Travel guide to Aegina

There’s no shortage of things to do on Aegina; the island is alive! In summer, tourism is, of course, the mainstay of the local economy. The numerous beaches, small ports, sporting activities, restaurants, and cultural sites are just some of the reasons to discover this island. However, Aegina also thrives off-season, thanks to fishing and pistachio cultivation. What to see and do in Aegina? Don’t miss must-sees such as the Temple of Aphea Athena, the port city of Aegina, and the chapels of Paleochora… And don’t forget to try the pistachio specialties; pistachio butter is a real treat! For more information, read our article below : our Aegina travel guide.

1 – Towns and villages to see in Aegina

The port of Aegina

The port of Aegina is a must-see on the island. This city’s heyday was during the Neoclassical period (1820), when it became the capital of the newly independent Greek state. Many buildings date from this period, including the house of Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias.

It’s a great place to wander around, because in addition to the architecture, you can also do a bit of shopping: pistachio vendors (fresh or dried, salted or plain), souvenir stores, craft shops and fashion boutiques. Don’t hesitate to try the specialities – I personally love pistachio butter!

Last but not least, you’ll be tempted (or not) by a horse-drawn carriage ride .

A word of advice: take a trip to VOINOS, a wine cellar run by a Frenchwoman, Najoua. It offers organic wines from small French and Greek vineyards. Address: VOINOS – Pileos 14 – Aegina

The surprising village of Paleochora

The village of Paleohora, literally “the old town”, dates back to Byzantine times and is located in the heart of the island, with an incredible panorama. This village was home to over 300 churches and a castle. Today, 70 churches remain, but only around 30 are open to visitors. Some of them feature beautiful paintings and icons. An easy and enjoyable walk for children. They love to enter small, more or less abandoned chapels in search of the remains of icons.

2 – Aegina, an island rich in cultural sites

The temple of Aphea Athena

The temple of Aphïa Athéna, superbly preserved and dating from 500 B.C. Together with the Parthenon and the temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion, it forms an equilateral triangle, known as the sacred triangle. A lovely visit to make, the temple is really very beautiful and really lets you imagine it in ancient times.

Admission is €6 (full price), €3 concessions, and free for Europeans under 25. Opening times vary. More info on the official website.

Apollo’s sanctuary

The sanctuary of Apollo, located near the port of Aegina, retains only one column, hence its other name, Kolona. It also houses the island’s archaeological museum. The site itself is no more than a collection of remains, but its small museum is interesting. What’s more, you’ll have a superb view from Cap Kolona. Full price €4, reduced €2, free for Europeans under 25 (info on Odysseus culture).

Agios Nektarios Monastery of Aegina

The monastery of Saint Nektarios is an important place for processions. Its adjoining church is truly impressive in its size. It was built in the 20th century on the ruins of an ancient Byzantine monastery. The gigantic Orthodox church is open to the public. If you wish to visit the monastery, you’ll need appropriate clothing (arms and legs covered).

3 – The beaches of Aegina

Visiting Aegina also means exploring its many beaches. We recommend three that we particularly liked:

Marathonas

The beach is actually divided into two parts. Located between Aegina and Perdika, this beach is ideal for families. The water is warm and very shallow. This means the children can walk dozens of metres. The beach is also lined with trees, tavernas and bars. There’s little room to put your towel down, so opt for a deckchair in one of the many bars. It’s usually free if you consume.

Our advice: go to Christian, who runs the tavern Ammos with his feet in the water. Christian takes care of the service (100% adorable and efficient), while his Greek wife cooks and treats you. She creates authentic, local cuisine to perfection, with varied, seasonal dishes of the day. Don’t miss the shrimp saganaki and eggplant salad. We even dedicated an article to them.

Aghia Marina

Nestled in a picturesque bay, the beach is marred by unfinished constructions, detracting from its natural beauty. Along the shoreline, sandy stretches transition into rocky areas where visitors can set up camp and access the sea, albeit with some difficulty. Despite these drawbacks, the beach exudes a vibrant seaside atmosphere, complete with inflatable boats, parasols, and sun cream. Numerous tavernas line the beach, offering opportunities to savor a coffee or indulge in a meal..

Perdika

It’s a pretty fishing village bordered by rocky beaches. But beware of sea urchins and anemones, and it’s best to be equipped with shoes for the water. As elsewhere, numerous fish taverns line the waterfront. Nice atmosphere in the evening, sunset on Moni islet.

4 – Other activities to discover Aegina

Boat trips from Aegina

• Islet Moni: accessible from Perdika, shuttles run 2 or 3 times an hour for 6 euros round trip. This takes you to the wooded part of the island. You can choose to stay close to the pier, where you’ll find deckchairs (20 euros a day for 2) and access to a beach bar. Alternatively, you can walk a little further to reach smaller, less crowded coves. The pine forest is a pleasant place to stroll and shelter from the sun.
• Epidaurus From Aegina, you’ll find agencies offering excursions to Epidaurus. Disembark at the friendly little port, and then take the road to the ancient site.
• Agistri, a small island off the coast of Aegina. It’s easy to cover on foot, by bike (it’s quite a climb) or even on a scooter. You can also tour the area by boat, discovering beautiful coves accessible only from the sea.

Boat trips from Athens

Many companies offer boat trips from Athens to the islands of Aegina, Poros and Agistri (sometimes also Hydra). GetYourGuide offers some of these at reasonable prices. We haven’t tested them yet, so take a good look at the reviews before choosing. We have had good feedback on this this excursion from Athens to Aegina, Moni and Agistri . It has the added advantage of being cancelable and refundable.

Alternatively, you can opt for a 1 or 2 week sailing or catamaran cruise with Click&Boat, sailing with or without a skipper, departing from Athens. An opportunity to discover the Saronic Gulf and its islands.

Other sports activities

• Hiking: The island is criss-crossed by numerous trails. On the following link, you’ll find a number of walks ranging from 40 minutes to 5 hours to discover Egine in a different way.
• Water sports Kayaking, diving, sailing. Information is available at Egine or directly on the beaches concerned.

Find travel agencies offering activities and excursions on the Aegina tourist office website.

Practical tips for Aegina: getting there, where to stay…

How to get there, how to get around… For full details, see our article Egine in practice.

As far as accommodation is concerned, you can consult our selection of the best accommodation in Aegina as well as our advice on where to stay in this article. If you’re looking for a hotel, an apartment or a house or any other type of rental, take a look at Booking– there’s plenty to choose from!

Finally, to book your crossing, go to FerryHopper, which offers crossings at the same price as in port, with no hidden charges.

Alternatively, you can also book your ferry to Aegina from Get Your Guide.

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We hope you appreciate our travel guide to Aegina.

Feel free to browse our various articles on the island of Aegina:

• Aegina, the simplicity of a Greek island close to Athens
• Where to sleep in Aegina
• The Aegina pistachio and its benefits
• The Ammos restaurant, a must in Aegina

Sophie B.