled natural beauty of the Greek islands, with their pristine beaches, secluded coves, and breathtaking landscapes.
Greece is renowned for its delicious cuisine, and a motor yacht charter from Athens allows you to indulge in the freshest seafood, traditional Greek mezes, and locally sourced ingredients. Dine al fresco on deck while enjoying panoramic views of the Aegean Sea or sample authentic taverna fare in charming seaside villages.
Athens offers modern marinas with state-of-the-art facilities and services for yacht charters. Whether you're looking to charter a sleek sailing yacht or a luxurious motor yacht, you'll find many options to suit your preferences and budget.
The coastline surrounding Athens is dotted with picturesque bays, secluded coves, and sandy beaches, providing the perfect backdrop for a motor yacht charter. Explore hidden gems along the Athenian Riviera or venture further afield to discover remote islands and pristine natural beauty.
Athens is a living museum with world-famous historical landmarks like the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the outstanding Acropolis Museum. Before or after your charter, immerse yourself in the city's incredible cultural heritage.
Visit the iconic Acropolis where, along with panoramic views of the city, you can explore the ancient ruins, including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike.
Embark on a longer journey to the Cyclades, a group of islands known for their iconic whitewashed buildings, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant nightlife. Enjoy the famous windmills of Mykonos, the volcanic landscapes of Santorini, and the traditional villages of Paros and Naxos.
Explore ancient ruins and archaeological sites along Greece's coast. Visit the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Delos, an uninhabited island that was once a major centre of commerce and culture.
Anchor your yacht in the stunning Santorini caldera, a huge mainly submerged volcanic crater, and dip in the crystal-clear waters. The unique geological formations and dramatic cliffs create an unforgettable swimming experience.
Sail to the charming island of Hydra and explore its picturesque harbour, characterized by colourful 18th-century mansions, waterfront cafes, and bustling activity. Enjoy a stroll along the cobblestone streets, visit the Hydra Museum Historical Archives, and admire the island's traditional architecture.
After all that activity, remember to relax and enjoy the luxury of your own yacht. Lounge on deck, soak up the sun and take in the stunning views of the Greek islands as you sail from one destination to another.
Mykonos is renowned for its legendary nightlife, with world-class clubs, bars, and beach parties that attract partygoers from around the globe. Wander through the narrow streets of Mykonos Town, with its whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, and charming boutiques. It also boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the Aegean on which to relax after dancing the night away.
Set sail from Athens and explore the nearby Saronic Gulf, home to picturesque islands such as Aegina, Hydra, Poros, and Spetses. Each island has its unique charm, from the bustling port of Aegina to the car-free streets of Hydra.
When embarking on a motor yacht charter from Athens, timing is everything.
For the ultimate sailing experience, May, June, and September are genuinely the golden moments. During these periods, Greece unveils its charm without the peak season crowds.
The Greek islands also come alive during the summer with a vibrant atmosphere that bustles with life and is hard to beat.
Monthly weather for the area *
| Avg. High Temp | Avg. Low Temp | Avg. Daily Rain (mm) | Avg. Wind Direction | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAN | 15.5°C (60°F) | 5.8°C (43°F) | 1.3mm |  SE |
| FEB | 13.9°C (57°F) | 3.9°C (39°F) | 0.5mm | SSE |
| MAR | 18.3°C (65°F) | 8.1°C (47°F) | 0.7mm | S |
| APR | 20.3°C (69°F) | 10.4°C (51°F) | 0.7mm | SSW |
| MAY | 24.6°C (76°F) | 14.6°C (58°F) | 0.7mm | S |
| JUN | 30.6°C (87°F) | 18.9°C (66°F) | 0.5mm | SE |
| JUL | 36.8°C (98°F) | 23.7°C (75°F) | 0mm | SSE |
| AUG | 34.7°C (94°F) | 23.8°C (75°F) | 0.0mm | S |
| SEP | 30.1°C (86°F) | 19.6°C (67°F) | 0.5mm | S |
| OCT | 26.4°C (80°F) | 15.3°C (59°F) | 0.1mm | SSE |
| NOV | 21.8°C (71°F) | 12.1°C (54°F) | 0.7mm | S |
| DEC | 17.2°C (63°F) | 7.7°C (46°F) | 1.3mm | SSE |
The official language of Greece is Greek with English being widely understood in the tourist areas.
The official currency of Greece is the Euro.
Tipping is a common practice in Greece and very much appreciated for good service, typically you leave 10%.
For luxury and comfort on the water, a motor yacht charter from Athens is hard to beat with many offering a range of activities from water sports to spa treatments to enhance your experience.
Depending on the individual yacht's amenities, you can try out jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks and more. The power of most motor yachts also means you can cover more ground and explore a greater variety of locations. This combination of luxury, freedom and relaxation is what motor yacht charters are all about.
A luxury motor yacht charter from Athens offers custom-designed vessels boasting cutting-edge technology and lavish amenities.
With a wide array of water toys available, the yachts powerful engines and advanced stabilisation systems ensure smooth, swift travel to your chosen destinations.
