Are you looking for the best things to do on Aegina Island in the Argosaronic near Athens Greece? This post on Aegina island is all about the best beaches to swim on and have lunch at the seaside villages. Aegina used to be a powerful city-state in Ancient Greece. Today, there are two important Archaeological sites that you can visit, Kolona near the port and the Sanctuary of Aphaia.
The island is also a huge attraction for religious pilgrims because of one of the biggest Orthodox monasteries in the Balkans, Agios Nektarios. There are 5 more monasteries to discover and dozens of smaller churches and chapels scattered on the island.
If you prefer to hit the beaches, there are some beautiful beaches especially on Aegina’s western side as well as a few gorgeous villages to explore or even better stay overnight!
Some of the Best Things to do on Aegina Island are:
- Stroll Aegina town with the picturesque port and traditional houses
- Go to the impeccable Temple of Aphaia
- Discover the medieval town of Paleochora
- Stroll among ancient olive trees and pay your respect to impressive Monasteries
- Stroll beautiful Perdika village and take the boat to Moni islet with the peacocks!
- Swim on its many beaches with crystal clear waters and taste the freshly caught fish in the nearby tavern!
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What are the Best Things to Do on Aegina Island?
Where Best to Stay on Aegina Island
I always stay either in Aegina town which is very picturesque with traditional alleys and neoclassic buildings. It is also very lively throughout the year, and even so at night, with a long series of cafes, bars, and restaurants on its seafront.
A favorite place to stay in Aegina town is Fistikies Holiday Apartments. Not only is it very close to shops and restaurants but also is far enough to offer restful vacations. Additionally, it has a very nice swimming pool 😀
My second choice in Aegina is the gorgeous, seafront Perdika village at Absolute Perdika Aegina House. A light-colored decorated apartment with sea views in a very quiet area.
Are you looking for more accommodation options? Check out my dedicated post on the best hotels on Aegina here.
Find below the best things to do on Aegina Island:
Enjoy Aegina’s Beaches
Although Aegina beaches may not be as famous as the Assos beach on Kefalonia, however, the water is splendid with a crystal clear texture.
See below a list of the most popular and nicest beaches in Aegina:
A & B Beaches are organized, some spots both sandy and fine pebbled, family-oriented, very popular, and 10 minutes by car or bus southwest from Aegina port. I prefer Marathonas B as it is a smaller beach with fewer people and fine sand.
Fyki Beach Bar is an organized beach in a very beautiful cove, amongst trees, 8 km away from Aegina Port, one of my favorites! Right across there is a fine restaurant bar for meals and cocktails by the water. During high season, the bed and umbrellas cost €20.
Agia Marina, on the east side of Aegina, is a large blue flag awarded beach, sandy, partially organized, with only 2-3 taverns and beach bars. It can be very busy with families since the waters are very shallow and warm.
As I am a lover of peace and quiet and when possible deserted beaches, I have never spent more than 5 minutes here. But if you have kids, they will love Agia Marina.
Klima Beach in the south of Aegina is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. It is sandy with some pebbles, emerald clear waters, and an organized beach with a bar, umbrellas, and sunbeds.
Souvala Beach, known for its rocky thermal waters, has a couple of taverns with fresh fish and is mostly frequented by locals.
Vagia Beach, is in very beautiful nature, sandy with a beach bar on the northeast side of Aegina, that is worth visiting.
Discover the Archaeological Sites on Aegina Island
The Temple of Aphaia, a Doric Style Temple, is one of the best-preserved Greek temples built in the 5th century BCE, close to Agia Marina. The site is open daily from 10.00-17.30.
The ticket is €6 and the entrance to the Archaeological Museum on the site is included.
Info: Other excellent preserved Temples in Greece are the Temple of Epicurius Apollo in Bassae and the Temple of Hephaestus in Ancient Agora in Athens.
The archaeological site of Kolona: At the site, the only thing still standing from the Temple of Apollo, built in the 6th century BC, is a single Doric pillar and the remains of a prehistorical town. The temple is open daily from 10.00-17.30 in summer with a €4 ticket.
