Cyclades
Islands
: Amorgos, Andros,
Folegandros, Ios,
Kea, Kythnos,
Milos, Mykonos,
Naxos, Paros
and Antiparos, Santorini,
Sifnos, Serifos,
Sikinos, Syros,
Tinos
Northern
Aegean Islands:
Chios, Ikaria,
Limnos, Lesvos,
Samos, Samothraki,
Thassos
Ionian
Islands:
Corfu (Kerkyra), Ithaki,
Kefalonia, Kythera,
Lefkada, Paxos,
Zakynthos
Saronic
Islands:
Aegina, Angistri,
Poros, Hydra,
Salamina, Spetsis
Sporades
Islands:
Alonissos, Skiathos,
Skopelos, Skyros
Dodecanese
Islands:
Astypalia, Halki,
Kalymnos, Karpathos,
Kassos, Kastellorizo,
Kos, Leros,
Nisyros, Patmos,
Rhodes, Symi,
Tilos
Other
Islands:
Crete, Evia,
Cyprus
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Saronic Islands - Aegina
Close to the mainland and Athens, Aegina Island has become
a favorite weekend getaway spot for many people on the
Greek mainland. Like the Greeks themselves, Aegina Island
is an island of people that believe in living life to
the fullest and enjoying every moment. Aegina Island is
a place full of vibrant colors, exquisite agriculture,
and breathtaking views. To truly experience everything
that Aegina Island has to offer, you need to set aside
a couple days, and all your presuppositions about the
island it it’s people.
Upon docking, you will see the white-washed church of
Agios Nikolaos as it invites you to enter the island.
The church stands in stark contrast to the vibrant colors
of the neoclassical houses that surround the island. Blue
domed churches shine from every side as you begin your
journey through Aegina Island. The main town, Aegina,
is home to everything from orphanages to government houses.
In the midst of the modern conveniences of Aegina, you
also will encounter roman ruins, the sanctuary of the
Apollo, and two museums. Everything in the town of Aegina
is surrounded by the pure natural beauty that is common
to all the Saronic Islands.
Once you leave the town of Aegina, you will encounter
many smaller towns and villages, all teaming with people
who want to welcome you with open arms to Aegina Island.
Take the time to explore each settlement and you will
find more than just natural beauty; you will also discover
piece after piece of priceless archeological finds.
Along the coast of Aegina Island, Agia Marina is home
to the sanctuary of Athina Afea and, therefore, is home
to many tourists throughout the year. The nearby ruins
of Paleohora, the original capital of the island, are
home to twenty-eight churches, a medieval castle, and
two monasteries.
As you travel coastline of
Aegina Island, you will encounter fishing villages
such as Vala and Perdika, as well. The small costal villages
are complemented by the spectacular beaches of other nearby
towns. And, don’t forget that a little farther inland
is Mesagros, a town famous for ceramics.
If you only have the opportunity to visit one of the
Saronic Islands while
you are in Greece, take time to visit Aegina Island. Aegina
Island is as ancient as it is modern and as colorful as
it is simple.
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