Like it’s neighbor, Agistri, the Greek island of Aegina is an amazing place to visit if you’re looking to spend a few relaxing nights on a nearby island just an hour or so ferry ride from Athens port of Pireaus.

Aegina is fortunate to not have fallen victim to mass tourism as of yet, and the authenticity of the island can be felt as soon as you arrive.

Interestingly enough, the island of Aegina is famous for growing some of the best pistachios in the world.

It’s also known for its gorgeous scenery, fantastic beaches, deep history and

More importantly, the fact that Aegina is such a short trip from the nation’s capital of Athens, many locals find the island to be a convenient weekend escape.

It’s recommended to pair your visit to Aegina island with the equally beautiful, nearby island of Agistri.

You can find our in-depth travel guide to Agistri by clicking here.

Before You Go: Travel Insurance

When planning a trip to Greece and the Greek Islands your first priority should be to make sure you make a small investment towards your health and well being by considering an affordable travel insurance policy for your trip.

Not only will this budget friendly travel insurance policy cover you if your bags are lost/stolen and if your flight is delayed/cancelled, but you’ll also be covered for all medical and injury related issues as well. 

Let’s face it. No parents, family or friends want to have to cover the cost of you getting medevaced home from Greece.

Unfortunate things do happen.

Especially when you least expect it.

Do yourself a favor and consider purchasing travel insurance coverage for your trip so you can rest assured that you’ll be taken care of in the event of a serious emergency in Greece. 

P.S. You won’t believe how reasonably priced this travel insurance is.

How to Get to Aegina Island

As mentioned above, one of the best things about Aegina is that it’s so close to Athens with ferries connecting the two destinations on a daily basis.

Below you’ll find more information on how to reach Aegina island by ferry from Athens.

By Ferry

The daily Aegina ferry takes approximately 40-75 minutes from start to finish depending on the type of ferry you choose.

Blue Star Ferries operates a high-speed ferry to and from Aegina 6 to 7 times per day and the journey takes approximately 40 minutes.

Cost: €14 per person each way.

Anes Ferries operate a slower ferry (3x per day) which takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach Aegina.

Cost: €8 per person each way.

You can find ferry tickets to Aegina easily by using the ferry booking widget embedded below.

Check Ferry Schedules & Prices:

Agistri Ferry Tips:

• If you’re planning on visiting Aegina island during the low season, be sure to double check the ferry schedules as ferries that operate to and from Aegina sometimes run on a limited schedule outside of peak season.

• The Athens ferry port (Port of Piraeus) is very spread out and can be quite hectic. Be sure to figure out which part of the port that your Aegina ferry is leaving from in advance in order to avoid walking long distances with your luggage.

• The best way to get to the port of Piraeus from your accommodations in Athens is to use the mobile app called Taxibeat. Don’t forget to use promo code: 2h92e7u6 to get a discount on your first ride.

Where to Stay in Aegina

Finding quality accommodations in Aegina is a breeze.

There are a wide variety of options available on the island of Aegina — from budget to luxury accommodations.

Below, you can find a list of the different types of accommodation available on the island (Airbnb and Hotels).

Airbnb

Airbnb is one of the most popular and recommended ways to find accommodations in just about any destination in the world — including Aegina.

These days, travelers are simply tired of staying in overpriced, box-style hotel rooms when they can rent an authentic Aegina villa or private apartments and homes that actually feel like home.

Agistri Airbnb apartments can range anywhere from $20/night to more than $200/night depending on your budget and the types of amenities that you’re looking for.

Get a discount of up to $37 on your first Airbnb stay by clicking here.

Here are some Aegina airbnb recommendations below:

Budget

Mid-Range

Luxury

🔎 If this is your first time using Airbnb, we recommend you read our Insider’s Guide to Saving Money on Airbnb Apartments.

Hotels

Most hotels in Aegina Greece are either smaller family-owned and operated hotels or boutique hotels which have a more intimate feel to them.

Here are some Aegina hotel recommendations below:

• Danae Hotel ( Hotels Combined / Booking.com )
• Electra Pension Aegia ( Hotels Combined / Booking.com )
• Hotel Rastoni ( Hotels Combined / Booking.com )
• Hotel Klonos ( Hotels Combined / Booking.com )

Booking.com

Things to Do in Aegina

From enjoying a relaxing day on the beaches of Aegina to exploring the deep history of the island, there are a wide variety of things to do in Aegina.

Below, you’ll find a short list of things to see and do in Aegina.

