Information
Aigina Attikis
Only 16 nautical miles far from the port of Piraeus, Aegina is the second largest island of the Saronic Gulf. The capital city concentrates the majority of the population (17,000 inhabitants) and the administrative functions of the island. Some of the most important communities of this island are Mesagros, Kypseli, Perdika and Vathi. Aegina is a glamorous place with luminous landscapes and beautiful traditional villages and it is a popular destination for visitors. The island is only a short distance from the port of Piraeus and with a frequent boat service. This facilitates the Athenians and the tourists who want to visit but it also makes it easy for the inhabitants of Aegina to move to Piraeus daily in order to work in the Attica basin.
The island has been inhabited for over 3.500 years and it has experienced periods of significant cultural development and economic prosperity. Ancient Greeks, Romans, Saracens pirates, Franks, Catalans, Venetians and Turks successively took control of the island. The town of Aegina was chosen by I. Kapodistrias as the first capital of the newly established Greek state and functioned as a political, administrative, economic and cultural center. There are still few monuments that stand as witnesses to the island’s history: the prehistoric / historic settlement of Kolona, the ancient Temple of Aphaia, Paleochora (the "island Mystras," as it is called), and some medieval churches and buildings that were built during the years of Kapodistrias. The artistic tradition and cosmopolitan atmosphere of the island will definitely charm you. Many artists, painters, sculptors, poets and novelists have been fascinated by the place and decided to live and create art on the island. Some famous examples are Kazantzakis, Varnalis, Elitis, Nikolaou, Kapralos, Kennedy and Moralis.
Today Aegina is an ideal place for refreshing short or lengthy holidays. As visitors, you will be thrilled to discover the picturesque harbors, the traditional buildings, the colorful gardens and all the monasteries of the area. Along the coast you will find remarkable beaches. Some of them are organized and some of them are not, and they are all definitely all worth the visit. Apart from the beautiful beaches, you will find yourself enchanted by the traditional villages and feel surrounded by an aura of the past while walking down the cobbled paths.
How to get there
- From the port of Piraeus: Ferry Boats depart daily (passengers and cars). The journey lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- From the port of Piraeus: Flying Dolphins. The journey lasts 35 minutes.
- The island has a ferry connection with the islands of Agistri, Methana and Poros.