Aegina Island Day Trip from Athens

Aegina Island Day Trip from Athens

• Temple of Aphaia
• Agios Nektarios Monastery
• Paliachora – Aegina’s Old Town
• Organic Pistachio Orchard
• Local Factory Visit
• Traditional Lunch

Your day begins with a private pick-up from your Athens hotel, followed by a comfortable transfer to Piraeus Port. From there, you board the ferry and enjoy a scenic crossing across the Saronic Gulf, arriving at the historic island of Aegina, once the first capital of modern Greece and inhabited since Neolithic times.

Upon arrival, your exploration of Aegina unfolds as a perfect blend of history, culture, and local tradition. Your first stop is the majestic Temple of Aphaia, one of Greece’s best-preserved Doric temples, dramatically positioned on a pine-covered hill with sweeping panoramic views over the Saronic Gulf. This architectural masterpiece offers a striking introduction to the island’s ancient heritage.

Continuing through Aegina’s serene countryside, you visit the impressive Agios Nektarios Monastery, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Greece. Dedicated to the island’s patron saint, the monastery is known for its grand scale, ornate interiors, and tranquil atmosphere, offering a deeply moving cultural and spiritual experience.

The journey then takes you to Paliachora, Aegina’s former medieval capital. As you wander through this evocative Byzantine settlement, you encounter historic chapels, stone ruins, and peaceful landscapes that reveal centuries of the island’s layered past.

Aegina’s story would not be complete without its most celebrated local product— its pistachios. You will visit an organic pistachio orchard to learn about traditional cultivation and harvesting methods, followed by a visit to a local pistachio factory, where the nuts are transformed into premium delicacies. The experience culminates with a tasting of handcrafted pistachio products, widely regarded among the finest in the world.

Your day concludes with a relaxed lunch at a local taverna, where authentic Greek flavors and fresh local ingredients provide a perfect final note to this immersive island experience.

After lunch, you return to Aegina Port for the ferry back to Piraeus, where your driver will be waiting to transfer you comfortably back to your Athens hotel, completing a memorable full-day escape from the city.

Private Tours are personal and flexible just for you and your party.

Inclusions:

Exclusions:

• Licensed Tour guide upon request depending on availability (Additional cost)
• Personal Expenses

Aegina Island

Aegina is one of the most historically significant islands in Greece. Inhabited since Neolithic times, it rose to prominence in antiquity as a powerful maritime and trading center, often rivaling Athens. Aegina was among the first Greek cities to mint silver coins, the famous “Aegina turtles,” which circulated widely across the Mediterranean and symbolized its naval strength. In modern history, Aegina holds a unique place as the first capital of contemporary Greece (1827–1829) under Ioannis Kapodistrias, before the seat of government moved to Nafplio and later Athens.

Temple of Aphaia

The Temple of Aphaia dates to around 500 BCE and is one of the best-preserved Doric temples in Greece. It was dedicated to Aphaia, a local goddess later associated with Athena, making the temple an important regional cult center. Architecturally, it is part of the sacred “Holy Triangle” formed with the Parthenon in Athens and the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion. The temple’s sculpted pediments are historically important because they show the transition from Archaic to Early Classical art, capturing a pivotal moment in Greek artistic development.

Agios Nektarios Monastery

The Monastery of Agios Nektarios is dedicated to Saint Nektarios, one of the most revered modern saints of the Greek Orthodox Church. He lived on Aegina at the beginning of the 20th century and was widely admired for his humility, spirituality, and charitable works. Canonized in 1961, Saint Nektarios is believed by many faithful to have performed miracles, making the monastery one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Greece. The large cathedral complex reflects both Byzantine inspiration and modern ecclesiastical architecture.

Paliachora – Aegina’s Old Town

Paliachora served as Aegina’s medieval capital from the 9th to the 19th century. Built inland and high above sea level, it offered protection from pirate raids that plagued the Saronic Gulf. The area is dotted with the remains of over 30 small Byzantine churches and chapels, many adorned with surviving frescoes. Today, Paliachora stands as a living open-air museum, illustrating Aegina’s Christian and Byzantine heritage amid peaceful rural surroundings.

Aegina’s Local Products & World-Famous Pistachios

Aegina is celebrated not only for its history but also for its strong agricultural identity, shaped by a dry Mediterranean climate, mineral-rich soil, and centuries of local know-how. Among its local products, pistachios stand as the island’s most iconic treasure.

Aegina pistachios are protected by PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status, confirming their exceptional quality and unique characteristics. Introduced in the late 19th century, pistachio trees flourished on the island thanks to ideal growing conditions—sea breezes, low humidity, and volcanic soil. The result is a pistachio known for its intense aroma, naturally sweet flavor, vibrant green color, and delicate texture, widely regarded among the finest in the world.

Harvested traditionally toward the end of summer, Aegina pistachios are carefully dried and processed using time-honored methods. They are enjoyed both raw and roasted and are transformed into a variety of artisanal products, including pistachio butter, sweets, pastries, spreads, and liqueurs, all deeply connected to the island’s culinary heritage.

All cancellations must be confirmed by Olive Sea Travel.

Regarding the Day Tours:

Cancellations up to 4 days before your service date are 100% refundable.

Cancellation Policy:

• Licensed Tour Guides and Hotels are external co-operators & they have their own cancellation policy.
• Apart from the above cancellation limits, NO refunds will be made. If though, you fail to make your appointment for reasons that are out of your hands, that would be, in connection with the operation of your airline or cruise ship or strikes, extreme weather conditions or mechanical failure, you will be refunded 100% of the paid amount.
• If your cancellation date is over TWO (2) months away from your reservation date, It has been known for third-party providers such as credit card companies, PayPal, etc. to charge a levy fee usually somewhere between 2-4%.
• Olive Sea Travel reserves the right to cancel your booking at any time, when reasons beyond our control arise, such as strikes, prevailing weather conditions, mechanical failures, etc. occur. In this unfortunate case, you shall be immediately notified via the email address you used when making your reservation and your payment WILL be refunded 100%.