The Greek island of Aegina is located in the Saronikos Gulf, between Attica and Argolis. Aegina, with an area of 77 km2, is the second largest island in the Saronic Gulf. According to the census conducted in 2011, a little more than 13,000 people lived here.
This is interesting! In the writings of the chroniclers, scientists have found information that even a few centuries before our era, more than 1,000,000 people lived on the island of Aegina! There were more than 400,000 slaves alone!
In ancient times, Aegina was much richer than the state of Piraeus (now the main port of Greece) and Athens, which was facilitated by its favorable strategic position. As in those ancient times, the island is famous for its rich crops of almonds, olives and grapes, and the most delicious pistachios in Greece grow here.
Administratively, the entire region is divided into districts: Ayia Marina, Vaya, Marathonas, Suvala and Perdika. The capital of the island has the same name: Aegina.
Interesting fact! Aegina was the first capital of the liberated Greece. For two years, during the revolution that began in 1821, the new government of the country worked there.
Attractions
Greece is rich in attractions, and the island of Aegina is no exception.
Temple of Athena-Athaia
One of the most interesting historical monuments on the island of Aegina is the Temple of Athena-Athaia. For a very long time, historians believed that it was dedicated to the goddess Athena, since in the sculptural compositions on its pediments there is her image. But it was established that the temple is dedicated to Afaya (Athea), as a result, the name was assigned to it: the temple of Athena-Afaya.
The Temple of Athaia on the island of Aegina, along with the Acropolis in Athens and the Temple of Poseidon in Sounio, is part of the “Sacred Triangle” of the most revered religious structures of ancient Greece.
The Temple of Athena was built in 480 BC on the ruins of an older sanctuary. Of the 34 massive marble columns, only 24 have survived to date, but this result is quite impressive.
The most interesting feature of the Temple of Pallas Athena on the island of Aegina is the sculptural compositions on the western and eastern pediments depicting scenes of battles between the Greeks and the Trojans. At the center of each group is Athena, who helps the Greeks.
The Temple of Athena is located in the north-east of Aegina, in the archaeological park of Athaia, at a distance of 13 km from the island’s capital. The structure stands on a mountain, surrounded by pine trees, and seems to float above the sea. The mountain offers a picturesque panoramic view of the Saronic Gulf.
From Aegina, the Temple of Athena can be reached by bus or taxi, and from the village of Agia Marina, you can even walk.
For an adult, an entrance ticket to the Athena Athaia Temple costs 6 €, for children admission is free.
There is a gift shop and a cafe near the Temple of Athena. There is also a museum nearby with artifacts from the excavations, but it is only open on weekends.
Monastery of St. Nektarios
There is an Orthodox convent of the Holy Trinity on the island of Aegina in Greece, also known as the monastery of St. Nektarios.
The church at the monastery has two side chapels: the main one – in honor of the Holy Trinity, and in honor of St. Nectarius, where his relics are located. Next door is a small chapel with the former tomb of Nectarius-they say that if you put your ear to the tomb, you can hear a knock.
The Monastery of Saint Nectarius stands on a high hill in the central part of the island, 6 km from the port city of Aegina. You can get there by bus or taxi.
Markelos Tower
An important historical and architectural monument of Aegina is the Pyrgos Markellou Tower. The tower is located in the historical center, a little away from the main streets, but it is impossible not to notice it.
The old square structure is painted pink, faded in places. The aged and even slightly shabby appearance gives a certain charm to this tower, and even in the photo it looks intriguing.
Interesting fact! During the revolution that began in 1821, the first government of independent Greece met in the Markelos Tower.
Currently, this historic building regularly organizes photo exhibitions, paintings and sculptures.
Address of the attraction: Egina Thomaidou 9, 180 10, Greece.
Aegina Port
Aegina is the main port of the island. It is quite large: not only water transport from Athens, the capital of Greece, but also private yachts, boats, and speedboats dock here. In fact, the port and the yacht marina here are one.
Local attractions:
- a solar-powered lighthouse;
- obelisk to the patron who helped build the port;
- a small church in a typical Greek style.
An old, rust-covered anchor is installed on the embankment. Almost every traveler who has visited the island of Aegina in Greece has a photo on its background.
The embankment and the nearest streets are filled with restaurants, shops, souvenir shops.
Aegina Beaches
There are about twenty municipal beaches on the island, which have everything you need for a comfortable stay by the sea. As a rule, the territories are well-groomed and clean. The beaches of Aegina are very narrow, which is why they are always crowded, especially on weekends.
