The island of Aegina is part of the Saronic Island group lying to the south of Athens and very close to the Peloponnese mainland. The self catering holiday villas that Pretty Greek Villas has chosen on Aegina are situated in some of the best locations on the island.
Aegina is one of the few islands that still embodies all that Greeks themselves find attractive about Greece. Simple tavernas shaded by vines serving excellent fish, markets with a dazzling array of fresh produce, great coffee shops and delicatessans and some really chic shops. The beauty of Aegina is accented by its famous pistachio groves stretching down to the azure sea. Aegina is a perfect place for exploring the other very diverse islands of the Saronic group and the Peloponnese mainland.
You may just want to relax in beautiful surroundings whilst on holiday in your Greek villa. However, Aegina offers a variety of delights to explore.
How to Get There
The nearest airport is Athens International Airport. From there, you can take a taxi or the E96 Airport bus to the Port of Pireaus. The airport bus leaves every 15 mins from the airport bus stand directly outside the Arrivals Hall. From Pireaus, you take a Flying Dolphin or Catamaran to the island of Aegina (approx 30 mins).
Pretty Good Beaches
Aegina enjoys mostly sandy beaches, and the sea, as it is throughout Greece, is absolutely clean, crystalline and beautiful. Some of the best beaches are:
Vayeia Beach
This is a very nice, usually quiet, sandy beach on the northern side of Aegina.
Souvala Beach
This beach has both pebbles and sand and is known for its therapeutic hot and cold springs. It is situated north east of Aegina Town.
Agia Marina Beach
This sandy beach is located on the eastern side of the island. This is Aegina's most popular beach and has watersport facilities.
Marathonas Beach
Situated south of Aegina Town, this is an excellent beach - probably the best on the island.
Pretty Cultural & Good Day Trips
The strong point of Aegina is its history, culture and architecture, its beautiful wild mountains and lush orchards and the traditional way of life that has been fused with the chic style of the contemporary Athenian.
Ancient Aegina
In ancient times, Aegina was a city state in its own right still evident in the splendid Temple Aphaea, an important example of Doric architecture.
Medieval Citadel of Palaio Chora
Palaio Chora ('Old Town') with its 37 churches is where the local population used to hide from pirates.
Monastery of Agios Nektarios
Set in a spectacular position in the mountains on the road out to Vayeia.
Mountain Villages
Aegina has some beautiful mountain villages with lovely stone houses and Byzantine churches. Anitzeo and the mountain village of Svedouri are worth visiting.
Perdika
This is a picturesque fishing village with a tiny harbour and some excellent fish restaurants.
Boat trip to Moni Island
Boat trips are possible during the main season from Perdika to Moni Island. Bathe in crystal clear water and immerse yourself in the spectacular nature of the Moni Island where Chamois Cretan goat-antelopes are found as well as deer, peacocks and other wildlife. This is definitely worth a trip.
Portes
This is a small village worth exploring between Perdika and Agia Marina beach.
Monastery of the Virgin Chryssoleontissa
In a beautiful setting above the road to Marathonas Beach.
Spetses by Flying Cat
Spetses with its pine-cloaked hills, sandy coves, splendid old harbour and aristocratic heritage can be visited from Aegina. Click here for more information on Spetses.
www.dolphins.gr
Hydra by Flying Cat
Visit this wonderful neighbouring island with its impressive horse-shoe shaped marble harbour and chic shops, restaurants and tavernas. The interior of the island is still very traditional with white washed houses, crooked stone paths and pretty hillsides. Click here for more information on Hydra.
www.dolphins.gr
Aegina by Flying Cat
Aegina is one of the few islands that still encapsulates all that Greeks love about their own country. Simple tavernas shaded by vines serving excellent fish, colourful markets, great coffee shops and long pistachio groves reaching down to the sea. Click here for more information on Aegina
www.dolphins.gr
Angistri by boat
This smaller, undiscovered neighbouring island to Aegina is a little gem with pretty coves and fragrant pine forests. From Spetes, you need to take a Flying Cat to Aegina and from there a short ferry ride to Angistri.
www.dolphins.gr
Peloponnese mainland
There are regular ferries, catamarans and water taxis that can take you the short 20 mins distance to Kostas or Portoheli on the Peloponnese mainland. In high season, there is a ferry service to Ancient Epidavros each evening for the summer arts festival held at the ancient amphitheatre. The Peloponnese is where most of the major archaelogical sites are located and the beautiful Venetian town of Nafplion can be explored.
