Methana
Peloponnese, Greece
Vibrant and volcanic, Methana is located in the northeastern Peloponnese, 160 km from Athens. The peninsula of Methana is known for its thermal baths, beautiful beaches, archeological sites, and unique morphology.
On Ferryhopper, you can find useful information about holidays in Methana, beaches and sights, as well as ferry schedules. Discover all available routes in the Saronic Gulf and book your ferry tickets online!
The picturesque port of Methana
Vacation in Methana
Methana is often thought to be an island in the Saronic Gulf, but it's actually a peninsula in the Peloponnese and a perfect starting point for a volcanic vacation in Greece!
Methana is a destination of great natural beauty, rich in archeological monuments and sights. Due to the peninsula’s volcano, Methana is part of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, along with the Cycladic volcanoes of Milos, Santorini and Nisyros.
It's an ideal year-round destination for relaxing, low-budget holidays close to Athens with plenty of things to do and see!
How to get to Methana
You can easily reach Methana by ferry from the port of Piraeus, or by car from mainland Greece.
The ferry to Methana takes about 1.5-2 hours. The ride from Athens to Methana is approximately 2.5 hours.
What to do in Methana
One of the reasons to visit Methana is its thermal springs! Due to the volcanic activity of the area, Methana has one of the oldest and most famous hot springs in Greece.
There are countless outdoor activities to explore here, as the peninsula is decorated with gorgeous beaches and hiking paths full of lush greenery!
Methana is a must-visit destination where you will enjoy the sea and recharge your batteries in a beautiful setting. After all, it has been included in The New York Times’ list of the top places to visit in 2023!
Serene waters at the hot springs of Methana, perfect for relaxation
Beaches in Methana
Along the coastline of the Methana peninsula, you can find mesmerizing beaches with crystal-clear blue waters.
Some of our favorite beaches in Methana are:
- Agioi Anargyroi: it’s a large beach with sand, fine pebbles and clear blue waters. It has umbrellas, sunbeds and water sports facilities.
- Akti Karastamati: here, we have a quiet and small beach near the thermal springs, suitable for relaxing moments by the sea. The beach is sandy and surrounded by dense vegetation.
- Limnionas: this is the largest and most popular beach in the area. It has an impressive charming natural landscape and turquoise waters, perfect for diving and snorkeling. It also has umbrellas and a beach bar.
- Foflaka: it’s a secluded beach with large dark pebbles and crystal clear waters. It has no facilities, so make sure you have the essentials with you.
- Agios Georgios: located near the village of Agios Georgios, it's one of the best beaches for families with children, as it's sandy with shallow waters and restaurants close by.
- Agios Nikolaos: this beach is known for its impressive volcanic stones and it's an ideal choice away from the crowds.
- Moucha: it’s a small beach with pebbles, crystal clear waters and dense vegetation. It has no facilities and it's perfect for quieter moments by the sea.
- Vathi: here, we have another quiet beach in Methana, located near a residential area and the coastal road.
- Paleokastro: this is a secluded beach with no facilities on the side of Epidaurus Gulf. It is surrounded by trees and it has crystal waters and pebbles.
Sightseeing and activities in Methana
The municipality of Trizinia, to which Methana belongs, is full of archeological sites that are worth visiting during your vacation.
In just 1 hour from Methana by car, you can reach the famous ancient theater of Epidaurus: an impressive theater that still stages beautiful performances!
Some of the most impressive monuments and attractions in Methana and the surrounding area are:
- The Archaeological site of the Asclepieion of Epidaurus
- The Acropolis of Ancient Methana
- The Archaeological site of Mycenae
- The ancient port of Methana
- The volcano in Kameni Chora
- The waterfalls at Diavologefiro (Devil's bridge)
The volcanic landscapes of Methana in combination with the area's dense vegetation make it a great destination for hiking.
The impressive ancient theater of Epidaurus, close to Methana
Nightlife in Methana
Methana is an island that promises relaxing days and nights that bring you closer to nature. There are several all-day cafe bars in the port and the coastal villages of Vathy and Agios Nikolaos where you can enjoy your drink with a lovely view of the Gulf.
Food in Methana
In Methana, the food is fresh, delicious and value for money. Thanks to the numerous almond trees scattered throughout the peninsula, there are plenty of almond sweets to try out!
We recommend eating in some of the area's fish taverns and trying the local seafood recipes, as well as fresh fish. Alternatively, you can find plenty of pure plant-based delicacies that cater to all tastes!
Villages in Methana
The port of Methana is also the main town (Chora) in the peninsula, located on the southeast coast. The area is also home to some beautiful, picturesque villages, most of them on the coast.
We recommend visiting the following villages in Methana:
- Vathy
- Agios Nikolaos
- Agioi Theodoroi
- Kounoupitsa
- Kameni Chora
- Megalochori
The distances between some villages may be long but rather rewarding, introducing you to amazing hiking paths, views and scenic architectural highlights!
Useful information for Methana
The center of Methana is its port, where you can find all the essential facilities for your stay, such as ATMs, a gas station, a supermarket, restaurants, pharmacies, and a medical clinic.
In terms of accommodation in Methana, you can find rooms and hotels mostly in the port area, as well as in the villages of Megalochori and Agios Georgios.
Important phone numbers for your stay in Methana
Below, you can find some useful phone numbers for your stay in Methana:
- Methana Port Authority: +302298092279
- Methana police: +302298092370
- Methana medical clinic:+302298092222
- Citizen Services of Methana: +302298093131
- Taxi services Methana: +302298092497
Transportation in Methana
The easiest way to move around Methana is by your vehicle, so we recommend bringing along your car or moto on the ferry or driving directly there.
Regarding nearby areas, there are regional buses (KTEL Argolidas) serving daily routes from/to Galatas, Epidaurus, Nafplio, and Argos.
Ports in Methana
Methana has one main port and a few smaller harbors across its tranquil coast.
The port of Methana which serves ferries from Athens and other islands in the Saronic Gulf is located on the southeast side of the peninsula.
The marina in the port of Methana, with the island of Poros in the background
Island hopping from Methana
Methana is one of the shortest ways to travel to the diverse Saronic Islands from mainland Greece.
In less than 30 minutes, you can get by ferry to Poros, and from there you can also visit Hydra or Spetses.
The trip from Methana to the neighboring islands of Aegina and Agistri is about 35-45 minutes.
Tip: to better organize your ferry excursion across the Argosaronic Gulf, head over to our interactive Map of ferries and plan the trip of your dreams hassle-free!
Methana ferry: schedules and tickets
There are regular ferry crossings from Athens to Methana year-round, usually with a stopover in Aegina. Specifically, you can find 1-3 weekly ferries to Methana from Piraeus, usually at the end of the week, operated by Blue Star Ferries and Saronic Ferries.
The duration of the Piraeus - Methana ferry trip is approximately 1.5-2 hours, depending on the operator you’ve chosen. Conventional ferries to Methana also have garage spaces that carry vehicles. This way, you can easily explore the peninsula at your leisure.
Where to book ferry tickets to Methana online
On Ferryhopper, you can book cheap ferry tickets to Methana at no extra cost! Find schedules in real-time, compare ferry ticket prices and plan your ideal holidays in the Saronic Gulf!
Methana ferry timetable
View the complete ferry schedule from and to Methana for the upcoming week. Find up-to-date trip information, including departure and arrival dates and times, ferry operators and ticket prices.