Aegina is a great choice if you’re looking for a beautiful island to visit near Athens. It has plenty to offer, from a charming main town and impressive ancient ruins to quiet villages and lovely beaches.
As a native Greek, I’ve been to the island many times—most recently in April 2026—so I know the different areas well.
The only major decision left is figuring out where to stay in Aegina. To help you plan your trip, I have broken down the best villages to base yourself in, a few highly recommended hotels, and how to pick the right spot for your vacation.
This post includes links that may be affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see my disclaimer/privacy policy for more information.
Where to Stay in Aegina at a Glance
| Ferry Duration | 40 mins (high-speed hydrofoil) to 1 hour 15 mins (conventional ferry) |
| Best Beaches | Agia Marina (organized), Moni Islet (wild), Marathonas (sandy & family-friendly) |
| Best Historical Site | Temple of Aphaia (5th-century BCE) |
| Best Village | Perdika (for authentic fishing-village charm & waterfront taverns) |
| Recommended Stay | 2–3 days (perfect for a mix of sightseeing, hiking, and beach relaxation) |
| Main Aegina Villages | * Aegina Town: The lively main port hub packed with history, shops, and cafes. * Perdika: A quiet, scenic fishing village with Cycladic-style alleys. * Agia Marina: A popular resort spot featuring a long, family-friendly sandy beach. * Souvala: A relaxed northern port village loved by locals for its thermal waters. |
The Best Areas to Stay in Aegina
Before diving into the best hotels in Aegina, let’s introduce you to the town and villages of the island.
Aegina Town
The largest and most central place to stay is the Aegina main town and port. The small town is a traditional settlement, with colorful neoclassic buildings, small alleys, and blue domes of the churches.
While the seaside part of Aegina around the port is full of taverns, bars, and cafes, always busy and lively, the inner part of the town is quiet.
The more you walk in the opposite direction of the sea, the more residential it looks.
The best spot for seafood is the fish market taverns, where you will be served the day’s catch in a traditional setting.
Aegina town is perfect if you are staying for only one night on the island.
You’ll find plenty to do right in the main town. For instance, you can easily walk to both the Markellos Tower and the Kolona archaeological site, which overlooks a great beach.
I Recommend These Hotels in Aegina Town:
Kalokenti Studios is surrounded by a beautiful, well-maintained garden, near the center of Aegina town, and offers lovely views of the Temple of Apollo and the sea.
Nikolaou Art Residence is a gorgeous seafront property with stone-built rooms, a huge garden with numerous trees, and direct beach access.
Perdika Village
Perdika is easily the prettiest village on Aegina Island. It sits about 9 km (~5.5 miles) south of the main port, literally at the very end of the coastal road.
The location is perfect, with beautiful views of the open sea and the tiny island of Moni right across the way. If you want to head over to Moni, you can easily hop on a small water taxi right from Perdika’s charming little harbor.
Think narrow, picturesque backstreets with colourful houses.
You have both sandy and rocky beaches to choose from here, and the seafront taverns are a major local hotspot, famous for serving up some of the freshest fish on the island.
Just keep in mind that because it retains that old-school charm, it might be a bit too quiet if you’re looking for a more vibrant nightlife scene.
I Recommend These Hotels in Perdika:
Almyra Seaside has beautiful views of Perdika and magical sunsets right from the terrace. Best of all, if you want to take a dip, the water is just a few steps away.
LaLiBay Resort & Spa, a 5-star hotel, is easily one of the top hotels in Aegina, Greece. It is very close to Perdika village in a picturesque small settlement called Aiginitissa.
Agia Marina
If you want a spot right next to popular, fully set-up beaches, this is one of the best places to stay in Aegina.
Agia Marina sits 14 km (~8.7 miles) east of the main port and stands out as the most family-friendly and developed resort area on the island.
It has the largest sandy beach around, which is a massive hit if you’re traveling with kids.
