Things to do in Aegina Island guide: Detailed overview of historical attractions, natural beauty spots, water activities and local experiences with practical travel information
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In this article, I invite you to discover the island of Aegina. It includes information about tourist routes, historical and natural attractions, as well as various activities such as diving, local cuisine, and hiking/cycling tours.
Here you will also find information about why you should visit this island, how to get there, what to see, what to do, and details about hotels on the island.
Aegina Island: key takeaways from this article
We’ve gathered quite a lot of information about Aegina island, and we’ve added to (and sometimes rewritten) the article itself more than once. I’m sure we’ll add to it again, since the Saronic islands are still on the list for Yulia’s and my travels. So, to briefly summarise the information from the article and highlight the key points without going into detail, we decided to write this short block first.
1. Discover Aegina: a picturesque island an hour from Athens
Aegina island is the ideal place for a short escape from Athens. Just 40 minutes by ferry and you’re on an island with a rich history, clean beaches, and the finest pistachios in Greece. Here you can see the Temple of Aphaia, stroll through authentic towns, enjoy seafood, and experience true Mediterranean relaxation — which is far better than standard tourist routes. By the way, for those who have already arrived on the island or are planning to come here specifically for a holiday, I can recommend the “Discover Aegina” tour (105 euro), lasting 3 hours. It’s probably the best option we’ve come across for seeing all the most interesting and important landmarks of Aegina town itself.
2. Private tours to Aegina island from Athens
Getting from Athens to Aegina independently isn’t particularly difficult:
- First, take a bus to Piraeus port (1.20 euro, 30 minutes).
- Ferries run every 1–2 hours; the fast one takes 40 minutes (~12 euro), the regular one 75 minutes (~8 euro).
This is convenient if you like travelling independently. However, there are quite a few downsides too — such as getting around the island between sights, planning a route for yourself, and constantly watching the clock so you don’t miss the last boat back.
I recommend choosing a private tour from Athens to Aegina island for several reasons:
- private transfer;
- private guide services;
- control over stops and the itinerary (since the whole tour group is just you, you and your guide decide where you want to spend more time, where less, and even about new stops that weren’t in the original plan);
- lunch at a cosy taverna (often included in the price), without rushing and without large groups.
This is ideal for those who value comfort and unique experiences. Of course, if the budget is limited, group tours from Athens to Aegina (50–70 euro) are a better choice:
- transfer;
- guide services;
- a well-planned itinerary with stops.
3. Where to go and what to try on Aegina island
There are countless places to visit on the island and countless ways to spend your time here. The choice depends entirely on your preferences, for example:
- Visiting historical landmarks — exactly what history and ancient architecture lovers need. The Temple of Aphaia is a true masterpiece of Doric architecture, similar to the Athenian Parthenon but far less crowded; there is also the Archaeological Museum with ancient artefacts. By the way, a very good option for seeing the island and its main landmarks is a daily tour of Aegina with a private guide (299 euro for a group of up to 6 people).
- Natural locations — for nature lovers, the island reveals its unique corners: Mount Oros with panoramic views over the Saronic Gulf, pistachio groves (with the chance to taste them), and ancient olive plantations. These are quite popular spots here, and you can even visit an organic pistachio orchard on a short 2-hour tour (49 euro).
- Activities — diving here is something special, but do you like adrenaline? Windsurfing on the northern coast will be an unforgettable adventure. And for a romantic mood, boat trips to neighbouring islands are ideal. For those who’d enjoy a breezy ride, I’d recommend cycling tours around the island.
When we were on the island, we saw places renting surfboards and bicycles, but I haven’t been able to find similar offers online now. However, there is a good option for cyclists staying in Athens — a day trip to Aegina with a cycling route (204 euro per person, minimum booking for 2 people).
- Authenticity — and for those who want to feel the true spirit of the island, I recommend visiting the fishing village of Perdika, and making sure to try the local pistachios — the signature product of Aegina, especially during the September festival. And for an even deeper experience of local food, I recommend the gastronomic and historical tour of Aegina town (69 euro for adults, 49 euro for children aged 6–12).
