Only 40’ by speed ferry from Piraeus port, the Greek island of Aegina is known internationally for its pistachios, which are considered to be of the highest quality in the world.
Strolling along the port of Aegina you will find many little shops where you can shop and taste locally produced natural pistachios.
Besides the variety of sweets and snacks possible with pistachios, you can dine on local seafood.
Arriving at Aegina’s port by boat, you will notice a monolithic column that formed part of a Doric temple built during ancient times, dedicated to the god Apollo, that remains till today. Because it was an important reference for Venetian sailors, they named the area Colonna.
Only 20-30 minutes by car from the city centre, the Temple of Aphea is another top sight in Aegina. With Sounion’s Temple of Poseidon on the Athenian Riviera and the Parthenon in Athens – the Temple of Aphaia is the third link to a hypothetical isosceles triangle.
Right at the very heart of Aegina’s centre, the Markellos Tower was built in the 17th century as a Venetian fortification and later was used as a headquarters during the Greek Revolution of 1821. It remains an architectural gem for the island’s centre and it also hosts cultural and art related events from time to time.
Beautiful Aegina was fortunate to be designated as the first capital of the newly formed Greek State, after the period of the Greek Revolution of 1821.
The arrival of the governor Ioannis Kapodistrias on the island brought the necessary wealth, his great works were innumerable and survive to this day. One of the so-called Kapodistrian buildings of Aegina, the “Κυβερνείο” (which means the building of Government) is located in the center of the city of Aegina, very close to the Tower of Markellos. In 1827 it was renovated to accommodate Ioannis Kapodistrias and the Public Services of the government of the modern Greek state from 1828 to 1829. On the ground floor were housed the Public Services and on the 1st floor the house of the then governor, with two rooms (one bedroom and an office) .
Kapodistrias also built the Orphanage of Aegina which operated in 1828 and became the first spiritual center of modern Greece while one of the most famous Kapodistrian buildings of Aegina and the first neoclassical building of the Modern Greek state, is the Einardios Eidleikos (School).
The Teaching School was created at a time when it was considered that for the progress of Aegina as a capital, it was necessary to create the educational structures of its citizens with certified teachers. Thus, in 1830, with a donation from the Swiss banker and philhellene G. Einardos, a friend of the then governor Ioannis Kapodistrias, the Einardio School was built according to the designs of the architects S. Cleanthis and E. Schaubert.
The Christos Kapralos Museum was once the workshop of the famous Greek sculptor and now hosts pieces of his work. Located in the Plakakia district of Aegina Town, it is close to the home of famous Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis which you can admire on your way to the museum, along with the perfect view of the sea.
The Folklore Museum of Aegina is located in the center of the Aegina Town. Here, you can find rare manuscripts, maps, traditional costumes, vintage furniture and other cultural artifacts.
Founded in the early 19th century, the Archaeological Museum of Aegina was the first museum to be established in the modern Greek State. It’s right next to Colonna and has artifacts from the Temple of Aphaia, a statue from the Temple of Apollo and Neolithic pottery.
Orthodox pilgrims visit this holy site, built in the 20th century, to honor the first modern saint of Greece, Saint Nectarios who was considered as a miracle worker.
At Perdika, the little scenic fishing port of Aegina, you can dine at the island’s best fish taverns and enjoy traditional Greek plates.
At Paleahora (in Greek it means ‘old village’) ,which was once the island’s capital, there are dozens of stone chapels left, including the twin chapel of Saints George and Demetrius, where a medieval fortress once stood.
The beauty of Aegina’s Ancient Olive Grove (Eleonas) will leave you stunned: Follow the mountain paths to “Elaionas” the Olive Grove of Aegina, situated on a mountainous basin, invisible and desolate. The monastery – to which the area mostly belongs – has managed to maintain the olives trees which are considered ancient as they are estimated to have a life of over 1,000 to 1,500 years. It’s a place of unice natural beauty, unknown to most.
Take the 5 minute boat from Perdika to Moni island, a small, uninhibited island where peacocks and deers live and where you can spend the day swimming, eating and drinking- but you are not allowed to spend the night.
A picturesque vacation village with a 60’s aesthetic vibe, where you can swim in the longest sandy beach on Aegina island, awarded with a Blue Flag.
Thanks to a very active, locally supported hiking network in Aegina, several unique hiking routes of the island are maintained and you can try a free or guided hike at the island’s top mountains.
Aegina has a big variety of beaches you can find all around the island. Discover Aeginitissa beach, in the beautiful bay of Aiginitissa, with it’s huge Eucalyptus trees and incredible sunsets where the seawater is crystal clear and turquoise blue.
Just 1,4 km from Villa Aphaia you’ll find one of the most visited beaches on the island, sandy Marathonas beach, where the views from the beach to Moni island, Methana and the Peloponnese are fantastic. You can find here two popular beaches that are well organized with sunbeds and umbrellas: At Marathonas A Beach there are many tavernas and cafeterias and the Sunbeds are free for the guests of the various restaurants. Here you can actually spend your whole day swimming, eating and enjoying the beautiful blue colors of the sea. At Marathonas B beach there is a wooden canteen to serve you coffee, drinks and meals. The views and coastline are ample and the water is swallow, warm and crystal clear. Green trees and bushes surround both these beaches.
Οn the south side of the island, next to the bay of Klidi, is located the sandy beach of Klima, one of the best Greek beaches, with fantastic turquoise waters and a view reminiscent of the Cyclades. Under huge Eucalyptus trees, Klima Beach is the perfect place for those who like snorkeling and diving.
Well tucked away also on the south of the island you will find Sarpa Beach. Lying in the privacy of a remote bay, Sarpa Beach is perfect for those of you who want to enjoy a swim in crystal-clear waters, around moored boats and a beautiful crowd. The place is ideal for quiet sunsets and the natural scenery of the beach itself with towering rocks and trees of enchanting beauty will make you feel like you are swimming in paradise.
Except for discovering Aeginas unique beaches many people actually practice water sports, as in the island you can enjoy water skiing, SAP, scuba diving, windsurfing, kite-surfing, jet skiing and so on.
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