Europe
•
Greece
•
Aegina
According to myths, the island took its name from a nymph - daughter of the river God Asopos - whom Zeus fell in love with and took with him to the island!
4 min read
•
June 28, 2022
•
Liana Savva
Written by
Liana Savva
The island of Aegina is one of the most popular tourist destinations as it is the closest island to Athens (only 16.5 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus). From 11/1/1827 until 3/10/1829 Aegina town was the temporary capital of the newly founded Greek state. It was during that period when Governor Ioannis Kapodistrias had impressive neoclassical mansions built to house his headquarters, which are well worth a visit.
Aegina Sights & Attractions
Only an hour ferry ride from Athens, Aegina is a nice and relaxing island in the Saronic Gulf. With small fishing villages and lovely beach resorts, it gets very popular as a weekend destination. The small size of the island makes it easy to drive around even in one day and discover the main spots, such as Aegina Town, Perdika, Vagia, Marathon, and Agia Marina. The most famous site in Aegina includes the ancient Temple of Athena Aphaia, located in the center of the island, the ghost town of Paleochora that remains uninhabited today and the Archaeological Museum in Aegina Town with exhibits from various excavations around the island.
(Aegina Athena Aphaia Temple)
Aegina Athena Aphaia Temple
The Temple of Athena Aphaia in Aegina: The Temple of Aphaia has been dedicated to goddess Athena and is located on the island of Aegina, on top of a hill. This is one of the ancient architectural wonders of ancient Greece. It was built in 480 BC and 25 of the original 32 Doric columns still stand due to the skill of the restorers. It is situated in a Sanctuary complex in Aegina about 13 km east of the main port.
Aegina beaches
Most beaches in Aegina Greece are small but organized with tourist facilities. Souvala and Agia Marina are the most popular Aegina beaches, lined up with hotels, taverns and watersports centers. Along the coastline, there are other nice secluded coves and unorganized Aegina beaches to relax. You will find below a list of the best beaches in Aegina island.
Souvala beach
Agia Marina beach
“Happy is the man, I thought, who, before dying, has the good fortune to sail the Aegean sea.”
- Nikos Kazantzakis
Do you have a question?
Do you have a question about the destinations we suggest? Where to stay? Where to eat? And more? Do not hesitate to ask! Our team will be delighted to help you!