Aegean islands

Since 2021, a team of researchers from the Swiss School of Archeology in Greece and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and the Islands has been exploring the top of Mount Hellanion, the highest peak on Aegina island, as well as the entire Saronic Gulf. A sanctuary dedicated to Zeus previously stood where the Analipsi Chapel stands today, overlooking the gulf.

Year after year, the pressure increases. On the one hand, there is the explosive growth of tourism, followed by an increase in consumption; on the other, there is drought. The small Aegean islands are preparing for the start of the tourist season with their reservoirs empty, their boreholes pumping brackish water, and an increasing dependence on desalination.

Small, renovated and special accommodation complexes, also known as boutique hotels, are performing even better than large luxury hotels in terms of the growth rate of their occupancy.

Friday's stormy weather will continue on Saturday across almost all of Greece, the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) has announced.

EMY said rainfall across most parts of the mainland, as well as the central and southwestern Aegean islands, can be expected .

Several Cyclades islands are among the most popular destinations in Greece. They are also running out of water.

It's not just the increased consumption that the crowds of visitors bring. The islands are going through a period of drought. 

A rapid drop in temperature, frost, gusty winds and snow, even in low-altitude areas, bring the wave of bad weather that has been hitting most parts of the country since Sunday and is expected to peak Monday and Tuesday.

Waves batter the port of Rafina in Attica. Ferries remained tied up at the ports of Piraeus, Rafina, and Lavrio on Sunday and Monday due to gale-force winds reaching up to 9 Beaufort in some places. Hydrofoils that service the Argo-Saronic Gulf islands (Salamina, Aegina, Hydra, Poros and Spetses) were also prohibited from sailing.

Passengers on Apollon Hellas ferry faced disruption on Thursday after the ship suffered an engine failure before its departure from the port of Piraeus. 

The ferry, operated by Saronic Ferries, was schedule to travel to the island of Aegina, near Athens, early this morning. It has 130 passengers, 35 cars, 13 trucks and six two-wheelers on board.

With low temperatures on Wednesday, a new cold spell will peak on Saturday without many extreme phenomena, according to meteorologists.

The Explorers - Friends of Cultural and Hiking Excursions have planned a three-day trip to the Saronic island of Aegina, starting from and ending at the port of Piraeus, to change the year in an adventurous spirit.