Greek Islands – Aegina
The island of Aegina is one of the most popular tourist destinations as it is the closest island to Athens (only 16.5 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus). Even though the island is small, it boasts a great number of sights and natural beauties, the highlight of which is the famous Aphea Temple. Aegina town is the capital of the island and on the outskirts you can find charming little villages with distinctive traditional character, such as Kypseli, Agii and Vagia as well as organized tourist resorts like Agia Marina, Perdika, and Souvala. Aègina is also surrounded by many smaller islands (Moni, Metopi, Diaportia, Lagouses, Kyra, Dorousa, Spalathonisi, Anonyma) that can be reached by boat from the port of Aegina.
During your stay on the island, you can visit the following:
Explore ancient monuments and old monasteries:
- The Temple of Aphea Athena
Close to Ayia Marina lies the 500 BC Doric Temple of Aphea Athena, the most important monument on the island. The most impressive part of the temple is its wonderful sculpted pediments and excavation findings are on display at the Archaeological Museum of Aegina. - The Sanctuary of Apollo Delfinios, Kolóna
Located at a short distance from the harbour, the area took its name from a standing column, the only one remaining from a 6th Century BC temple. In front of the archaeological site lies a museum bearing the same name. - Palaiohóra, Ayia Marina
The site of Paleohóra represents Aegina during Byzantine times. This site once had 565 churches, 28 of them (with exceptional wall paintings) have withstood the ravages of time, just like the ruins of a medieval castle and two incredible monasteries.
Sun-loving tourists should definitely soak up the sun on the island’s crystalline beaches:
- Pérdika, a quiet pebbly beach in the traditional village of Pérdika
- Souvála, distinctive for its warm, therapeutic waters suitable for curing rheumatism
- Ayía Marína, a cosmopolitan organized tourist resort with many hotels, rooms to let, beach bars and restaurants
- Marathónas, two sandy beaches, one next to another, 4 km away from the town