What to see in Aegina

The Town of Aegina

The white chapel of Aghios Nikolaos at the port and the neoclassical buildings of the coastal avenue painted in vivid colors are the first things you will notice when you get out of the ferry. The neoclassical buildings that stand high in the port area took their current form in the middle of the 19th century, when the sponge fishing flourished on the island. At that time, the buildings were painted and decorated with balconies, brackets and impressive railing patterns. The main commercial road which is parallel to the coastal avenue is called "Afaias Street”. The town of Aegina is one of the most picturesque locations in Greece and the favorite of several artists (Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis lived here for a long period).

Kolona

In the archeological site of Kolona, next to the port of Aghia Marina. It was named after the ancient pillar of the archaic temple of Apollo, which still stands on top of the settlement. The visitor can still see the ruins of the large settlement established during the Copper period approximately in 2,500 B.C. and abandoned in 1,600 B.C.

Kypseli-Aegina

Kypseli is a mainland village on the road to Souvala. Some remarkable archaeological findings have been discovered in this region. The church of Evangelismos (Annunciation) with its interesting mural paintings is worth visiting. Every year in September the ancient worship custom of Leidinos is revived. During this revival there is a representation of the funeral and resurrection of Leidinos by an effigy of a dead man. Kypseli is located 3 km NE of the town of Aegina.

Messargos

Mesagros is a village with a tradition in the art of ceramics and offering a great view of the hill full of pine trees where the temple of Athena Afea is. It is worth to see the house of Alexandros Rodakis (1880), which has a very interesting folk architecture. It is located 9 km E of the city of Aegina.

Palaiochora (Aghios Nektarios)

Built amphitheatrically on a hill, Palaiochora is a deserted medieval city which used to be the capital of the island in the 13th century. It was destroyed in 1537 by pirate Barbarosa and in 1654 was occupied by Venetians. Palaiochora was abandoned at the end of 18th century, at the same time when people started to build today’s capital city. It is located 6 km E of the city of Aegina.

The monastery of Aghios Nektarios, the most important shrine of the island. Its founder died in 1920 and after 41 years he was named a saint. His tomb is in the monastery and his remains are kept in the church, in a room full of believers' offerings.
Palaiochora, which is named "Mistras of Aegina". It is said that once there were 365 churches here. Nowadays there are 33 Byzantine churches and the ascetic room of Aghios Dionisios. On top of the hill you can see the ruins of the Venetian castle.

The stavropigiaki monastery of Panagia Chrisoleontissa, in the center of the island, which was established in 1403 and was valuable during the period of Turkish occupation.
The Kontos village built in a fruitful plain with very popular taverns.

The great feast of the island, in the monastery of Chrisoleontissa, in the middle of August.
The memorial of Aghios Nektarios death on the 9th of November, where many visitors come to the monastery.

Souvala

Famous for its spas, Souvala is the second port of the island and a summer resort. You can swim either in the sea or in the Therma spa. It is a chlorine and sodium spa, good for arthritis and skin or gynecological problems. On the eastern part of the island you will find the coastal settlements of Aghioi and Vagia with their sandy beaches. It is located 10 km NE of the city of Aegina.

Aghia Marina

Once was the most touristic destination of the island and was full of visitors. It took its name from the small chapel of Aghia Marina, located at the end of the village. It is located 13 km E of the center of Aegina.

The temple of Afea that you will see on the way to Aghia Marina. It is one of the best reserved temples of Dorian order in the island and one of the most beautiful ancient temples. According to archaeologists, the temple acquired its current form approximately in 500-490 B.C. The sculptures of the pediments are exposed in the Munich Sculpture Gallery (Glyptothek) after having been ransacked in 1811 by an Englishman named Cockerell and a German named von Hallerstein. 24 out of initially 34 columns survive. In the same area, you will find the Archaeological Museum, with exhibits from the temple of Afaia. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe the restored pediment as well as a copy of the statue of goddess Athena.

Perdika

It is from the most quiet and scenic coastal settlements of the island, with many fish taverns and restaurants. Perdika is situated in the most southern end of Aegina and constitutes famous hangout of ships coming from Saronikos. The mountain village Sfentouri, built amphitheatrically on a beautiful area, is in the east side. It is located 9 km S of the city of Aegina.

Pachia Rachi

A beautiful settlement, built amphitheatrically, with stone houses. Almost 500 m after the village you can find the buildings of the Hellenic Center of Care. Nearby is the mount Ellanio, the peak of which is the highest point of the island. The ruins of the temple of Ellanios Zeus are on the mount peak. The villages Tzikides, Lazarides and Anitsaion are in a close distance. It is located 6 km SE of the city of Aegina.