Between the shallow blue waters, water sports, comfy sunbeds, beach bars, and great local taverns, you’re pretty much guaranteed a fun, easy beach day.
Plus, it has a fun evening vibe with a handful of cocktail bars, small clubs, and nice sunsets.
I Recommend These Hotels in Agia Marina:
The Delfini hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the Agia Marina ferry port and a total gem. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the quiet, plant-filled terrace is a perfect spot for the delicious breakfast served each morning.
Apollo Resort is a beautifully decorated hotel right on the water in Agia Marina with direct beach access. You can kick back by the pool, hang out on the sun terrace, or relax in the lush garden.
Souvala
Souvala is the second largest port on Aegina, sitting about 10 km (~6.2 miles) northwest of the main town with a direct daily ferry from Piraeus.
It’s easily one of the most peaceful villages on the island, totally free of any loud, flashy vibes. You’ll mostly run into local Greek families here who love its low-key, relaxed character.
It makes a great base for your trip because you’re close to some of Aegina’s coolest sights, like the Temple of Aphaia, Agios Nektarios Monastery, and the medieval ruins of Paleochora.
For dinner, you have a great selection of local fish taverns right by the water.
Plus, if you want to soak in hot, thermal underground springs—or if you just need to soothe some sore joints and muscles—you can check out the ancient natural springs right on Loutra beach.
I Recommend These Hotels in Souvala:
Vrachokipos is one of the best mid-range hotels in Aegina, set on top of a rocky hill with a gorgeous sea view in Souvala.
Aethrio Guesthouse (Ξενώνας Αίθριο) Right by the Souvala port and just 10 minutes from the main town, Aethrio offers a highly recommended stay with super friendly staff, comfy rooms, and a delicious breakfast.
Staying in Aegina: FAQs
Is it Better to stay in Aegina Town or a Small Village?
It really just depends on what kind of vibe you’re after.
If you want lots of dining options, a lively nightlife scene, and plenty of energy, Aegina Town is your best bet.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to slow down, mix with the locals, and just have a low-key, relaxing vacation, you’ll probably prefer sticking to one of the smaller villages.
Is Aegina worth visiting?
Absolutely. It gives you an authentic taste of Greek island life without the crazy prices or massive crowds of places like Mykonos.
Plus, it’s only a 40-minute ferry ride from Athens, making it the perfect quick escape for great seafood, cool history, and relaxing beaches.
How many days do you need there?
A day trip from Athens is totally doable if you just want to see the main town and the ancient Temple of Aphaia.
But staying 2 to 3 days is the sweet spot if you want to actually slow down, explore different villages like Perdika, hit the beaches, and take a boat over to Moni Island.
Do you need to rent a car?
Not necessarily, but it helps. The island has a pretty reliable local bus network that connects Aegina Town to major spots like Agia Marina, Aphaia Temple and Souvala.
That said, renting a scooter, ATV, or car for a day gives you total freedom to explore the hidden coves and inland sites on your own schedule.
Are the beaches sandy or rocky?
You get a mix of both! If you want long stretches of soft sand and shallow water, Agia Marina and Marathonas are your best bets.
If you prefer jumping off sun-baked rocks into crystal-clear water, you’ll love the rocky coves around Perdika and the northern coast.
When is Best to Go to Aegina
How to Get to Aegina?
Getting to Aegina is super easy. Ferry boats head out every day from Gate E8 at the Piraeus port in Athens, and you’ll land at the main port of Aegina in about an hour and ten minutes.
Depending on your schedule, you can also catch ferries from Piraeus that drop you straight off at the Souvala or Agia Marina ports.
You have two main choices for the ride:
Regular Ferries: Bigger, steadier boats that carry passengers, cars, and scooters. Perfect if you’re bringing a vehicle or just want a relaxed cruise on the deck.
Flying Dolphins: High-speed hydrofoils that get you there much faster. Just keep in mind they are passenger-only, so no cars allowed.
