The town of Aegina is a picturesque settlement with narrow streets and colourful buildings. You can stay at a number of hotels and rented rooms with a sea-view near the beach or in the town center.
The beaches are well organised with sunbeds and water sports as well as great tavernas nearby. Families will find carefree days at Marathonas Beach or on the quiet Perdika beach.
1. Agios Nektarios Monastery
Agios Nektarios Monastery is one of the most beautiful and unique places to visit in all of Greece. It is considered a holy site and is visited by many pilgrims for its healing powers. It is also a popular destination for tourists and locals who want to take a tour of this gorgeous church and monastery.
Saint Nektarios of Aegina is a well-known Greek Orthodox saint who is known for his miracle healings and for being the patron saint of gymnasts. He was a very popular priest and educator at the beginning of the 20th century. His miracles include curing a demonized man and bringing rain to the island. Due to these miracles, he is now a revered saint of the Orthodox Church and is celebrated on November 9th with special services in his honor.
The church and monastery is located in the middle of Aegina Island and is a must-visit for anyone visiting Aegina. The monastery is home to 14 nuns and has many different buildings to explore, including the church of Agios Nektarios and two small chapels. Behind the chapels are the bones of Saint Nektarios and his cell which is open to the public to tour. It is also possible to fill up bottles of the holy water that flows from the nearby well.
The monastery is a great place to visit if you are looking for peace and quiet. You can spend time in the many buildings or sit in the small park and enjoy the beautiful scenery. There is also a small museum and souvenir shop on the premises. It is a great place to visit on a day trip from Athens, but I recommend staying for a night or two so you can truly relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
2. Marathonas Beach
Located half way between Aeginitissa and Perdika, Marathonas Beach is a popular spot with locals and visitors alike. This well-organized beach is characterized by its shallow waters, beautiful sand, and stunning sunsets.
The area is ideal for families with small children and those who want to enjoy a relaxing vacation. The water is warm and clear, making it perfect for swimming and sunbathing. There are also plenty of taverns and cafes that provide food and drinks. If you’re planning on visiting the beach, we recommend arriving early in order to beat the crowds and find a spot where you can set up your umbrella.
There are two beaches at Marathonas, each with its own distinct characteristics: Marathonas A and Marathonas B. The former is more lively because it has many taverns and the latter is a bit more isolated. If you’re planning on visiting the beaches, we recommend that you consider your options carefully and choose one based on your preferences.
We really enjoyed the hotel and the staff were friendly, helpful and happy to organise trips for us. They were always on hand to answer any questions and help in anyway they could. The Hermosa passion cocktail at the pool bar is absolutely amazing and goes down effortlessly! We will definitely be back.
Unlike many other hotels in the area, this is a family-run establishment with a focus on service and comfort. The hotel features a terrace, an outdoor pool, and conference facilities. Guests can unwind at the on-site bar or try one of the 3 restaurants. Room service is also available. The property is smoke-free and provides free parking on site. It is also conveniently close to the port to go on trips to the islands.
3. Perdika Beach
Located in the center of Aegina, this beach is known for its turquoise waters with incredible clarity. The water also remains warm even during the winter. It’s not as crowded as the Marathonas Beach but it is still one of the best places to swim and relax in Aegina.
Like a paved balcony overlooking the sea, Perdika Beach is lined with taverns, restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. It’s one of the most picturesque beaches on Aegina, and a favorite among locals. There is also a promenade with benches where you can sit and enjoy the sunset.
From Perdika, you can take a boat to Moni beach, which is another stunning, secluded destination on Aegina. This small island is home to a monastery, and it’s the perfect place for you to witness a gorgeous sunset and relax at the beach. It might be tight to visit this place if you’re only on a day trip, but if you can stay overnight on the island, it’s definitely worth it.
There are many hotels and rental rooms in Aegina. If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel in Aegina, try Fistikies Holiday Apartments. It’s a great option for people who want to stay near the beach and has a swimming pool. It’s also located in a quiet area and has excellent organic breakfast. It can get expensive during summer months, but the rest of the year it’s affordable. Another option is the Apollonion Apartment Aegina, which offers great views and is close to Sarpa Beach and Eginitissa Beach. It’s a good choice for people who want to stay in a nice hotel but have a limited budget.
4. Paleochora
Paleochora (
The village has one of the best beaches in the Aegina region, Pachia Ammos. This sandy beach is suitable for families thanks to its shallow waters. The beach is also well-protected from the wind, which makes it a popular choice for windsurfing lovers.
Another great beach near Paleochora is Gialiskari, a beautiful pebble beach that occupies both sides of a small peninsula. This beach is only a few kilometers east of the village, and it’s a nice place to swim and relax during your visit to Aegina.
There’s also Krios Beach, a large, sandy beach that’s ideal for families. It’s not as crowded as some of the other beaches in the area, and it offers stunning views of the Aegina coastline. Krios Beach is also a part of the E4 coastal hiking path, making it an easy day trip from Paleochora.
There are plenty of places to stay in Paleochora, including hotels and apartments. Most of the hotels in this area are family-run and feature a warm, welcoming atmosphere. If you’re looking for a bit more luxury, try staying at Stella’s Boho Retreat, a bright and clean property with quality furniture and modern décor. It’s just a short walk from Pachia Ammos Beach and has excellent reviews from previous guests. The cost of a stay here is around 150 euros per night. This price includes breakfast and dinner, but does not include entry to Agios Nektarios Monastery or the Marathonas Beach.
5. Aphaia Temple
Aphaia is one of the most beautiful temples to survive from ancient Greece. Built in tufa around 500-490 BC, it replaced an earlier temple on the same site. It was dedicated to Aphaia, or Vritomartis-Diktynna, a Cretan divinity who according to myth escaped from King Minos of Crete by diving into the sea near Aegina. The locals saw her vanish and gave her the name Aphaia, meaning ‘to vanish’. Votive offerings suggest that there were festivals at this sanctuary, but little else is known of it.
The temple has a particularly distinctive feature, namely the pediments, with sculptures that are a bridge between the Archaic and Early Classical periods of Greek art. Unfortunately, many of these priceless sculptures were taken to Germany, but some fragments can still be seen.
It is easy to see why this is such a significant archaeological site. Its beauty, location and the sense of history that surrounds it make for a truly amazing experience. It is one of the best things to do on Aegina and will give you a real taste of what life was like in this once-important island capital.
Aegina is an incredible island with a rich heritage and some of the most memorable experiences to be found in all of Greece. Whether you want to soak up the devout spirit of the monasteries or walk among the ruins of the Temple of Aphaia, there is something for everyone on this wonderful island. And with a short ferry ride from Athens, it is a great day trip or weekend break. So why not plan a visit to Aegina today? You won’t regret it. It is the kind of place that will have you coming back again and again.