Beautiful, picturesque, and within a short distance of Athens - just an hour. All you have to do is go to Piraeus Port to embark on a ferry and in an hour, you’ll reach the largest island of the Saronic Gulf that awaits you. This majestic island is ideal even for a day trip all year round!
Arriving at its port, the white church of Agios Nikolaos of Thalassinos welcomes you, while the imposing neoclassical buildings, painted in bright colors, immediately give the stigma of the island, which was the first capital of Greece in 1828.
Favorite of many artists, such as Nikos Kazantzakis, who lived here for a long time, the island of Aegina will enchant you.
Horse-drawn carriages are extended near the port, ready to take you on a scenic ride by the sea. If you choose to walk, discover the narrow streets of the island, with its numerous shops and restaurants and cafes with flowery courtyards.
Walking in the city you will see the Metropolis of Aegina, the church of Saint Dionysios, in the courtyard of which is the Eunardeio school, the School of Teachers of the last century, where the first Greek government was sworn in after the Revolution of 1821.
The library of Aegina is located on Mitropoleos Street and shortly after the Kapodistrian Government, on the ground floor of which was the first Mint.
At the Archaeological Museum of the island, you will see many relics and ancient finds, such as vases, statuettes, inscriptions, and coins.
Discovering the city, you will also find the Tower of Markellos, a Venetian tower - and observatory, built in the late 17th century. The building was renovated by Prokritos Filikos, activist and member of Parliament Spyridon Markellos, in 1802 and housed the first Greek anti-government committee from 1826-1828 and for a time the funds of the Greek state.
Today, the Kapodistrian Cultural Center of the Municipality of Aegina and the Center for Social Reflection "Spyros Alexiou" are housed in the Markellos Tower. The ground floor of the Tower, today is occasionally used as an exhibition space.
Returning to the port, on the left, you will see the archaeological site of Kolona, which took its name from the only column that exists there, a remnant of the Temple of Apollo Delfini.
Along the promenade, you will find a variety of options for food, coffee, and ice cream, while shops with folk art and traditional products will win your attention. Lunch has arrived and it is the turn of the fish market with its traditional ouzo taverns, but also the fish taverns for fresh fish and seafood.
Do not leave the island if you do not get the famous pistachios of Aegina, either in their traditional form or as a liqueur, dessert, or mastic.
It is under the sun, a little less than 70 kilometers south of Athens, like a rock thrown in the middle of the Argosaronic Gulf; popular among the Athenians for the perfect romantic getaway or a quiet and relaxing weekend in a soothing place of such beauty.
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Of all the little islands in the Saronic gulf, this one is kept off the tourist map as an Athenian’s little secret; a small island just 35 kilometers from Piraeus, covered easily with a 40-minute Flying Dolphin (hydrofoil) ride or a 75-minute trip with a ferry.
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