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If you’ve always dreamed of taking the helm, the first step is earning your sailing certificates. With the right qualifications, you can charter a yacht and sail anywhere in the world. But when it comes to choosing where to start, many beginners wonder: should I book a sailing course in Spain or take lessons in Greece?
A lot of students look at popular options such as a sailing course in Barcelona or sailing in Mallorca, but for the perfect balance of idyllic islands, warm hospitality, and excellent training conditions, sailing in Greece is hard to beat.
So, when it comes to sailing in Greece or Spain, which destination is really the best choice for learning or improving your skills? Let’s break it down.
Sure, Spain has lively terraces and warm, welcoming locals, but when it comes to true hospitality, Greece really stands out. There’s even a word for it: Filoxenia, which literally means “love for a stranger” and is all about a genuine, warm welcome and cherishing human connections.
If you go out for dinner, Greeks will always make you feel welcome and at home. No space? They’ll simply make room! Everyone is invited, even if it means rearranging the entire restaurant just to make you comfortable. This kind of hospitality is unique to Greece: no other country can quite match it.
Glance at a map of Greece and it’s almost dazzling: there are so many islands! It’s a sharp contrast with Spain, where islands are fewer. In Greece, you get to decide: sail just a handful of miles for a quick hop, or stretch it out for a longer trip, and still end up in a brand-new destination every single day. If you choose a sailing course in, say, Barcelona, you often have to cover quite a few miles just to reach an island.
And that variety? Pure gold for sailors. One day you’re dropping anchor in a quiet, idyllic bay, the next you’re stepping ashore in a lively harbour town, or tucking into dinner at a tiny family-run taverna. Watersports, hidden coves, buzzing tourist hubs, untouched gems… the islands may all be different, but they share one thing: you can enjoy yourself to the fullest.
By comparison, on Spain’s islands you’ll often find yourself moored near larger cities, especially around the commercial harbours. Fun for a while, sure, but maybe not what you want every single day. Once you’ve tasted the mix of variety and accessibility that Greece offers, it’s hard to go back.
So if you’re comparing where to learn to sail in Spain vs Greece, Greek islands are closer together and offer a wide variety of conditions and you’ll get more out of every sailing day.
The best way to learn is on the water – and Greece is perfect for that. Even beginners can practice safely with an experienced instructor. From Aegina, our base, you can easily sail into the Saronic Gulf, where there’s usually a steady, pleasant wind, but also sheltered waters that make learning easy.
While Spain and the Mediterranean also have beautiful sailing spots, in Spain you’re often on open waters without shelter. Plus, Greece’s sailing season is slightly longer, stretching all the way from March until the end of November, letting you enjoy more time on the water.
Greek yachts are well-maintained, the harbours are cozy and the locals are welcoming. Most harbours don’t have sanitary facilities, but since you have everything you need on board, that’s actually not a problem. A big advantage is that harbour fees are usually minimal. In Spain, you tend to pay more.
And coming back to the large harbours in Spain: if it’s your first time learning to dock, they can be a bit overwhelming. Greece, on the other hand, offers more space and options, while still providing plenty of challenge! Busy and touristy harbours, in the wind or out of it, in a bay, next to another boat… all these different conditions make Greece the perfect place to practice docking and master all aspects of sailing.
And of course, the biggest advantage over sailing courses in Spain: Aegean Sailing School. You’ll only find it in Greece. Located on the pistachio island of Aegina, this sailing school offers the perfect base for any sailing course – whether you’re a complete beginner who has never set foot on a boat, an experienced sailor aiming to take the next step to skipper, or even a seasoned sailor who wants to teach sailing yourself. There are courses for everyone.
The qualified instructors speak English and are incredibly enthusiastic about guiding you on the water. Days are spent learning the ropes of sailing, with breaks in beautiful bays for swimming and lunch, before continuing to the next stunning Greek island. With your instructor and international classmates, the experience almost feels like a holiday while you’re mastering new skills at sea.
So, what do you think? Does island-hopping through Greece, learning to dock in cozy harbours, and enjoying dinner under the stars sound like your kind of sailing course? If you were considering sailing courses in Barcelona or Mallorca, maybe it’s time to look a little further east. Greece might just be the place where you find your sea legs.
Read what some of our sailing students have to say, explore our course catalogue, and contact us for more information about each course and our availabilities to come and sail in Greece!