The Archaeological Museum is located on the site of Kolona and it houses all the finds from the excavations on the hill of Aegina from the prehistoric ages until the Medieval. The entrance ticket to Kolona includes the Museum as well.
The Temple of Hellanios Zeus. Aegina’s highest mountain is called Ellanio with a height of 532 meters. At its peak, you can hike through a wild landscape to the small 13th-century Byzantine church of Agios Taxiarchis. The church was built on the ruins of an ancient temple to Zeus Hellanios, King of the Olympian Gods and bringer of rain. What remains from the Temple today is the wide staircase, a pair of stone water channels, and a corner of perfectly cut masonry walls of the 4th century BC.
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Explore Paleochora Medieval Village
Paleochora, or the Mystras of Aegina, is an abandoned medieval village, and one of the most popular hiking areas on Aegina island. The village was founded in 896 AD by Aegina citizens as a way of protecting themselves from the constant pirates’ raids. It flourished until 1537 when notorious pirate Barbarossa destroyed and burnt everything in the village but the churches, which stand still today.
Every Byzantine church is dedicated to a different saint whose name can be found on a plate outside the church. There was a rumor that Paleochora used to have 365 stone churches – one for each day! – but in reality, there were just 50, and today only 33 of them are still standing.
Paleochora is a hill right across from the Monastery of Agios Nektarios with free entrance. I would avoid visiting this uphill and dry area in the warm hours during summer. And if you go put on light hiking shoes, bring plenty of water with you, salty snacks, and a UPF sun protection hat.
Visit the Religious Sites on Aegina
Aegina Monastery of Agios Nektarios
Saint Nektarios is a world-famous Monastery and one of the greatest Greek Orthodox Monasteries in the Balkans, just 6 km from the port. KTEL buses run every day to the Monastery.
In walking distance, you can also find Paleochora and the Monasteries of Saint Gerasimos and Saint Catherine.
Dress Code Tip: Please avoid short skirts or shorts and prefer longer skirts that cover your knees and shoulders if you are a female, and wear a shirt and long trousers (pants) if you are a male. Agios Nektarios would provide you with a skirt to cover up if you do not have one with you.
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Walk around the Ancient Elaionas
You can find the ancient Elaionas (olive grove) area in Aegina only 2 km away from beach Marathon B at the valley on the feet of Oros Mt. The age of some of the older ones is estimated at up to 1500 years (totally amazing!).
Besides the large olive trees, you will also find the chapels of Agia Kyriaki, Agios Georgios, and Agia Triada with the old tank. Nearby are the watering troughs carved into the black stone, and further a large covered Byzantine tank in which the rainwater was collected.
Hike Aegina’s Trails
Aegina covers an area of 85 square kilometers most of which have a volcanic origin. Aegina’s terrain consists of low hills, some of them covered by pine forests. The highest Mt is Ellanio or Oros, with an altitude of 532 meters, mostly covered in shrubs and other low plants.
The Paths of Culture in Aegina are signposted trails, that pass from beautiful and unspoiled areas of Aegina as well as historical places. Here you can find an informative leaflet of all 8 trails that can be downloaded here.
Tour of Ellanios Mt: Distance 8.8 km, circular, moderate difficulty. The trail starts from Anitsaio village. Anitsaio is one of the most remote villages, untouched by tourism. On top of Ellanio, there is the small, picturesque church of Profitis Ilias, with endless sea views of Moni & Agistri islands. There is no public transport in the area so you better rent a car for the more remote area in Aegina.
Sfentouri – Eleonas: Distance 3 km, total vertical climb 40 m. Sfentouri is in the south of Aegina, a picturesque village that will remind you of a Cycladic island. Don’t forget to visit the old windmill in the village.
Chrysoleontissa (Monastery): Distance: 6 km, circular, easy/moderate, total vertical climb 190 m. It has some steep uphill offering great sea views and is just 2 km away from Saint Nektarios Monastery.
Perdika Village
Perdika is the most beautiful village in Aegina!
It is a small fishing village with a stretch of sandy beach and a larger rocky, clear-water beach, great for those who like diving and rock exploring.
It has quite a few fish taverns and is a bit of a cosmopolitan place as yachts often make a stop at the pretty place.