4. Which islands are worth combining with a visit to Aegina?
In the Saronic Gulf, alongside Aegina, there are several other islands that also deserve tourists’ attention. Each is unique in its own way and evokes its own mood.
Agistri — an island an hour from Athens with wonderful beaches like Skala and Chalikiada, ideal for relaxed holidays. Moni — an uninhabited island with no cars, where you can enjoy natural silence. These two islands are often visited together with Aegina, and there are plenty of such trips from Athens, for example:
- A full-day cruise from Athens including visits to Agistri, Moni, and Aegina, with lunch, drinks, and wonderful natural scenery (135 euro per adult, 85 euro per child aged 6–11).
- Cruise from Athens to Agistri, Moni, and Aegina with lunch and a Hop-On Hop-Off bus ticket (160 euro per adult and 145 euro per child aged 17 and under). Worth noting that the Hop-On Hop-Off bus ticket is not part of the cruise — it’s a separate two-day ticket that can be used to visit Athens sights.
Hydra island, popular among artists, impresses with its architecture and atmosphere, while Paros island is primarily associated with Santa Maria Beach and the Venetian fortress — a wonderful combination of beach holiday and history. And this is already a second route including Aegina, since many organisers include precisely these three islands in their itineraries:
- Full-day cruise to Poros, Hydra, and Aegina from Athens — this cruise offers the opportunity to visit three islands of the Saronic Gulf on a 50-metre state-of-the-art vessel (140 euro per adult and 90 euro per child aged 2–3).
- Full-day cruise from Athens around the Saronic Gulf with lunch — free time on each island, a delicious lunch on board, and a traditional Greek folklore show (155 euro for adults and 104 euro per child aged 4–12).
Aegina Island: why tourists come here and whether it's worth visiting
The beautiful Greek island of Aegina is one of Greece’s most attractive tourist destinations. It features unique archaeological sites and cultural centers, while fairytale-beautiful landscapes complement Aegina’s rich historical heritage.
Until quite recently, the majority of the island’s visitors were Greek residents, but today you can meet travelers from literally all corners of the world at local resorts.
Aegina Island, which will leave me with pleasant memories for a long time
My top 4 reasons to visit Aegina island
- Archaeological heritage. On Aegina island you can visit not only the well-known Temple of Aphaia — there are many other historical landmarks here too. For example, you can see the ruins of the Temple of Apollo or the so-called “Mystical City” of Paleochora. By the way, the Temple of Aphaia and the town of Paleochora can both be visited on a guided walk around Aegina island with a professional guide (the tour runs for a minimum group of 6 people and costs 534 euro for everyone, or 89 euro per tourist). A bonus on this walk is a visit to Agios Nektarios as well.
- Authenticity. Compared to other more popular islands, Aegina preserves its authenticity. Here you can see how and how local people live. I especially recommend the fishing village of Perdika — because it’s a very pleasant place with traditional tavernas, fresh seafood, and pistachio orchards. By the way, the pistachio orchards can be visited on a 1.5-hour guided tour. The price for 2 adults is 98 euro (minimum booking for two). Tours run year-round; the price includes a trip to an organic pistachio garden, pistachio snacks, and professional guide services.
- Centre of contemporary art. Surprisingly, this island is a hub of art, with many galleries and studios on its territory that attract fans of contemporary art. To appreciate this feature of the island personally, I recommend attending a pottery class with a local potter. This is quite an interesting workshop lasting around 2 hours, accompanied by a guide. During the class you’ll learn about the history of ceramics from ancient times to the present day, and you’ll have the opportunity to create your own pottery piece using the pinching technique and take it home. Price for 2 adults — 98 euro (49 euro per person); minimum booking for two. The price includes the workshop and all tools for creating the pottery.
- Proximity to Athens. The distance to the island from the mainland (Athens) is relatively small — you can get there by ferry in 40 minutes. This is simply ideal for a short half-day trip combining a beach holiday with a cultural programme. What’s more, in addition to the regular ferry there is an alternative option — a cruise to Hydra, Poros, and Aegina with lunch lasting around 11 hours. During this cruise you can see the Greek Saronic Islands archipelago, stroll through the streets of Hydra island, relax on Paros island, taste Aegina pistachios, and enjoy a visit to the Temple of Aphaia. Price per adult — 140 euro, and 90 euro per child aged 5–11 (tours run year-round). The price includes the cruise, free time on the islands, a buffet lunch, an entertainment programme, an on-board bar, and transfer.
