Aegina (Island)
Aegina Harbor |
Welcome to Aegina!
At a distance of about 18 miles from the coast of Attica, Aegina is usually a favorite first or last stop of the many daily cruises from the mainland. In fact, much of the population of its 10,000 or so inhabitants actually commute to work on the mainland, so boat and hydrofoil connections are frequent throughout the year. Once a very fertile island, it lost much of its natural resources of trees and water due to over farming of its famous pistachio trees. Fortunately, a recently constructed reservoir has saved both the island’s natural beauty and the profitable pistachio industry. Certainly the pistachios should be the first item on your shopping list when visiting Aegina, followed by the local pottery, for which Aegina has quite a reputation.
For the modern visitor, apart from ancient ruins and relics, the island has many sandy beaches, perfect for those who love the sea. One can also find lots of small picturesque fishing villages and a varied landscape throughout the island. On its west coast, to the south of the capital, lies the seaside village of Marathonas, and further south along the coast is the beautiful fishing village of Perdika. A relatively flat surface makes bicycling an easy and enjoyable way of reaching both of these villages. From Perdika, small boats take visitors to the neighboring islands of Angistri (=hook, because of its shape) and Moni (=monastery). Try to arrange to arrive at Perdika at lunchtime, so that you can enjoy a marvelous meal of fresh fish, perhaps the best on the island.
Aegina Town
Aegina Goddess Afaea's Ancient Parthenon-like Temple |
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Aegina Market at the Harbor |
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Aegina Harbor |
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Aegina: Panagitsa Beach |
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Aegina: Ag. Marina Beach |
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