One of the best things to do is stroll its picturesque alleys where you will experience the old, authentic Aegina.
From here you can take the small boats that go to the islet Moni.
Great place to stay in Perdika: Absolute Perdika Aegina House!
Discover Moni Island
To get to the small island Moni across Aegina you can take the small boats departing from the port of Perdika every half hour and within 15 minutes you are in a real paradise. There is an organized beach bar with sunbeds and umbrellas and a choice of drinks and food.
The Moni island is mostly inhabited by peacocks – that wander around the beach and the sunbeds looking for food from tourists – and wild goats. The beautiful small island is great for nature wandering, discovering remote beaches, and swimming in its fantastically turquoise clean waters. I believe it has by far the most beautiful waters in the Saronic Gulf.
Taste World Famous Fystiki (pistachio)
Aegina Island is famous for its abundance of PDO-awarded pistachios, and apricot fields. The Aegina pistachio is a different variety from the more common types found in supermarkets and is classed as one of the best in the world. Look out for pistachio ice cream in Aegina’s oldest and most famous pastry shop, Aiakeon on the main port street: their pistachio ice cream is slightly salted with caramelized nuts and you can add bitter chocolate.
Every September Aegina municipality organizes The Aegina Fistiki Fest, one of the biggest and very popular commercial festivals in Greece. From sampling pistachio to indulging in local gastronomy and traditional dancing, the Festival has it all.
What else can I visit on Aegina Island?
- Markellos Tower, built in 1802, is a historical salmon-pink Venetian fortification that was later used as a headquarters during the Greek Revolution of 1821. It can be found in Aegina town
- Historical and Folklore Museum of Aegina
- Aegina Lighthouse of Bouzas, a km away from Aegina port, is great for watching the sunset
- The Christos Kapralos Museum was once the workshop of the famous Greek sculptor and now hosts pieces of his work. Located in the Plakakia district of Aegina Town, it is close to the home of the famous Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis.
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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 Ceramics Class – learn the magic of this art, be inspired & create!
- Aegina – Walking Tour At Paleochora
Best Taverns on Aegina Island
It comes as no surprise that you need to try the local pistachios and all their variations (cakes, biscuits, with honey). If you like fish and seafood, try some local fish only found in Saronic islands, and the handmade cheese and spinach pies. Accompany your dishes with the local wine varieties, Roditis and Savvatiano!
Some of the best taverns and restaurants around Aegina are:
- Ammos Tavern, in Marathonas Beach, Mediterranean & seafood cuisine
- Thymari Restaurant, in Agia Marina beach, Mediterranean & seafood cuisine
- Pita Tom for Souvlaki in Agia Marina
- Stratigos Tavern, in Aegina town for great Greek traditional food
FAQ on Aegina Sightseeing
- Is Aegina worth visiting? Absolutely! Athenians pop to Aegina all the time because they love the ouzo shops (so do I !) by the Aegina waterfront and the fish mezedes (tapas). It is an island very close to Athens and offers so many things to do and see that often the plans for a day trip change into a 2 or 3-day trip.
- What is Aegina known for? Aegina island is known as a great city-state and maritime power of ancient Greece, and often an opponent of Athens. Another reason for being known is that just like Athens (Owl coins) and Corinth, Aegina created the first silver coins also known as “Greek Turtles”. The coins were found all over Greece as well as in Persia, Egypt, and South Italy. You can see them in the Aegina Museum and the Athens Numismatic Museum (a great museum if you have the time, do visit, even for a coffee at its beautiful large garden).
- What does Aegina mean? Aegina was the name of a nymph who was kidnapped by Zeus and took her to an uninhabited island. She gave birth to a son, Aiakos, who asked his father Zeus to turn the ants into humans because it was very lonely on the island. Zeus did so, and the Myrmidon tribe was created. I am also sure that there is a more historical explanation for its name, but I do like the mythological version.
- Why is Aegina so popular? Aegina is so popular because you can visit a beautiful Greek island in an hour from Athens and spend a great full day or do island hopping and visit Agistri, Poros, Methana, Hydra or Spetses islands!