How to get to Aegina Island
Aegina is the nearest island of the Saronic Gulf to the Greek capital, just 27 km from Athens.
Getting to the island won’t be a problem. From Piraeus – Greece’s main port – classic ferries and high-speed vessels depart for Aegina every hour. Vessels to the Saronic Islands depart from pier E8 (Akti Poseidonos). To reach this pier from the last metro station, you need to walk a bit forward, then straight to the marina – pier E7 will be there, turn left from it.
To have time to find the right vessel and buy tickets, it’s better to arrive a bit earlier. Tickets are sold everywhere within the port territory: there are even vending machines on the metro platform at the final station.
- The journey on a classic ferry takes 1 hour and 20 minutes. A ticket costs 10 euros, children under 6 travel free, and transporting a car costs 25 euros.
- The trip on the high-speed “Dolphin” will be twice as short: just 40 minutes. The fare is 17 euros.
All flights from Athens arrive at Aegina’s central port, in the city of the same name.
What to see on Aegina Island
Aegina can boast a large number of diverse attractions. This is understandable. For many centuries, this island competed directly with Athens for the title of the largest, richest, and most powerful city of Ancient Greece.
Settled in ancient times, Aegina has changed many owners, and a structure remains on the island in memory of each of them. This place is also very important for modern Greeks.
Historical attractions of Aegina Island: Temple of Aphaia, Monastery of Saint Nectarios, Kolona, Archaeological Museum
The main historical symbol of Aegina is considered to be the Temple of Athena Aphaia (Temple of Aphaia). It’s hard to imagine that this massive structure is more than 2,500 years old.
The temple has been remarkably well preserved over so many years. Its foundation and most of its slender columns remain completely intact. According to scientists’ version, the first temple at the site of the present structure appeared much earlier.
During the temple’s exploration, many marble sculptures were discovered, which are now displayed in the Munich Glyptothek.
The Temple of Athena Aphaia looks very colorful and very Greek
Travelers wishing to admire other historical artifacts should definitely visit the Archaeological Museum of Aegina. Within its walls are rich collections of ancient pottery, figurines and lamps, old coins and weapons – all discovered during the island’s exploration.
The museum was founded in 1828 and is currently the island’s largest and most visited cultural center. Three halls are allocated for displaying the rich exposition, and some of the larger exhibits are presented in the inner courtyard.
There were many exhibits in the archaeological museum, and it was also very interesting beyond its boundaries
In the immediate vicinity of Aegina city is the Monastery of Saint Nectarios (Moni Agios Nektarios) – one of the most symbolic and impressive attractions. The monastery was founded at the beginning of the 20th century by Bishop Pentapolis Nectarius and has been active for over a hundred years.
Many beautiful stories are connected with the name of the monastery’s founder, he is highly revered by local residents, and therefore annually the monastery holds a beautiful holiday in honor of the Holy Patron.
Monastery of Saint Nectarios
Not far from the capital is the archaeological district of Kolona, popular with tourists. It got its name from the ancient artifact discovered here – a surviving column, which, according to scientists’ assumptions, is the preserved part of the ancient Temple of Apollo.
The suburban district of Asomatiou is very interesting to visit. A 13th-century church has been preserved here, which has been keeping priceless works of art – ancient frescoes – for over seven hundred years.
Fans of natural attractions should definitely visit the nearby islet of Moni, whose entire territory is considered a protected area.
The archaeological district of Kolona, which is considered a protected area
Tours to Aegina from Athens (the most popular direction): multi-day and single-day
To make an independent trip to the island, you’ll need to take a ferry from Piraeus port. There, you should board the earliest sailing to give yourself as much time on Aegina as possible. A one-way ferry ticket costs 8–16 euro (depending on the company and whether you choose a deck or cabin seat). In addition to the regular ferry there is also the option of a fast ferry or catamaran (14–17 euro one way). It’s also worth remembering that to return to Athens you need to make the evening ferry (the last ferry from Aegina to Piraeus port departs at 20:30).