Marathonas
Almost 5 km to the west of the capital there is an extensive resort village of Marathonas with several beaches. They are set in a quiet bay surrounded by three tiny islands-it turns out something like a natural pool, protected from the wind.
The beaches are sandy, but there are rocks and sea urchins on the bottom. The entrance to the water is gentle, it takes a long time to go to the depth. If you compare it with other coastal areas, it’s a bit dirty here.
Two spacious beaches with good infrastructure: free sun beds and umbrellas, excellent conditions for water sports. On the outskirts there is a beautiful wild area with spacious Parking lots.
Klima (Klidi)
On the south side of the island, also in the bay, there is Klima beach with a small pebble surface and a very convenient entry into the water.
Even on weekends, you can relax here quite calmly and privately, and on weekdays Klima is deserted.
There are good conditions for water sports, this place is especially popular among fans of diving and snorkeling.
Suvala
In the north of the island, 10 km from the capital, is the port city and resort of Suvala. It has two luxury beaches: Loutra and Vagia.
The water here is clean, the entrance to the water is smooth, waves rarely occur. All necessary infrastructure is present.
Accomodation
There are not even 100 hotels on the island, and more than 50 of them are cheap hotels without “stars”. There are very few mid-level hotels, only three 4* hotels, and only one 5* hotel. But there are no problems with housing, because there are so many apartments of different capacities for rent here.
Estimated prices:
- a double room in a 3* hotel can be rented for 45-100 € per day;
- a full-fledged one-bedroom apartment will cost an average of 70 € per night, but they offer options for both 45 € and 100€.;
- a studio apartment with a double bed costs 40-50 €per night.
Which area is best to stay in
The capital is suitable for almost any type of recreation, it attracts with its beach areas, is able to interest architecture lovers, is convenient as a base for excursions around the island, and has a well-developed infrastructure.
The vast village of Marathonas, 5 km from the capital, has the most spacious sandy beach areas. There is a modern infrastructure, there are many rooms for rent.
The village of Agia Marina is the most populous and popular tourist resort on the island. There is always a lively atmosphere, a lot of tourists.
The resort town of Suvala in northern Aegina is characterized by a well-developed tourist infrastructure. Apartment complexes are located along the coast, a well-known spa center operates in the town, there are many shops, cafes and restaurants with free Internet are waiting for visitors. Features of this resort: there are healing mineral springs, a number of archaeological sites nearby.
The most picturesque resort village of Perdika is second only to the capital city in terms of the number of offers of accommodation and entertainment facilities. Here is a magnificent rocky coast, right up to the shore are thickets of trees. Perdika is popular among sailing enthusiasts.
How to get there from Athens
Aegina is the closest island to the Greek capital in the Gulf of Saranica, and Athens is only 27 km away.
How to get to the island of Aegina, there will be no problems. From Piraeus, Greece’s main port, classic ferries and high – speed boats leave for Aegina every hour. Ships to the Saronic Islands depart from pier E8 (Akti Poseidonos), to get there from the last metro station, you need to go a little ahead and straight to the pier – there will be pier E7, turn left from it. The main port of Greece is very large, and to make it easier to navigate such a huge territory, it makes sense to download its map.
To have time to find the right boat and buy tickets, it is better to arrive a little earlier. Tickets are sold everywhere on the territory of the port: there are vending machines even on the metro platform, at the final station.
The ticket can also be purchased in advance online at the service www.ferriesingreece.com.
- The journey on a classic ferry takes 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- The ticket costs 10 €, for children under 6 years of age travel is free, for car transportation you need to pay 25 €.
- The road on the fast Dolphin will be 2 times shorter: only 40 minutes.
- Travel costs 17 €.
All flights from Athens arrive at the central port of Aegina in the city of the same name.
When to go
The comfortable Mediterranean climate invariably attracts fans of the sun and the sea to Aegina, as well as to any resort in Greece.
Winters are mild, with temperatures never dropping below 0 °C. There is almost no snow, but it rains often. From the last days of April to the end of October, the weather on the island is favorable for beach holidays. The hottest months here are July and August, during which time the air warms up to +35 °C.
In August, tourists visiting Aegina can participate in traditional annual festivals. Aegina Avra Beach hosts the International Classical Music Festival, while Agia Marina Beach is transformed into a stage for a theatrical performance dedicated to the goddess Athena.
