It is a picturesque island located very close to Athens and therefore very popular among Athenians, especially for short trips, either by yachts or by ferries and flying dolphins. Many of them have their summer houses there and therefore you will see some impressive villas climbed in its hills. It has a quite traditional town (port) with neo-classical architecture, 2-3 picturesque fishing villages and important archaelogical sites. It has a descent touristic infrastructure and a variety of tavernas, clubs, bars, pastry shops, cafes, beach bars etc. Night life is not wild but visitors will find a few greek music and international music dancing clubs, mainly in the town. It has a few nice beaches but they are not among the best of Greece.

SAILING IN AEGINA
ADVANTAGES:
-    Its proximity to most of the Athenian Marinas makes Aegina one of the most popular yachting destinations, especially in weekends. Aegina port, the picturesque fishing village "Perdika" and some of its bays (such as Klima) attract some of the most impressive yachts. Therefore, you may meet some of the greek "high society", eating in its famous fish tavernas (mainly in Perdica) or having fun in the night clubs.
-    It has very nice tavernas and cafes - easily accessible for yachters- with sea views and tasty local specialties
-    "Moni" - the tiny islet close to Perdika - is definitely one of the most beautiful yachting destinations in Saronic Gulf. It's small beach has marvelous turquoise waters, nice greenery but is usually full of anchored yachts.
-    Aegina is very close to Agistri island, which offers some of the most beautiful green waters and landscapes for yachters in Greece (see separate listing for Agistri). Moreover it is also close to Peloponissos (Epidavros etc) and the beautiful islands Poros and Hydra.
-    Weather in Saronic Gulf is usually calmer than Aegean Sea. Even with strong north - north western winds ("meltemi") that prevail in the summer there, it is easier to travel to Aegina compared to other destinations.               

DISADVANTAGES:
-    There is no organized marina, but one can moor either in the port (which has some facilities) or in Perdika. However finding a place is difficult, especially in weekends. Therefore most yachts anchor at the several bays around.
-    Aegina port is very noisy and busy (boats come and go all the time). Therefore only few places (those that are not on the main road) are a bit quieter.  
-    All anchorages are very busy (boats pass all the time) and vulnerable to swell that appears unexpectedly. So even though one may find protected anchorages that have calm waters, they may suddenly be shaken either by swell or by other boats passing by.
-    Aegina has a few beaches which are not very large and therefore are crowded by boats and bathers (especially in weekends). Among them, three or four are nice but Greece has hundreds of much nicer ones.

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Last Update: September 2012

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