If looking at alternatives to travelling independently, I’d recommend considering a tour — it’s simpler and safer. What’s more, the difference in cost turns out to be minimal, while the trip is planned from beginning to end. With tours you can choose between 2 options — group or private. Group tours are generally mini-cruises on the same ferries or even large yachts, which often include trips to several islands of the Saronic archipelago. Private tours are either a large full-day trip around Aegina island, or a trip by boat or yacht with swimming in the sea.
Among the full-day group tours including Aegina that I came across, I can highlight the following:
- Cruise from Athens to Hydra, Poros, and Aegina with a buffet lunch. Price per adult — 155 euro; per child (aged 5–12) — 104 euro. The price includes a full-day cruise, bus transfer from central Athens to the port, lunch on board, and stops at 3 islands with free time for independent exploration.
- Saronic Islands cruise with VIP seats and a “business class” lunch, lasting 11 hours. Price per adult — 260 euro; per child — 167 euro. Included in the price: yacht cruise, buffet, unlimited drinks (water, coffee, soft drinks), transfer from an Athens hotel to the port and back. Tours run year-round.
If a private tour is what you want, I came across a good option for a private full-day trip to Aegina island with a visit to the Temple of Athena Aphaia. This trip lasts around 9 hours and is accompanied by a private guide. Price per adult — 656 euro, but when booking for two the price is 696 euro (348 euro per person). Also included in the price: car transfer from an Athens hotel to the port, transfers between sights on Aegina island, and a tasting of Greek coffee and ice cream. The Temple of Athena Aphaia entry ticket must be purchased on the spot, and lunch and drinks are not included in the price.
Ancient capital of Aegina - Paleochora
The ruins of the ancient city of Paleochora are one of tourists’ favorite places. Paleochora is located on the slopes of a hill, seven kilometers from the island’s capital. In medieval times, regular raids by conquerors and pirates forced islanders to abandon coastal settlements and move inland.
Paleochora is almost like an open-air museum, this is what the hill-mountain looks like from afar
Thus, in the ninth century, the city of Paleochora was founded, which was the island’s administrative center until the 19th century. Naturally, the settlement’s distance from the coast did not guarantee local residents complete safety.
Upon arriving in Paleochora, it’s recommended to visit the well-preserved Church of the Holy Cross, the Basilica of St. George, which is located on the central square, as well as Agia Dionyssia – a cathedral built into the rocks and a monastery dedicated to Agia Kyriaki.
All the surviving buildings here are churches, they are simply everywhere
No less interesting are the Chapel of the Virgin Mary, the Church of Agia Dimitria, the Church of St. John the Theologian, and the Church of the Transfiguration. You can also climb to the peak of the hill to explore the Venetian fortress built in the 17th century
Natural attractions of Aegina Island: Agios Marina beach, beaches of the resort town of Souvala and Moni Island
Aegina Island offers a worthy selection of picturesque beaches that you can easily reach. The most crowded and popular beach on the island is the sandy Agia Marina beach.
The beach stretches about 500 meters, features developed infrastructure and a very lively atmosphere. The beach has an excellent water sports center and equipment rental points, visitors can settle on beautiful sun loungers or place themselves under one of the colorful sun umbrellas.
Agia Marina beach is shallow, so many tourists with children always vacation here. A popular bar is also located here, so in the evening, fans of noisy parties always gather on the coast.
In the northern part of the island is the popular resort town of Souvala, which has two magnificent beaches – Loutra and Vagia. Several decades ago, a miniature fishing village stood where the picturesque resort town is now.
Today Souvala features excellently developed tourist infrastructure. Numerous apartment complexes, restaurants and shops are located in close proximity to the coast, so your vacation will definitely be comfortable.
It’s also worth noting that healing springs are located on this stretch of coast, they have a wide range of health benefits for the body.
Vagia beach often comes into focus for tour lovers. The fact is that several interesting archaeological attractions are located in close proximity to the coast.
Souvala has very beautiful beaches and there are also plenty of people here, so it’s better to come to the beach a bit earlier
Moni Island
A separate point is visiting Moni Island, located very close to Aegina, which can be seen opposite the village of Perdika. You can reach this interesting piece of land by boat – just 5 minutes from the village.