How to Get Around Aegina
Aegina is the second biggest island in the Saronic Gulf, right after Salamina Greece. There are public buses on Aegina that you can pick up from the port but I always get around a new area with a rental car as it offers the freedom to explore an area at my own pace.
Road Taxis: The taxi square is located outside the port. Call a Radio taxi to pick you up should you need one at +30 22970 22200 or +30 22970 22635
Water Taxis: The water taxis transfer you from one beach to another or any other place you would like to visit, a fun way to travel on any Greek island. Book one at +30 6944535659 or +30 6974084184, or +30 6937867785 or +30 6972229720
There are also horse carriages which I am not happy to suggest at all. The last time I was there in summer, the poor horses close to the port were anxious, striking their hooves and they looked thirsty and exhausted. Please do not support this kind of business.
Solo Female Travel to Aegina
Women who travel alone are perfectly safe in Aegina, or any other Greek island or large city. Traveling around Greece is quite easy as Greek people are very friendly and eager to help and reply to any questions from visitors.
What to Wear in Aegina
This, apparently, depends on the season you are visiting but anytime between May and October, essential things to have in Greece are:
- comfortable walking shoes as Greece is mountainous and archaeological sites with their marble floors can be slippery
- organic sunscreen to apply as often as possible
- UPF sun hat for all day out
- white linen shirt to cover up if you get very easily sunburned. I wear a linen shirt when I hike in Greece during the summer
- a CUPSHE Bikini for impressive beach appearances
- cotton beach towel
- and a beautiful dress for dining out
When is Best to Go to Aegina?
The warm months in Greece are between April and October. The pretty hot and busy months are July and August. The best time for hiking is anytime during the year except for July and August – unless you wake up early in the morning or hike in the evening.
How to get to Aegina
Ferry Boats depart daily from E8 Gate in Piraeus port and reach the main port of Aegina in about 1 hour and 10′. The ferries from Piraeus also go to Souvala and Agia marina ports. You can choose between the larger vessels that can carry passengers, cars, and motorbikes and much faster Flying Dolphins which carry only passengers and no vehicles.
Aegina is connected with ferries to Agistri, Poros, Methana, Hydra, and Spetses. Check FerryScanner or FerryHopper for ferry timetables and ports.
Aegina Map
Get your interactive map of Aegina here, to drive to any of the places listed on our things to do in Aegina.
Useful Info/tel for Aegina Island
- Ambulance +302297020100 & https://aeginahospital.gr
- Police +30 2297022100
- Port +30 2297025734
- Municipality +30 2297320011
- There are plenty of ATMs and banks on Aegina, so getting cash out should be no problem at all. On top of this, most shops/ restaurants accept all major credit cards so you will not have any problem with purchasing items or your food.
Athens Quick Reference
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.
- 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 €40 to Athens, €55-60 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 to rent 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
- Check out an entire post on Lavrio Port in Athens
Did you visit Aegina Island? Let me know what you think about visiting Aegina in the comments, I’d love to hear whether I managed to get it onto your bucket list! Till next time, Evgenia❤️
Plan Your Next Trip to Greece With These Resources
- Greece Packing List – What to pack for a 10-day trip to Greece
- Mamma Mia Greece Locations – All the mainland and island shooting areas in Greece
- Salamina Island – So close to Athens, so unknown to the mass tourism
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Essential Travel to Greece Info
- ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Greek: “Ya sou” and “Efharisto”
- Booking.com: I use Booking.com because I can get the best deals on both hotels and apartments, free cancellations, and great prices!
- Find Long-Term Rentals in Greece: You will find the best prices in Flatio
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- Get Your Guide: For all your day or multi-day tours and city guide needs, I use Get Your Guide
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Fred
Interesting to hear about Aegina from someone who’s been there. The history is really interesting. I read that they got the silver for their coins from the mines on Sifnos. I did the hike to them one time.
Evgenia Mataragka
Yes, it does have a lot of historical sites to visit. You are absolutely right, Sifnos was a very rich island back in the 6th c BC, had a lot of gold and silver mining going on and a good amount of the produce went to Aegina and Poros islands. Thanks for the comment!