Aegina Island
Aegina is a small island 16.5 nautical miles (75’ with the ferry) away from Piraeus, the Port of Athens. Located in the Saronic Gulf, Aegina island remains a “hidden gem”, close to Greece’s capital city. The unique ambience of the island, the crystal waters and the close proximity, make it an ideal tourist destination that attracts the elit of the tourism every year, even as a weekend destination.
The Argo Saronic Gulf Islands
Aegina, Agistri, Poros, Hydra, and Spetses and Salamina, the islands of the Argosaronic Gulf allow their visitors to create a memorable experience including views of beautiful land & seascapes, impressive archaeological sites, museums, stately homes, picturesque villages and wonderful beaches.
Aegina Island: Historic importance and Mythology
According to Greek myths, Aegina was named under a Nymph – the daughter of the river Asopos God – whom Zeus fell in love with and took with him to the island!
From 1827 until 1829 Aegina town was the temporary capital of the newly founded State of Greece. It was this period when the Greek Governor I. Kapodistrias had built the neoclassical mansions to set up his headquarters, which are regarded to be a worth visiting site.
Discover Aegina, enjoy like a local
Even though the island is small, except for its unique natural beauty, its history is visible everywhere. Aegina’s most important site is the Aphaia Temple, dating from 500 BC, dedicated to the Goddess of wisdom Athena. The town is characterized by the well-preserved neoclassical buildings and summer villas of the previous decades. At the same time, we meet different building styles -covering the following eras- that contribute to a peaceful architectural journey to the past, and the modernism of the 1960’s, with a highlight of this period, the house of Pikionis, the Greek famous architect.
Outside the capital, small villages, with a charming, traditional island character, are here to host the visitors of the island. The most famous of them are Agia Marina, Perdika, Souvala, Kypseli, Agii and Vagia. Aegina island is surrounded by small islets including Moni, Metopi, Diaportia, Lagouses, Kyra, Dorousa, Spalathonisi, Anonyma that you can visit by boat from the port of Aegina, all included in the yachting industry as top destinations close to Athens.
The unique must-try local food is pistachios, for which the island is especially proud. They practically are the island’s most famous protected designation of origin (P.D.O.) product, with their first prototyped cultivation on the island by the Peroglou family.
When in Aegina
In the town of Aegina you should definitely visit:
- Archaeological Museum of Kolona
- Markellos Tower Kapodistrias Orphanage
- Eunardeio
- Cathedral of Aegina
Ancient monuments and Monasteries:
- The Temple of Aphaia Athena
- The Sanctuary of Apollo Delphinius, Kolona
- Palaiochora, Agia Marina
- Saint Nektarios Monastery
Famous Beaches:
- Perdika
- Souvala
- Agia Marina
- Marathonas
- Vagia