T

he Saronic Islands are six (at least the inhabited ones) and located in the Saronic Gulf off the Greek mainland – under Attica and next to Peloponnese

Aegina is one of the larger islands and is situated only about 25 kilometers outside Athens. If you take the big ferry that also has space for cars, the trip takes just over an hour from Piraeus while you can take also the so-called “flying dolphin” boats which can only take passengers but are much faster. Then you arrive on Aegina in just half an hour. It is probably because of this proximity to Athens that many athenians have summer houses on Aegina and the island is one of the few Greek islands with tourism all year round.

The island is mountainous and over 80 km² large. As I said, Aegina may be one of the larger islands in the area but you can easily drive around the island in only one day. The capital is called Aegina or Aegina town and is located on the west coast of the island. When going by boat to Aegina, you can choose either Aegina city port or Agia Marina’s port (fewer departures to that port). The former has become bigger and much more modern in recent years and if you ask me it is Aegina town you want to live in as a visitor. That’s where everything happens! The small church of Agios Nicholaos and the neoclassical buildings on the boardwalk welcome those who come to Aegina by boat. Here is everything you may need and everything you like to do in one place: tavernas, restaurants, bars, cafes, pedestrian streets with shops, beaches and more. The best way to get to know Aegina town and all it has to offer though is to walk around in all the small alleys on foot. Another tip is that you should try eating at one of the fish taverns on the back streets for a real experience!

Every September, Aegina’s annual Pistachio Festival is also held here. The island is one of Greece’s if not Europe’s largest pistachio producers and celebrates it with a four-day Festival where Aegina town is filled with kiosks where producers of pistachios but also other local products (eg honey, goat cheese and liqueurs) can show off their produce. During these days, the Festival also offers concerts, theater performances and other fun activities for young and old.

The town of Aegina, but also the whole island, has a long history, which many old buildings stand as evidence of. Aegina town was actually Greece’s first capital between 1827 to 1829!

The town of Aegina also has a lot to offer for those of you who love history and archeology. Before the boat even reaches the harbor, you are met by the impressive Apollo Temple or Kolona which was built about 500 years BC. and is still standing stately at an altitude only a five minute walk from the harbor. There you can also find an Archaeological Museum.

On the island of Aegina there are also many other attractions such as:

The Temple of Afaia, which is located within a shrine complex dedicated to the goddess Afaia about 20 minutes and 13 km from Aegina town towards the town of Agia Marina. The temple is located on an approximately 160 meter high and leafy peak surrounded by pine trees on the eastern part of the island and was also built around 500 BC. It is worth a visit both due to the stately temple but also due to the amazing view you have from here. On a clear day, it is said that one can see both the Acropolis cliff with the Parthenon Temple and the Poseidon Temple in Sounio from the Afaia Temple. It is said that these three temples created a sacred ancient triangle.

Aegina’s Archaeological Museum, which was the first museum to open in Greece in 1828 after the Greek Revolution in 1821. The museum is open year-round and from morning to afternoon. It has very nice collections both from the Temple of Afaia and other places on the island and Greece.

The Aghios Nektarios Monastery, which is a very large monastery and is located on the road that takes one to Agia Marina from Aegina town, in the center of the island about 6 km from Aegina town.

The Markelos tower in Aegina town’s center. A fine and very special old tower that was built around the beginning of the 19th century which in 1826 was used as a base for the then government that emerged just after the Greek Revolution. The red and high tower is easy to find and is surrounded by a small park which in summer often becomes an exhibition space for artists. Also nearby is Aegina town’s open summer cinema!

Besides Aegina town, I recommend that you who visit the island also take a trip to the smaller “towns” of Agia Marina and Perdika. Both are located by the sea, but Agia Marina is more of a tourist resort (here many charter travelers come during the high season of tourism) with everything that means while Perdika is more of a fishing village – small and quiet with cozy little tavernas.

In Agia Marina there is a very nice sandy beach which can however be quite full of people during the summer months.

A nice beach for a swim is also found in Marathonas, a sea side village very close to Aegina town. There are plenty of beach bars there serving drinks, food and ice cream! Here you can stay all day if you want.

So, where should you stay if you visit this fine island? There are many nice hotels both in Aegina town (and don’t think we’re talking about a big metropolis, this is a typical small island town) and a little outside of it within walking distance. I have two favorite hotels that I want to share with you.

Rastoni Guest House, located about 7 minutes walking distance from Aegina town’s promenade, is a very nice hotel with about ten rooms and a private parking. All rooms, which are spacious and very nice, look out onto a lovely garden with all kinds of plants that thrive in the Mediterranean climate. Out here under the shade of the trees you can also have your breakfast or just relax. The owner and staff are very nice and helpful and you really feel at home at Rastoni Guest House. Look it up!

Aphrodite Art Hotel, located on a back street at the height of the harbor, about 5 minutes walk from Aegina town’s main pedestrian zone, is a newly renovated family hotel that offers fantastic rooms at a great price. The hotel is on a quiet back street and has a nice little courtyard where a simple but good breakfast is served every day.

If you are planning to bring home something from Aegina, bring your pistachios. The Aegina pistachios are said to be the best in the whole of Greece, producing 2,700 tonnes each year. There are several different permanent stands on the boardwalk that offer everything you can think of pistachio nuts – ice cream, butter, jam, crusts – yes anything you can possibly think of.

All in all, this wonderful island is a little gem. Aegina is so close to Athens that you can take a full-day excursion here without having to sleep on the island but still see the most important things and even catch up on sun and bath time. But I recommend that you stay here for at least a couple of days to take in everything this island has to offer.