ATHENS, Greece – Just like the Philippines, Greece has a lot of islands, and it can be hard to decide where to go.

The capital of Athens is the main international gateway to the Greek islands. The most popular of these are Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete, which are accessible by plane or ferry.

Each island has its unique allure, from picturesque seascapes to good food. But if you only have a few days to spend in Greece, it’s best to go on a cruise to three Saronic islands.

Hydra, Poros, and Aegina are popular destinations for island hopping among both tourists and locals. These three islands can be explored in just one day, with cruises running daily from Athens.

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Hydra (pronounced as “eed-ra”) is the most beautiful of the three, primarily because it remains blissfully free of vehicles. Its cobblestone streets are only traversed by humans and donkeys and there are no big hotels, making the island feel stuck in a time warp.

Poros has a lively waterfront adorned with shops and cozy cafes, while pistachio is king in the tranquil island of Aegina (pronounced as “ey-gina”).

Here are some photos from the Greek islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina, which ABS-CBN News visited as part of a media tour organized by the budget airline Scoot.

The departure point of the cruise is Kallithea, a municipality in south Athens. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

We boarded the Evermore Cruises ship at 8 a.m., with Hydra – the farthest of the three islands – as our first stop. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

Three hours later, we reached the charming island of Hydra. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

Homemade ice cream is a must-try in Hydra. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

Cars are not allowed in Hydra, only donkeys and boats. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

Those who wish to travel Hydra without walking can hire a water taxi. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

One of the many Instagram-worthy spots in Hydra. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

One of the many Instagram-worthy spots in Hydra. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

Dine with a view at this restaurant in Hydra. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

A cannon points to the sea at Hydra. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

We left Hydra at 12:55 p.m. to head to the second island, Poros. We were welcomed by this restaurant after our one-hour trip. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

Poros looks similar to Hydra, but the tourism infrastructure here is well-developed. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

Poros has a lot of small cafes, most of them serving waffles. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

This chalkboard in front of a restaurant shows it caters mainly to local visitors with its colorful Greek letters. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

After a 50-minute stop at Poros, we departed for Aegina, the largest and most populated of the three islands. The trip took a little over an hour. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

Aegina is best known for its pistachios, which are said to be among the best in the world. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

Different products with pistachios are on display at one of the many shops in Aegina. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

A cat takes a nap beside a basket of slippers in Aegina. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News

The island of Aegina, just like Hydra and Poros, is best explored on foot. Karen Flores, ABS-CBN News