Nektarios Monastery

This is a monastery dedicated to Saint Nectarios, and it also houses the tomb with the saint’s remains.

It’s a holy spot, and it’s one of the most beautiful and poignant Orthodox churches.

The monastery has been a site for religious visit from all around the world as well as ceremonies for over a thousand years now, and it’s pretty much an unforgettable spot on Aegina.

• Address: 18010 Kontos, Aegina island
• Phone: +30 229 705 3800 (Main Office)

Visit the Aphaia Temple

The ancient goddess Aphaia, or Afea, is a deity that was worshiped almost exclusively on Aegina in the past.

The Aphaia temple was dedicated to her and was a holy site over two millennia ago.

Over the course of time, it has been destroyed and rebuilt, only to be ultimately abandoned.

Today, it’s an important and fascinating archaeological dig site, and it’s considered on the prime historical spots of the island.

Hill of Kolona and Aegina Museum

There was a time when this temple was dedicated to the god Apollo, today there is only a single column left behind.

The name Kolona comes from the Greek word for column.

The temple was torn down in the Christian era for blasphemy and idolatry, so today, it’s an archaeological site with a museum.

The museum is over a hundred years old, and it contains over a thousand items from the region and the period when the temple was active.

Aegina Beaches

Agia Marina Beach

The longest stretch of white sands on the island, the Marina Beach is a great spot for beach lovers.

The Agia Marina beach is an award-winning beach, and is equipped with amenities and facilities such as restrooms, cafes, restaurants and more.

This beach is also great for children as the water is very shallow.

Aegenitissa Beach

Aegenitissa beach is a small, unique and cozy beach surrounded by eucalyptus trees with crystal clear waters.

The beach is located north east of the village of Perdika and can be easily accessed by foot (30 mins) or by car (10 mins).

Moni Island Beach

This is a tiny uninhabited island that’s just the perfect destination for people who love nature and the outdoors.

Its beach might not be very developed, but the sheer, unspoiled nature creates the perfect ambiance.

The island is really well connected to Perdika, and it’s only about 10 minutes by boat.

Eat Aegina Pistachios

Pistachios are a local delicacy in Aegina, and the ones harvested here are considered some of the best in the world.

The locals harvest them with fiery passion, so much so that there is a dedicated annual festival of pistachios every September.

When you’re in Aegina, make sure to drop by Aiakeion, a pastry shop which has been operating on the island since 1958 — Don’t leave the shop without trying some of the finest pistachio desserts in town.

Getting Around Aegina Island

Aegina is quite large in comparison to its neighbor Agistri and unlike Agistri, it can be a little too big to explore on foot.

If you’re planning on exploring the island you’ll definitely want to rent a car, ATV or motorbike.

Please keep in mind that the roads in Aegina aren’t very wide or well paved in some parts so be sure to drive cautiously.

Rental Car

Renting a car is a good way to get around the island, but it’s not necessarily the best.

If you’re a family and are going to spend some time on the island, then we would definitely consider renting a car so you can fit everyone in one vehicle.

Rate: €20 to €30/day

ATV

Since large parts of Aegina lack paved roads, renting an ATV is a great way to really get to see more remote parts of the island.

Rate: €15 to €25/day

Motorbike

If you’re a solo traveler who has experience riding motorbikes, we highly recommend renting a motorbike as a cheap and reliable way to see the island.

There are motorbike rental shops in town and the ones on the pier as you dock in Aegina are known to be trustworthy.

Rate: €15 to €25/day

Taxis

Getting a taxi might be expensive when it comes to moving around the island on a daily basis, but it’s quite reasonable if it’s not your main method of transportation throughout your whole vacation.

Contact: +30 2297022635 OR +30 2297022010

Best Time to Visit Aegina

As you know, vacations aren’t always easy to come by so it’s important to plan your trips carefully.

The best time to visit Aegina and avoid the crowds is to visit during the off season which runs from mid March to May or September through mid October.

However, Aegina weather is at its best between the months of March and late June and it starts to cool down around mid to late September.

Conclusion

From pleasant weather to gorgeous scenery, spectacular beaches, history, and plenty activities to choose from, Aegina is an incredible destination which definitely deserves a visit — especially if you’re looking for an island which is close to Athens.

Don’t forget to pair your visit to Aegina with a visit to other nearby islands such as Agistri, Moni and more.

Interested in visiting the Greek islands? If so, be sure to check out my full collection of Greek Island Travel Guides.

🔎 Did you find this travel guide useful? If so, please comment below and be sure to share it with your family and friends.

You might also enjoy this video of Aegina below:

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