Where to Start Your Yacht Charter in Greece: Best Bases Compared

ByJames KURTNI Published on

Where you collect the boat matters more than most first-time charterers expect: it sets your route, your marina costs, how much of the week is spent on long crossings, and how much wind you face. In short, start in the Saronic or Ionian for an easy first week, start in Athens (Lavrio) for the Cyclades, and avoid Santorini and Mykonos as bases for a full week unless you have a reason.

The main bases at a glance

Athens — Alimos: the largest charter marina in Greece, about 30 minutes from the airport. Best for the Saronic Gulf and first-time crews. Fleets are large, so prices are often lower than on the islands.

Athens — Lavrio: positioned for an early start toward the Cyclades. Best when your target is Kea, Kythnos, Syros or Mykonos and you want fewer hours in the Athens traffic.

Lefkas (Ionian): the busiest Ionian base, with a strong inventory of newer catamarans. Preveza is the airport gateway. Best for a gentle, sheltered week.

Corfu (Gouvia) and Kefalonia: northern and southern Ionian alternatives, good for one-way or longer trips.

Kos (Dodecanese): well-maintained fleet, airport about 15 minutes from the marina. Best for the Dodecanese and Turkish-coast-adjacent routes.

Paros: a secondary Cyclades base, useful if you want to skip the Athens crossing.

Mykonos: a very limited fleet, useful mostly for one-way charters or day charters.

Santorini (Vlychada): small, and the caldera itself is not a working charter base. See our Santorini guide.

Which base for which trip?

  • First bareboat week, beginners, families: Alimos (Saronic) or Lefkas (Ionian).
  • Cyclades in June or September: Lavrio or Paros.
  • Cyclades in July or August: consider a skippered charter, or start in the Ionian instead.
  • Big group needing a catamaran: Lefkas or Athens.
  • Dodecanese: Kos.

What it does to your budget

A 45 ft monohull runs roughly €4,500–€7,000 a week across bases in mid-June 2026 on one operator’s numbers, with catamarans two-and-a-half to three times that, and security deposits typically €3,000–€5,000. Starting at a big fleet hub is often cheaper than starting on a famous island. See our cost page.

One-way charters

Many operators allow one-way charters (for example Lefkas to Corfu, or Athens to a Cyclades island), usually with a repositioning fee. Ask before you compare quotes.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to start a charter in Greece?

For most first-timers, Alimos (Athens) or Lefkas. They have the largest fleets and the gentlest sailing.

Is it cheaper to start from Athens?

Usually, compared with starting on Mykonos or Santorini, because fleets are larger and pickup costs lower.

Can I charter from Mykonos for a week?

Yes, but fleets are limited and prices high. Consider Paros or Athens.

Which base has the biggest catamaran choice?

Lefkas and the Athens marinas.

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