While onboard, a highly skilled crew, including trained chefs and wellness experts, provide impeccable, personalised service.
A luxury motor yacht charter isn't just a vacation; it's an immersive journey and a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation and tailored luxury.
Motor yachts have powerful engines, so typically offer higher speeds and can cover greater distances than sailing yachts.
Motor yachts generally provide a more stable platform than the average sailing yacht, both while cruising and at anchor.
Motor yachts rely exclusively on engine power, whereas a sailing yacht typically uses wind and sail as their primary source.
While they can cover more range in shorter times than sailing yachts, this means motor yachts consume more fuel which can affect your final costs for the charter.
Motor yachts are less dependent on wind conditions, allowing for more predictable and potentially wide-ranging itineraries and schedules.
The experience on a motor yacht is often more akin to a luxury hotel, with the emphasis on comfort and amenities.
Many motor yachts have a relatively shallow draft or hull depth, allowing them to access areas that deeper-keeled sailing yachts cannot.
Motor yachts often feature more expansive interior spaces and amenities as the design isn't constrained by sailing requirements.
A bareboat charter with Pure Yachting gives you the freedom to create your own itinerary and explore Athens and beyond at your own pace. Tailor your trip to match your preferences, and if you need advice or inspiration our charter experts will always be on hand to suggest areas to explore.
We select our fleet of yachts from trusted operators, chosen by us for the quality of their boats and the fact they offer a high level of service. To charter a yacht you'll typically need a qualification such as the RYA Day Skipper, the AS104 Bareboat Cruising, ICC certification or be able to demonstrate relevant experience.
With a professional skipper at the helm to confidently navigate around Athens and beyond, you’re free to relax and enjoy every moment. The skipper's expertise ensures smooth sailing, allowing you to immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings.
However, if you fancy getting more involved, our fully qualified skippers will be more than happy to show you the basics, or help you brush up your sailing skills.
On skippered charters, there's also the opportunity to add a host or hostess who can prepare meals and help with tasks such as childcare, concierge services and housekeeping.
Crewed yacht charters from Athens come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from sleek superyachts to luxury catamarans, contemporary motor yachts to classic yachts and more, all with crews who are committed to ensuring your comfort, safety and enjoyment.
Each trip offers the opportunity to create a unique journey and our charter experts will guide you through choosing the perfect boat and customising the itinerary to your specification. Whatever your preferences, we take care of all the details, ensuring you and your party have a unique and unforgettable holiday.
Greece is one of the most popular charter destinations in the Mediterranean. Therefore, it is best to book your dream boat in advance, typically six months ahead, to secure your preferred dates in this perfect destination.
You can search for your dream motor yacht via the the link, or if you want one of our charter experts to do the searching for you, click the build your trip link to get them working on creating the perfect trip.
Begin your motor yacht charter adventure by immersing yourself in the cultural riches of the Greek capital.
Athens is a treasure trove of historical landmarks that offer a glimpse into its illustrious past. Start with the Acropolis, home to the iconic Parthenon, and explore the Ancient Agora, featuring the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus and the Stoa of Attalos.
You can also visit the Roman Agora with its Tower of the Winds and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Don’t miss the Theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and a stroll through the Kerameikos cemetery followed by a visit to the National Archaeological Museum, one of Europe's most impressive museums . Finally, see Hadrian's Library and Arch for a comprehensive historical tour.
When it comes to sailing, from Athens you can access either the Cyclades or the Saronic Islands. The latter is closer to Athens and generally more sheltered, with shorter sailing times between islands. Both regions boast a rich history, with the Saronic Gulf being closer to ancient sites like the Temple of Aphaia on Aegina and The Cyclades offers unique historical experiences, such as the ancient ruins on Delos.
Whether you seek relaxation and rejuvenation or adventure and exploration, a motor yacht charter from Athens has something for everyone.
There are typically five main types of boats and yachts you can hire in Greece, which are Sailing Yachts, Catamarans, Motorboats, Gulets and Luxury Yachts (including Superyachts)
If you are doing a bareboat charter, you need to consider if you have the relevant sailing licences. If you are on a skippered or crewed charter, it's good to understand the weather conditions for the trip so you can bring the appropriate clothing and think about which locations you would like to visit so as you can let the skipper know.
For the ultimate sailing experience, May, June, and September are genuinely the golden months, but the summer months are also popular, though the anchorages are busier.
The good news is we spend a lot of time vetting who we work with, so this rarely happens, but if there is a problem, you can contact your charter company or ourselves who will be available to sort out any issues.
The typical times for a yacht charter are either 7 or 14 days, but you can charter boats longer if you wish. Most charters, particularly in high season, start on Saturdays and finish seven days later.
Once you've found your perfect yacht, you will typically pay an upfront deposit fee for holding the boat (these vary from 20% to 50% of the charter fee), and then you will pay the rest one month before departure.
When chartering a yacht from Athens, consider factors such as budget, yacht size and type, along with the crew when relevant to make sure they're a good fit for you and your party.