Piraeus → Aegina ferry guide + what to do on Aegina

How to get from Piraeus to Aegina (step-by-step, with links)

• Where to board: Most Aegina ferries leave Gate E8 at Piraeus. Confirm on the port screens/your ticket. See maps: Blue Star’s Piraeus map and a simple E-gate map (PDF). (Blue Star Ferries)

• How long it takes: ~40–45 min by high-speed catamaran; ~60–75 min by conventional ferry. Compare schedules on Ferryhopper: Athens (Piraeus) → Aegina. (Ferryhopper)

• Operators:

  • Conventional ferries: Saronic Ferries (daily, year-round). (Saronic Ferries)

  • High-speed catamarans: Hellenic Seaways “AERO Highspeed”. (Fleet info: AERO 1). (Hellenic Seaways)

• Other ports on Aegina: Main arrivals use Aegina Town; seasonal boats may also serve Souvala or Agia Marina—always check your ticket. Operator overview: Saronic Ferries destinations. (Saronic Ferries)

What Aegina is famous for

• Pistachios (PDO “Fystíki Aeginas”) – stalls by the port, pistachio gelato, and September’s island-wide festival. Read the PDO background via the growers’ association: pistaches.eu and the EU GI register (search Fystiki Aeginas): eAmbrosia. Festival site: fistikifest.gr. (pistaches.eu)

• Temple of Aphaia – a superb 5th-century BC Doric temple on a pine-clad hill with sea views: official page from Greece’s Ministry of Culture here. (odysseus.culture.gr)

• Agios Nektarios Monastery – one of Greece’s most visited modern pilgrimage sites; practical info on the monastery’s site: agiosnektarios-monastery.gr. (Ιερά Μονή Αγίου Νεκταρίου.)

Aegina Town: easy wins on foot

• Harbor stroll & neoclassical front – cafés, fishing caiques, and pistachio kiosks right on the waterfront. Orientation: Visit Greece – Aegina. (VisitGreece)

• Kolona & the Archaeological Museum – the “single column” of Apollo and the island’s compact museum steps from the port: official pages for the Kolona site and the Archaeological Museum of Aegina. (odysseus.culture.gr)

• Kapodistrian era sights – Aegina was the first capital of modern Greece (1828–1829). Read more on Visit Greece, and see the landmark Tower of Markellos background here. (VisitGreece)

• Sweet stop: long-running waterfront patisserie Aiakeion – menu & story on their official site: aiakeion.gr. (aiakeion.gr)

Must-see around the island

• Temple of Aphaia (Agia Marina area) – official visiting info: odysseus.culture.gr. (odysseus.culture.gr)

• Agios Nektarios Monastery – dress modestly; details: agiosnektarios-monastery.gr. (Ιερά Μονή Αγίου Νεκταρίου.)

• Paleochora (“island Mystras”) – a hillside dotted with Byzantine chapels; good intros on AeginaGreece and Religious Greece. (Aegina Healing)

• Perdika & Moni islet – tiny boats run from Perdika to Moni in summer (10–20 min). See practicals on We Love Aegina and the local info page AeginaGreece. Please do not feed wildlife. (weloveaegina.com)

• Beaches for all moods – sandy Agia Marina (Blue Flag), chilled Aeginitissa, family-friendly Marathonas; overview via Visit Greece and Agia Marina pages: AeginaGreece or official local site. (VisitGreece)

Practical tips

• Bus, taxi & rentals: Central bus stop is opposite Aegina port. Working timetables change—check local postings or call KTEL Aegina (numbers listed here): Aegina Portal – KTEL. General route info: AeginaGreece – buses. (Aegina Portal)

• Dress codes: for monasteries, cover shoulders/knees. (See monastery site above.) (Ιερά Μονή Αγίου Νεκταρίου.)

• Always reconfirm sailings: seasonality affects frequency and which Aegina port is served. Check Ferryhopper and Saronic Ferries timetables. (Ferryhopper)

Sources you can trust

• Ferries & gate maps: Ferryhopper route guide • Blue Star Piraeus map • Greeka E-gates PDF (Ferryhopper)

• Operators: Saronic Ferries timetables • Hellenic Seaways (AERO) (Saronic Ferries)

• Sights: Ministry of Culture – Temple of Aphaia • Ministry of Culture – Kolona site & museum • Agios Nektarios Monastery (odysseus.culture.gr)

• Island orientation: Visit Greece – Aegina • Municipality (portal link in Wikipedia) (VisitGreece)

• Pistachio PDO: Growers’ association • EU GI register (eAmbrosia) • Fistiki Fest (pistaches.eu)

• Moni islet & boats: We Love Aegina • AeginaGreece – Moni info (weloveaegina.com)

Photos show the view of the port in Piraeus.
Onboard the ferry. View of the islands when reaching Aegina town. Pistachio tree with fruits. Ice cream and sunset.