Aegina
A perfect day trip from Athens — the harbour town, the Temple of Aphaea and a swim at Marathonas beach.
Aegina is the nearest significant island to Athens — just 40 minutes by hydrofoil from Piraeus. Its capital was briefly the first capital of modern Greece (1828-29). The Temple of Aphaea is one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Greece, forming a 'sacred triangle' with the Parthenon and Sounio. And the pistachios grown here are protected by PDO status and exported across the world. An easy day trip or a peaceful 1-2 night stay.
Good for
- Day-trippers and short-stay visitors — Aegina is 40 minutes from Piraeus by fast boat
- Anyone who wants a well-preserved ancient temple without leaving the Athens area
- Travellers who like a real town with markets, history and the famous PDO pistachios
Maybe skip if
- If you want pristine, remote beaches — Aegina's coast is pleasant but not its highlight
- If you're after deep quiet at weekends, when Athenians arrive in numbers
Getting there
No airport. Closest "real" island to Athens — frequent ferries from Piraeus throughout the day. Fast catamaran ~40 min, conventional ~1.5h.
Read full route
Tip: Easy day trip from Athens — but staying overnight gets you the calmer evening atmosphere.
When to Visit
Aegina is the closest Saronic to Athens — 40-minute Flying Dolphin. Pistachios are the export, the Temple of Aphaia is the unmissable site, and the ferries run year-round. Best May-October; weekdays are calm, weekends are Athens-on-the-water from May through October. The pistachio festival in mid-September is wonderful.
1-day itinerary for Aegina
Day 1: Aegina Town, Temple & Beach
- 09:30 · Aegina Town
Arrive by ferry from Piraeus (40 min hydrofoil). The harbour is lined with painted fishing boats and pistachio sellers. The Tower of Markellos in the old town is worth a walk. - 10:00 · Temple of Apollo (Kolona)
A single standing column marks the temple of Apollo on a low hill overlooking the harbour. Small but atmospheric site with an excellent museum. - 11:30 · Temple of Aphaea
One of the three temples forming the 'sacred triangle' with the Parthenon and Poseidon at Sounio. 5th century BC, outstandingly preserved, on a pine-covered hilltop with sea views on every side. Unmissable. - 13:30 · Lunch — Agora Fish Market
Aegina's fish market is the best in the Saronic — come at lunchtime when the tavernas serve what the fishermen landed that morning. Try the pistachios afterwards from any harbour stall. On the harbour-front, Ouzeri o Skotadis earned ★★ in the FNL Best Restaurant Awards 2026 (Seafood Restaurant) — the standout fish-and-ouzo address on the island. - 15:30 · Marathonas Beach
The best beach near the town — sandy, shallow and well-organised. 10-minute drive or bus from the harbour. - 18:30 · Aegina — Departure
Ferry back to Piraeus — frequent departures until late evening.
Top beaches of Aegina
Marathonas Beach
The best beach near Aegina Town — sandy, shallow and calm. 10 minutes from the harbour. Good facilities and the most convenient swim on the island.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 500 m
- Depth
- Shallow — family-friendly
- Wind protection
- Southwest-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm in summer, exposed only to rare S/SW winds
- Facilities
- Good: sunbeds, tavernas, easy access by bus or car from town.
Agia Marina Beach
The largest resort beach on Aegina — long sandy stretch on the east coast, near the Temple of Aphaea. Good for combining sightseeing with swimming. Busier than Marathonas but more extensive.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 600 m
- Depth
- Shallow — gentle slope
- Wind protection
- East-facing — mostly sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); can be choppy on the strongest NE days
- Facilities
- Fully organised: sunbeds, beach bars, water sports, tavernas. Near the Temple of Aphaea.