Aegina

Aegina is a beautiful island just 1 hour away from Athens and an ideal holiday destination all year round. On Ferryhopper, you can find information about the island, its best beaches, and local delicacies, and book your ferry tickets to Aegina online in a few clicks!

Sailboats near a quiet beach with crystal blue waters in Aegina

Vacation in Aegina

Aegina is popular for day trips or weekend getaways in the Saronic Gulf, as it’s rather close to Athens. The holidays in Aegina are all about relaxation, beautiful beaches, good food, and a variety of activities in every corner of the island.

During your stay on the island, you can go trekking and explore the amazing hiking trails of Aegina, stroll around the port area or go shopping in the floating markets for fresh fruits and spices. One thing is for sure! It has something for everyone and if you appreciate art, then you will fall in love with the art sights of Aegina.

How to get to Aegina

The easiest way to get to Aegina is to catch the ferry from the port of Piraeus in Athens. The island is just 1 hour away and it’s the perfect destination for a day trip or a long weekend. There are numerous ferry crossings every day and many of the ferries that operate on this route have a garage for the transfer of vehicles.

The sunset in the Saronic Gulf from the island of Aegina

What to do in Aegina

Aegina is the largest island in the Saronic Gulf and it is perfect for short or long holidays. It's an all-year-round destination that is great for relaxation and quiet time by the sea, as well as exciting outdoor activities for thrill seekers. Do you want to know more about the charming island of Aegina? Then keep reading!

Tip: Aegina is lively during the spring months too! If you’re visiting the island off-season, you can read our blog article for a perfect spring weekend getaway in Aegina.

Beaches in Aegina

Most of the beaches in Aegina have umbrellas, sunbeds, and/or beach bars. There are also secluded bays for enjoying clear blue waters and beautiful views of the Saronic gulf. Here’s a list of the best beaches in Aegina: 

• Agia Marina: this is the largest and most famous beach on the island, which has been awarded a Blue Flag. It is sandy, with crystal waters, umbrellas, sunbeds, and a beach bar.
• Agios Vasileios: it’s a sandy beach with shallow waters and umbrellas, ideal for families.
• Aeginitissa: this is a beautiful beach with sand and eucalyptus trees that offer natural shade. 
• Vagia: it’s an idyllic sandy beach with a beach bar. If you walk a little further across the coast, you can find secluded bays.
• Marathonas: this popular beach is equipped with umbrellas, sunbeds, and a beach bar. It has shallow waters which makes it ideal for beach games and kids. 
• Klima: this small bay with clear blue waters is one of the most popular beaches in Aegina. 
• Perdika: Perdika is one of the most picturesque villages in Aegina. If you like diving from rocks and exploring wonderful turquoise waters, then this is your place to swim!
• Portes: it’s actually 2 secluded beaches under the same name, one of them with sand and the other with pebbles. They are ideal if you wish to avoid crowded spots. Right next to the beaches, there is a fishing village where you can try out local delicacies.
• Souvala: the beach next to the homonymous settlement has sand, crystal-clear waters, and a relaxing atmosphere. Nearby, you can find shops, tavernas, and restaurants.

Sightseeing in Aegina

The island of Aegina has been inhabited since ancient times. The rich history of the island, as well as the cultural activity of the inhabitants, is evident in various attractions and museums on the island. We suggest you visit the following:

• The Temple of Aphaia, an ancient sanctuary built on a hill at 160 meters
• The Archaeological Site of Kolona, with ruins of the prehistoric city and parts of its citadel’s walls.
• The medieval village of Paleochora, which was the capital of the island until 1826
• The Archaeological Museum of Aegina, the first National Museum of Greece founded in 1829
• Christos Kapralos Museum, with a significant number of works of the Greek sculptor Christos Kapralos
• The Monastery of Agios Nektarios, one of the largest Monasteries in Greece built in 1904
• The Tower of Markellos,  a Venetian watchtower dating back to the 17th century

Tip1: the Tower of Markellos in Aegina town is open 24/7, and is great for a night visit when you can enjoy the spooky vibes!

