Salamis
About Salamis
Shis is the largest and the most densely populated one from all the islands in the Saronic Gulf and the closest to Athens. The island is covered with pine and has beautiful beaches along its south coast. Leaving Perama in Attica in a quarter of an hour you can find yourself at Paloukia and from there you can go wherever you want by car. You can also approach Salamis on small boats from Piraeus and by ferry from Perama (Megara) to Faneromeni.
Salamis is known as the island of Ajax (Aias), Homer's hero who lead the Salaminians during the Trojan War. It is, however, best known for the world famous sea battle which took place in its straits between the Athenian fleet and the Persians in 480 BC.
Xerxes, king of the Persians, set up his throne on Mt Aegaleo, on the mainland looking down on the island, in order to watch the battle, sure that he Athenians would give way before his vastly superior forces.