Planning a trip to Aegina
Getting There
Car ferries and excursion boats to Aegina usually leave from Piraeus's Main Harbor; hydrofoils leave both from the Main Harbor and from Marina Zea Harbor. Hydrofoil service is at least twice as fast as ferries and at least 40% more expensive (except to Aegina, for which the charge is only about 10% more). The sleek little hydrofoils are outfitted like broad aircraft with airline seats, toilets, and a minimum of luggage facilities. (The fore sections offer better views, but they're also bumpier.) The newer Super Cats are bigger, faster, and more comfortable, with food and beverage service. Reservations are vital on weekends. Often, in order to continue to another Saronic Gulf island by hydrofoil, you must return to Piraeus to transfer. Some ferries go from Aegina to the other Saronic Gulf islands. Warning: Schedules -- and even carriers -- can change, so double-check information you get -- and then be prepared for last-minute schedule and carrier changes; www.openseas.gr is a useful site for ferry schedules as is www.gtp.gr.
Daily hydrofoil and ferry service to the Saronic Gulf islands is offered by Hellenic Seaways (tel. 210/419-9200; www.hellenicseaways.gr). Saronikos Ferries (tel. 210/417-1190) takes passengers and cars to Aegina, Poros, and Spetses; cars are not allowed to disembark on Hydra. Euroseas (tel. 210/411-3108) has speedy catamaran service from Piraeus to Poros, Hydra, and Spetses. Boats often, but not always, leave from gates E8 and 9 in the main Piraeus harbor. You can usually visit any one of the Saronics for between 20€ and 65€ day-return; the faster the ship, the higher the price. Several cruises offer day trips to Hydra, Poros, and Aegina; for details, see chapter 4, "Cruising the Greek Islands."
For information on schedules for most Argo-Saronic ferries, try one of the numbers of the Piraeus Port Authority (tel. 210/422-6000, 210/410-1480, or 210/410-1441), but phones are not always answered. On Aegina, try tel. 22970/22-328.
Avoiding the Aegina Crowds -- If Aegina turns out to be too crowded for you, take a short ferry ride to little Angistri, where Rosy's Little Village (www.rosyslittlevillage.com; tel. 22970/91-610) is as charming as its name, with 16 whitewashed rooms tucked in a pine grove. The restaurant serves organic food, there's swimming in a rocky cove, and many guests meditate and relax, either on their own or in one of a number of holistic workshops; summer doubles start at 50€ and go to around 75€ in August.
Visitor Information
The Aegina Tourist Office (tel. 22970/22-220) is in the Town Hall. There's a string of travel agencies at the harbor, including the usually efficient Aegina Island Holidays, 47 Demokratias (tel. 22970/26-439; fax 22970/26-430). To learn a little about Aegina's history, look for Anne Yannoulis's Aegina (Lycabettus Press), usually on sale at Kalezis Boatokshop on the harbor (tel. 22970/25-956), which stocks foreign newspapers. Check the websites www.aeginagreece.com and www.greeka.com/saronic/aegina for info in English and pick up the handy free Mini Guide, published each year in English and Greek.
Getting Around
A left turn as you disembark the ferry takes you east to the bus station (tel. 22970/22-787) on Plateia Ethneyersias. There's good service to most of the island, with trips every hour in summer to the Temple of Aphaia and Ayia Marina (3€); tickets must be purchased before boarding. Every Saturday and Wednesday in summer, Panoramic Bus Tours (tel. 22970/22-254) offers a 3 1/2-hour bus tour (6€) of the island, taking in the Temple of Aphaia, several beaches and villages, and the Hellenic Wildlife Hospital (tel. 22970/28-267; www.ekpaz.gr) at Pachia Rachi, where monkeys, wild boar, crocodiles, owls, and other exotic creatures are rehabilitated and housed before being returned to the wild. The tour has a commentary in Greek and English and is a great introduction to the island. Taxis are easy to find in Aegina town; if you want to take a taxi tour of the island, negotiate the fare before you set off. Your hotel can usually get you a decent price to rent either bicycles or mopeds; if you just show up at a rental place, the price is usually higher. An ordinary bike should cost about 12€ per day; mopeds, from 25€, except on summer weekends, when the sky is the limit. Motorcycle and moped agents are required to, but do not always, ask for proof that you are licensed to drive such vehicles and give you a helmet. Be sure to check the tires and brakes.
Fast Facts
The National Bank of Greece is one of four waterfront banks with currency-exchange service and ATMs; some travel agents, including Island Holidays (tel. 22970/23-333), often exchange money both during and after normal bank hours, usually at less favorable rates. The island clinic (tel. 22970/22-251) is on the northeast edge of town; for first aid, dial tel. 22970/22-222. The police (tel. 22970/23-343) and the tourist police (tel. 22970/27-777) share a building on Leonardou Lada, about 200m (656 ft.) inland from the port. The port authority (tel. 22970/22-328) is on the waterfront. The post office is in Plateia Ethatneyersias, around the corner from the hydrofoil pier. The telephone office (OTE) is 5 blocks inland from the port, on Aiakou. There are several Internet cafes, including Prestige and Nesant, on and just off the waterfront. Tip: Try to pick up the useful guides Essential Aegina and Mini Guide, often available from travel agents, hotels, and the tourist police.
