Aegina (Egina), Greece: Island Guide, Beaches, Sights & Hotels

The island and Aegina Town

Aegina Town is the main centre of the island and one of its two ferry ports, connected to Piraeus on the mainland. The harbour front holds most of the tavernas, restaurants and tourist shops, while behind it the unspoilt streets, small squares, old houses and pistachio trees give the feel of an authentic island town. South of the ferry quay the old commercial harbour keeps its brightly painted wooden caiques and a fish market; north of the quay stand the remains of the acropolis of Kolona and the Temple of Apollo, of which one column survives - "Kolona" means "one column" - beside a good town beach. The other main resort is Aghia Marina on the east side, a livelier village with nightlife, its own ferry link to Piraeus and a bus service to Aegina Town; the Temple of Aphaia stands 2 kilometers away. Souvala, in the north, is the island's third harbour and has a reasonable beach of its own.

The beaches of Aegina

Aegina keeps its beaches low-key, but several reward a visit. Agia Marina Beach on the east side is the largest, an organised, shallow, sandy bay with sunbeds, watersports and plenty of tavernas, ideal for families with small children. Souvala Beach in the north is a sand-and-pebble beach with therapeutic hot and cold springs, about 10 kilometers from Aegina Town. Perdika Beach in the south-west, 9 kilometers from the capital, is a small picturesque beach opposite the islet of Moni, a ten-minute boat trip away. Marathonas Beach, 4 kilometers from the capital, has organised sand on both sides of a fishing-village pier. Aiginitissa is a shallow beach on the road to Perdika, and Avra (Kolona) Beach is the sandy town beach beside the Kolona archaeological site, within walking distance of the ferries. For every beach on the island see the Aegina beaches guide.

Sights of Aegina

Aegina's main sight is the Temple of Aphaia, just outside Aghia Marina, which dates from the 5th century BC and is one of the best-preserved temples in Greece, set on a pine-covered hill. Together with the Parthenon in Athens and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, the Temple of Aphaia forms an almost equilateral “sacred triangle” of ancient sanctuaries in the region. The Temple of Zeus stood on the top of Oros Mountain in the south, though only its foundations survive. The Temple of Apollo and its single column mark the former acropolis at Kolona, north of the capital, where the island's Archaeological Museum holds finds such as the Aegina Sphinx from the 6th century BC and coins from the first Greek island to mint its own. In Aegina Town, Markello's Tower dates from 1802, and the Monastery of Saint Catherine stands east of the town near the abandoned former capital of Palaiochora. Between Aegina Town and Aghia Marina, below Palaiochora, the Monastery of Agios Nektarios is the island's main pilgrimage site: dedicated to Saint Nektarios, it holds one of the largest Orthodox churches in the Balkans.

Where to stay on Aegina

Aegina concentrates most of its accommodation at Aghia Marina, along the island's longest, shallow, sandy beach and 2 kilometers from the Temple of Aphaia, which suits families and travellers who want a little nightlife. Aegina Town offers a smaller choice beside its own beach, close to the Temple of Apollo and the Archaeological Museum. Both villages are served daily by ferry. For every hotel, studio and apartment on the island see the Aegina hotels guide.

Hotel Rastoni, Aegina Town

Hotel Rastoni is a small, stylish hotel in Aegina Town, 40 minutes from the port of Piraeus and within walking distance of the harbour. Its 12 spacious rooms are each decorated individually, and rooms on the first and second floors look out over the ancient hill and archaeological site of Kolona and the sunsets. A mature garden with shaded seating and a seminar area for groups of up to 30 complete the setting, and the hotel is open from March until November.

Getting to Aegina

Aegina lies about 40 minutes from Piraeus, the port of Athens, by fast hydrofoil or catamaran, and about 70 minutes by conventional ferry; boats call at Aegina Town, while Aghia Marina and Souvala have their own connections to Piraeus as well. Times and fares change with the season, so check the operator for current fares and timetables before you travel. Ticket offices are few and often open only half an hour before departure, so if you plan to take a fast afternoon hydrofoil back to Athens it is wise to book ahead or buy your return ticket the moment you arrive - the late, fast returns fill up quickly.

Frequently asked questions