Saronic
Aegina
Ancient temples, famous pistachios, and just one hour from Athens.
Getting around
Scooter friendly
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Busy in peak
Best months
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
From Athens
1h ferry
In pictures
Aegina
Aegina is the easiest Greek island escape from Athens — one hour by fast ferry from Piraeus. The Temple of Aphaia is one of the best-preserved ancient temples in all of Greece. The island is famous for its pistachios, has a pleasant main town, and is perfect for a long weekend rather than a full week. Very popular with Athenians, which means crowds on summer weekends.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Being so close to Athens means weekend crowds can be overwhelming. Better suited to a 2-night trip than a full holiday.
Hidden gem
Eat fresh pistachios at the harbour kiosks — but the best ones are sold from farm stands on the back roads to Perdika.
Where it sits
Saronic, Greece
Aegina — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Aegina? +
- The best months to visit Aegina are April to October. Avoid late July and August if you can — the island is crowded in July and August.
- How do you get to Aegina from Athens? +
- Aegina has no airport — you'll need to take a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina, which takes about 1 hours. Some travellers fly to a nearby island and ferry across.
- Is Aegina good for couples? +
- Aegina is more about scenery than swoon — better for active or family trips than honeymoons.
- Is Aegina good for families with kids? +
- Aegina is a great choice for families — calm swims, walkable towns, and short transfers.
- Is Aegina expensive? +
- Aegina is one of the cheaper Greek islands — and it's one of the better-value picks in its tier.
- Do you need a car on Aegina? +
- A scooter or ATV is the easiest way to get around Aegina. Buses cover the main routes but a scooter unlocks the quiet beaches.
- What's the catch with Aegina? +
- Being so close to Athens means weekend crowds can be overwhelming. Better suited to a 2-night trip than a full holiday.