Where to stay in Aegina: Aegina Town, Agia Marina or Perdika?
A short area guide to the island closest to Athens, and who each one suits.
- Without a car: Aegina Town, where ferries dock and everything is walkable.
- With kids: Agia Marina, with a beach on foot from the hotel.
- For couples and quiet: Perdika, with its fish tavernas.
On a first visit, stay in Aegina Town. If you came for the beach, Agia Marina. Book ahead for summer weekends.
Where should you stay in Aegina?
Aegina is the closest island to Athens that feels like a real island: a fishing harbour, churches, pistachio orchards and beaches. Most visitors come for a day, but a night or two lets you see it after the day-trippers' boats head back to Piraeus. The first question is which area suits you. This overview is based on the accommodation guide by blogger Megan Starr (updated September 2026).
Aegina Town: the easiest choice
Aegina Town is where the ferries dock, and it suits most visitors, especially without a car:
- It is walkable: promenade, harbour, fish market, cafés and restaurants.
- Buses and taxis to the rest of the island leave from here.
- It works for a one- or two-night stay and off season too, because the town is lively all year.
The downside: the beaches in town are small, so you need to travel for the good ones.
Agia Marina: for a beach holiday
Agia Marina, on the east side of the island, is a resort area with a sandy beach, hotels and tavernas. It suits families who want a beach within walking distance of the hotel. It is also close to the Temple of Aphaia, the island's famous ancient site. Outside the summer season the area is very quiet and some businesses close.
Perdika: fish tavernas and quiet
Perdika is a fishing village in the southwest, with a row of fish tavernas on the water. It is quieter than the town and Agia Marina, and suits couples. Small boats leave from Perdika to the nearby islet of Moni. A car or scooter helps.
Souvala, Vagia and Marathonas
- Souvala, in the north, is a small town with its own harbour and small beaches. Some ferries from Piraeus call there.
- Vagia is quieter and more isolated. According to the guide, you need a car to enjoy it.
- Marathonas, between the town and Perdika, has easy beaches along the way.
How to get to Aegina
Ferries and fast boats run to Aegina from Piraeus all year, and the trip is short. All the details, crossing times and prices: ferry from Athens to Aegina. General guide: the complete guide to ferries in Greece.
Staying in Aegina: practical tips
- Without a car: choose Aegina Town. It has everything, and transport to the rest of the island leaves from there.
- With kids: Agia Marina, for the beach on foot.
- For couples: Perdika or Marathonas.
- In summer and at weekends many Athenians come to the island, so book ahead.
- Kosher travellers: there is no kosher restaurant on Aegina. The nearest Chabad house is in Athens. See Chabad houses in Greece and the Shabbat times.
Before you go, check the weather, because strong wind can disrupt fast boats.
FAQ
What is the best area to stay in Aegina? For most visitors, Aegina Town: it is walkable, the ferries arrive there, and transport to the rest of the island leaves from there.
Where to stay in Aegina with kids? Agia Marina, a resort area with a sandy beach and hotels by the shore.
Do you need a car on Aegina? Not in town. For Perdika, Vagia and the more distant beaches, a car or scooter is easier.
Is it worth staying overnight or just a day trip? A day is enough for a taste. A night or two lets you see the island quietly, after the day-trippers leave.