Unfortunately, not all tourists decide to go to Moni, which is a shame. It’s not just about the local clean and deserted beautiful beach, but also the island’s amazing fauna.
Moni has been a protected area for many years, and the deer, antelopes, wild goats and other animals living here are not afraid of people at all and willingly allow themselves to be photographed, and sometimes even petted. Once a day the local caretaker feeds the wildlife, and anyone can watch this process.
There are many peacocks on Moni Island, children constantly ran after them and tried to grab their tails
Which islands near Aegina are also frequently visited as part of tours to this island?
When planning our trip to Greece, Vladyslav and I usually look through several different itineraries, various tour options, and places we could visit. And when planning one such itinerary, we noticed that other nearby islands are very often visited alongside Aegina (for example, the well-known Hydra and Paros). So I saved some of these tours that I liked and that seem worth spending free time and money on. Now I’d like to share my small selection of trips that I was considering:
For those interested in the islands of Hydra and Poros, I suggest looking at the following tour options:
- Private tour of Hydra island from Athens with a guide, lasting 8 hours. Price per adult — 582 euro; for 2 — 616 euro (so it’s better to book a minimum of two places, bringing the cost to 308 euro per person). The price includes a hotel pickup and transfer from Athens, guide services, bottled water, and comfortable transport. Since ferry ticket prices depend on the season, age, and other factors, they are only reserved and must be paid on the spot.
- Full-day cruise from Athens including visits to the islands of Hydra, Paros, and Aegina. Duration — 12 hours; price per adult — 140 euro; per child (aged 4–12) — 90 euro. By the way, hotel transfer and lunch are already included in the price.
If you’d like to see the islands of Agistri and Moni, I recommend booking one of these cruises:
- Cruise on a wooden sailing yacht to the islands of Agistri and Aegina with swimming near Nisis Metopi island, lasting around 10 hours. This trip costs 150 euro per adult, 100 euro per child (aged 5–10), and 36 euro per infant (aged 4 and under). Tours run from April to October. The price includes a yacht cruise, transfer, drinks, visits to 2 islands with swimming and diving, and lunch. A bicycle tour of Agistri island is available for an additional fee.
- Cruise to Agistri, Moni, and Aegina with lunch and drinks, lasting 10 hours. Price per adult — 135 euro; per child (aged 6–11) — 85 euro. The price includes transfer from an Athens hotel, guide services, drinks and a buffet on board, diving equipment, free internet, and visits to island markets. A museum visit on Aegina or bicycle hire on Agistri are available for an additional fee.
What else to do on Aegina Island
Once you’re on Aegina, definitely take a sea tour around the coast.
Firstly – it’s quite beautiful; And secondly – this way you can search for an ideal secluded beach from those accessible only by sea.
Consider sailing to neighboring islands too. On Pharos, on the way to Marathonas, for example, there’s a decent water park – Aegina Water Park. Getting there isn’t too difficult, and you can get plenty of enjoyment from visiting the local slides and pools.
Diving
If you love the underwater world, you should contact one of the local diving centers. There are several excellent dive sites in Aegina’s waters, but if desired, you can go to any of the nearby islands.
Visibility here is good, water temperature in summer allows diving without a dry suit, and the variety of local underwater inhabitants will impress beginners and won’t disappoint experienced divers.
If you’ve never dived with scuba gear before but want to dive, you should take training at the local dive school. After completing the training, you’ll receive an international certificate.
Trying the local cuisine
The cuisine on Aegina differs from mainland cuisine only in the great popularity of various fish dishes among local chefs. If you want to try maximally “Greek” dishes whose recipes haven’t been changed to suit tourist tastes, you should look for a taverna here where most of the clients are locals.
There are many tavernas on the island that have been managed by the same family for centuries. They try to cook with maximum adherence to traditions. If you have doubts about whether you’re in an establishment designed for locals, check the menu. There shouldn’t be a “Greek” salad there, as this dish is called “village” or “home” salad here.
Horiatiki salad is made from fresh tomatoes, olives, cheese, onions and green peppers. The recipe may vary, so feel free to order this dish in different places to compare tastes.
