Places to go
The main town of the island is called Aegina Town. The locals refer to it simply as 'the centre' although it is positioned on the West coast. For the majority of visitors and people arriving on the island it likely that their boat will pull into the port of Aegina Town. Indeed the port has more ferry boats arriving and leaving each day than any other Greek port after Pireaus on the mainland. During busy times of the year, such as Easter and the summer holidays, you will experience a bustling and lively welcome to the island.
On arrival you are likely to notice two land-marks. Looking inland, and to the left, is the ancient 'kolona'. To the right is the pretty harbour and picturesque church of Agios Nikolaos.
The kolona marks the remains of successive settlement remains on the island which date back to prehistoric times from the 5th millenium BC. The single column is the last remaining column of the original 34 columns of the Temple of Apollo. Exhibits from these different eras can be found in the Museum of the Kolona at the front of the ancient site. Even if you are not interested in the historical details of the Kolona we recommend that you enter into the ancient site to wander around the broken walls and steps because from the highest point you will enjoy a spectacular view of Aegina Town.
The pretty harbour draws in visitors who can drink up the atmosphere of a traditional Greek scene. The open-fronted cafes and tavernas with their welcoming waiters tempting you to recline on a comfortable chair to watch the world go by whilst enjoying something to eat and drink at any time of the day or night. During the weekends you can admire the glamorous yachts moored along the harbour. Wander a little further and buy some fresh fruit from one of the floating boat shops. Enjoy the tinkling sound of bells from the colourful carriages pulled by the small horses along the sea front. And, of course, there is the sea.... Glittering silver and blue with views of Agistri and Moni islands with the Peloponnese in the distance.
The small streets behind the harbour are where you can while away many an hour exploring the shops which sell virtually anything you can think of. This is because the town is the main shopping area for the island and as such you can find household, garden and fishing items including electrical equipment and tools. As a visitor to the island you will find shops which will meet your need to buy souvenirs or something special for yourself whether that be a beautiful piece of jewelery, a unique item of clothing, or a designer pair of sunglasses.
Within very short walking distance of the town you will find clean and beautiful places to swim in the sea. Between the port and the Kolona there is an organised sandy beach and beyond the Kolona there is more beach area from which you can enjoy the cool clear waters and then seek shade under the pine trees.
Being the main town of the island it is easy and convenient to use the public buses to reach other parts of the island. The bus station can be found opposite the vehicle entrance to the port. There is a small kiosk from where you can get timetable information and buy your tickets.
Sometimes it feels like Aegina does not keep still; since after dark the town continues to offer visitors more possibilities (and a very late night!) In the summer months we recommend the out-door cinemas. There are three located in and around the town. It really is a fun way to spend part of the evening; watching a top movie outside with the warm breeze on your face and the stars twinkling above. It seems that the tavernas and cafes stay open all through the night – or at least until the last person leaves! You can enjoy a very late meal or continue drinking coffee or whiskey. For those with stamina then there are the bars and nightclubs which don't usually become busy until midnight and remain open until almost morning.
It is not surprising that Aegina Town is the first choice destination for staying visitors to the island. It offers beach-life, shopping, historical interest, night-life, and plenty of choice for eating and drinking. What is more, Aegina Town has life 365 days a year. And in the summer, virtually 24 hours a day!
The main town of the island is called Aegina Town. The locals refer to it simply as 'the centre' although it is positioned on the West coast. For the majority of visitors and people arriving on the island it likely that their boat will pull into the port of Aegina Town. Indeed the port has more ferry boats arriving and leaving each day than any other Greek port after Pireaus on the mainland. During busy times of the year, such as Easter and the summer holidays, you will experience a bustling and lively welcome to the island.On arrival you are likely to notice two land-marks. Looking inland, and to the left, is the ancient 'kolona'. To the right is the pretty harbour and picturesque church of Agios Nikolaos.
The kolona marks the remains of successive settlement remains on the island which date back to prehistoric times from the 5th millenium BC. The single column is the last remaining column of the original 34 columns of the Temple of Apollo. Exhibits from these different eras can be found in the Museum of the Kolona at the front of the ancient site. Even if you are not interested in the historical details of the Kolona we recommend that you enter into the ancient site to wander around the broken walls and steps because from the highest point you will enjoy a spectacular view of Aegina Town.
The pretty harbour draws in visitors who can drink up the atmosphere of a traditional Greek scene. The open-fronted cafes and tavernas with their welcoming waiters tempting you to recline on a comfortable chair to watch the world go by whilst enjoying something to eat and drink at any time of the day or night. During the weekends you can admire the glamorous yachts moored along the harbour. Wander a little further and buy some fresh fruit from one of the floating boat shops. Enjoy the tinkling sound of bells from the colourful carriages pulled by the small horses along the sea front. And, of course, there is the sea.... Glittering silver and blue with views of Agistri and Moni islands with the Peloponnese in the distance.
The small streets behind the harbour are where you can while away many an hour exploring the shops which sell virtually anything you can think of. This is because the town is the main shopping area for the island and as such you can find household, garden and fishing items including electrical equipment and tools. As a visitor to the island you will find shops which will meet your need to buy souvenirs or something special for yourself whether that be a beautiful piece of jewelery, a unique item of clothing, or a designer pair of sunglasses.
Within very short walking distance of the town you will find clean and beautiful places to swim in the sea. Between the port and the Kolona there is an organised sandy beach and beyond the Kolona there is more beach area from which you can enjoy the cool clear waters and then seek shade under the pine trees.
Being the main town of the island it is easy and convenient to use the public buses to reach other parts of the island. The bus station can be found opposite the vehicle entrance to the port. There is a small kiosk from where you can get timetable information and buy your tickets.
Sometimes it feels like Aegina does not keep still; since after dark the town continues to offer visitors more possibilities (and a very late night!) In the summer months we recommend the out-door cinemas. There are three located in and around the town. It really is a fun way to spend part of the evening; watching a top movie outside with the warm breeze on your face and the stars twinkling above. It seems that the tavernas and cafes stay open all through the night – or at least until the last person leaves! You can enjoy a very late meal or continue drinking coffee or whiskey. For those with stamina then there are the bars and nightclubs which don't usually become busy until midnight and remain open until almost morning.
It is not surprising that Aegina Town is the first choice destination for staying visitors to the island. It offers beach-life, shopping, historical interest, night-life, and plenty of choice for eating and drinking. What is more, Aegina Town has life 365 days a year. And in the summer, virtually 24 hours a day!
