Tour of Aegina island
Aegina is a beautiful island with graphic settlements, long sandy and well – organized beaches, historical monuments, important archaeological sights and churches.
It is located about 18 nautical miles from Attica and it attracts many visitors all year round.
Aegina, known as the “island of pistachio”, is the second biggest island in Argosaronikos Gulf after Salamina.
The island has an excellent tourist infrastructure, with an abundance of hotels, apartments and rooms to let, restaurants, bars, shops, travel and car rental agencies.
Aegina Town
The capital of the island, also called AEGINA, is a small town with a few neoclassical houses that recall its earlier gentility.
Amongst its churches are the pretty church of Agios Nikolaos in the harbor and the Cathedral of Agios Dionysios, built during the period of Turkish domination, at which the first government of liberated Greece was sworn in.
The Archaeological Museum (Tel. + 30 22970 22637) houses architectural members from the temple of Afaia, a marble Sphinx, a statue of Hercules –from the temple of Apollo- and other objects of some interest.
In Aegina town can also be seen Kapodistria’s Government House, now home to an important library.
Just to the north of the port, at Kolona is a single Doric column that belongs to the temple of Apollo (6th c. BC).
In the capital there are numerous hotels, pensions, rooms to let of all categories, restaurants, fish taverns, and coffee shops.
In the enchanting atmosphere of the night you can have fun and dance at the bars and clubs of the town.
Near the village of KYPSELI, 3 km. north – west of Aegina, is the church of the Agii Theodori.
It was built on 1282 and has some fine wall – paintings.
Tour of Aegina island
A road leading northwards from Aegina runs along the north coast of the island to PLAKAKIA, LEONTI, SOUVALA and VAYA.
All of them sea side resorts with hotels, rooms for rent, restaurants, taverns, bars, etc. – and ends at TOURLOS.
Another road runs east from Aegina town, to Paleochora (6 km.from Aegina).
This is an abandoned town built in a hill with a medieval castle on the summit that was the capital of the island from the 9th to the 19th c.
Only a few of the notable churches in the town survive.
The nunnery of Agios Nektarios is worth visiting; the saint lived and died (in 1920) here, and his tomb and relic are kept in the nunnery, which celebrates its festival on 9 November.
MESAGROS a medieval village, 9 km. north-east of the town has a strong tradition of pottery-making and enjoys a superb view of the temple of Afaia.
Temple of Afaia
The Doric temple of Afaia is built on a hill 4 km. from Agia Marina.
It was thought to be one of the most important temples in antiquity and included a perirteral temple of the goddess with pedimental sculptural decoration of Parian marble.
This decoration was removed by Ludwig of Bavaria and is now kept in the Munich Glyptothek.
On the total of 34 columns in the peristyle, 24 are preserved, along with part of the restored entablature and two columns of the pronaos.
Agia Marina
The road continues south to AGIA MARINA (13 km. east of Aegina).
This is a sea-side holiday resort set amongst pines, with a fine and fully organized sandy beach and good bathing.
In Agia Marina you will find hotels, apartments and rooms to let of all categories, graphic taverns on the beach, coffee shops, bars and clubs.
The little church of Agia Marina celebrates on 17th July, when crowds of people gather from the neighboring villages to enjoy the local festival.
Tour of Aegina island
Marathonas – Perdika
The road to the south of Aegina town leads to Faros, Paliopyrgos, Marathonas, Aeginitissa, and Profitis Elias, ending at Perdika, a beautiful fishing village in the gulf of Marathonas.
Perdika is an old traditional settlement, build around the port.
Main characteristic of the settlement of Perdika is the small houses with their yards to connect with each other.
Very close to Perdika are the picturesque beaches of Klima and Sarpa.
Marathonas is another tourist resort with a nice organized sandy beach.
Aeginitissa is 2 kilometers from Perdika and disposes a fully organized beach with snack bars.
The entire west coast of the island has some fine, clear beaches, both sandy and pebbles.
Opposite Perdika is the verdant uninhabited islet of Moni (3 nautical miles away), full of pine trees.
There are frequent connections by small boat in the summer.
Its sandy beaches have deep, clear waters, suitable for underwater fishing.
The road continues to Sfentouri, to the east of Perdika, a popular tourist place with interesting traditional elements.
The ruins of Zeus Hellanios stand on a hill 530 m. high in the interior of the island, near Pachia Rachi.
NEARBY ISLANDS
The island of Agistri, 4 nautical miles west of Aegina, is connected by ferry boat with Aegina and Piraeus.
LOCAL PRODUCTS
Before leaving from Aegina, don’t miss to buy a bag of the famous Aegina pistachio nuts.
