ISLAND

"That’s how I learned…I’m from Aegina!"....

... sing the Weird feat. Evnus praising this peanuts. Although just an hour and something from the port of Piraeus, the minute you confront Aegina, you feel calm, relax, comfort... unchanged by tourism, with picturesque streets, restaurants, homes and marinas, it invites you to explore it.

An island of great history, it was the first capital of Greece, while Kapodistrias was governer and there was also cut the first currency of Greece, the "phoenix."

The close proximity and its particular personality, which offers all the comforts of modern life with in a traditional way, are making it one of the most popular destinations of young tourists or families and makes it bustles with life during the whole time.

These are also the reasons that many of the showbiz persons prefer it by purchasing or renting homes there. So, do not feel astonished if in any of your walks (or in all of them!) on the island, you meet someone famous drinking his coffee and enjoying the scenery.

Aegina

The port of the capital of the island with the white church of St. Nicholas and the picturesque boats offers a pleasant first impression on visitors.

Extensive graphic taverns, traditional patisseries and cafes along the beach, are waiting for you to try the delicious dishes and pastries overlooking the Argosaronic sea. In the evening, walk through the streets of the city and have a relaxing drink in the pubs. If you want more intensity at your night, you can go to the clubs and centers with live music, just outside the city.

As a classical Greek island but it could not have no traditional celebrations! As it’s the "feast of fish”, where the fishermen of the island bake and treat the world with fresh fish and plenty of wine accompanied always by live music and endless dance. Equally important to the island is the "feast of pistachio" celebrated the second fortnight of August with concerts and traditional island feast until dawn.

Tips: The famous pistachios are blown away both Greek and international market. So your palate should certainly taste the sweet syrup peanuts, sesame with peanut and candy based on peanut. The island is also famous for its pottery, so you can also get gifts for your friends.
Finally, take as a souvenir one of the traditional embroidery that are made there, "kopanelia”.

Attractions: The Governorate of Kapodistrias (with a library of 7,000 volumes), the Orphanage, and the Cathedral where the first Greek government sworn are a few of the monuments inside the city that deserve a bit of your time.
Just outside the town you will find the houses that once hosted N.Kazatzakis, H.Trikoupis, S.Trikoupis, Koundouriotis and Kanaris. Moreover, of particular importance is the Kapralos museum with works of the homonymous artist, and the ancient monuments of the island. Most notable are the Colonna, a relic of the Temple of Apollo, a few meters from the port and the Temple of Zeus Ellanios, in Anitsaio.

Beaches: From May already, you shall be able to enjoy the cool sea in wonderful beaches, as it’s Kolona (the public beach area), the small and large sandy Marathon with shallow waters, Aiginitissa, Plakakia, Kamares, Paliopyrgos, and St. Basil.

Agia Marina

To the east of the island, about 13 km, there is Agia Marina, the most touristic area of Aegina. The clear waters, the wide sandy beach with the pine forest and especially the intense nightlife attracts many tourists during the summer months.

Cafes and bars to start the evening and then clubs and live music for jamboree. However, do not miss the festival in the Feast of St. Marina at 07.17.
Do you prefer sunbathing on deck chairs? Maybe water sports to keep yourself in shape? Or loose diving without a lot of people? In Agia Marina you will find them all!

Attractions: The church of Agia Marina is interesting, but what you should definately visit is the Temple of Aphaia, 4km north of town. It is said that the temple of Aphaia at Aegina, the temple of Poseidon at Sounion and the Acropolis of Athens formed a triangle.

Paleochora - St. Nektarios

For 10 centuries this area was the island's capital. Today is ruined. However,so far there are saved 36 out of its 565 Byzantine churches.

It is worth visiting the monastery of St. Nektarios, where is situated the tomb of the saint, while the church of the monastery keeps his remains. The monastery is attracting thousands of believers every year and there happens the great pilgrimage in the celebration of the saint on November 9.

Remarkable indeed is the monastery of Panagia Chrysoleontissas, near the village Psahni, but also the prehistoric settlement found in the area of Kavos, and the ruins of the middle age castle on the top of the hill.
The Fifteenth of August is a big festival in celebration of the Virgin Mary.