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 If you stand on the Acropolis or the roof of your hotel and look towards the sea you will notice an island a
few miles off the coast. That is Aegina, a city state in it's own right in ancient times, and at times a visible
thorn in the side of classical Athens.
Aegina in the Saronic Gulf chain of Greek Islands, is a nice day trip from Athens
Aegina is a nice day trip from Athens. Take the ferry rather then the Flying Dolphin (hydrofoil) so that you can
relax and enjoy the scenery of the short trip.
To get there take the metro to Pireaus and cross the street. Walk to your left past the buildings on the
peninsula that juts into the harbor until you come to the boats that look like D-day landing craft painted white.
Find the next one to Aegina. They run very frequently.
Aegina is the closest island and you can take the ferry to the main town or you can take one of the
boats to Agia Marina on the other side
of the island.. It is a nice island for bicycling and the small coastal village of Perdika has some
good seafood restaurants but should be avoided on weekends when it is busy with visiting Athenians.
Be sure to visit the Temple of Aphaia above Agia Marina.
When you get off the boat just take a walk around and get to know the place. there are lots of places to eat
and drink and there are beaches at Agia Marina and on both sides of the port.
For detailed instructions on getting to Aegina read Matt's lesson on How to
Visit a Greek Island, where Aegina is
used as the example.
You can also go on to the island of Angistri, the village of Methona on the Peleponisos or the island of
Poros, all within day-trip distance of Athens. Go in the morning, have lunch, swim and explore in the afternoon,
have dinner and take an evening boat back.
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