The Aegina Fistiki Fest, or Aegina Pistachio Festival, returns for the 11th year this week, bringing foodies, musicians, artists and more to the Saronic island located just a short ferry ride away from Athens.

The island of Aegina is famous for many things; it was – albeit for a short time – the first capital of Greece; it’s home to several interesting sites, including the tomb and church of Saint Nektarios and the ancient Temple of Aphaia; it’s a popular destination among artists thanks to the supposedly exceptional and unique light (though as far as we know the latter has yet to be explained).

To many people however, especially to gastronomes and nut lovers, Aegina is most famous for growing possibly the best pistachios in the world. The Protected Designation of Origin Aegina pistachio is small, but whether salted and roasted or baked into sweet treats, it’s also incredibly flavorful. It’s among the most stand-out products of Greece, and the Aegina Fistiki Fest, held at the end of each harvesting season, draws large crowds to the island.

Not all of the festival events are purely about the pistachio. This year, the opening of the festival, on Thursday September 12, will be celebrated in the fish market square, where local musicians will play live starting at 21.00. Meanwhile, the fish market itself will be transformed into an exhibition space, with a series of handmade wooden caiques by artist Christodoulo Kampougianni replacing the ice and seafood on the counters. The exhibition will be open 20.30-24.00 each day of the festival.

At the open air cinema Anesis, in the center of town, an exhibition of works by Greek and foreign artists titled “A Field Guide to Getting Lost VOL. 2,” dedicated to the end of summer, will open on Thursday at 20.00 (then open 19.00 – 22.00 on the following days of the festival).

A stone’s throw away, at the historic Markellos Tower, plenty of activities for kids, including a treasure hunt, puppet theater, rock painting and baking lessons, will take place throughout the festival.

On Friday, visitors will enjoy a concert with singer Kostas Makedonas performing at the church of Aghios Nikolaos in the port, and on Sunday evening a musical procession along the port street will lead to the closing ceremony in the same spot, which will be followed by a concert by Cherche la femme.

Other events include live baking, pistachio cultivation lessons, archaeology-themed events, and more. You will find the full festival program in Greek and English at most shops in Aegina Town, and in Greek here. 

In addition to the events and exhibitions, a large fair set up along the waterfront will host local producers and store owners, selling all manner of pistachio products (two favorites not to miss are the pistachio ice cream from Aiakion and the pistachio brittle from Mourtzis), as well as other food products (try the dairy goods from Orini Aegina), and pistachio-themed jewelry. The fair will be open from 10.00 until late in the evening each day of the festival.

Outside of the official festival program, restaurants around the island will serve special dishes featuring the famous nut (for a nearby meal away from the hustle and bustle, visit Manitas sto Kuma, and end your meal with their own pistachio spoon sweet or pistachio liqueur, or spend the day at the beach in Aiginitissa, and feast on the pork tenderloin with Vinsanto sauce and pistachios at Fyki, the restaurant there).