Tip2: for the best daytime panoramic view to the eastern side of the island, we recommend taking some rest at the canteen opposite the Temple of Aphaia after visiting the archeological site.

The temple and sanctuary of Aphaia in Aegina

Nightlife in Aegina

Nights in Aegina are all about chill-out vibes and cocktails by the sea. The most lively places on the island are the main town and the coastal towns of Agia Marina and Souvala.

In the main town of Aegina, you can find wine bars, cocktail bars, restaurants, and tavernas. On the beach bars of the busiest beaches, such as Marathonas, Perdika, and Vagia, you can enjoy a drink next to the sea.

Tip: for the best cocktails and music in the alleys of Aegina town, we recommend picking Speak Low bar for your night out.

Food in Aegina

The most famous local product of Aegina is the pistachios, a variety that is considered one of the best in the world. Aegina also produces delicious wine, olive oil and honey, while the island is also renowned for its fish taverns. 

Seaside taverna in Aegina

Tips

Some additional local tips and recommendations for your vacation in Aegina:

• From the port of Perdika (in 10 minutes) or Aegina town (in 20 minutes), you can take a boat and cross to the islet of Moni. The small island is uninhabited and it has an impressive natural landscape and crystal blue waters. The islet is a natural reserve so, during your visit, you might see deers or peacocks wandering around.
• During the summer months, we recommend watching a film in one of the open-air cinemas in Aegina. It's an amazing experience. 
• Every September, the island hosts the Fistiki (Pistachio) Festival of Aegina, a big event that takes place in the main town of Aegina. If you find yourself on the island during that time, make sure to try out some of the freshest pistachio delicacies produced on the island. 

Useful information for Aegina

Due to the short distance from Athens, Aegina has been significantly developed in recent decades. So, on the island, you can find plenty of accommodation options, while in the summer season you can also enjoy the vivid nightlife of Aegina. 

The island has many supermarkets, banks, gas stations, and a hospital. The transport network of Aegina is rather efficient, as there are local buses connecting most of the villages, beaches, and places of interest. 

Useful phone numbers for your stay in Aegina

Here are some useful contacts for your stay in Aegina:

• Aegina Port Authority: +302297022328
• Aegina Hospital: +302297024489
• Citizen services: +302297026222
• Police: +302297022100
• Tourist information center: +302297026967
• Aegina bus services: +302297022787

Transportation in Aegina

There are several daily bus routes from the main town of Aegina to the rest of the island. The central bus station is located 300m from the port of Aegina.

There are also taxis and private transfer services, but we suggest that you bring your own vehicle or rent one upon arrival. There are also water taxis for certain locations, which is an exciting but expensive way of getting around.

Ports in Aegina

The island has 3 ports, which serve ferry routes from Athens and the surrounding islands of the Saronic Gulf year-round. The ports of Aegina are the following:

• the port of the town of Aegina, which is the main port of the island
• the port of Souvala, in the north of the island.
• the port of Agia Marina, on the east side of the island

 Sunny day at the beach of Agia Marina on the east coast of Aegina

Island hopping from Aegina

Aegina is a perfect departure point to explore the islands of the Saronic Gulf, as it has regular ferry connections to nearby destinations. From Aegina, you can easily travel by ferry to: 

• Agistri
• Poros
• Methana
• Hydra
• Spetses

If you would like to combine your vacation in Aegina with a day trip to the islands of the Saronic Gulf, take a look at our Map of ferries and find all the available ferry connections from Aegina. 

Aegina ferry: schedules and tickets

Aegina is the closest island to Athens, located 15 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus.

The ferry route Piraeus - Aegina is operated throughout the year by the ferry companies San Lorenzo Ferries, Saronic Ferries and Anes Ferries with conventional ferries and by the ferry companies Aegean Flying Dolphins and Blue Star Ferries with high-speed vessels.

The duration of the trip varies from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the type of vessel that you travel with. 

The view of the port of Aegina

Where to book ferry tickets to Aegina online

Do you want to get away from the city for a few days? Aegina is the perfect destination for a weekend escape! Find information about the island and the Saronic Gulf, check all the available ferry routes, and book your ferry tickets with no hidden fees on Ferryhopper!