Pretty Greek Festivals
Throughout Greece, every island and place has its share of festivals. A religious ceremony is held in the local church followed by eating, drinking, dancing and fireworks until dawn. Aegina has its fair share of the fun.
Feast of the Virgin Mary, 15th August
Celebrated all over Greece, this ceremony is in honour of the Virgin Mary.
Pretty Sporty
Diving
The clean, crystalline water of Aegina is excellent for diving and dolphins are often sighted.
Aegina Scuba Diving Club, Agia Marina
Linda Johansson and Vasillis Botonis.
Tel: 22970 32029
www.diveaegina.com
Pretty Delicious! Food and Drink
Aegina has some excellent restaurants, tavernas, cafes and bars. There are plenty of traditional haunts both by the sea or in the moutains, as well as some more chic alternatives in the harbour area.
Restaurants and Tavernas
Pan Irioti Street
This street is in Aegina Town and is lined with very good traditional fish restaurants.
The Agora (Market)
The main fish market in Aegina Town ('Agora') has an excellent 'ouzeria' serving fresh fish mezedes and fish dishes
Aryiriss Taverna
Excellent home cooking at this taverna in the village of Mesagros
Eyinitisa Beach Taverna
Delicious food is served at this beach side taverna.
Perdika Village
This small, traditional and picturesque fishing village has some excellent fish tavernas.
Angie's
Situated in the beautiful stone village of Anitzeo in the mountains, Angie's has mouth-watering dishes and a great atmosphere. Very popular with the local people.
Pretty Greek Cafes and Bars
Yes Cafe, Aegina Harbour
This chic and trendy waterfront bar is very popular. It is located near where the Flying Dolphins leave. Great cocktails, drinks, coffees and snacks in atmospheric surroundings.
Tel: 22970 28306
Pretty Greek Shops
Aegina is a favourite haunt of the Athenian and in the last few years, some really chic shops have sprung up mostly around the harbour area of Aegina Town. Aegina is particularly well known for its ceramics and two of Greece's most distinguished contemporary ceramicists, Theodora Xorafa and Margarita Eglisiarchou have their studios on the island.
Ceramics
This stylish shop is located in the main shopping street of Aegina. Whilst ceramics are its speciality, the shop also stocks beautiful accessories for the home. Here you will find ceramics by local artists.
Tel: 22970 26484
marthakotaki@hotmail.com
Allegro
Located in a beautiful neo-classical mansion near the main port of Aegina, Allegro has a colourful array of beautiful treasures for the home as well as handmade gifts and ceramics.
Tel: 22970 23780
Fistiki
The exquisite collections of this elegant shop will make you covet everything! It is located on the traditional street of Panagi Irioti.
Tel: 22970 28327
So Trek
This elegant shop sells a range of accessories for the home. Located on Kanari Street in Aegina Town.
Tel: 22970 29007
Greek Gifts
Located in a beautiful neo-classical mansion, Marina Makaratzi stocks beautiful gifts made by Greek artists.
Tel: 22970 22543
Transport
Boat Information.
Tel: 22970 25625
Flying Dolphin.
Tel: 22970 29027
Hellenic Seaways.
Tel: 210 4199200
www.hellenicseaways.gr
Bus Information. KTEL.
Tel: 22970 22787
Taxi.
Tel: 22970 22635
Health
Medical Centre in Aegina Town.
Tel: 22970 32775
Hospital of Aegina (Aegina Town).
Tel: 22970 22209
Pharmacy (Aegina Town).
Tel: 22970 24130 / 25317
Dentist.
Tel: 22970 20435 / 23481
Vet (behind main hospital).
Yiannis Basdavanos & Despoina Papachroni
Tel: 22970 24942 / 28775 / 6944 444857
Emergency Numbers
Police.
Tel: 22970 22100
Port Police.
Tel: 22970 22328
Fire.
Tel: 22970 22171
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