The beloved island of the Saronic Gulf harbors hidden charms worth discovering in every season.
It is the first capital of modern Greece, the grande dame of the Argosaronic, the homeland of the world-famous pistachio and a beloved haven for many artists. Just an hour from Athens, Aegina holds beauties worth discovering even after summer - from ancient temples to picturesque fishing villages and a pine-forested hinterland ideal for hiking. It is an island for everyone and for every season.
Stroll around the town of Aegina
At the entrance to the harbor the little white chapel of St. Nicholas welcomes the visitor. The harbor’s colorful neoclassical buildings, the carriages, jasmine-scented courtyards, shops selling ultra-fresh pistachios, traditional caiques and the unique«floating» greengrocers create a nostalgic setting with something of an old Greek film. A stroll through the alleys reveals splendid neoclassical mansions and imposing public buildings from the era of Kapodistrias. Your gaze will be drawn to the Venetian Markellos Tower, built in 1802 and today occasionally hosting exhibitions and cultural events. Do not miss the fish market to taste ultra-fresh seafood meze with ouzo. A short distance from the harbor, you will encounter the Archaeological Site of Kolona. From what was once the island’s religious and political center, today among other things a single column survives, a remnant of the Doric Temple of Apollo that dominated the hill. There you will also find the Archaeological Museum of Aegina, which was founded in 1829 by Ioannis Kapodistrias.
Must-see sights
Temple of Aphaia
It stands imposing in a unique location, atop a hill, among pines, on the road that leads to Agia Marina, magnetizing thousands of visitors every year with its unique energy. The Temple of Aphaia dates to 500 BC, is preserved in good condition for the most part and is considered a masterpiece of Archaic architecture. It is even said that Iktinos and Kallikrates drew on this temple model in order to design the Parthenon later. Even if ancient sites do not interest you, it is definitely worth coming here to enjoy the magical sea view. If the atmosphere is clear, you can discern the Acropolis and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. They say the three temples form an imaginary isosceles triangle (the sacred triangle of antiquity).
Paleochora
Perched on a pine-covered hill opposite the church of Saint Nektarios, lies the island’s medieval capital, the «island Mystras», as they call it. It was built around AD 896 and served as the inhabitants’ refuge from pirates. It is said that once there were 365 little chapels, as many as the days of the year. Paleochora is a unique opportunity for ascent and hiking. Walk among the stone chapels to reach the top and enjoy the impressive view.
Monastery of Saint Nektarios
It is one of the most important pilgrimages of Orthodoxy, with crowds of faithful visiting every year. The Monastery of Saint Nektarios, the island’s patron saint, is located near the village of Kondos, 6 km from the town of Aegina. It is a women’s monastery, home to 14 nuns. The monastery celebrates 9 November (Dormition of Saint Nektarios) and 3 September (translation of relics).
Excursion to Perdika
At a distance of 10 km from the port of Aegina, lies the island’s most picturesque fishing village, Perdika.The narrow picturesque lanes and whitewashed houses with flower-filled courtyards create a charming scene, while the fish tavernas and the ouzeris offer tasty pleasures at the water’s edge. It is also worth visiting Perdika for coffee or a drink at sunset. We suggest taking a stroll to the tip of the peninsula, toward the church of Agios Sostis, to gaze at the blue.
A little more summer
The Klima beach (or Kleidi) is for many the most distinctive on Aegina. To get there you will take the road toward the fishing village of Perdika and at the junction before Perdika you will turn left toward Sfendouri. Then you will turn right and after a few kilometers you will find yourself before a beautiful bay with sand, pebbles and transparent waters. The beach is organized, with sunbeds, umbrellas and a canteen. Organized beaches can be found in Agia Marina,the Marathonas and theAeginitissa. For an even more special experience, you can visit the islet of Moni, opposite Perdika. It is a small paradise with deep-blue, almost turquoise, beaches, with pines tumbling down to the shoreline. The only... permanent residents of the island are the peacocks, the deer and the wild goats that live there freely. They are accustomed to people and so you can be photographed with them.