Fish and seafood are very popular on Aegina, especially octopus. It’s served in almost all island tavernas, but most travelers believe that the best place for fish dishes is Perdika.
Here, by the way, you can also buy your favorite fish or sea creature yourself and arrange for its preparation at any local taverna.
I really liked the octopus on the island, they cook it perfectly in almost all tavernas
Note: fish here is boiled, fried, stewed, grilled, added to salads and soups. When ordering, note that the price isn’t always indicated per portion in the menu. If the designation “kat”, “k” or “*” appears next to the chosen dish, this means it’s prepared not from freshly caught local fish, but from frozen imported fish.
Tavern menus also include mussels, octopus, squid and oysters. Taramasalata and fish roe paste are delicious and quite unusual.
In any local taverna they’ll gladly prepare paidakia, lamb ribs. In psistaria tavernas, exclusively charcoal-grilled meat is served.
Pork chops – brizola, chicken – kopotulo and cutlets known here as “bifteki” are very popular. Meat lovers might also enjoy pastitsio, a dish of minced meat and pasta with béchamel sauce, as well as layered moussaka made from minced meat, eggplant and potatoes under the same sauce.
For a snack, halloumi, local grilled cheese, is suitable. Many Greeks prefer gyro or souvlaki as fast food, which can be found in local kebab houses – souvladziko.
Souvlaki is essentially nothing other than skewers of pork, beef, chicken, lamb, vegetables, seafood and even fish. If you put it in a pita with sauce, fries or vegetables, you’ll have gyro. In ouzeri they serve anise vodka-ouzo and local appetizers under the general name mezedes.
Definitely try tzatziki, a local yogurt salad with cucumbers and garlic, and melitzanosalata, a dish of baked eggplants, at least once.
Yogurts with nuts and honey are often served for dessert. Eastern sweets are also popular – halva, baklavas and loukoumades.
Everyone can find delicious coffee on the island, but tea lovers aren’t so lucky: locals usually drink it as a cold remedy, and therefore most tavernas don’t serve this beverage.
Be sure to try retsina, a local variety of wine that’s drunk chilled, and grappa – grape vodka. From wines you can also try assyrtiko, naoussa, tsantali and savatiano. Patsas soup will help get rid of the consequences of active wine tasting.
The classic Greek yogurt served for dessert was very thick
Hiking and cycling routes around the island
Aegina will appeal to hiking enthusiasts. There’s wonderful nature here and an abundance of historical attractions connected to the nearest settlements by paths and trails that are maintained in good condition.
You can plot a route yourself, or you can join an organized group. There are several bicycle rental points on the island where you can take a mountain bike for a moderate fee and set off to conquer the local beauty, as there are plenty of suitable cycling paths here.
It’s worth simply wandering through the streets of local towns and villages, many residents of which still spend their time the same way as their ancestors.
Unusual tour options on Aegina island
I looked through countless different tours on Aegina island, carefully studied their programmes, and tried to find all the obvious and hidden nuances. Among many near-identical trips I found a few non-standard options that I’d like to share with my readers.
So, briefly and to the point — here’s what awaits tourists and whether it’s worth booking these tours during a holiday on Aegina island:
- Full-day island tour by jeep. Price for 2 adults — 315 euro (157.50 euro per person), which includes the SUV ride, a guide, and fuel (food and museum entry tickets are paid separately). By the way, if more than two seats are needed for this trip, it can be booked for a maximum of 6 people (with the price remaining at 315 euro). Tours run year-round; approximate duration — 1 day.
- Sangria-making workshop, lasting up to 1.5 hours. Price — 90 euro for two adults (45 euro per person; minimum booking for two). Workshops run year-round. The price includes an instructor, a sangria-making lesson, and a tasting. Additional food and drinks can be purchased separately.
- Full-day tour from Athens around Aegina island by electric bike with a professional guide. Price for 2 adults — 276 euro (138 euro per person). I recommend booking for a minimum of two people, otherwise the same 270 euro will have to be paid for one person. Tours run year-round. The price includes an electric bike, guide, helmet, and ferry tickets (food and drinks are paid separately).