If you feel like island hopping later, Aegina also has direct ferry connections to neighboring spots like Agistri, Poros, Methana, Hydra, and Spetses.
Are there Good Hiking Trails on Aegina?
Yes, Aegina is actually a great spot for hiking. You’ll find a bunch of scenic trails all over the island, especially around Mount Oros.
The hike up the mountain gives you incredible, panoramic views of the entire island and the surrounding sea.
There are also great trails that weave through old, abandoned stone villages like Paleochora (which feels like a mini-Mystras) and paths that take you through ancient olive groves with trees that are hundreds of years old.
What is the local specialty food on Aegina?
The absolute number one thing Aegina is famous for is its pistachios. They are widely considered some of the best in the world, and you’ll find them in pretty much everything on the island.
Here is what you should definitely try while you’re there:
Pistachio Everything: You can grab them roasted and salted by the bagful at the port kiosks, but local shops also make pistachio butter, pistachio pesto, ice cream, and traditional sweets like baklava and pasteli (honey-and-nut bars) using the local harvest.
Katsoula: This is a small, pinkish fish that is pretty unique to the waters around Aegina. Local taverns usually fry it up whole, and it has a really sweet, delicate flavor.
Geremezi: A soft, creamy, and slightly salty local white cheese. You’ll find it served in local salads or spread on crusty bread at the taverns.
Fresh Seafood: Since it’s a fishing island, the seafood is top-tier. Hit up the taverns right behind the fish market in Aegina Town for grilled octopus, sun-dried sardines, or tiganosoupa (a traditional fish soup).
What are the Best Guided Tours in Aegina?
I have discovered some unique tours that I believe you will immensely enjoy on Aegina. Check them out and book the one best for you!
Organic Pistachio Orchard Tour (with snacks!)
From Athens: Aegina Island guided tour in a day
Aegina – Walking Tour At Paleochora
Where to Next?
If you’re planning to turn your trip into a bigger adventure, you can easily hop over to neighboring Saronic Islands like Poros, Hydra, or Spetses.
For a complete bird’s-eye view of all the different archipelagos, check out our master guide to the Greek Islands to start mapping out your route!
How to get to Athens Port (Piraeus) from Athens Airport
- Bus: If you are arriving at Athens International Airport you can travel straight to the port by taking the X96 express bus (€5.5, children <6 yo, free entrance), which departs every 40 minutes and the average trip lasts 1 hour – runs 24/7. X93 will take you to Athens center.
- Metro: (€9) is easily found across airport arrivals (blue line – M3) going directly to Piraeus port. The average trip to Piraeus lasts 1 hour.
- Taxis are available in front of the airport (around €45 to Athens, €55 to Piraeus (depending on the traffic in Kifisos), and take up to 3 or 4 people with small luggage)
- Rent a car with Discover Cars for reliable, new cars at affordable prices
- You don’t like driving but love hassle-free solutions? Book a Private transfer with an English-speaking driver from Athens International Airport to Piraeus Ferries, or anywhere else in Greece.
Plan Your Trip to Greece
- The Best Things to Do on Aegina Island
- Greece Packing List – What to pack for a 10-day trip to Greece
- First Time to Greece – Most Important FAQ
- Athens Hotels Near the Acropolis
Essential Travel Info for Greece
- ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Greek: “Ya sou” and “Efharisto”
- Booking.com: I use Booking.com mostly for Europe.
- All-Inclusive Resorts in Greece
- Rent an Affordable Car in Greece
- Athens Metro Website (timetables and ticket info)
- Trains (Hellenic Train)
- Public Buses KTEL
- Get Your Guide: For all your day or multi-day tours and city guide needs, I use Get Your Guide
- Emergency Numbers Anywhere in Greece: AMBULANCE 166 – FIRE 199 – POLICE 100– EMERGENCY NUMBER 112
