Aegina Travel Guide: Athens' Closest Island

Aegina is the most convenient island from Athens, close enough to visit in a half-day but substantial enough to justify a longer stay. The island is roughly triangular, 83 square kilometres, with a mix of tourism infrastructure around the port town, agricultural land in the interior (much of it pistachio orchards), and a handful of village settlements. It’s part of the Argo-Saronic island group and sees a large weekend influx from Athens throughout the year, not just in summer.

Despite this proximity, Aegina has avoided the over-development that affects some of the Cyclades. The northern half is focused around the main town; the southern half is quieter, hillier, and less visited.

Aegina Town

The main port town occupies the northwest coast with a horseshoe-shaped harbour. The waterfront is lined with fish tavernas, cafes, and pistachio vendors. The Archaeological Museum of Aegina (Kolona Hill, adjacent to the ruins of Apollo’s temple column, approximately €4 adult) is a good small museum with finds from across the island.

The single surviving column of the Temple of Apollo (the Kolona, or column) stands on a promontory at the north end of the waterfront — you can see it from the ferry as you arrive. The site was a significant Bronze Age settlement before the temple was built in the 6th century BC.

Walking back from the waterfront into the town reveals a more functional Greek town — the tourist strip is contained to the harbour area and the streets behind it have the practical character of a place where people actually live.

Temple of Aphaia

The island’s standout ancient site is 13km from Aegina Town on a pine-forested hill overlooking the eastern coast. The Temple of Aphaia was built around 500 BC — shortly before the Persian Wars — and is unusually well-preserved, with 25 of the original 32 Doric columns still standing and significant architectural detail intact.

The temple is dedicated to Aphaia, a goddess specific to Aegina who doesn’t appear in the wider Greek pantheon. Ancient sources describe her as a Cretan princess who fled to Aegina and was absorbed into the local religious tradition. The temple pediment sculptures (Aeginetan marbles) were removed in the early 19th century and are now in the Glyptothek museum in Munich — a cast of the originals is displayed in the site museum.

Entry approximately €6 adult (as of 2026), open daily 8am–8pm in summer. The hilltop location gives views south towards the Peloponnese and north back across the Saronic Gulf to Athens. Buses run from Aegina Town (approximately 25 minutes, approximately €2), or take a taxi (approximately €12).

Perdika Fishing Village

On the southwest coast, about 9km from Aegina Town, Perdika is a small fishing village with one of the best lunch stops on the island. The village has a cluster of fish tavernas on a narrow waterfront facing the small island of Moni across a channel. Water taxis run between Perdika and Moni (approximately €5 return) — Moni is uninhabited and has a good beach with deer and peacocks roaming freely on the hillside.

Most visitors to Perdika come to eat lunch and take the short boat ride to Moni. The combination makes a good half-day from Aegina Town.

Marathona and Aeginitissa Beaches

Aegina’s beaches are accessible but not spectacular by Greek island standards.

Aeginitissa: On the eastern coast near the Temple of Aphaia — a pebbly beach with facilities, reasonable swimming. Convenient if you’re visiting the temple.

Marathona: South of Aegina Town, a developed beach with sunbeds, water sports, and tavernas. The closest beach to the town with full facilities.

Agia Marina: The main resort beach on the east coast — larger sandy beach with the full summer tourist infrastructure. About 13km from town, accessible by bus.

Pistachio Farms and Shopping

Aegina’s PDO pistachios are a genuine reason to visit beyond the archaeology. The nuts are smaller, greener, and more flavourful than imported varieties, and the island processes them into a range of products: plain roasted, honey-glazed, pistachio paste (used in pastries), and a pistachio nougat called pasteli.

The best place to buy is directly from farm stalls on the road between Aegina Town and the Temple of Aphaia, where producers sell from roadside stands with year-round availability. Prices are higher than supermarket pistachios (approximately €15–20/kg for quality roasted nuts as of 2026) but the quality difference is evident.

