13 Best Bars in The Saronic Gulf Islands, Greece

The ever-popular Avli, which goes from café-bistro by day to bar (playing Latin rhythms) by night, serves delicious appetizers in a small courtyard, crowned by an impressively tall palm tree. Free Wi-Fi is available.

Tiny, cozy, and cute, Votsalo is a great meeting point for breakfast (it serves excellent artisanal coffee), but is equally popular after sunset, when you can order dreamy cocktails and listen to cool acid jazz tunes.  Whatever the time of day, you'll be well looked after here.

On the ground floor of an early-19th-century whitewashed mansion and spilling out onto the cobble Tombazi street, Amalour attracts youthful crowds who sip expertly made and reasonably priced cocktails (especially the exquisite daiquiris), socializing and dancing to ethnic, jazz, soul, and funk music.

Tucked into the coastal rocks just below the Hydroneta bar, Spilia provides a nice escape from the midday sun and is a popular nocturnal haunt, too. The view toward the port is impressive and the deck chairs are comfortable. The steps down to the refreshing sea are especially inviting on hot summer days, which means you can end up spending a whole day here without realizing it, enjoying coffee, nibbles, and then drinks.

This bar in a redesigned Neoclassical building stands out for its romantic surroundings. Sip one of the imaginative cocktails, with names like Oki Monkey and Inferno, while sitting at a candlelit table right by the water. Things get more lively later in the evening, as this is one of the happening places on the island. During the day they serve thoughtfully put together brunches and snacks.

Enjoy coffees, brunch, and snacks under large white umbrellas during the sunlit hours on a lovely seashore terrace overlooking Spetses Town.  As the sun sets, the music rises and flavorful cocktails go down a little too easily. The service is as good as the views and the bar food will satisfy most food cravings.

Fyki beach bar is actually located on nearby Aeginitissa beach. The cocktails are inspired by internationally renowned mixologist Dimitris Papaioannou; his delightful creations light up with the sunset and more often then not the party gets going on this lovely little beach.

The minuscule Hydroneta bar-restaurant has an enchanting view from its perch above the harbor. Embraced by rocks and surrounded by water, it is jam-packed during the day, and it is the place to enjoy a glass of chilled beer or fruity long drink at sunset. Hydroneta's trademark events are its "Full Moon" parties, fun-filled affairs under Hydra's starlit skies.

On the outskirts of Aegina Town, this multilevel venue draws an early crowd with its sunset seafront cocktails and chill-out music, before notching up the music to a beach-party tempo.

Spetses's take on the gastropub serves tasty grub that can be washed down by one (or more) of the many cool craft beers sourced from microbreweries throughout Greece. The sunset views from the roof garden, overlooking the sea, are magical. Like many bars, this spot serves a lovely morning coffee and a decent breakfast.

In Perdika, Muzik Café Bar is popular with the yachting crowd, who appreciate the food and relaxed atmosphere, as well as the great music and cocktails (try the lemon mojito) served until late at night.

There's a scattering of tables and chairs on the busy P. Irioti street at the entrance of this hip bar. But most of the action takes place indoors where vintage posters adorn the walls, guest DJs ply their trade, and locals and travelers, drink in hand, mingle and dance the night away, all under the cute but sassy glance of Betty Boop.

The island's all-time-classic hangout, where Kostas likes to play music from the 1960s and '70s. It's a perfect choice for a predinner drink (bar opens at 8 pm) or a stiff night-cap.