Aegina

The island of Aegina is, among the islands of the Saronic Gulf, the largest, and also the most fertile. It is a quiet and very relaxing island, just an hour by ferry from Athens.
Aegina is an island full of greenery, known for the large production of colored pistachios of which it is the first producer in Greece. It also produces different types of agricultural products of the highest quality such as figs, almonds, grapes and olives. The olive oil produced here is very pure and of high quality. Fishing is one of the main occupations of the inhabitants of the island.
With its small fishing villages and beautiful beaches, it becomes very popular as a weekend destination.
According to Greek mythology, the name of the island derives from the nymph Aegina, daughter of the river god Asopus, seduced by Zeus and taken to the island of Aegina, at the time called Oenone. There was born Aecus, the first king of the island and grandfather of the famous Trojan hero Achilles. Aecus named the island Aegina, in honor of his mother.
The island was inhabited in the Neolithic period. Later the Minoans came to the island followed by the Achaeans and the Dorians. From the middle of the second millennium BC. C. the island of Aegina began to develop its trade and at the same time acquired a strong naval power. His ships transported the products of the island, especially ceramics, to the Cyclades, Crete and above all Greece.
During the sixth century BC. C. reached the peak of its power when, being independent, it became the first city in Greece to mint silver coins representing the symbol of the island, the turtle. Although Aegina was a rival of Athens, she aided the Athenians in their victory against the Persian fleet at the naval Battle of Salamis.
The island then made an important contribution to the fight against the Turks in 1821, and became the site of the first Greek government under Kapodistria.
The architecture of the island is not typical of the Greek islands, usually associated with cubic houses painted in white with blue windows and doors. Its architecture, especially in the capital, is mostly composed of splendid neoclassical houses, painted in bright colors such as yellow, pink or ochre.
Regular buses connect Aegina Town to Agia Marina, passing the Monastery of St. Nektarios, Paleohora and the Temple of Aphaia. Several regular buses serve Souvala and Perdika. Near the port there are also several carriages with horses, one of the most typical and fascinating features of the island, which go around the city. This traditional means of transport is still used today purely for tourist reasons and is usually active from spring to autumn.

It is very easy to reach the island of Aegina as it is well connected with the port of Piraeus, especially during the summer period, when more than ten ferries operate from the main port of the island and from the ports of Agia Marina and Souvala. The duration of the journey is one hour and a half.
Three daily ferries depart from the port of the capital and connect the island to Methana (40 minutes) and Poros (1.5 hours), while two daily ferries connect it to Hydra (2 hours) and one to Spetses (3 hours).
Hydrofoils depart every hour from the port of the capital to the port of Piraeus (35 minutes), while two daily hydrofoils connect the island to Poros (40 minutes) and Methana (20 minutes).

Aegina Monastery

There are wonderful places to visit on the island.
Perdika
It is a picturesque seaside village located in the southern part of the island, 10 km southeast of Aegina Town. The village was built on a hill, with a fantastic view of the blue waters of the sea and the small island of Moni, covered with dense and rich vegetation. In summer, boat trips connect Perdika to Moni Island.

Ayia Marina
It is a tourist resort and as such it is well organized and offers many facilities. It is located 12km east of Aegina Town and becomes very popular in the summer. The nightlife of Agia Marina is very active and in stark contrast to the quiet and tranquility that characterizes the village during the day.

Paleochora
It is located near the temple of Aphaia, 7 km east of Aegina Town. Paleochora was the capital of the island until the 19th century. Currently the village is no longer inhabited. It was gradually abandoned when the current capital of the island began to be inhabited.

Moni islet
It is a small island located in front of the village of Perdika. During the summer, boat trips are organized between Perdika and Moni. The islet offers many pretty and peaceful beaches and is not inhabited. The only inhabitants of the island are some animals in particular deer, goats brought from Crete and falcons. There is also no drinking water on the island.

Temple of Zeus
It is located on Mount Ellanion, the highest mountain on the island. According to mythology, in a period of severe drought the oracle of Delphi told Aiakos, son of Zeus and king of Aegina, that he should beg his father to bring the rainfall back to the island. The pleas were heard and Aiakos built the temple to honor Zeus. The temple today is located in an area known as "Sfirixtres".

Kolona
Ancient Acropolis, is located on the left side of the port of Aegina Town. The name derives from the only column that remains today.

The Capital of Aegina Island
Aegina City
It is located on the western side of the island and in addition to being the capital it is also the main port. Its long history, pretty harbor and picturesque nature attract many tourists. The whole city is an explosion of colour, accentuated by the colored pistachio sold everywhere. It is a charming small town, with beautiful neoclassical buildings of different bright colours, narrow streets, quaint cafés, pretty squares and a harbor where small colorful fishing boats moor. North of the harbour, just behind the small church, is the only remaining column of an ancient temple dedicated to Apollo. It was the ancient acropolis of the island, built on a low hill. The place takes the name of Kolona (column). Across town is the neoclassical house where Nikos Kazantzakis wrote the famous novel Zorbas the Greek.