The October harvest season is a good time to visit if you can time it — the farms are active and the pistachios are freshest.

Paleochora (Abandoned Medieval Capital)

In the island’s interior, the remains of Paleochora are the ruins of the medieval capital of Aegina, abandoned in the 19th century after Greek independence. The hillside has around 28 surviving churches (out of an original 365, by local tradition) scattered among the ruins of houses. It’s a strange and atmospheric site — not well-known, requiring a 3km walk or drive from the main road.

Entry is free. The site is unmarked on most tourist maps but worth finding for the sense of a town paused in time.

Getting to Aegina

By ferry from Piraeus: Conventional ferry approximately 1 hour, from approximately €8 one-way. Multiple operators and departures throughout the day. This is the standard option for day trips.

By Flying Dolphin hydrofoil from Piraeus: Approximately 40 minutes, from approximately €15 one-way. Faster but pricier.

By combined Athens day trip: Athens-based operators run guided day trips to Aegina (sometimes combined with Hydra and Poros) departing from Piraeus or from central Athens marinas. Typically €60–90 per person including transport and lunch.

Getting to Piraeus from Athens: Metro Line 1 (green line) to Piraeus station, approximately 25–30 minutes from central Athens.

Where to Stay

Budget: Pension Rena (Aegina Town, simple rooms above the harbour, from approximately €60/double peak). Hotel Avra (Aegina Town, sea view, from approximately €70/night peak). Self-catering studios near the harbour offer good value for longer stays.

Mid-range: Hotel Rastoni (Aegina Town, boutique, sea view, from approximately €140/night peak). Aeginion Hotel (above the port, from approximately €120/night peak). Hotel Danae (Agia Marina, good beach position, from approximately €110/night peak).

Upmarket: Kyvernio Suites (Aegina Town, renovated mansion with terrace, from approximately €220/night peak). Areti Hotel (quiet location near Marathon, pool, from approximately €180/night peak).

Where to Eat

Remetzo (Perdika): One of the best fish restaurants on the island — fresh catch priced by weight, good sea views, excellent grilled fish. Approximately €30–50 per person. Book ahead in summer.

Agora (Aegina Town): In the fish market building near the port — straightforward Greek food, good for lunch, honest prices. Approximately €20–30 per person.

Babis (Aegina Town waterfront): Long-standing waterfront taverna, good mezedes spread, pistachio desserts. Approximately €18–28 per person.

Best Time to Visit

Aegina is one of the few Greek islands worth visiting year-round. Its proximity to Athens means it has visitors on weekends throughout the year, and the main sites (Temple of Aphaia, Paleochora) are better appreciated in the spring and autumn when the summer heat is absent. For beaches, July and August are warmest but the island gets crowded with Athenian weekenders. October is excellent for the pistachio harvest and for visiting the temple without crowds.

Prices listed are approximate as of 2026.

Book Athens-to-Aegina day trips and Saronic island tours with GetYourGuide.

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Planning a broader Athens trip? Read our Athens travel guide and our day trips from Athens guide — Aegina is the closest island day trip from Piraeus. For other Saronic islands, see our guide to Hydra. For the best archaeological sites near Athens, see the Acropolis guide and Cape Sounion guide. Planning your Greek trip? See the best time to visit Greece.

See Also

• Athens Travel Guide — the starting point for all Aegina ferry connections
• Day Trips from Athens — Aegina alongside Sounion and Nafplio
• Day Trips from Athens (city-sub) — practical ferry and bus information
• Hydra Travel Guide — the other Saronic island, car-free and deeply atmospheric
• Acropolis Guide — the highlight of any Athens trip
• Cape Sounion Guide — the Temple of Poseidon, another Athens day trip
• Athens and Islands Itinerary — combining Athens with a Saronic island
• Best Greek Islands Guide — how the Saronic islands compare to other options
• Greek Island Ferry Guide — ferry logistics from Piraeus