Aegina Island

Just twelve miles from the port of Piraeus, Aegina is an ideal place to stay if you wish to see the sights of Athens but do not wish to stay in the city.  Aegina itself is a pleasant island with low-lying mountains and numerous sand beach coves, it is also the main centre in Greece for growing pistachio nuts.

Aegina town with its neo-classical buildings that run along the length of the waterfront. These buildings now house the majority of the towns tavernas and bars. 

To emphasize the importance  of religion to the population of the island, Aegina has many fine, spectacular churches, this newly built church adjoins the monastery of Agios Nektarios. The church houses the tomb of the bishop from Aegina who died in 1920 and was canonized in 1967. The church is situated along the bus route from Aegina town to the main resort town of Agia Marina.

Temple of Aphaia. Surrounded by pine trees, on a hilltop above the town of Agia Marina, this Doric temple, built around 490 BC. is the best preserved classical temple in the Greek islands.  Dedicated to the Cretan nymph Aphaia, it predates the Parthenon in Athens by around sixty years. It can be reached via the Aegina town to Agia Marina bus route.