The island feels like a hidden paradise, yet it’s remarkably close to the city. Once the first capital of modern Greece, Aegina retains its neoclassical elegance - pastel façades, grand old mansions, and a cosmopolitan port where fishing boats sit alongside floating produce markets. Stroll along the waterfront, buy fresh fish directly from the boats, and watch ferries glide in from Athens - all in a single afternoon.

Translation | Amaryllis Tsegou

Aegina’s magic lies in contrasts: ancient ruins sit beside contemporary art, pine-clad hills lead down to golden beaches, and traditional family-run tavernas share the stage with chic summer bars. It’s so close and small enough for a day trip, yet rich enough to make you want to linger for much longer.

Here’s everything to see, taste, and experience on this unmissable Greek island escape, which is sure to stay with you forever.

Experiences you can’t miss

Kolona Archaeological Site

Just ten minutes from the port, Kolona - Aegina’s ancient Acropolis - invites you to step back in time. The lone column of the Temple of Apollo rises above the sea, surrounded by ruins that span from the Early Helladic to the Byzantine era. It’s a stunning spot for sunset, when golden light kisses the ancient stones.

Temple of Aphaia

Perched atop a pine-covered hill, the Temple of Aphaia forms a sacred triangle with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. The view over the Saronic Gulf is breathtaking, and the calm yet powerful atmosphere makes it easy to feel the spiritual energy of the site.

Art and Artists’ Trails

Aegina’s light has long drawn writers and artists. Take the hour-long coastal walk from the port to Plakakia, passing sculptures by Varotsos and Moralis and the workshop of famed sculptor Christos Kapralos. The route ends at the former home of Nikos Kazantzakis, bathed in the soft glow of dusk - a must for anyone with an appreciation for art and creativity.

Sfyrichtres olive grove

Wander among ancient, gnarled olive trees, some 400 to 1,500 years old, in the legendary grove at Sfyrichtres. Chapels and stone estates dot the landscape, creating a scene so striking that Hermès filmed a campaign here in 2005. The early morning or late afternoon light is perfect for experiencing the quiet, timeless beauty of this place.

Perdika and island-hopping

From the picturesque fishing village of Perdika, small boats take visitors to the nearby islet of Moni, a nature reserve with turquoise waters, wild goats, even peacocks. The crossing takes just ten minutes and if you have time, a detour to Agistri for a quick swim makes the perfect addition to a day spent on the water.

Hiking Aegina’s trails

For hiking enthusiasts, Aegina hides nine marked trails winding through olive groves, traditional villages, and rugged mountain paths. The most famous, the Mount Ellanio loop, starts in Anitsaio, passes through Vlachides, Sfendouri, and Taxiarches and ends at the ancient Temple of Zeus. Panoramic views of the Aegean reward every step of the climb.

Paliachora: Byzantine ruins

Once known as the “Mystras of Aegina,” Paliachora was the island’s Byzantine capital. Today, 38 of the original 366 churches remain, scattered across the hillside like whispers of another time. Wander among the ruins, explore frescoed chapels, and gaze at the endless blue stretching to the horizon.

Traditional villages

For a glimpse of pre-tourism life, visit Sfendouri, Agioi, and Alones. Here you’ll still find livestock, rustic sheepfolds and green landscapes overlooking the sea. Stop in Afentouri for a taste of homemade rice pudding at “Oriini Aegina,” run by Yiannis Cherouveim.

Monasteries

Aegina is home to several notable monasteries, including Agios Nektarios, Agios Minas, and Panagia Chrysoleontissa. Each offers a quiet, reflective experience surrounded by lush greenery.

Hidden Gems

Let yourself be charmed by the traditional settlement of Pachia Rachi, the cool hilltop village of Anitsaio at 203 meters, and Mesagros, known for its pottery. Even the abandoned villages - Giannakides, Kanakides, Kapotides, Kazares, and Benakides - offer a mysterious atmosphere that is captivating to explore.

Swim in crystal waters

Despite its small size, Aegina offers plenty of spots for a refreshing dip. Aeginitissa is a picture-perfect beach with turquoise waters, shaded by tamarisk trees and accompanied by a laid-back beach bar. Agia Marina, on the eastern side, is ideal for families, thanks to its shallow waters and soft sand. Klidi, near Marathonas, is a favorite with locals - quieter and surrounded by lush greenery. For complete seclusion, head to Moni Islet just off Perdika, where the water is so clear you can even see the shadows of peacocks on the sand.

Pistachios: Aegina’s green gold

No trip to Aegina is complete without tasting its world-famous pistachios. The island’s dry climate and volcanic soil create ideal conditions for this delicate nut, earning it Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. Pistachios appear in countless forms - fresh nuts, sweets, spreads, even ice cream. Every September, the Aegina Fistiki Fest celebrates the harvest with music, tastings and lively stalls along the harbour.

