ISLAND

You will reach Aegina, the biggest island of the Argosaronic Gulf, by boat in about 1 hour and 15 seconds from Piraeus. The first thing you will see while you are still on the boat is Aegina’s city and the port.

The island was an important commercial port of the ancient world but also a temporary seat of government (18281829) of the newly established Greek state. Its great history has been reflected in the majestic monuments of classical antiquity, in its Byzantine chapels but also in the elegant neoclassical buildings of the 19th century. Aegina is also internationally famous for its pistachio and ceramics.

The rare natural beauties and idyllic landscapes of Aegina have inspired great Greek artists throughout the ages who chose to live in this beautiful island. According to mythology it was named Aegina from the daughter of the God Asopus, Aegina, whom Zeus fell in love with and abducted to the island of Oinoni, which was renamed Aegina. It is the island where Nikos Kazantzakis spent 20 whole years and wrote some of his most important works.

Φτάνοντας στο λιμάνι η πόλη της Άίγινας, που μάλιστα ήταν η πρώτη πρωτεύουσα του Έλληνικού Κράτους από το 1828 έως το 1829, μας καλωσορίζει, με το γραφικό εκκλησάκι του Άγίου Νικολάου να ξεχωρίζει. Πρόκειται για μία πόλη γραφική και ζωντανή μιας και έχει κόσμο χειμώνα και καλοκαίρι. Στα στενά της θα συναντήσεις δεκάδες καφέ, εστιατόρια, μπαρ αλλά και εμπορικά καταστήματα.

Arriving at the port you will see Aegina city, which was the capital of Greece from 1828 to 1829. Saint Nicolas church is standing among the traditional houses and alleys beautifully. You will find many shops, restaurants, cafes, gelato, souvenirs and local products while walking on its narrow streets! It is one of the most crowded places on the island all year long.

woman’s head and the body of half an eagle, half a lion. Tip: The Sphinx of Aegina comes from the excavations in Kolona in 1903.

Info: Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 - 17:30 Admission Fee: Full 4€, Reduced 2€ . T: 2297022248

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In five minutes walk from the port of Aegina you will find the hill of Kolona which has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The excavations continue till today while Walls and Foundations have already been found. The Column, in its rectangular shape, is what has remained from the Temple of Apollo in the 6th century BC. During excavations a cemetery was found, while in the graves there was also found gold jewelry, which are exhibited at the British Museum.

At the same are there is the Archaeological Museum. There, you can admire a great collection of ceramics and sculptures from all periods of Aegina. The most important exhibit is the statue of the Sphinx, a votive monument of the early classical period, which was dedicated to the temple of Apollo. It is a unique sculpture of a

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The Temple of Aphaia is a must visit in Aegina. Built on a hill of 160m, it is surrounded by pine trees and stands out for its unique energy. It has been a place of worship since prehistoric times.

The Temple of Aphaia is located 15 kilometers away from the capital of Aegina and 2 km east of Mesagros. It was built in 500 - 490 BC on a former temple, which had been destroyed by fire. People of Aegina decided to demolish it but retaining the gate and the large altar and to rebuild a new one that will depict the sculptures of the “Aeginian” School. The new temple took its final form in 500 BC and is an excellent example of archaic architecture.

Tip: Next to the Temple there is a small archeological museum, the Museum of Aphaia, in which parts of the temple are exhibited.

Agia Marina is a place of great tourist attraction 14klm away from the City of Aegina and half an hour drive. The church located on the south side of the bay has given its name to the area. The huge pine forest that surrounds the sandy beach makes an amazing scenery. The largest beach of the island since it is about 500m long is organized with plenty of beach bars, cafes and taverns. Its shallow waters make it ideal for families as children can enjoy swimming and playing -almost- freely. Of course, beyond the central beach of the area you can find several equally beautiful coves to swim privately. Agia Marina can be reached by car or bus heading towards the East of the island, while there is also the option of arriving at its port directly from Piraeus.

Tip: Just a minute away from Agia Marina you will find Alones area, where you can also make a stop!

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10 kilometers northeast of Aegina you will find Souvala - you can also reach Souvala from Piraeus directly by boat - the second port of the island.There you will see a lots of restaurants, cafes and shops with a great sea view.

On the north side of the island, east of Souvala, you will find the port of Vagia. Thanks to the archaeological findings, it seems that people have lived in this village, since antiquity. You can swim and relax at the organized sandy beach.

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It is situated 3 kilometers east of the port and it is the second most populous place on the island. Thanks to the archeological findings we know that Kypseli has been inhabited since ancient times with proof of the picturesque church of Agios Nikolaos in Moulos which was built on the ruins of an ancient theater and the tombs found in Leonti. Its central square is dominated by one of its Byzantine and Post-Byzantine churches, the church of Evangelistria, built in 1875-1880 by local craftsmen, next to the remains of an older church of the same name.

Christos Kapralos, was born in 1909 and he is a Greek sculptor, painter and engraver. His work was inspired by the daily life of people, by peace and war but also by his relationships with his friends and relatives. He is one of the greatest representatives of modernism in Greece.

Tip: The bronze statue “The Mother”, placed opposite the museum, overlooks the sea and symbolizes the Greek mother who is expecting for her naval son.

Info: Opening Hours: Wednesday - Friday 08:3015:30 Saturday & Sunday 09:30 - 16:30 Admission Fee: Free . T: 2297022001

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It is considered to be a miracle worker, as Saint Nektarios or Nektarios of Pentapolis or Nektarios of Aegina, is a modern saint of the Eastern Orthodox Church who is believed to have performed miracles while he was still alive. In addition, the Monastery of Agios Nektarios in Aegina is not only one of the largest Monasteries in Greece, but also one of the largest Orthodox churches in the Balkans.

Tip: The Monastery of Agios Nektarios started operating by Agios Nektarios himself and he considered it an “Ecclesiastical Parthenon”.

Leaving Aegina behind us and going to Marathonas we will find Faros. It is a picturesque port that some of you may have seen in the movie “Holiday in Aegina” starring Vougiouklakis and Barkoulis. On the beach, next to the harbor with the fishing boats, there were two famous taverns back then. One of which was “Faros” on the right, from where the area got its name.

The most characteristic spot of the village is the yellow church of St. Crispos, named after the Jewish rabbi who was baptized a Christian Orthodox, Agioi is a small village built around the coastal road 1 kilometer to the east, right after Souvala.

On your way to Souvala, you will meet Kamares beach with several trees and dense shadows. If you are a fan of unorganized beaches, Kamares is a good choice. If you prefer the organized ones, Souvala’s beach is more appropriate you with sunbeds, umbrellas and beach bars to drink your coffee!