To be seen
Saint Nektarios Monastery
It was built in 1904 by the saint himself, Saint Nektarios, an Orthodox bishop and educator of the early 20th century. The saint was recognized as having a great ability to perform miracles. Saint Nektarios lived in this monastery from 1908 to 1920. Today the Monastery, located 6 km from the center of Aegina Town, is considered an important Greek religious centre. Inside there are two small chapels which currently house the tomb and the holy relics of the saint. His cell, which was his home, is located behind the two chapels and is open to the public.

Hrysoleondissa convent
Built in the 16th century, it is accessible by a path starting from the Monastery of St. Nektarios. The convent is located in a very suggestive place, surrounded by mountains, and offers a splendid view of the island.

St. Nikolaos Church
It is located near the port of the capital. It is a large church with a round dome. St. Nikolaos is considered the patron saint of sailors.

Church of Panagia Faneromeni
It is a 15-minute walk from the capital. It is a beautiful underground church which houses a rare and precious icon of the Virgin Mary. According to local legend, a building was to be built on the site of the current church, but the architect, the night before the work began, had a vision that told him that he should dig instead of build. The following day the architect started digging and discovered the small church and the beautiful icon inside. To visit the church, contact the tourist office of the capital.

Omorphs Ekklisia
Omorfi Ekklisia literally means Beautiful Church, and in fact the small church, a 10-minute walk from the port, is a small jewel, dating back to the 13th century, with rare and precious frescoes.

Temple of Apollo
It is also known as Kolona due to the only single column that currently exists. The Temple dates back to the 6th century BC. C. Built in the Doric architectural style, it is thought to have eleven columns at the sides and six columns at the ends. It is located a short distance from the port and is one of the first things you see upon arrival at the port. There is an exit from the Archaeological Museum that leads directly to the remains of the temple.

Temple of Athena
Discovered in the 18th century, it was built around 420 BC. C. on the remains of a previous temple. It is located on top of a rock 13 km from the port. The peculiarity of the Temple of Athena is that together with the temple of Poseidon, Sounion and the Acropolis of Athens it forms an isosceles triangle. The maritime prosperity of Aegina during the 6th and 5th centuries explains the beautiful construction of the Temple which is also one of the architectural marvels of antiquity. Twenty-five of the thirty-two Doric columns are still clearly visible, thanks also to the work of the restorers.

Museums
Archaeological Museum
Founded in 1829 it was the first museum established in the modern Greek state.
The museum is housed in a building built in 1980 near Kolona. It exhibits a collection of artefacts from various temples, a statue from the Temple of Apollo and Neolithic vases.
The Museum is open daily from 08.30 to 15.00.
Ticket price: €3 (reduced €2).
For more information: +30 22970 22248

Christos Kapralos Museum
It is located near Plakakia, near the house of Nikos Kazantzakis. It used to be the famous sculptor's workshop and currently houses his works which mainly tell about the everyday life of his village, his friends and family, wars and peace. Christos Kapralos represented Greece at the Venice Biennale in 1962 and participated in the São Paulo Biennale, Brazil, in 1975. The sculptor died in 1993 in Athens. Some of his works are currently found in various museums in the United States and in private collections.
The Museum is open from June to October every day except Monday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 20:00; from November to May on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00.
Ticket price: €2
For more information: +39 22970 22001 / 53667

Folklore Museum
It is located in the center of the capital and exhibits rare manuscripts, maps, collectible books, traditional costumes and many other items. Cultural events are organized in the museum courtyard.

Aegina

Beaches
The sandy beaches found in the resort towns of Aegina offer sun loungers and various water sports facilities, while secluded beaches offer soft sand and crystal clear waters.

Souvala beach
It is located 9 km northeast of Aegina Town. It is a wonderful beach, well known, made up of sand, pebbles and crystal clear waters and attracts many tourists every year.

Marathon beach
It is a beautiful secluded beach just 5km southeast of Aegina Town. It usually never gets overly crowded. Here you can hire sun loungers and parasols. For the more adventurous, the beach offers various activities such as snorkelling and diving, equipment for which is also available for hire. Since the beach is close to the seaside resort, there are numerous taverns with traditional and fish-based dishes.

Spiaggia di Agia Marina
It is one of the best known and favorite summer destinations for both Greeks and tourists. It has a rather wide sandy beach, it is well organized with the possibility of water sports and the sea waters are not very deep.

Fun
This island full of greenery and charm offers a pleasant nightlife that becomes intense during the weekend, when the Athenians come to the island. There are two open-air cinemas in the capital. Aegina Town also offers a wide choice of music. The tourist resort of Agia Marina is full of bars and discos and some of them offer really comfortable environments and the entertainment lasts until late at night.
Religious events are very important and are celebrated with great devotion. The feast of Saint Nektarios is one of the most important religious celebrations of Aegina, the Saint being the Patron Saint of the island. After the religious ceremony the party continues with dances, traditional music, food and wine.