For all things pistachio, visit Fystikato (4 Demokratias Street), a shop offering every pistachio-based product you never knew existed. Another must-see is Mourtzi, a charming grocery store at 57 P. Ireoti St. (+30 22970 27649), where you’ll find not only pistachio treats but a full selection of local Aegina products.

Local cheeses

The Sorros family is behind some of the island’s finest cheeses. Father Nektarios tends the animals, his wife Epistimi runs the butcher shop and their son Sarantis - now with two daughters - revived traditional recipes, using milk exclusively from the island. At their butcher shop on Aiginitou and Achilleos (+30 22970 27900), you can find:

• Geremez, aged 4–5 days in a bag
• Graviera
• Feta
• Ladotyri, matured for eight months in olive oil
• Yoghurt cheese, made with yoghurt, feta, and tsigaras (a milk butter distillate)

They also produce pasta using local milk and eggs, bringing authentic island flavours to every bite.

Taste the island

Aegina’s culinary scene is a love letter to the sea, the land and the simplicity of island life. The food is far from loud - it speaks softly through freshness, texture and flavours that come from ingredients harvested and grown just a few miles away.

• For a taste of old Athens-Greece charm, try the Geladakis tsipouro bar, located in the fish market. Here, amid stalls and crates of fresh produce, the grill has been alive since 1962, serving authentic tsipouro with traditional meze. (+30 22970 27308).
• Skotadis, operating since 1945, is the island’s historic ouzo bar. Now in its third generation under Giorgos Lykouris, the meze here reaches “gourmet” heights, from carpaccio of sea bream with olive oil and marjoram to fresh fish and seafood caught sustainably.
• At the tiny port of Kavouropetra, the eponymous, family-run tavern fries fresh fish and prepares the full range of seafood, from salted fish to shrimp with barley. (+30 22970 23001)
• For heartier fare, Steki tou Kynigou in Anitsaio serves roast cockerel with thick macaroni, wood-fired pies, crispy steaks, and traditional dishes in a setting that feels far from a typical island. (+30 22970 31210)
• Petras’ grocery store, in operation since 1906, is a local institution. Yannis Petras and his wife Rania serve plates of exceptional delicacies outside, transforming this historic space into a modern “bakalotaverna.” (47 P. Ireoti St., +30 22970 22428)
• In Perdika, overlooking Moni Islet, the renovated Nondas is the go-to spot for light frying and fresh fish, a favorite among Athenians for Sunday outings. (+30 22970 61223)
• Finally, beneath the carved balcony of the Town Hall, stop for a traditional Greek coffee at two charming old cafés - one run by Anastasia Galari and the other by Kostas Moiras * both perfect for a sip of Greek coffee and a quiet moment before continuing your Aegina adventures.

The Sweet Story of Aiakion Patisserie

With over 60 years of history, Aiakion Patisserie, founded by Mrs. Dolly Koukouli in 1958, remains the social heart of Aegina. It’s where mornings begin with your first coffee, where meetings are arranged, friends gather, and where you savor the island’s finest pastries. It’s also the place to pick up gifts for those back home - the shop that artist Moralis famously called his “office.” Today, Alexandros and Michalis, representing the third generation, have expanded the menu to include a variety of pistachio-based treats and individually packaged sweets, including the submarine, the forentines, and the fustikata. Don’t miss the legendary fistikata, caramel-coated ground pistachios, the fistikini flavored with kuantro, or the classic French profiterole, filled with ice cream and topped with hot chocolate sauce. (18–20 Demokratias St.)

The Aegina jug

Aegina has a long tradition of pottery. Its jugs were once the most famous in Greece, admired not only for their beauty but also for their durability. The island’s clay has a unique property called “sweating,” which allows unglazed jugs to keep water cool for longer - a technique dating back to ancient times. Pottery continues to thrive on the island today. Notable artists include N. Sklavenitis, the Kotakis family, Margarita Ekklisiarchou, Theodora Chorafa, and the great Katerina Giannaka. Their work is well worth exploring for anyone interested in Aegina’s artistic heritage.

Aegina Fistiki Fest

Since 2008, Aegina has celebrated annually its world-famous pistachios with the Fistiki Fest, held every September from the 18th to the 21st. Beyond the bustling trade fair at the port - where you can sample every pistachio creation imaginable - the festival also features concerts by big-name musicians, culinary events with celebrated chefs and fun activities for all ages. (Fistikifest.gr)

A quick escape, a lasting impression

Perhaps that’s the secret of Aegina’s charm: how effortlessly it fits into everyday life. You can leave Athens in the morning, swim in crystal-clear waters, explore an ancient temple, enjoy lunch by the sea and still be back home by sunset. Yet Aegina has a way of lingering with you - in the scent of pine, the taste of pistachios and the gentle rhythm of island time. It’s a reminder that just sometimes paradise is only an hour away.