Only an hour’s ferry ride from Athens, Aegina has long been the capital’s favorite quick escape – close enough for a spontaneous hop across the water, yet rich enough in history to fill a relaxed weekend. Tradition links its name to the nymph Aegina, mother of the hero Aiakos – grandfather of Achilles, but the island’s story is anchored in its remarkable past: in the 7th and 6th centuries BC, Aegina was a maritime powerhouse and a formidable rival of Athens, minting some of the earliest Greek coinage (with its famous sea turtles), and controlling key trade routes in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean.

Today, visitors know it for delicious pistachios, horse-drawn carts along the harborfront, pine-scented hills, and relaxed Saronic sunsets. But woven between the tavernas and holiday homes is an island dense with archaeology – from the ancient acropolis at Kolona to the striking Temple of Aphaia, Byzantine ruins at Palaiochora, and Venetian fortifications.

Compact, friendly, and easy to explore, Aegina is a perfect all-rounder for first-time travelers and archaeology lovers alike.

Kolona Archaeological Site

Just a few minutes’ walk from the ferry port, Kolona is the ideal place to begin your archaeological circuit. This low coastal hill, crowned by a single surviving column of the Archaic Temple of Apollo (6th century BC), served as Aegina’s acropolis and religious–political center for thousands of years.

Excavations here have revealed an extraordinary sequence: Early and Middle Helladic settlements from around 3000 BC, Mycenaean structures, extensive fortifications, and later Classical and Hellenistic public buildings, including the “Bouleuterion” (assembly house). Archaeologists have also unearthed Byzantine remains, evidence of the site’s long life.

Writing in the second century AD, Greek traveler and geographer Pausanias describes the “Aiakeion” – Aiakos’ monumental tomb – along with a grand theater said to rival Epidaurus, and shrines dedicated to Demeter, Artemis, Dionysus, and Hecate. Numerous elite Archaic burials have been found here too, including examples of fine gold jewelry. Offshore lie the remains of Aegina’s commercial, military, and “kryptos” (“hidden”) harbors, from which the island launched its warships. Much later, in Venetian times, Kolona’s lone column even served sailors as a navigational marker.

Palaiochora

About 7km inland from Aegina Town lies Palaiochora (or Paleochora), the island’s abandoned medieval capital, perched above the famous Aghios Nektarios monastery. Founded in the 9th century to protect residents from the near constant threat of Saracen pirate raids, the settlement grew into Aegina’s primary town until 1826. It once boasted around 800 houses and an astonishing 366 churches – one for every day of the year, as locals like to say!

Today, roughly 38 churches remain, many with evocative frescoes. Look out for Aghios Georgios, Metamorphosis, and Aghia Kyriaki, where traces of Byzantine artistry cling to the stone walls. As you wander along cobbled paths, you’ll encounter remnants of fortifications, cisterns, and water reservoirs, as well as the ruins of a hilltop Venetian castle built in the mid-17th century.

Overgrown with wildflowers and wrapped in eerie silence, the village has earned the nickname the “Mystras of Aegina” for its Byzantine echoes and peaceful charm. Entry is free; bring sturdy shoes, water, and take your time. If you manage the climb to the castle, the views across the island are superb.

Tower of Merkellos

Back in Aegina Town, a short stroll from the seafront brings you to the 17th-century Tower of Merkellos, its faded pink façade lending it a touch of theatrical charm. Originally a Venetian watchtower guarding the harbor, it was restored in 1802 by Aegina’s revolutionary leader Spiridon Markellos. During the War of Independence, it variously served as a headquarters for freedom-fighters, provisional governments, and ministers under Kapodistrias.

Today, the tower is owned by the municipality and houses the Kapodistrian Cultural Center and the Center for Social Reflection “Spiros Alexiou.” Occasional exhibitions and cultural events open its doors to visitors, offering a glimpse into the island’s modern history.

If You Have Time…

If you’re staying on Aegina for more than just a quick day trip, and you’re in the mood for something more adventurous, head into the island’s rugged southern interior to Mount Hellanion Oros (532 m), home to one of the oldest mountain sanctuaries in Greece. Sacred to Zeus Hellanios – the weather god and “bringer of rain” – this wind-swept peak drew worshippers as early as the 8th century BC, with possible Mycenaean roots.

According to tradition, it was here that Aiakos prayed for rain during a devastating drought, building a shrine in thanks when the heavens finally opened. Little survives today of the ancient sanctuary beyond a Hellenistic wall, a broad stone staircase, and a small chapel dedicated to the Ascension/Prophet Elijah. But the landscape is dramatic, the air crisp, and the views over the Saronic Gulf are breathtaking.

From here, continue to the nearby village of Sfentouri, where a lovely stone-paved path descends to the ancient olive grove of Eleonas – a perfect spot for a late-afternoon picnic. Some trees are believed to be 1,500-2,000 years old, their twisted trunks and silvery canopies creating an atmosphere that feels almost mythical.