Aegina Island Greece - Information about the town of Aegina

Location of Aegina

The island of Aegina about one hour by boat from the port of Athens (Piraeus), approximately 20 miles from Athens. It is one of the closest islands to Athens which you can visit either as a day trip or an extended holiday.

Aegina has been inhabited since antiquity and has a very rich history. Traces of the island ancient history are still evident today – the beautiful temple of Aphaia being the most important. The port of Aegina is a picturesque Greek town, one with traditional fishing boats and a very pretty waterfront. It is considered a hidden treasure by the locals as it has limited tourism from abroad, but is a favourite of the Athenians. Apart from the beaches and the waterfront, the island of Aegina is also known for its beautiful countryside, best enjoyed on hikes across the mountainous interior or along the beachfront.

The town has many restaurants, frequented by locals, at which you can enjoy local fish and traditional Greek cuisine. An important aspect of the island is that it retains a feel of tradition.

Over the weekends the town, restaurants and caffes may be a bit crowded as many Athenians visit Aegina even for a day trip.

The easiest way to get to Aegina is using SIVA travel transfer and ticketing services.

Boats to Aegina have multiple sailings per day throughout the year. In the winter months October to April there are less daily departures than in the summer season.

The boats sail from the main port of Piraeus which is a short drive from the center of Athens (about 30-45 minutes). Alternatively there is a regular train connection to Piraeus from Athens center.

If you wish to have all arrangements to get Aegina for a day trip or a short holiday on the island it will be a pleasure for our travel consultants to discuss options with you and to find the best that suits your requirements exactly.

We do also offer private day cruises that visit Aegina and the close by islands.

On the waterfront of the port of Aegina there are many cafes and restaurants.
Definitely visit: Centrally located, on the waterfront of the port, is the fish market of Aegina. Enjoy local food and fresh fish; taste some of the delicacies that Mediterranean cuisine offers.
The restaurants are frequented by locals and you can immerse yourself in the local culture.

The port of Aegina is also a marina for sailing yachts. Along the key there are many cafes to sit and enjoy a drink.
Most of the cafes also offer WiFi free.

The temple Aphaia on Aegina well preserved remains stand on a pine covered hill with amazing views over the Saronic Gulf. The temple was built in 480 BC and celebrates a local deity of pre-Hellenic times. It is beautiful albeit rather small site, and the temple itself is well preserved. The drive up to the temple is interesting as it traverses through Aegina and you will get to see a lot of the island itself.
It is a short drive of about 30 minutes from the port of Aegina to the temple of Aphaia and the visit is worth it!

There are a couple of small museums on the island:
1. Archaeological Museum
2. Folclore Museum

Make sure that you check open/close times before arranging a visit.