Aegina is the closest island to Athens by ferry, which makes it the default answer for a short trip or a first taste of the Greek islands without committing a full day to travel. Pistachio groves ring the town, and the Temple of Aphaia sits on a pine-covered hill above the coast. It suits travellers with limited time, or anyone wanting a soft landing before heading further into the Saronic.
- Main port
- Aegina Town
- Recommended nights
- 1–2
- Best time to visit
- Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
- Wind & disruption risk
- Low
Known for
- Temple of Aphaia
- Aegina Town harbour
- Perdika waterfront
- pistachio groves
- Moni islet
Getting there
Aegina Town is the port, so ferries dock in the centre of town with no onward transfer needed. Hellenic Seaways runs fast boats from Piraeus in about 40 minutes, and Saronic Ferries covers the same route conventionally in around 1 hour 10 minutes — both operate year-round with roughly ten sailings a day between them, the highest frequency of any Saronic crossing. There is no airport on Aegina.
When to go
Aegina's best months line up with the shoulder seasons — April, May, June, September and October — when wind risk stays low and the island is easy to visit as a day trip or an overnight. Because the crossing is so short and so frequent, Aegina works even outside those months for a quick Athens escape. September brings the pistachio harvest, when roadside stalls sell nuts straight off the tree.
Where to stay
Aegina Town has the harbour, the fish tavernas and the bus stop for the Temple of Aphaia, making it the practical base for most visits. Perdika, a fishing village on the southern coast, is quieter and known for its seafood restaurants looking out toward the islet of Moni. Both are reachable without a car, though buses to Perdika run less often than to the temple.
Good to know
Aegina gets heavy day-tripper traffic from Athens, especially on weekends and holidays, when the harbour front fills with tour groups by mid-morning. Pistachios are the island's signature product and reasonably priced roadside compared with Athens supermarkets. A rental car or scooter is worth it if you want to reach Perdika or the temple without waiting on bus schedules.
Connections from Aegina
Related itineraries
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Athens to Aegina?
Aegina Town is the port, so ferries dock in the centre of town with no onward transfer needed. Hellenic Seaways runs fast boats from Piraeus in about 40 minutes, and Saronic Ferries covers the same route conventionally in around 1 hour 10 minutes — both operate year-round with roughly ten sailings a day between them, the highest frequency of any Saronic crossing. There is no airport on Aegina.
Recommended nights — Aegina?
Aegina earns 1 to 2 nights, or works as a day trip given the 40-minute crossing and ten-plus daily sailings. It connects onward to Hydra in under an hour, so it functions well as the opening stop on a short Saronic route rather than as a final destination.
When to go — Aegina?
Aegina's best months line up with the shoulder seasons — April, May, June, September and October — when wind risk stays low and the island is easy to visit as a day trip or an overnight. Because the crossing is so short and so frequent, Aegina works even outside those months for a quick Athens escape. September brings the pistachio harvest, when roadside stalls sell nuts straight off the tree.
Times, prices and frequencies are indicative and change by season and operator. Always confirm the live timetable before you book.